Green Living @ WOU Campaign

The Green Living @ WOU campaign is organised by the Safety and Security Committee of Wawasan Open University. Initiated in March, it was officially launched by Wawasan Education Foundation chairman Dato' Seri Stephen Yeap on 25 June 2011.

The aim of the campaign is to instil a green mindset among the WOU fraternity and the public through the various activities and to collaboratively undertake conservation measures.

A. Launching Day

The Safety and Security Committee gave away six different types of herbal plants - wild betel (daun kaduk), mint leaves (daun pudina), aloe vera (lidah buaya), cat's whiskers (misai kucing), Indian borage (daun bangun-bangun) and Mollucan spinach (pokok sambung nyawa/akar sebiak) - on launching day.

These plants were distributed using recycled newspaper bags made by WOU staff. The purpose of this effort was to create a greater awareness of the benefits of these herbal plants.

Furthermore, in support of the 'no plastic bag' campaign, every staff was given a WOU custom made eco-friendly bag.

As part of the green living branding exercise and to promote a green culture, WOU's green living t-shirts were distributed to staff prior to the launch. Staff are encouraged to wear this t-shirt at all upcoming green activities of the university.

The exhibition and sale of items held in conjunction with the launch also highlighted the green living concept. The exhibitors were the MPPP Recycling Network Unit, Malaysian Nature Society, UMW Toyota Motor (showcased their hybrid car Toyota Prius), Eden Handicap Service Centre, Go Organic, Herbal Life and SMK Convent Green Lane.

B. Recycling to date

Many recycling measures have been undertaken to date in collaboration with the Penang Island Municipal Council (MPPP) and the Eden Handicap Service Centre.

The University has recycled a total of 1,951.5 kg of waste paper apart from plastic and aluminum. All these recyclable wastes were given to the Recycling Unit of Eden Handicap. The Committee has placed three large MPPP recycle bins at the back of the Albukhary Building of the Main Campus - after the car park ramp and before the alfresco area - to facilitate collection of these recyclable items.

The University managed to collect around 100 kg of electronic wastes such as computer monitors, CPU, printers, laptop, hard disks and various PC accessories for disposal by MPPP. This was in support of the MPPP computer and computer accessories recycling programme.

C. Herbal Garden in WOU

There is now an attractive herbal garden within the grounds of the main campus, sprucing up the university greenery. Apart from adding to the landscape, this garden set up in April serves to educate and create awareness on the benefits of the various herbal plants.

The garden was borne out of the initiative and the volunteerism spirit of a few WOU staff, spearheaded by WOU's General Services and Administration Department.

Visitors to WOU are encouraged to check out the herbal garden which now boasts of some 30 species of herbal plants. Among them are ginger, fragrant pandan, turmeric, serai, cat's whiskers, jasmine, sirih, basil (daun selasih), mint leaves, roselle, rosemary, daun pegaga, curry leaves and aloe vera.

Volunteers and staff carry out upgrading works on the herbal garden from time to time; the latest being the construction of a pathway made out of red bricks and rocks.

The GSA team welcomes ideas and suggestions from staff, students and the public on how to further beautify the garden; so just drop them an email at greenliving@wou.edu.my.

D. Future Green Initiatives

WOU aims to keep the momentum of the green living campaign going and has several green activities planned to reduce the carbon footprint and conserve the natural resources of the earth.

o Rainwater harvesting at Main Campus - to re-use for watering of plants, general cleaning and for car wash.

o Mangrove tree planting - to prevent natural habitat erosion.

o Throwing mud balls into rivers - for restoration of a healthy ecosystem in both soil and water. .

o Cleaning the City - starting with the KOMTAR area together with MPPP.

o Conserve energy - cut down on 1-2 hrs of aircon usage during mornings and raining days.

o Reduce hand towel use at washrooms - encourage use of hand dryer.

o Car pooling for one (1) day in a month.

o Vegetarian Day for one (1) day in a month.

o Collection of old clothes.

o Collection of old furniture.

o Second-hand goods/products fair - channel proceeds to charity.