A new awareness programme has been launched to better educate the elderly living in Central Singapore about environmental issues.

Dubbed Senior Citizens OutReach and Engagement (S.C.O.R.E), the programme aims to reach out to 10,000 senior citizens by next year. It is a joint effort by the National Environment Agency (NEA) and Central Singapore Community Development Council (CDC).

S.C.O.R.E will train volunteers to be its ambassadors. They will then educate the elderly about issues such as personal and food hygiene, anti-littering and dengue prevention through house visits and activities.

Member of Parliament Lam Pin Min, who is vice-chairman of Central Singapore CDC, said at Sunday's launch: "Age should not be a barrier for anyone to do his part for the community... we are happy to be embarking on this new initiative with NEA to educate active agers on being environmentally responsible."

The launch at City Square Mall also coincided with a Clean and Green Singapore (CGS) Carnival, where awards were presented to constituencies and their cleaners for outstanding efforts in public cleanliness.

A Clean and Green trail spanning five floors in the shopping mall was also put up, featuring educational displays on topics like energy conservation and dengue prevention. These exhibitions will remain open for a week to the public.

"I learnt that after you finish a drink carton, you have to flip, flop and flatten it," said technical officer Teo Peng Huat, 74, citing an instruction from the recycling display. "It's very useful for me, and I'm going to teach it to my grandchildren."