Green Initiative in Singapore???

My recyclable papers were taken by the cleaners and threw into their garbage trolley.

They looked away as I wanted to take photos as evidence.

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I sent an email to Capitaland Retail and Forums.

Not sure if I would get any replies, I won't know as I am going Nepal for 3 weeks.

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Below is part of the email sent to Capitaland Retail::

Dear Management of Capitaland Retail Limited,

I would like to highlight an upsetting encounter within the Choa Chu Kang Lot 1 Mall, and hope the company could give an explanation to me and the general public.

Date & Time of Incident: 16th October 2009 (Friday), 6.30pm

Location: Choa Chu Kang Lot 1 Shoppers Mall (‘Lot1’)

Summary of the Incident:

I went to Lot1 to recycle a bag of used-papers that I collected from my office. While i was putting the used-papers into the paper recycle bin, a cleaner was taking it out from the paper recycle bin and threw it into his garbage trolley, and then, he even told me to throw my used-papers into his garbage trolley. I was puzzled, and was assuming that he was collecting the papers for recycling.

Then, he took the unwanted plastic from the plastic recycle bin and threw it into the same garbage trolley. I was very surprised and ask him what he was doing and where all these items were going to. He told me that everything would go to the big garbage bin. Instantly, I was very upset by his remarks, asked him who had given such instruction.

Then, a lot1 security guard approached us and I asked him the exact same questions. The security guard told me that the cleaner will put everything into the garbage trolley and SEPARATE them for recycling later. Fortunately, I am not that naive to believe him.

I requested to meet the clean supervisor who came later. After a brief introduction, I asked him a brief question: ‘What are these 3 recycle bins used for?’. Unfortunately, he faked ignorance and told me that he came to work 2 days ago and DID NOT know the uses of these recycle bins.

I wanted to meet the lot1 executive to discuss about this matter, unfortunately, the office was already closed at 7pm.

I had a very good image of Capitaland and its green initiative. I had taken the effort to collect the used papers in my office and brought it to be recycled in Capitaland’s recycle bin, unfortunately & sadly, all the papers ended up in the garbage bin.

I hope this is an isolated incident, however, I do not think so as the supervisor and the guard was not interested and fake ignorance. Clearly, the cleaner, the supervisor and the guard were helping each other to avoid any trouble.

I am not even an environmentalist, and I just an average individual who wanted to contribute abit to the green effort, but the incident with lot1 was upsetting. I am quite sure that my previous recyclable items are ended up in the garbage chute as well. It has wasted alot of my effort and time.

I am not only representing myself, but also the general public who has taken the initiative, time & effort to drop-off recyclable items into the recycle bins of Capitaland Malls.

If Capitaland is not serious about its green initiative, PLEASE REMOVE those recycle bins. Please do not do it for the sake of good corporate image. http://www.capitaland.com/csr/environment.php

"Exploring efficient use of resources to reduce wastage; identifying creative and practical ways to re-use our resources; and promoting opportunities to recycle waste"

Otherwise, please give a good explanation.