• The main message carried out by Earth Day 2018 is “End Plastic Pollution”. Many types of plastic ultimately end up in our oceans - an estimated 12 million tones every year. In Malaysia, plastic is identified as a major pollutant. Inline to the Melaka’s slogan “MELAKA BERWIBAWA : PINTAR, HIJAU, BERSIH”, we propose a project called ECOGARD to transfer the knowledge to the schools in Melaka about the way to develop a vertical plant growing structure, that occupies less space and requires minimal maintenance. 

• The vertical gardening structure serves to be: (1) a reference model vertical plantation for community, (2) an image to promote green recycling, (3) an alternative economical income generator, (4) a recreational facility in school, (5) a project to promote STEM education.

• ECOGARD is a project inspired by Verde Garden, which means Vertical Drip Ecological Garden. It was an idea that was gained from the students that participated in the exchange program to the De La Salle University – Dasmariñas (DLSU-D), Philippine from 3 to 16 NOVEMBER 2018. The students and lecturers were fascinated by (DLSU-D) vertical garden when they joined in the activity of making them and believe that they have huge potential. Ever since then the students came up with various ideas to evolve this idea to be better and to be done in MMU when they return. 

• It is a garden built using plastic water bottles with simple modifications and creativity. It applies the concept of recycle, reuse, reduce, refuse and reform, which can be implemented for greening purposes as well as a wall decoration. 

• An ECOGARD with 252 plastic bottles was built in MMU Melaka with each bottle in the garden frame will be able to hold one type of plant. ECOGARD can be built using 1.5L carbonated drink bottles, which can be easily found through recycling. Since the plastic bottles are non-biodegradable, this garden is built to sustain for a long period of time without decomposing, enabling it to have a higher life span. Furthermore, the soil used in the bottles can be made from composite soil and compost food waste.

• Building ECOGARD in a vertical position by implementing the vertical drip ecological method, it does not occupy a large space and requires only minimal maintenance. By building more of this garden, we can be a step closer to nature amidst the concrete buildings in the campus and schools.

• To show the learning outcome of the exchange program to the green university De La Salle University – Dasmariñas (DLSU-D), Philippine from 3 to 16 November 2018.
• To transfer the knowledge of developing vertical garden and farming to the citizens through schools
• To raise the awareness of the Melaka citizens about the importance of going green recycling. The project is in line with Melaka’s slogan “MELAKA BERWIBAWA : PINTAR, HIJAU, BERSIH”.
• To introduce to the citizens an economical method of generating income through reuse and recycle.
• To reduce the greenhouse effect and global warming.
• To improve the air quality of the environment.
• To save more spaces in terms of the vertical arrangements.
• Beautify the plain wall around MMU to give a more interesting, cool and relaxing environment for the students and staff.
• To encourage the practice of 5R (reduce, reuse, recycle, refuse and rethink) instead of just 3R (reduce, reuse and recycle). 
• To promote more tree planting.
• To spread the concept behind the idea of ECOGARD.    
• To allow people to approach nature.
• To make MMU University a greener environment to live in.
• To provide a conducive environment for MMU staff and students.
• To give opportunity to MMU students to show their creativity as the wall can be made in many ways of decoration with the use of plants. 

• MMU become a green university and give a more interesting, cool and relaxing environment for the students and staff.
• Successfully practice of 5R (reduce, reuse, recycle, refuse and rethink) 
• 20 setups of ECOGARD in Melaka schools. Each ECOGARD serves to be: (1) a reference model vertical plantation for community, (2) an image to promote green recycling, (3) an alternative economical income generator, (4) a recreational facility in school, (5) a project to promote STEM education.
• 15 schools in rural areas and 5 schools in town areas (average 1000 students per school.) will be benefited from the projects. We assume citizens of the B40 community mostly come from the rural areas.
• Creativity of students being achieved as the wall can be made in many ways of decoration with the use of plants. 
• Students and lecturers can have a better connection/ communication in generating more new ideas about what plants to be planted on the ECOGard wall or exchange ideas about skills in planting or creativity.
• Allow people to approach nature.
• Allow for the creation of social ties and build a greater feeling of community. 
• Increase physical activity through garden maintenance activities.
• Improve mental health and promote relaxation.

LIST OF 10 SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN MELAKA FOR ECOGARD SETUPS

1. SMK St. Francis Institution (SFI)

2. SMK Infant Jesus Convent (IJC)

3. SMK Tinggi Melaka (Malacca High School)

4. SMK Gajah Berang (GBS)

5. SMK Tinggi St. David

6. SMK Bukit Baru Melaka

7. SMK Perempuan Methodist (MGS)

8. SMJK Katholik Melaka

9. SMJK Notre Dame Convent Melaka

10. SMJK Yok Bin Melaka