The world of Tzu Chi January 2021 (Vol.130)

2021 • 01 32 pecial Feature and be environmentally-friendly at the same time. His friend trusted his skill and agreed to it. One by one, Pai Jen collected second- hand switches from recycling centre and refurbished the parts. He did not mind the additional efforts and time required to do this; “As long as the person is willing to support environmental protection, I’ll gladly help.” A small eco-farm at home Pai Jen came from a farming family. As such, he had some experience in agricultural farming when he was a young boy. Besides growing vine plants, like bitter gourd and luffa, he also planted tomatoes, Brazilian spinach, strawberries and others in pots. He made full use of the wall in the courtyard to set up a vertical vegetable zone. He uses aquaponics farming system to set up an organic farm in his home. According to Pai Jen, aquaponics farming does not require additional fertilizer and watering. He set up a circulatory system by himself, using a fish pond and a water pump to transfer water from the pond to a water storage tank. From time to time, organic fertilizer in liquid form is extracted from a self-made compost bin, and directed into the water storage tank, mixing with the nutrients from the fish pond. This liquid mixture is then irrigated via a plastic pipe into the hydroponic system, where the vegetables can absorb the rich nutrients provided by this system. The solidified remains in the compost bin are used as fertilizer for other farming purposes. Nothing goes to waste. Almost everything in this entire system is made from recycled materials by Pai Jen. Pai Jen said that every family can build an environmentally-friendly aquaponics system that fits their own living space. He added, “No additional fertilizers and watering are required. By growing our own vegetables, not only do we get to eat healthy food that is free from pesticides, we also help to protect our environment by putting kitchen wastes into good use and achieving zero- kitchen-waste lifestyle. If rearing fish is too troublesome, we can do without it, and use only kitchen wastes.” Recently, he started an aquaponics system using only kitchen wastes without fish, at Tzu Chi Recycling Education Centre in Ayer Keroh. He hoped that besides sorting out recyclables at the centre, everyone should also put environment protection into actions in different aspects of his/her daily life, from clothing, food, living environment, transportation, education to leisure activities. He remarked, “Environmental protection begins with oneself, and should further extend outwards and downwards. Children must start to inculcate good habits in protecting the environment at a young age. Environmental protection awareness should also gradually develop amongst relatives and friends. When knowledge becomes common sense, which in turn is put into actions, then it becomes a habit that everyone is able to practise in daily life.” Environmental protection canbe fashionable Very often, we come across many interesting objects that fascinate us. With her skilful hands, Lye Peck Yoong always managed to transform tin boxes, sponges, name card boxes, old clothes and socks, packing strings, tooth-pick bottles, mini soap pieces, zips, buttons, and so on, which seemed to have no further use and should either be disposed as