In 2020, NEA stated that the annual plastic recycling rate was a mere 4%. Moreover, there is a growing need for Singapore to rapidly reduce its waste in order to extend the Pulau Semakau landfill's lifespan beyond 2035. In addition, it was estimated that up to 40% of the waste in the blue recycling bins were contaminated and hence, unable to be recycled.
My team has come up with an initiative to solve the problems stated above through the use of gamification, and by inculcating a recycling habit in Singapore, starting with its youths.
The project, Recycle2Win, focuses on secondary school students. It is a national-level recycling competition where schools compete against one another in recycling the most amount of waste within a period of time. The competition will reward schools that reach certain recycling quotas (measured in weight) and naturally, the school that has contributed the largest amount of recycled material in Singapore.
Moreover, recycling will be gamified to encourage students to recycle through a point system. Students are able to use recycling as a medium to vote and support their favorite team(?) and in turn, they stand a chance to win exclusive rewards sponsored by the government.
By gamifying the blue recycling bins through the use of a simple voting system, students are able to show their support for specific idols/teams they admire, and in turn, stand a chance to gain a monetary reward sponsored by the government if their team wins.
Blue recycling bins within the school compound are gamified through the use of a simple voting system which allows students to show their support for their favorite celebrities and sports teams. Students on the side that has the most votes at the end of the competition stand a chance to gain a monetary reward sponsored by the government.
Students who participate in this competition, will learn how to properly recycle their waste without contaminating other materials. Moreover, they will associate recycling as a positive experience, and will therefore continue to do so when they mature into adults. It is our hope that they will pass on this habit of recycling onto the next generation as they feel that it is a positive and beneficial activity.
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