Kampar, Feb 24 (J-on) – Today marks the first day for the weekly ‘Green Alert Campaign’ organised by Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) Community Service club.

Every Wednesday, students and staffs are to bring along their lunch boxes or purchase it at the cafeterias at RM 1.50 each whenever wanting to take-away food as no polystyrene lunch boxes would be provided.

As the cafeterias were bustling with hungry students, J-on took note on a few details.

In Block C cafeteria, mostly lecturers and staffs would frequently take-away food while students would prefer to have their lunch in the cafeteria with their peers.

Lecturer Nor Azleen bt Mohd Noor, 33, said that she found out about the campaign by the brochures and flyers.

“I bought the container two weeks ago at the stall that sells Malay food,” she said.

Azleen is one of the many lecturers who take-away food.

Venturing to the next block, Block D cafeteria had a more laid back vibe to it. There were students having their meals, yet, most of them were lounging about with their peers, on their laptops or reading the papers.

Electronic Engineering student Joshua Hong Kah Mun, 21, said that he is aware of the campaign and that the lunch boxes can be purchased in UTAR, but is not sure where.

Joshua, aware of ‘Green Alert Campaign’.

On a slightly different note, Chemistry students Lim Shye Kee, 22, and Tan Sock Ban, 21, said that they were not aware about the campaign occurring in the cafeterias.

With all the dine-in eaters in clear sight, one would wonder if there have been any take-away orders.

Person-in-charge of Block D cafeteria Sia Chean Wai, 22, said that there were no students who purchased the lunch boxes from the cafeteria.

“I suggest lowering the cost of the lunch boxes as it is too expensive for students,” he said. “They can purchase a plate of ‘Kuey Teow’ with RM 1.50,” he added.

At the newer cafeterias such as the quaint cafeteria in Block G, behind the new library has had its first lunch box purchase.

The Person-In-Charge of Block G cafeteria Boon Peei Thing, 30, said that the lunch box is cheap and has had one person purchasing it.

She added that one day in a week is not enough, if more days were added, it would create more awareness.

Boon shares with us her insights on this campaign.

Eager to set the pace for change is Person-In-Charge of Block H cafeteria Lee Sooi Chin, said that he is planning to place a recycling bin near the cafeteria.

Furthermore, they have changed their polystyrene lunch boxes to paper boxes for the day with the cost quintupling the former. However, this does not affect the price of the sold goods.

“I’ll encourage students to bring their own container by giving them one free fish ball,” he said.

He added that he plans to reduce the price of ‘mee hoon’ from RM 1.20 to RM 1 for those who bring their own containers but this is subjected for approval.

Both Boon and Lee agree and are very enthusiastic about the campaign.

Lee, enthusiastic about this campaign.