The Making of Ring A Life: The Efforts of Turtlebots

 The students from Tunku Abdul Rahman University College (TAR UC) Bachelor Degree in Public Relations Year Two October intake are currently running a recycle campaign, “Ring A Life” which is aimed to recycle unwanted gadgets such as phones, laptops, tablets and other electronic devices to contribute in sea turtles conservation project. It is somehow interesting and creative that these students call themselves as ‘Turtlebots’ which is a concept including the combination of sea turtles and transformer.

Despite dealing with deadline of assignments and endless sleepless nights, Turtlebots are still hardworking and always willing to sacrifice their precious time to join pre-event activities like patrolling around TAR UC, publicising the campaign through the tactic of word-of-mouth and practising flash mob. Besides that, Turtlebots do not forget to pay their efforts in preparing props for the pre-event and the on ground activities.

There are many props needed Turtlebots to prepare for the campaign and one of the props is Turtlebots shell. Turtlebots choose to use materials which are green, eco-friendly and minimum impact to environment such as the unwanted shoes boxes, cardboards and raffia strings to make themselves a cool shell. The Turtlebots shell is so unique that it is made in different size according to Turtlebots’ body size or their preference.

As what I’ve mentioned above, Turtlebots is the combination of turtle and transformer therefore the Turtlebots shell is different as in its physical outlook which is in rectangular. It is painted in green with the turtle shell’s pattern which represents the sea turtles and it is slightly black painted to show the machinery feel which represents transformer. By creating a Turtlebots shell, awareness and curiosity of students and staff in TAR UC towards Turtlebots can be raised because Turtlebots wear their shells when they are patrolling around TAR UC to promote the campaign. Turtlebots even received compliments from students and staff when they were patrolling around the university college to seek for Turtle Hero!

As Ring A Life is a recycling campaign, many aspects about the materials such as biodegradability, ease of availability, recyclability and so on are taken into account as to ensure that the objectives and the concept of the campaign are able to achieve. In addition, the props that Turtlebots made is to advocate and educate public not just to save turtles but our earth too. By protecting our mother nature, the ecosystem of turtles is preserved and the life expectancy of turtles is further prolonged.

Turtlebots are indeed environment lover because they also think about the future. At the stage of designing the props, Turtlebots use only materials that can be recycled and reused such as cardboards, newspapers, corn flakes boxes, old rags, wooden boards and broken chairs, tables, and wardrobes as well. The props that they prepare are not just for publicity and activities purposes but most of the props are bio-degradable and insignificant environmental impact even after disposal.

Hence, Turtlebots wish that their efforts can be seen and appreciated by public so that there will be more Turtle Heroes joining not only this campaign but also manage to foster public a long-term habit in sea turtles conservation efforts and gadgets recycling. Your little effort can make a big impact! So, what are you waiting for?

Written by, 

Yap Li Yen (YY)