Despite the busy commute, Eli believes that the initiative is a good way to raise public awareness of home horticulture.
IS IT possible to create a greener future by growing your own food?
Alone, we may not see the impact, but if half of the country’s population began planting their own small crops and herbs, we could see that impact sooner.
In an effort to cultivate a culture of sustainability among Malaysians, Sime Darby Property Berhad (SDP) and Star Media Group Berhad distributed ‘‘plantable’’ copies of The Star to readers across the Klang Valley.
The plantable paper campaign is part of SDP’s 50th anniversary celebration whereby the company seeks to establish itself as a “Force for Good” for the next 50 years by leaving a legacy of positive economic, social and low-carbon environmental impacts.
On Dec 8, commuters along the Kelana Jaya LRT Line (KJL) were given copies of the plantable paper.
Despite the morning rush hour, the plantable papers sparked intrigue among commuters.
One commuter, a 25-year-old content moderator who only wishes to be known as Eli, shared her thoughts on the initiative: “Honestly, I think it’s a cool idea. As someone who likes to plant things, this is an admirable initiative.
Following the instructions on the paper, Pravin Patmanathan planted the basil seeds in a small pot at home.
“I don’t have much of a green thumb as I’ve only just started dabbling in gardening, but my housemates are enthusiastic about it and we have a variety of pots and plants at home.”
She added that, with the rising cost of living and food scarcity issues, this campaign would help regular Malaysians learn about horticulture and give them the encouragement to grow small crops at home.
“This is a good start because the (basil) plant seeds used with this paper is a common consumable that everyone can use.
“I’ll give planting this a shot this weekend and see how it turns out.”
Meanwhile, 66-year-old retiree Jenny Lim said that the plantable paper piqued her interest.
“I think this is a good initiative, but for the public to begin growing their own crops as a whole, we need more time before it becomes mainstream.
“It depends on how serious people are about preserving and conserving the environment. Many of the older generation are more inclined to plant their own crops or gardens because they grew up around it but it’s exciting to see that even the youngsters are showing interest.
“I don’t have a (herb) garden at home but I will try planting this paper later today,” she added.
Home subscribers of The Star also received a copy of the plantable paper at their doorstep.
For instance, 15-year-old student Pravin Patmanathan and his family who lives in Taman Seri Gombak, KL, tried out planting the paper.
“This is certainly a good campaign to create awareness of a greener future. It’s a very fresh idea to use this plantable paper – it’s natural and good for the environment,” he said.
“The instructions were easy to follow.
“I soaked the paper in water first before planting to loosen the seeds from the paper before planting them in a pot.”
He added that once the basil seeds sprout, the family intends to keep it in their kitchen as an ornamental plant.
“My mum also took a video and photos of me planting the seeds and posted on her social media account to share with her friends and family members using the hashtag #SDPPlantablePaper,” he said enthusiastically.
For those who are looking to contribute to a greener Malaysia, go ahead and follow these simple steps:
1. Tear the paper into small bits. Spread them onto some soil (preferably compost) in your home (outdoors or indoors). Cover them with about 1cm of soil.
2. Water the seeds every day. The soil should be well-drained so that the seeds are moist but not water-logged, as this may cause rotting.
3. Share a photo or video on your own social media with the hashtag #SDPPlantablePaper.
4. Patience is key; the seeds take one to three weeks to sprout.
5. Basil can be grown indoors but ensure that the plant gets six to eight hours of sunlight (from a window) a day.
6. If you are planting in containers, repot your plants when they have grown and as they need more space.
Regularly pick or trim the leaves once they are ripe for eating.
For every person who sows the paper and shares it on their social media account using the hashtag #SDPPlantablePaper, Sime Darby Property aims to plant triple the number of trees in its various townships by 2030.
To stay updated with SDP’s green initiatives, go to https://beyond50.simedarbyproperty.com.
