The World Of Tzu Chi(Vol.116)

15 TZU CHI 116 experience. “I used to avoid the recycling centre, as I dreaded the thought of working in a place surrounded by trash,” he recalled with a wry smile. Back then, the Taman Desa Recycling Centre was poorly managed; the recyclables were haphazardly piled together in towering heaps and the proper planning of resources was lacking. The recycling centre was understaffed, yet the volunteers continued to accommodate all manner of recyclables sent their way, culminating in an unorganized mess. Francis became acquainted with Tzu Chi after involving himself in reorganizing the recycling centre at his brother-in-law’s invitation. Initially, he worked on sprucing up the recycling centre on a casual basis. He would later embark on his first visit to the Jing Si Abode, where he listened to Master Cheng Yen’s lecture on the importance of educating the public on environmental conservation. The encounter changed his perspective on work at the recycling centre. “I used to think education is confined to the classroom, but the Master made me realize that the recycling centres also function as avenues for imparting knowledge,” shared Francis. Upon returning from Taiwan, Francis held a discussion with the volunteers to devise a plan to restructure the recycling centre by dividing the space into designated sections, including a storage area for recyclables, a communal area, a rest area, an exhibition area and a corner for pre-loved items. Now, the Taman Desa Recycling Centre has been transformed into a neat and welcoming place with engaging exhibits on display. A series of seven poster boards is mounted on the wall to the left, illustrating the seven common types of plastics and their respective characteristics in an easy-to-understand format. The importance of education Several metal crates are placed at the entrance of the recycling centre as collection bins Pulling the Plug on Plastics