environmental challenge organisation (singapore)

known as ECO Singapore

ECO Living Programme 2011 @Lorong Lew Lian

Contact Person Contact No. Email

: : :

Tan Yi Han Executive, ECO Living Programme (65) 91700320 yihan.tan@eco-singapore.org

Our Youth. Our Future.

Society Reg. No: ROS326/2002 Charity Reg. No: 1739

ECO Living Programme @ Lorong Lew Lian Overall Programme Report Venue: Dates: Time: Overview ECO Living Programme is a community grassroots programme that aims to relief the burden of low/ middle-income families while doing our bit for the Earth. We will do this by performing energy, water and waste audits in HDB households in order to identify and advise on areas for improvement. From April to Sep 2011, ECO Singapore organised an ECO Living Programme for blocks 1 to 8 at Lorong Lew Lian in conjuction with Braddell Heights Zone B Residents Committee (RC) with volunteers from Starbucks as well as general public. Objectives Educate households about practical ways they can adopt to reduce their domestic energy and water consumption, as well as the 3Rs (Reducing, Reusing, Recycling) of waste management Act as an accountability partner to monitor consumption patterns and continuously suggest ways for improvement Blocks 1 8, Lorong Lew Lian 2nd & 9th Apr 2011 (initial buzz), 23rd Apr, 21st May, 18th Jun, 16th Jul, 20th Aug, 17th Sep 2011 (Audit) 9am 12.30pm

Overview of Typical Audit Representatives from ECO Singapore will arrive at 8 am to prepare the necessary logistics at the Community Hall near block 5. Volunteers are told to meet at 9am at the community hall. By 9.15am, the volunteers will do a short self-introduction and collect their logistics. Each group of volunteers would get a clipboard containing the resident
*SCAPE, 2 Orchard Link, #04-01 GRID New Media Studios, Singapore 237978 http://www.eco-singapore.org I Tel: (65) 6333 5543 I Fax: (65) 6333 5537
Registered Address: 10 Anson Road, International Plaza, #15-14 Singapore 079903

environmental challenge organisation (singapore)

known as ECO Singapore

ECO Living Programme 2011 @Lorong Lew Lian

info sheets, audit checklists, volunteer infosheet and star stickers. Sometimes, they will also get brochures or gifts for the residents.

Our Youth. Our Future.

Society Reg. No: ROS326/2002 Charity Reg. No: 1739

A briefing will be conducted to run through with the volunteers the procedure to follow when visiting the residents. At 9.45am, the volunteers will then fan out to the various blocks.. On reaching the designated household, they will note down on the resident infosheet on whether the resident is present or not. If the resident is in, they will ask for the utilities bill and record down the past electricity and water usage. Then, the volunteers will conduct the audit and finally, give reminders and star stickers. Usually, the resident will be encouraged to make pledges on specific tips eg. increasing air-con temperature to 25oC. These pledges will be noted down on the infosheet and checked on subsequent visits. By 12 noon, all the volunteers would have completed their allocated units and returned to the Community Hall. The programme will usually end by 12.30pm. Results We managed to get complete data for 20 households. The electricity and water usage in the months of July and August were compared to the average usage from October 2010 to March 2011. These are the results: Percentagechangeinelectricityusage

<10 10% 10to0 25%

>10 35%

0to10 30%

*SCAPE, 2 Orchard Link, #04-01 GRID New Media Studios, Singapore 237978 http://www.eco-singapore.org I Tel: (65) 6333 5543 I Fax: (65) 6333 5537
Registered Address: 10 Anson Road, International Plaza, #15-14 Singapore 079903

environmental challenge organisation (singapore)

known as ECO Singapore

ECO Living Programme 2011 @Lorong Lew Lian

Our Youth. Our Future.

Percentagechangeinwaterusage

Society Reg. No: ROS326/2002 Charity Reg. No: 1739

<10 30%

>10 15% 010 20%

10to0 35%

Feedback From residents During our final audit on 17th Sep, 30 residents were polled for their feedback on the programme. A copy of the feedback form is shown in appendix A. The results are compiled in appendix B. From volunteers We obtained feedback from volunteers after every audit and also via an online feedback form. From Residential Committee From Starbucks Starbucks coordinators shared that the volunteers found the experience meaningful and looked forward to renewing the partnership in 2012. Analysis of results and feedback The results of the tracking of utilities bill showed that the impact of the programme on electricity usage is minimal, with only 35% of the residents experiencing a drop in consumption. On the other hand, 65% of residents managed to reduce their water usage. The reason for the rise in electricity usage may be due to higher temperature during the middle of the year, leading to higher air-con usage. Although many residents started to switch off the power at the main switch, the amount saved may not be significant as many modern appliances use little standby power.

*SCAPE, 2 Orchard Link, #04-01 GRID New Media Studios, Singapore 237978 http://www.eco-singapore.org I Tel: (65) 6333 5543 I Fax: (65) 6333 5537
Registered Address: 10 Anson Road, International Plaza, #15-14 Singapore 079903

environmental challenge organisation (singapore)

known as ECO Singapore

ECO Living Programme 2011 @Lorong Lew Lian

Most residents were also resistant to making the type of Society Reg. No: ROS326/2002 changes that can invoke large savings but require Charity Reg. No: 1739 sacrificing comfort eg. reducing air-con and water heater usage. On the other hand, water usage may have dropped because of the physical, visible nature of water. During the water audit in May, we managed to shock many of the residents by showing just how many 1.5L bottles worth of water they were using each day. Since water has a physical, visible nature, it is possible that people were more conscious of reducing usage of water. Based on the feedback gathered, 3 of the households said they saved more water and 2 recycled water. Based on feedback from residents and volunteers, the programme has not been very effective in changing habits. Although the residents may listen to the tips we give, they may not be motivated enough to put them into action. Sometimes, too much information may be given, such that the resident doesnt really absorb the information well. A significant percentage of residents (23%) disagree that they are aware of environmental issues. This shows that the motivation for saving electricity and water in order to save the Earth is still poor. Another problem encountered was that only half the residents would be at home during each audit. In the first few audits, many residents also decided to drop out of the programme. Fortunately, from the 3rd audit onwards, the number of participating residents became stable. The main positives to take away from this programme are the impact on volunteers as well as the favourable response of residents towards the volunteers. Many of the volunteers enjoyed the interaction with the residents and shared that they learnt a lot about the residents backgrounds and problems through this interaction. In the process of learning the audit, they themselves learnt many tips on how to save energy and water, some of which they implemented at home. The residents also generally appreciated the efforts of the volunteers and would sometimes give drinks and snacks to us. Some of them may have been happy to have a listening ear to their problems. Moving forward For future audits to be successful, we need to put in place strong motivational techniques. These are some suggestions: Attractive rewards for participation/ good performance announced right from the start
*SCAPE, 2 Orchard Link, #04-01 GRID New Media Studios, Singapore 237978 http://www.eco-singapore.org I Tel: (65) 6333 5543 I Fax: (65) 6333 5537
Registered Address: 10 Anson Road, International Plaza, #15-14 Singapore 079903

Our Youth. Our Future.

environmental challenge organisation (singapore)

known as ECO Singapore

ECO Living Programme 2011 @Lorong Lew Lian

Positive reinforcement of specific habits Society Reg. No: ROS326/2002 Immediate feedback in terms of electricity and Charity Reg. No: 1739 water consumption Understanding and targeting residents needs and concerns Invoking competitive spirit Ownership of residents and their families in their energy/ water saving campaign Arranging specific appointment dates & times Utilising technology eg. energy monitors Volunteers to visit same residents each time in order to create a bond More education on the environmental rationale for saving energy/ water Tying up with electrical appliance companies to provide energyefficient appliances More training for volunteers

Our Youth. Our Future.

Partnering Organisations: ECO Living Programme would not be possible without the continuous support from our partner organisations through the opportunity and resources they provided. The partner organisations for this event are: Braddell Heights Zone B Residents Committee

Starbucks Singapore Pte Ltd

www.emonitor.com.sg

*SCAPE, 2 Orchard Link, #04-01 GRID New Media Studios, Singapore 237978 http://www.eco-singapore.org I Tel: (65) 6333 5543 I Fax: (65) 6333 5537
Registered Address: 10 Anson Road, International Plaza, #15-14 Singapore 079903

environmental challenge organisation (singapore)

known as ECO Singapore

ECO Living Programme 2011 @Lorong Lew Lian

Our Youth. Our Future.

Society Reg. No: ROS326/2002 Charity Reg. No: 1739

Appendix A: Feedback form (residents) Feedback form Please rate from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree) This programme has been effective in changing 1 2 my habits I am satisfied with this programme 1 2 I am satisfied with the volunteers 1 2 I am aware of environmental issues 1 2 I think my utilities has dropped by at least 10% 1 2

3 3 3 3 3

4 4 4 4 4

5 5 5 5 5

Describe the habits that have been changed: _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ ________________________________ Is the date/ time/ duration ok? Y/N If not, why? ______________________________________________________________ How do you think we can improve? _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ ________________________________

*SCAPE, 2 Orchard Link, #04-01 GRID New Media Studios, Singapore 237978 http://www.eco-singapore.org I Tel: (65) 6333 5543 I Fax: (65) 6333 5537
Registered Address: 10 Anson Road, International Plaza, #15-14 Singapore 079903

environmental challenge organisation (singapore)

known as ECO Singapore

ECO Living Programme 2011 @Lorong Lew Lian

Our Youth. Our Future.

Society Reg. No: ROS326/2002 Charity Reg. No: 1739

Appendix B: Results of feedback (residents) Question 1 1a) This programme has been effective in changing my habits
Disagree 10% Strongly Disagree 3%

Neutral 20% Agree 37%

Strongly Agree 30%

1b) I am satisfied with this programme

Strongly Agree 30% Neutral 23% Agree 47%

1b) I am satisfied with the volunteers

Neutral 17% Strongly Agree 40% Agree 43%

*SCAPE, 2 Orchard Link, #04-01 GRID New Media Studios, Singapore 237978 http://www.eco-singapore.org I Tel: (65) 6333 5543 I Fax: (65) 6333 5537
Registered Address: 10 Anson Road, International Plaza, #15-14 Singapore 079903

environmental challenge organisation (singapore)

known as ECO Singapore

ECO Living Programme 2011 @Lorong Lew Lian

Our Youth. Our Future.

Society Reg. No: ROS326/2002 Charity Reg. No: 1739

1c) I am aware of environmental issues

Strongly Agree 23% Disagree 23% Neutral 14% Agree 40%

1e) I think my utilities has dropped by at least 10%

Strongly Agree 13% Disagree 27% Neutral 27% Agree 33%

Question 2 Describe the habits that have been changed: Habit Turn off at main switch after use Use less water Recycle water Dont use water heater for so long Less use of fans Open door instead of using lights Use water saver (ostensibly timble) Adjust air-con to 26oC Use fans rather than air-con Close fridge door properly Question 3 Is the date/ time/ duration ok?
*SCAPE, 2 Orchard Link, #04-01 GRID New Media Studios, Singapore 237978 http://www.eco-singapore.org I Tel: (65) 6333 5543 I Fax: (65) 6333 5537
Registered Address: 10 Anson Road, International Plaza, #15-14 Singapore 079903

Number of respondents 6 3 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

environmental challenge organisation (singapore)

known as ECO Singapore

ECO Living Programme 2011 @Lorong Lew Lian

Yes 24

No 5

Our Youth. Our Future.

Society Reg. No: ROS326/2002 Charity Reg. No: 1739

If not, why? Earlier in the morning 10+ am Too short Prefer later (just woke up) Working sometimes during visit Question 4 How do you think we can improve? Can listen, but still dont understand Help make sure government not cheating on readings Through more awareness Constantly remind people to save energy

*SCAPE, 2 Orchard Link, #04-01 GRID New Media Studios, Singapore 237978 http://www.eco-singapore.org I Tel: (65) 6333 5543 I Fax: (65) 6333 5537
Registered Address: 10 Anson Road, International Plaza, #15-14 Singapore 079903