80 student athletes trade game day for clean-up duty at Woodlands Waterfront Park

Over 80 student-athletes from the Aikido, Archery, Basketball, Ultimate Frisbee and Volleyball Interest Groups came together at Woodlands Waterfront Park for a hands-on clean-up that turned out to be tougher than many expected.

Held across two sessions on 21 November 2025 and 9 January 2026, the initiative saw students deployed across different zones of the park. Some focused on collecting general litter such as plastic bottles, food wrappers and cigarette butts, while others sorted recyclables for proper disposal. The students were surprised by just how much of the litter consisted of small, easy-to-miss items like bottle caps and tissue pieces.

Working under the sun on uneven terrain tested both stamina and patience. Some zones held far more litter than expected, requiring repeated sweeps before they were truly clean. Throughout the clean-up, students supported one another, dividing up areas and stepping in to help when certain zones proved more demanding.

The clean-up was supported by the Public Hygiene Council, which provided logistical resources to facilitate both sessions.

For many of the student athletes, the experience reshaped how they see public spaces. Spending hours picking up after others gave them a new appreciation for the cleaners and maintenance workers who do this work daily, often unnoticed.

"I didn't know it could be that difficult, and this is just one park," reflected Ryan Neo from the School of Engineering and the Ultimate Frisbee Interest Group, summing up a sentiment many in the group shared by the end of the day.

The initiative is a reminder of how small, collective actions can contribute meaningfully to a cleaner and healthier environment for all.

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