20 years of Tzu Chi recycling
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Twenty years ago, before Master Cheng Yen gave a speech at Xinmin Industrial High School in Taichung, she noticed litter all over the ground outside. In the auditorium, she urged everyone who was clapping her speech to use their hands to recycle garbage. Her plea struck a chord with the audience, and by the following year, the first environmental station had opened in nearby Liming New Village. Today, there are a total of 5,243 recycling stations in 17 countries around the world, and some 80,000 environmental volunteers. Money made from reselling the recyclables goes to help fund Da Ai television station.
< Public plea 20 years ago >
Twenty years ago, when Master Cheng Yen gave a speech in Taichung, Taiwan, she asked the people who were clapping to put their hands to another use.
File Footage: Aug 23, 1990
Master Cheng Yen: Applause to cause:" What can your applauding hands do? Sort garbage, right? That's my hope."
That day, August 23, 1990, was the start of Tzu Chi's environmental mission.
< First recycling station >
With the Master's blessing, the first Tzu Chi recycling point opened in Liming New Village, Taichung. The point was located on Tzu Chi volunteer Jian Sujuan's doorstep, and moved five times before finding a permanent home seven years later.
< 5,243 stations, 80,000 volunteers >
Today, there are 5,243 Tzu Chi recycling stations around the world, and some 80,000 environmental volunteers. According to Tzu Chi, from 1995 to 2009, the recycled paper collected by volunteers was equivalent to saving 18.3 million trees - which would cover Yangmingshan National Park.
< Recycling rejuvenates lives >
Tzu Chi environmental stations can be found in 17 countries, from the United States, South Africa, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, and China.
< Volunteers overcome the odds >
Although she only has 0.001 vision, Chu Yanqin volunteers in Suzhou, China. She used to be a care recipient, but now she and her mother are environmental volunteers.
Community residents regularly volunteer at their local Tzu Chi environmental station. Many seniors find a focus in life, and some people even overcome their problems while recycling.
Zhang Mingzhi from Taichung started taking drugs at the age of 17, and spent ten years in prison. Tzu Chi volunteers invited him to join them the environmental station, where he pulled himself together.
Everyone come and get refreshments.
Wu Zhenchun is an environmental volunteer in Douliu. Suffering depression after his business failed, he turned himself around after sorting recyclables for Tzu Chi.
< Fabric from PET bottles >
The thread on these spools is made from PET bottles. The process of turning recycled plastic into fabric was developed by a consortium of Taiwanese companies. The raw materials are collected by Tzu Chi environmental volunteers. Fifty PET bottles make a blanket that can bring warmth to a needy person. Recently, the companies developed clothes, scarves, shopping bags and other products.
< Da Ai TV supported by recycling >
Another example of technology harnessed for the greater good is Da Ai television, which is supported by environmental volunteers. The channel broadcasts around the world via satellite, so Tzu Chi's message of resource recycling and spiritual recovery can reach a wider audience.
二十年前，證嚴法師在台中新民工商演講，進入會場之前看到滿地的垃圾，在演講中呼籲前來聽講的民眾，用鼓掌的雙手做環保，當場受到民眾的熱烈響應。
而且隔年，第一個環保回收站，在台中黎明新村成立；今天，全球17個國家地區，共有5,243個環保回收站，八萬名環保志工，他們也將做環保的收入，轉換愛心護持大愛電視台。
二十年前，證嚴法師在台中新民工商演講，會中提出用鼓掌的雙手做環保。
證嚴上人開示：你們鼓掌的這雙手就可以做什麼？垃圾分類對不對呢？這是我很期待的。
這一天是1990年八月二十三號，也是慈濟環保志業的起點。
在證嚴法師的祝福下，在台中黎明新村，成立了第一個慈濟環保回收點，這個回收點，是位在慈濟志工簡素娟的家門口，而且換了五個地點，七年後才成立一個永久的據點。
如今，全球的慈濟環保回收站，有五千兩百四十三個據點，環保志工八萬人。根據慈濟基金會的統計，從1995年到2009年，全台灣慈濟志工所回收的紙類，相當於拯救了一千八百三十萬顆大樹，換算成森林面積 相當於一座陽明山公園。
慈濟的環保回收站，遍及全球十七個國家和地區，從美國、南非、印尼、菲律賓、馬來西亞，以及中國大陸。
視力只有0.001的褚衍琴，是中國蘇州的慈濟志工，她原本是慈濟的照顧戶，現在她與母親 都是環保志工。
慈濟的環保站，每天都有社區民眾前來分類回收，許多上了年紀的長輩，在這裡找到生活的重心，更有不少民眾在環保站找回自己 。
張明智是台中的環保志工，十七歲染上毒品進入監獄十年，在慈濟志工邀約下開始做環保，而回收了自己。
「大家來喝！吃點心！」
吳振春是雲林斗六的環保志工，曾經因為生意失敗而罹患憂鬱症，後來投入環保成為慈濟志工，才轉迷為悟。
紡織機裡抽出的紗線，一根根都來自寶特瓶，從寶特瓶變成布料的過程，是由一群台灣實業家研究而成；而這些寶特瓶都是由慈濟環保志工回收而來；五十支寶特瓶織成一條毛毯，送到需要溫暖的手上。如今更研發出兼具擋風又透氣功能的衣料、圍巾，購物袋等環保產品。
另一個用科技化為愛心的，還有大愛電視台，它是由環保志工所護持的電視台，透過衛星，讓慈濟真善美的畫面繞行全世界，讓慈濟環保回收的概念與精神，散播全球。
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