Bandar Puchong, 3 September 2016 

A colourful array of eco-friendly lanterns aglow at AEON Bandar Puchong’s Eco Lantern Parade at the Centre Court of the IOI Mall Skydome made a stunning tribute to this year’s Mooncake Festival.

The parade marked the culmination of AEON Bandar Puchong’s Eco Lantern Making Competition which required participants to construct their lanterns from at least 70 percent of recycled materials. It is part of AEON Corporate Social Responsibility program in promoting ‘Go Green’ and local community engagement activities.

“The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Lantern Festival, is one of the most important celebrations of the year for the Chinese community here. Every year it is held on the 15th day of the eighth month of the Chinese calendar to celebrate the harvest, as well as to worship the moon which is regarded as a symbol of unity and harmony,” said Mr Wan Adli bin Wan Muhamad, Store Manager AEON Bandar Puchong.

“In keeping with local custom, people present gifts of mooncakes to their friends, neighbours and children attend lantern parades holding colourful lanterns. Since the Mid-Autumn Festival is about lunar appreciation, celebrations get into full swing once the sun goes down. To mark the occasion, we decided to hold our very own lantern making competition with a green theme, “added Mr Adli.

The family – friendly event received an enthusiastic response from members of the public who were impressed by the variety of unusual materials and textures that the lantern makers managed to incorporate into their designs.

Guest of Honour, Yang Berhormat Elizabeth Wong, EXCO Member, Tourism, Environment, Green Technology & Consumer Affairs who officiated at the event applauded AEON Bandar Puchong for its efforts in encouraging recycling within the community through this family event.

“The success of this lantern parade has given much food for thought to both participants and visitors to initiate recycling projects in their own homes and neighbourhoods. We must make efforts to reduce waste by reusing and recycling items whenever possible to reduce its negative impact on the environment.”

More than RM 2,000 worth of AEON gift vouchers were presented to winners in three different categories of the competition: Group A (participants between the ages of 6 – 12), Group B (participants between the ages of 13 – 17), Group C (participants 18 years and above) and Group D (Kindergarten children).

Grand prize winners in each category walked away with RM 150 worth of AEON vouchers, while the first, second and third place winners in each category were awarded with vouchers worth RM 100, RM 80 and RM 50 respectively. Sixteen consolation prize winners in each category received a RM 20 AEON voucher.

Entries were open to customers of AEON Bandar Puchong who spent RM 100 (AEON member) or RM 150 (non – member) on mooncake purchases from the store in a single receipt. Participants were also required to pre – register themselves for the competition by submitting their completed registration form and receipt at AEON Bandar Puchong’s Customer Service Counter from 15 August till 2 September 2016.

Mr Adli said in today’s ‘throwaway’ society it was important to remind people of the importance of recycling and advocating a greener lifestyle.

“It can easily be incorporated in our lives if we harness our creativity and put on our thinking hats. Sustainability matters to AEON and we are pleased to share this important message with our customers here in Puchong. Our goal is to leave a good impact on everyone who attended our event, as well as the local community and environment, ” Mr. Adli added.