Community clubs (CCs) in the South West will take the lead in eco-friendly practices, such as turning appliances off using the switches at the wall sockets, under a new programme launched yesterday.

Nine of the district's 20 CCs have already signed up for the Cool CCs @ South West programme. They will encourage their residents to adopt the same practices.

The CCs will receive a starter kit, with materials such as educational posters, and will be audited by the National Environment Agency to identify areas for improvement.

Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Grace Fu announced the new programme yesterday at the South West Clean and Green SG50 Carnival, held at Canopy@JLink near Jurong East MRT station.

"Our CCs are in a prime position to set an example for our community," said Ms Fu, who is the adviser to grassroots organisations in Yuhua in the South West District.

Accompanying the CCs on their green journey are student ambassadors from 55 primary and secondary schools in the district as well as ITE College West, who will help out at environment-related events.

"We need the support of the entire community in order to create an eco-friendly and sustainable Singapore," said South West Mayor Low Yen Ling .

After the six-month pilot of Cool CCs @ South West, data on how participating CCs' utilities bills fell will be shared with other grassroots organisations, Ms Low added.

The South West District has also won the Clean and Green Singapore Best Community Achievement Award for the 11th time since the award began in 2003.

At yesterday's carnival, Ms Fu and Ms Low also presented this year's Clean and Green Singapore Awards for the district to four grassroots organisations and 10 cleaners.

One of the winners, Madam Foo Mee Wan, 68, has been a cleaner at Taman Jurong hawker centre for just one year.

"I was surprised when they told me I had been nominated," she said. "As long as I feel that I can work, I will continue."