By CHRISTINA CHIN sgchris@thestar.com.my Photos by GOH GAIK LEE
MORE than 20 traders took part in the two-day ‘Green and Eco Weekend Flea Market’ which kicked off at the New World Park in George Town on Saturday.
The organiser — JCI Tanjung Bungah — hoped to make the event a monthly affair.
“Our target is to get more traders to come and fill up the whole area,” said JCI Tanjung Bungah president Khor Kai Ee.
He said the objectives of the flea market were to promote fresh, eco-friendly produce to consumers and to educate the public on leading a greener, healthier lifestyle.
“Everything from 100% rubber slippers to pure honey, organic supplements, fruits and non-toxic cleaning products are on sale at the flea market.
“Whenever people speak about the environment, they always refer to big companies and factories.
“In actual fact, it’s us — the householders — who can really make an impact on the environment by changing our lifestyles.
“Simple measures like consuming organically grown produce and refraining from using household products that contain harmful substances and toxic chemicals can really help the environment,” he said.
Kind to the environment: Traders setting up stalls at the Green and Eco Weekend Flea Market at New World Park in Penang.
Meanwhile, the company managing New World Park — PPB Hartabina Sdn Bhd — is planning to further improve the building’s ‘green report card’ by adding more environmentally-friendly features.
The airy building which houses a hawker centre, restaurants, a stage and shoplots, is arguably Penang’s greenest hawker centre with its energy-saving features.
In line with turning the state into a greener space, the company is planning to install solar panels on the roof.
Thoughtful design: The airy New World Park building is environmental-friendly.
PPB senior manager Clarence Tan said from the very beginning, the idea was to have a building that made optimal use of natural sunlight and ventilation rather than to build an air-conditioned enclosure.
“We wanted to maintain the alfresco hawker dining experience Swatow Lane is famous for, which explains the airy feel of the place.
“The idea was to have somewhere where people can enjoy Penang’s famous street food in a clean, green and comfortable environment.
“We have already installed grease traps for the hawkers and are looking at more ways on how to turn this building into an even more environmental-friendly space for the public,” he said after the opening of the flea market.
For details, log on to newworldpark.com.my.
