GREEN UP PROJECT

On 14 June, the Green Up Project committee had organised Tiered Plant Workshop at the Multi-Purpose Hall located within Block A of UCSI University (KL Campus). This workshop has definitely captured the attention of many students as it aimed to teach them how to build their very own tiered planter with adorable and rare-looking plants. On top of that, it came with a reasonable participation fee of RM15, which was definitely worth it as there was so much that was provided by the committee, such as plants, reusable plastic bottles and containers, and coloured pebbles to be put into the tiered planter. The best part of the workshop was that we were allowed to bring our very own creations home with us.

Picture of my plant after a week.

The workshop started off with the introduction of every committee members that were involved in running it, followed by a video clip on how plastics have brought about catastrophic effects on mother nature, which was meant to raise awareness on the significance of the 5Rs concept – refuse, rot, reuse, reduce and recycle. The workshop was conducted in line with two of the United Nations Sustainable Developmental Goals (SDG), namely SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption) and SDG 13 (Production and Climate Action), in efforts to encourage students in UCSI University to take action on the environmental issues through green living and upcycling. 

Seeing how plastics are not as stable as the plant pots we usually get from the florist shops, it was quite intriguing to learn how plastic bottles and containers can be used to build tiered planter. Considering the over-usage of plastics for the convenience of every human being, causing the deterioration of mother nature over the years, which led to climate change, the workshop did indeed provide a good initiative in promoting a plastic-free planet.

All participants also underwent a brainstorming session where all of us were asked to come up with another R concept apart from the 5Rs concept. Participants were given a cardboard to draw out their own R concept sign on it which will then be presented by a representative from each group. My team came up with “Reserve” – which stood for reserving certain reusable containers and others for different purposes in the future. Using an aluminium tin container as an example, we explained how it was initially used to keep biscuits but can also be reappropriated to store cash. This shows that instead of throwing it away, aluminium tin containers can actually come in handy as they could be use for storage purposes.

To instill creativity, participants were given stationery sets in addition to plastic bottles and containers of various sizes and shapes as a way to redesign them. Guidance was given by the facilitators on building the tiered planters, pouring enough soil into the containers, creating water irrigation by adding pebbles water irrigation, and decorations. Irrigation is important as it serves to improve water conditions in the soil, increases the water content of plant fibres, and dissolves nutrients to make them available to plants.

Once the decorations on the tiered planter were done, participants were provided with plants to be placed into their planter. Not to be left behind from the workshop were the pictures taken for social media uploads.

Picture of all the participants.

From this workshop, I have definitely learned that over usage of plastics should be avoided as plastics pose a lot of harmful effects the ecosystem, especially the endangered aquatic animals. Stricter rules should be implemented by the government to stop the damaging consequences. Indeed, this workshop has motivated me to save the aquatic animals that are on the edge of extinction.