On 27 February 2021, 6 employees from GCB Cocoa Singapore (GCBCS), along with 9 of their family members, participated in a beach cleanup at Sembawang Park, Singapore. The event was organized as part of the Singapore National Environment Agency’s (NEA) Clean Singapore Learning Trail (Beaches and Parks) initiative and will be conducted on a quarterly basis, subject to the approval by the NEA.
Participants were split into two groups to clean up different sections of the park and to adhere to safe-distancing measures. Armed with gloves, tongs and trash bags, the team picked up litter from the beach and along the park pavements.
Many participants expressed concern and surprise about the amount of litter that was found in the park. Although the park looked pristine from afar, the group found a lot of plastic bottles, empty food containers, plastic wrappers, styrofoam, paper and other waste products in the park. In total, the group collected about 7 large bags of trash. Many members of the public also chipped in to pick up litter from their surroundings and were curious about the activity.
The beach cleanup at Sembawang Park was without a doubt an inspiring learning experience for all the participants. Seeing the amount of litter around the park and the harm it has caused to the environment made us reflective of our use of disposables in our everyday life. The beach cleanup experience made us aware that environmental action is both important and necessary to improve the coastal and ocean ecosystem.
GCB will continue to take part in similar activities and to advocate for environmental protection and conservation in our community. We have plans to organize more beach cleanups in the months ahead and will continue to support environmental conservation initiatives among our employees and in the community.