Celebrating 2022 with Geneco
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Celebrating 2022 with Geneco
For Geneco, 2022 is a significant year where we celebrated a key milestone of being Singapore’s No.1 Residential Electricity Retailer, serving over 160,000 homes. But being number 1 goes beyond the title. It is about being able to do more and change things for the better.
The journey of doing good for our environment is a collective effort and we are thankful for the tremendous support from our partners and customers who have joined us in our journey to #PowerTheChange. Let’s take a look at and celebrate the key milestones that we have achieved with you as the year comes to a close.
Embracing Chinese New Year Tradition with Sustainability
Today, Singapore is one of the greenest cities in the world that safeguards more than 7,800 hectares of green spaces. And this Chinese New Year with the theme #ChangeBringsProsperity, we hope to bring awareness to the importance of a sustainable living environment and encourage everyone to contribute to green efforts in their own ways towards the Singapore Green Plan 2030 and for our future generations.
As part of the initiative, we have partnered with NParks’ Garden City Fund to spotlight 4 exquisite native flora on our limited edition red packets, which are made from 100% recycled paper, to inspire everyone to step out of their usual activities and appreciate the green spaces in our nation.
While giving red packets is a long-standing tradition of Chinese New Year, we want to remind Singaporeans that we can all still practise sustainability as we celebrate these festivities. After a successful launch last year, we brought back our inaugural Used Red Packet Recycling Initiative and received even greater support from the public with a total of 1,040kg red packets recycled. Together with like-minded partners – CRU, IUIGA, Refash and Wisma Atria, we placed 25 red packet recycling bins across the island. These red packets were then given to Tay Paper Recycling for pulping into other paper products.
Through such sustained efforts, we hope to encourage Singaporeans to #PowerTheChange so that we can share our prosperity with future generations.
Reinforcing Our Commitment to the #OneMillionTrees Movement
When the Singapore Green Plan 2030 was launched last year, a nationwide movement by the National Parks Board (NParks) to plant 1 million trees was set in motion. As community is key to the success of this movement, Geneco has pledged to plant 250 trees by 2025. To make this commitment a more meaningful one, we held our second Plant-A-Tree event by planting another 50 trees at Punggol Park on Earth Day (22 April) this year. With this year’s Earth Day theme, “Invest in our Planet”, we hoped to remind everyone that all of us have a part to play in the restoration, conservation and protection of our planet, as we continue to #PowerTheChange for a greener tomorrow.
To commemorate our 160,000 homes milestone, we were even more motivated to go the extra mile this year and planted an additional 150 trees in September, to reinforce our commitment to tackle climate change by playing an active role in the greening of Singapore. We would like to thank everyone who joined us and raised a total of $45,000 for NPark’s Garden City Fund, where we matched every donation made to the fundraiser via giving.sg dollar-for-dollar.
Rediscovering Singapore’s Hidden Green Gems
In celebration of our nation’s 57th birthday, we invited everyone to reimagine our ‘City In Nature’ by discovering hidden green spaces that are unimaginably found in Singapore. As part of the campaign, we held a photography contest and inspired Singaporeans to capture the unexplored wonders that our nation has to offer.
With an overwhelming response of over 930 photo submissions, we could see that many Singaporeans took the time out to explore the unexplored and appreciate the hidden green gems in our nature. We proudly showcased the top 20 shortlisted photos for online voting and held a photo gallery event at Waterway Point for public viewing. In less than a month, we received more than 32,800 votes and the top 3 winning photos were chosen.
We are very encouraged by the overwhelming support received from everyone and we hope that they will continue to be inspired to rediscover the lush green spaces that we have here and contribute to nurture our nature together.
Gifting Messages of Social and Environmental Good
As we power homes and businesses in the nation, we also believe in powering change. For good. For sustainability. For all.
This season of gifting, we hope to spread the message of doing good by inviting everyone to go beyond their pages and help to rewrite new chapters for those who need it more with our #HappilyEverAfter campaign. We collaborated with 3Pumpkins – a socially-engaged, non-profit organisation to raise awareness for the ‘Tak Takut Kids Club’ programme that helps less privileged children and youths to find their place in the larger community through arts.
Together, we created a beautiful e-book titled ‘The Little Green Heroes’ that is co-illustrated with the imaginative children, Cindy, Ruda and Sulaiman, from the ‘Tak Takut Kids Club’ programme as part of our fundraising initiative for 3Pumpkins. The e-book is available online on our #HappilyEverAfter website, where you have the option to download a copy to read or immerse yourself in the story as read aloud by Kelly Latimer.
We also joined hands with BizLink Centre, a non-profit organisation dedicated to serving the disadvantaged individuals, in particular persons with disabilities, to prepare 1,000 #HappilyEverAfter Festive Cards. The cards were then distributed across Singapore via Strides Mobility’s electric taxis.
To continue spreading the message of doing good, we held a #HappilyEverAfter ice-cream event at Orchard and gave away complimentary ice-cream for anyone who had downloaded ‘The Little Green Heroes’, and encouraged them to contribute to the fundraising.
With the support of the public, we have raised over $16,800 that would help to contribute to 3Pumpkins’ purpose and Power The Change for these children.
Looking back, 2022 has been eventful and fulfilling. These milestones could not have been achieved without your support and we would like to give a very special thanks to our partners, communities and families for believing in us and supporting our initiatives.
Let’s continue to #PowerTheChange by doing good for a greener and more sustainable future.
Till then, here’s a video recap of what we have achieved together in 2022.
In the spirit of giving back to the community and environment
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In the spirit of giving back to the community and environment
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.
Youths in action — advocating sustainable living their way
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Youths in action — advocating sustainable living their way
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!
3. Connecting with nature through art
‘Art is often magical’ – this clearly illustrates how Singapore-based artist and writer