Minimize food wastage! by LJ

I agree with what Sumita Thiagarajan is doing to minimize food wastage. I feel that it is important to alert people to this, and social media is a good way to do so. Many people share photos of their food on social media, so clearly this is a platform that people use to interact and socialize, and this includes conversations about food. To show incomplete plates of food is a good way to start the conversation about food. It reminds people, at the start of their meal, hopefully before they order, that sometimes food is wasted. With such a reminder, people are more mindful about how much they order, and hopefully they will not over order. For example, at some restaurants that serve buffets in America, there is a surcharge for food wastage. By making it clear that food wastage is a bad thing, and including penalties for those who do not comply, we discourage people from wasting food. Although a campaign on social media is less drastic than a fine, the sentiment is similar, to raise awareness about food wastage and make it clear to people that it is bad, and should not be done.

Environment by Green

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I cannot help but disagree with Mr Chong's entire argument. The fact that the only considerations he took into account when evaluating the value of an alternate route are economic in nature shows that he is ultimately unwilling to compromise between protecting the environment and furthering economic growth. It is not a compromise when the environment is only taken into consideration when it is economically beneficial or convenient. That may be a good way of running a business, but it is not how a city should be governed. Putting aside the economic value of the reservoir [which he has not taken into consideration], we need to recognize that the reservoir is valuable to us in itself, especially since we pride ourselves on being a green city. If we are to call this city our home, it needs to stand up for something other than economic growth. Damaging a public space that many take pride in and love when there is an alternate route available simply because the alternative route is more expensive is counterproductive to nurturing the sense of responsibility and connection that citizens harbour towards the spaces they live and grow old in. 

Food Waste by Enlightened

To a certain extent, I agree with Minister Masagos that ‘old cultures, such as ordering huge quantities and varieties at banquets’ are to blame for food wastage in Singapore. Since people obviously cannot finish all the food at banquets, the excess food can become wasteful if it is thrown away. However, if the leftover food can be channeled to individuals and charities who need it, it will then put to good use. This assumes that we have adequate resources to accomplish this. In reality, it may not be efficiently possible. Thus, ultimately, it may be better to manage this problem at its source which means changing the old culture of providing more than what is needed at banquets.