While we are in the spirit of giving towards our loved ones this holiday season, let’s take a moment to reflect on how we can give back to our communities and the environment as well.

Other than setting aside time and money to volunteer and donate to great causes, there are also plenty of daily activities that provide us with opportunities to make a difference. These little actions that we take each day can collectively create a positive impact towards societal and even environmental change.

For instance, we can make more eco-conscious choices when it comes to the brands that we shop from. Over the years, there have been many small, sustainability-focused businesses emerging and we can do our part as consumers to support them. If you are wondering where to start, here are three local businesses that have been setting great examples when it comes to contributing to the local communities as well as the environment.

1. Upcycle & Recycle Fashion To Restore Our Environment

The prevalence of fast fashion has made it a key contributor to overspilling landfills. At least every 1,000 Singaporeans purchase an average of 34 pieces of new clothing and discard half of their previously owned clothing each year.

However, there are ways for us to manage our wardrobes to improve the environment and social impact by recycling and upcycling our fashion items instead. Not only are these practices cost-friendly, they also curb the pollution and carbon emissions caused by overproduction of apparels.

If you’re interested in finding new uses for your old pieces, simply look to Greensquare Textile Recycling.

Greensquare Textile Recycling
Primarily a textile collection channel, the local business currently operates 15 donation bins nationwide, taking in any form of textile, including clothes, bedsheets and shoes to be recycled.

Items that can be reused are first identified and segregated, followed by recyclable fabrics that are redistributed to textile importers in developing countries so that the less fortunate are able to purchase clothes at a more affordable price.

Currently, the folks Greensquare aims to double the percentage of recycled textile and leather waste from 7% to 14% by 2030. They are focusing on closing this gap by promoting awareness of the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) through education, with a focus on engaging youths in schools. Their recycling efforts are also complemented by upcycling workshops, where in-house experts will guide you on how to transform an old T-shirt into a stylish tote carrying your daily necessities.

By donating at the nearest collection point, or registering for an upcoming workshop, you, too, can contribute towards their cause of protecting the environment.

2. Trying Out A Plant-Based Lifestyle

According to a study published by the UN’s Food & Agricultural Organization, beef and dairy production account for almost 60% of greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming. By swapping meat for plant-based alternatives, even one meal at a time, we can play a part in restoring the balance between all the available resources for food. Not to mention, we could also potentially be curbing harmful livestock practices.

Though going plant-based is rarely an overnight transformation, we encourage starting small with plant-based snacks by local provider BoxGreen.

BoxGreen Co.

Founded by plant-based buddies Andrew and Walter, BoxGreen is a B-corp-certified snack maker, passionate about treats that are both nutritious and eco-friendly. Strong in their belief that healthy snacking can be just as tasty, the two set out on an experimental journey to discover various flavours, ingredients and textures to make snack time an indulgent yet guilt-free experience.

Their eco-conscious ethos extends to all facets of their business. For instance, individual snack packaging is made entirely from recyclable materials, and they’re working towards incorporating a plastic-free policy across their operations.

While BoxGreen’s delicious snacks encourage plant-based adoption for a healthier environment, it’s also worth mentioning their do-good initiatives that contribute to a better society. For instance, the brand works with Yellow Ribbon Project to offer training and upskilling opportunities to inmates by employing them to pack snack boxes in prison.

Through community empowerment, BoxGreen shows the power of extending kindness and empathy so that anyone, regardless of background, can be a force of good for society.

Read more about BoxGreen’s sustainability story, or head straight to their online store to order vegan treats.

3. Choose Eco-Brands Over Mainstream Products

While off-the-shelf goods have the benefit of being accessible to all, not many consumers are aware of the environmental costs that come with mass production.

Eco-friendly brands are generally more transparent with their processes, exercising more quality control to ensure sustainable methods result in low-waste products that customers can wholeheartedly enjoy.

Coffee, for example, is a common sight in many households. By choosing to buy brands like Bettr Coffee Company, our frequent purchases can help contribute to their mission of building a healthier environment.

Bettr Coffee Company

Since its founding in 2011, the team have taken their passion for coffee to create a community of eco-conscious partners, customers and beneficiaries with their range of specialty coffee products.

Their best-sellers include zero-waste coffee capsules and sustainably-sourced beans that cater to retail and wholesale buyers all over the region. Even with international fans, they still maintain carbon-neutral deliveries to support a cleaner environment all around.

Their on-ground operations are just as planet-friendly with the use of recyclable materials and biodegradable serveware in retail bars, workshops and corporate events.

A purchase with Bettr Coffee Company goes towards social initiatives that give back to less privileged communities, such as the vocational programmes and micro-enterprise opportunities that the brand runs for marginalised women and youth-at-risk.

You can find success stories from their Instagram, and give your support to this homegrown business the next time you need to restock your coffee supply.

Giving & Making A Difference

Much like these businesses, Geneco is also adopting our own way to enact the spirit of giving through this festive period. We know that every act of kindness can make a life-changing difference to the planet and its people, and contribute towards safeguarding a future that sees a happily ever after for many generations to come.

In the season of gifting, Geneco presents #HappilyEverAfter campaign and co-created an exclusive children’s e-book, ‘The Little Green Heroes’ with 3Pumpkins, a socially engaged non-profit that engages less privileged youths in art projects, as part of our fundraising initiative.

This lovely children’s story revolves around René, Ria, and Rhys, a group of three good friends with special powers, who always took good care of their Planet Erf. However, a giant Trash Monster appeared and wrecked havoc on Planet Erf. How would René, Ria, and Rhys rise to the challenge and protect what they love?

Through this collaboration, we invite you to spread the festive joy by donating to the #HappilyEverAfter Fundraising initiative that will help to contribute to their purpose and Power The Change for these children.

You can download the complimentary e-book here or listen to the read-aloud version by Kelly Latimer.

We are also giving away $50 worth of FairPrice e-vouchers and an exclusive Geneco Green Starter Kit to 10 lucky winners over on our Facebook and Instagram pages! All you have to do is to answer this: “Name one of the featured sustainable organisations mentioned in our latest article,” and follow the rest of the steps in the post to stand a chance in the giveaway. Contest runs from 30 November 2022 to 14 December 2022.

Together, let’s Power The Change for good and share our happiness with one another.

In recent years, we are heartened to see the rise of many youths taking charge to help build a greener future for themselves with meaningful eco-initiatives and purposeful green businesses. Whether it is an individual or creating communities, they are set to empower everyone to take part in their mission for a more sustainable nation. Let’s take a look at the noble efforts of these young advocates as they passionately devote themselves to bringing all of us closer to their common green vision.

1. Taking small steps towards sustainable living

Embracing a sustainable lifestyle is something that needs time to develop and sometimes research needs to be done, which can also be time-consuming for those who just started to embark on their eco-journey. If you’re on the lookout for ways to introduce small steps to build a better planet, The Sustainability Project opens its doors to you with its one-stop platform!

The Sustainability Project
Jo, also known as Joline Tang, is the founder of The Sustainability Project (TSP). She has been an environmental advocate since her polytechnic days. From lecture notes to metal cans, she would find various opportunities to recycle them. During her university days, she had the opportunity to travel to Norway for a university exchange program. This trip gave her the courage to start TSP and since then, she has only one goal in mind for TSP – ‘Sustainable Living Made Easy’.

At TSP, Jo breaks down hard and difficult topics into smaller actionable workshops, talks, activities and donation drives for the public to take part in. One such activity is Zero Waste Packaging Initiative, where they collect used packaging and repurpose them into other packaging.

Apart from selling sustainable items on their online shop, TSP also offers sustainable business consultation services to other small business owners.

If you are looking for a place to kickstart this exciting initiative, you can join the TSP volunteer program! Various volunteer positions, such as writer, workshops, social media, and others are available. Or do visit TSP on Instagram to find out more!

Source: The Sustainability Project

2. Educating the public through fun, bite-sized graphics

Illustrated stories or comics could be a great way to get youths interested in environmental awareness. Youths have always been enamoured by colourful, easy-to-understand stories and relatable mascots. That’s how climate activist Woo Qi Yun chartered her course of environmental studies through a unique style of doodling on social media.

The Weird and Wild & Climate Cheesecake
To capture the hearts of today’s youths, Qi Yun started The Weird and Wild, a creative platform that focuses on communicating environmental awareness through technology and design. Her creations made sustainability simple, accessible, fun and digestible.

Through her self-taught talent – doodling, Qi Yun regularly updates her creations on her website and Instagram. She covers hard topics about irregular local hot weather conditions, climate action, wildlife preservation, rising sea water and climate reports. She has also created an adorable frog-like mascot to tell stories on various environmental messages in her own unique ways.

Together with a group of young environment enthusiasts, Qi Yun has also made a collective effort to kickstart a podcast programme named The Climate Cheesecake Podcast. It is a weekly Spotify series that “breaks down heavy climate topics — just like cheesecake!”. The half-hour-long episodes are entertaining, casual and insightful and together with the charismatic hosts; Rachel, Sankar and Movin, they provide refreshing perspectives on sustainability and environmental issues in each episode.

In one of their recent episodes, “Last Time My Kampung Have”, The Climate Cheesecake Podcast talks about the loss of forest biodiversity to our rising demand for resources and explores alternatives to ensure a more responsible consumer lifestyle.

If you are interested to hear more about this group of young advocates, follow The Climate Cheesecake Podcast on Spotify or Climate Cheesecake on Instagram. You can also get the latest updates of Qi Yun, The Weird and Wild on Instagram!

Source: Eventbrite – Tackling climate anxiety with climate cheesecake

3. Connecting with nature through art

‘Art is often magical’ – this clearly illustrates how Singapore-based artist and writer Dorcas, works her magic to create powerful art to share her own message of sustainability. Through her unique creation, Dorcas expresses the deep connection she has towards people, wildlife, plant life, and the planet we all live on. Dorcas uses art on her own website and Instagram as a medium to advocate various environmental and social issues that happen both locally and worldwide.

Nature Art Classes For the Young
“I don’t know if this will change anything, but I know it’s the right thing to do” – This sentence is often mentioned by Dorcas. She hopes to put her vision of the world into creative practice, and continue to guide and teach everyone to create an impact the world needs.

Dorcas teaches two forms of art classes. In Intertidal relics classes, her students will get to experience how to create basic shapes, understanding colour theory and textures and illustrating any character of their own choice. Whereas in the ‘Earth Painting’ classes, she teaches students to create art pieces with soil so that the students will get to experience using natural materials and be more connected to the motherland.

Don’t miss these unique classes by looking out for their next session here. If you also find Dorcas’s unique are helpful, do support her on her website or follow her on Instagram.

Source: @earthtodorcas

Generation restoration is a new era where youths come together to create green initiatives for the environment. Just like how Jo, Qin Yun and Dorcas have created a movement of their own, it is heartwarming to see them continuously using various new ways to advocate for the causes they believe in.

To build a greener environment for everyone, climate restoration is a collective effort for everyone. Let’s be inspired by the youths of tomorrow and continue to contribute through our daily green efforts.

Together we can #PowerTheChange and build a greener world for the next generation.

The conversation on climate change has been more prevalent over the years. It’s heartwarming to see more individuals and communities taking positive steps for our planet, and we hope you can come onboard with us on this green lifestyle journey.

To ease you into adopting a more sustainable way of living, we spotlight some of our homegrown eco-advocates who seek to guide you towards a greener tomorrow. Each of them has taken great strides in spreading awareness for a more eco-friendly way of life. From early environmental education for children and a climate focused discussion platform for youth to recyclable initiatives for adults – there is something for everyone.

Let’s find out more about some of the programmes and activities from these groups that can help empower you and your family to take a more proactive role towards a greener nation!

1. Join green activities organised by eco-advocates

Spark your appreciation for our natural biodiversity with Cicada Tree Eco-Place, a non-profit, non-governmental organisation, which was co-founded in 2006 by a group of five Singaporeans. Supported by volunteer educators, conservationists, environmentalists, eco-artists and wildlife activists, the group was formed in an urgent response to the climate change crisis and its impact on wildlife and humans.

Cicada Tree pushes for climate action through their three-pillar mission: Providing affordable and quality environmental education for all; conserving and protecting Singapore’s natural heritage by raising awareness of both local and regional flora and fauna; and encouraging individuals and organisations to adopt an eco-lifestyle.

You can also take an active role and join in Cicada Tree’s wide variety of outreach activities, including nature walks, workshops, camps, and experiential learning in the outdoors.

If you want to get more involved in their cause, check out Cicada Tree’s calendar for upcoming charities, fundraisers, and seminars that you can participate in!

2. Lend an active voice to climate change policies

The Singapore Youth for Climate Change (SYCA) has been leading the conversation to meaningfully engage our youths in the ongoing discussion about environment and climate policies. Co-founded by a group of youths, SYCA’s goal is to provide a platform for Singaporean youths to engage in topics related to sustainable development and various climate awareness initiatives.

At present, SYCA represents Singapore in the United Nations Climate Change Conference, Conference of Parties (COP) to work with other nations on how to keep the earth healthy. In the local sphere, the group also works with schools to teach our future generations how to live sustainably to protect and preserve a greener tomorrow.

You can be part of the active conversation by joining SYCA. They are running a five-part workshop called “Keeping Up With Climate Policy” which opens the floor for you to pinpoint specific areas for our nation to further advance our climate policies — and you can join in for their second instalment! SYCA also welcomes volunteers to help plan or lead some of the environmental projects.
If you have the passion to drive some of these environmental initiatives, get in touch with them on Telegram or follow them on Instagram @syclimateaction to receive regular updates.

3. Impart eco-friendly knowledge to the next generation

The first step to establishing a more conscious eco-friendly lifestyle is always easier when you start from young.

Earth School focuses exclusively on environmental education for the young and pre-teens. Run by a team of passionate youth environmentalists who believe in the power of environmental education to create change for our future, the school brings together our local environmental community from eco-organisations to fellow environmentalists to share their knowledge and expertise to motivate and ease the younger generation into environmentally-conscious individuals.

If you’re looking for a versatile classroom environment that can break down complex environmental issues into digestible, hands-on lessons for your children, Earth School has you and your kids covered. Enrol your young ones to be part of the solution and help equip future generations with the knowledge needed to reduce climate change.

You can also check in on their event calendar to find environmental exhibitions and films like Waves of Change at the Singapore ArtScience Museum, or give back to the community in voluntary initiatives like their beach cleanups.

4. Reduce your carbon footprint with less plastic

Take a moment to think of how much plastic we use each day; every form of disposable packaging we have ever used when we opened or bought something new. Making the active decision to turn away from environmentally damaging plastic is the behaviour that Plastic-Lite wants to help you encourage such as bringing your own tingkat containers for your lunches, or shopping for groceries with your own tote bag.

Plastic-Lite is a grassroots volunteer community that was formed in 2016 to inspire Singaporeans to cut down on plastics; essentially a Plastic-Lite lifestyle.

They educate the community on many fronts including visiting eateries and supermarkets to encourage the public to go light on straw usage and reducing plastic bag use. Plastic-Lite also hosts workshops in schools and at corporate seminars to spread the word about sustainability and adopting a plastic-lite lifestyle!

One of Plastic-Lite’s most successful initiatives is Bounce Bags, a bag-sharing programme where anyone can donate reusable bags at the kiosk located within Our Tampines Hub, B1 outside NTUC Fairprice or Heartbeat@Bedok.

Alternatively, you can also visit their website, “Let’s Talk Climate” to learn more about environmental issues happening worldwide.

Singapore’s efforts against climate change

As we all might know, Singapore has been continuously taking steps to contribute to climate action. The OneMillionTrees Movement by NParks is a key initiative to achieve our Singapore Green Plan 2030 and Geneco has been supporting the movement by being part of the Garden City Fund’s Plant-A-Tree programme with the commitment of planting 250 trees over 5 years since 2021.

This World Ozone Day, also known as the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer on 16 September, we planted an additional 150 trees in Pasir Ris Park to celebrate the announcement on Geneco being Singapore’s Number 1 Residential Electricity Retailer.

Now, let’s put your knowledge to the test in our Geneco Facebook or Instagram contest now and you could be one of the 10 lucky winners to walk away with a $50 FairPrice e-voucher and an exclusive Geneco Green Starter Kit!

Simply comment with your answer to this question on either of the social media platforms: Name one of the local organisations mentioned in our blog that can empower you in the journey against climate change.

You too, can be part of the climate change solution by taking part in the initiatives we have mentioned in the blog.

Let’s continue to #PowerTheChange and take steps to tackle climate change for a greener future.

As one of the greenest cities in the world, Singapore is often known as the “Garden City” – a unique urban city with plenty of greenery from shores to streets.

Much of this commitment to developing green spaces stemmed from the famous Garden City Movement – the brainchild of Singapore’s late founding father Mr. Lee Kuan Yew during the early days of independence.

How did Singapore grew to become the lush urban city it is today? Here are 3 lesser-known facts behind Singapore’s Garden City movement that you may not have known:

Fact #1 – The roots of the Garden City Vision can be traced back to pre-independence

While many may have thought that Singapore’s Garden City initiative started during the post-independence nation-building days, did you know that in fact, it started two years before independence in 1963? Mr. Lee Kuan Yew, the then-Prime Minister of Singapore, launched the first Tree-Planting campaign in Clementi and even planted the first tree himself – a Pink Mempat, known for its beautiful cherry blossom-like flowers. Anchored by the belief that an “urban jungle of concrete destroys the human spirit”, he set out with the mission to fill the country with an abundance of greenery to lift the spirits of Singaporeans.

Post-independence, Mr. Lee then unveiled the Garden City Vision in 1967 to continue Singapore’s transformation into an island of lush greenery. The initial phase was characterised by an active tree-planting programme, with the number of trees increasing from 158,600 in 1974 to 1.4 million in 2014.

On top of these efforts, Mr. Lee also introduced an