As global temperatures continue to rise, at a pace of 0.2°C per decade, the frequency and severity of extreme weather phenomena, from scorching heat waves to devastating hurricanes and wildfires, are on the rise globally.

Amidst the shifting climate landscape, Earth Day, which is held on 22 April every year, serves as a poignant reminder of our collective responsibility to safeguard and conserve the environment that we call home. Participating in planting activities, in particular, offers a meaningful way to commemorate this occasion, fostering hands-on education and a tangible connection with nature.

Here at Geneco, Earth Day represents more than a once-a-year celebration — it embodies our ongoing dedication to fostering environmental awareness all year round. As Singapore’s No. 1 Residential Electricity Retailer, we recognise the important role that we have in advocating for sustainability for the well-being of future generations.

From supporting local grassroots campaigns to participating in nationwide initiatives like the National Parks Board’s #OneMillionTrees Movement, we hope to inspire and encourage everyone to join us in playing your part and taking action.

If you are eager to extend your commitment beyond Earth Day, here are 4 innovative ways that you can cultivate sustainable habits and start sowing the seeds of change.

1. Grow your own fresh greens at home

Growing a garden at home might seem difficult and tedious, but with microgreens, it is easier than you think. 

Packed with up to 40 times more nutrients than mature plants, microgreens take up less space and resources to grow, making them the perfect solution for those looking to cultivate gardening habits in our compact homes. 

With Everything Green, a local start-up that specialises in growing microgreens through containers, you will find a wide range of planting seeds and beginner-friendly starter kits, with no special equipment or skills required. The best part is, that each of these seeds is GMO-free and cultivated using sustainable farming practices, without using any synthetic fertiliser, pesticide, or herbicide.

Founder Sakina takes pride in demystifying home gardening, encouraging Singaporeans to turn their balconies, window sills, and even office desks into green hotspots. With microgreens that are ready for harvest in less than a week, there are endless possibilities for fresh, flavourful greens right at your fingertips. If you are interested in starting, do check out the Everything Green Microgreen Starter Kits available on their website.

2. Pick up the skill of home-harvesting mushrooms

Once you have mastered microgreens, dive into the fascinating world of mushroom cultivation. 

Mushrooms, beyond their delicious umami flavours, play a crucial role in the health of our ecosystem. In the wild, they help to decompose organic matter, recycle nutrients and even support plant growth.  

Local organisation Bewilder is leading the way in demonstrating the real-world application of fungi. With circularity as its core principle, they transform various local waste materials into gourmet and medicinal mushrooms, cultivating over 20 types of gourmet and herbal mushrooms, from Shiitake, Lion’s Mane, Golden Oyster, Flower Lingzhi, and more. 

They also offer the only Mushroom Grow Kit in Singapore, with controlled, small-batch production to ensure quality and freshness for every home harvest. 

By growing your own mushrooms at home, you can help to reduce reliance on commercially produced food, thereby lowering carbon emissions associated with transportation and packaging — another way you can make a positive impact beyond Earth Day. 

You can shop their Mushroom Grow kits directly here.

3. Elevate your home decor with terrariums

Beyond growing edible plants, you can also start your own indoor gardening project with succulent planters by building terrariums with the little ones.  

Terrariums provide a charming and low-maintenance alternative compared to potted plants, not only adding visual greenery, but also improving air quality by filtering out toxins in the air. 

If you would like to add a personal touch to your home decor, check out The Green Capsule for their latest terrarium workshops. With classes designed for various age groups, you can gather with your loved ones and flex your botanical creativity, while relishing in its therapeutic nature to destress at the same time. 

Book an upcoming workshop here or you can also shop their range of terrarium and DIY kits.

4. Plant a tree for a greener tomorrow

Today, Singapore’s standing as one of the world’s greenest cities is a testament to our nation’s efforts in restoring nature into our urban landscape. Beyond moderating temperature through transpiration and shading, trees play a crucial role in reducing greenhouse gases, helping to mitigate the impact of climate change.

With the vision to restore nature back into our city, the National Parks Board’s (NParks) has launched the #OneMillionTrees movement, which aims to plant a million more trees across Singapore by 2030.

As part of Geneco’s commitment to NParks’ Plant-A-Tree programme, under their #OneMillionTrees movement, we have been planting 50 trees each year over the last four years towards our goal of planting 250 trees over five years. In celebration of Geneco’s 6th Anniversary and Earth Day 2024, we are proud to be holding our 4th annual Plant-A-Tree event at East Coast Park this year.

As community is key to the success of this movement, you too can be a part of the initiative and take action to help expand Singapore’s green canopy. By contributing to NParks’ Garden City Fund, you can get to sponsor or volunteer to plant a tree in one of NParks’ managed green spaces.

To get started, visit NParks’ website here.

Let’s foster sustainable habits today

Making a meaningful impact on the environment starts with a first step. Whether you are growing microgreens, cultivating mushrooms, creating terrariums, or planting trees, every small action contributes to a greener, more sustainable future for our next generation. 

If you have found these tips useful, you can also join our Facebook and Instagram Giveaway and be one of 10 lucky winners to take home a $30 eCapitaVoucher and a Geneco Green Starter Kit  (worth $40) that consists of a foldable umbrella, collapsible water bottle, reusable straw, and grocery net bag.

Simply answer the question in our comments section: “Name 1 of the ways featured in our blog that you can sow the seeds of change this Earth Day and beyond”. The contest ends on 30th April 2024. Terms and conditions apply. 

Together, let’s #PowerTheChange and sow the seeds of sustainability for a greener tomorrow.

Contrary to common perception, adopting an eco-friendly lifestyle can be very affordable — and you might be pleasantly surprised at just how easy it can be to integrate sustainable choices into your daily routine, especially within the comforts of your home. 

By making small yet impactful changes at home, you can not only create a more environmentally friendly living space, but also inspire your family to join in the journey towards a greener future.

In this month’s blog, from finding creative ways to repurpose your household items, to simply making a green switch on your electricity plan, let’s explore how easy it can be to create a sustainable home without breaking the bank.

1. Composting waste

If you love to grow plants at home, starting a composting habit is a great way to help you save money, as compost acts as a natural fertiliser and boosts plant resilience against pests and diseases.

Beyond its cost savings, composting is a great way to teach children about the importance of waste reduction. In fact, 60% of the typical household’s waste can be transformed into nutrient-rich compost, making it one of the most impactful ways for families to reduce their waste footprint at home.

Kickstart the composting journey by teaching your family about compostable items and involving them in the sorting process. You can even make it a regular habit by managing the compost bin together, giving the little ones a chance to foster a deeper connection with the environment. 

To get started with composting at home, you can check out Soil Social’s Magic Composter Kit. This comprehensive kit includes an informative booklet to guide you through every step of the composting process, ensuring a seamless and rewarding experience for the whole family.

2. Upcycling household items

While online shopping offers households more convenience, it contributes to our throwaway culture where items are quickly replaced, leading to more waste. Instead, finding alternatives to lengthen the lifespan of the products can help to save money in the long run. 

To counter this trend, families can embrace the growing practice of upcycling, transforming old or unwanted items into new and functional creations. Take inspiration from eco-conscious individuals who transform empty jars into charming fairy light fixtures or repurpose coffee pots into plant pots or terrariums. Even seemingly obsolete items like egg cartons can be transformed into imaginative organisers for jewellery or small trinkets.

By making upcycling a regular family activity, parents are not only igniting creativity within the household, but also instilling a mindset of reusing and repurposing.

If you need a little creative spark to start, here are some simple and creative ideas that your kids will be sure to love.

3. #GoGreenYourWay for your electricity plan

Beyond everyday activities, a simple and fuss-free way for families to make your homes eco-friendly is to consider opting for green add-ons for your electricity plans.

Geneco’s Power Eco Add-On is Singapore’s FIRST and ONLY customisable green add-on. Starting from just $1 more per month, you can now #GoGreenYourWay by avoiding up to 4,001kg of CO₂ emissions with 197 rain trees. Simply opt-in for either Carbon Credits (CC) or Renewable Energy Certificates (REC) at your preferred level of green contribution (25%/50%/75%/100%) and kick-start your eco-journey.

With our commitment to building a greener tomorrow for the future generation, we are offering a 6th Anniversary Exclusive for all, available only for a limited time! Hurry, sign up with Power Eco Add-on today or if you are an existing customer, simply opt-in or upgrade to enjoy the first 6 months for FREE.

While this might seem like a small upgrade for households looking to make a difference for the environment, the collective effort of this sustainable choice definitely makes an impact. 

For more information, visit our page here.

The journey towards a greener future

Sustainability is not just a destination, but a continuous, evolving path. You can take the first step by cultivating greener habits in your home and making conscious choices to build a greener living space for your loved ones.

If you enjoyed reading these tips, you can also join our Facebook and Instagram giveaway and be one of 20 lucky winners to take home a $26 eCapitaVoucher and a Geneco Green Starter Kit (worth $40) that consists of a foldable umbrella, collapsible water bottle, reusable straw, and grocery net bag. 

Simply comment on our Facebook or Instagram giveaway post by answering this question: “Name 1 of the 3 affordable ways featured in this blog that you can build a greener home with your family.” The contest ends on 31 March 2024. Terms and conditions apply.

Together, let’s #PowerTheChange and nurture the next generation’s passion for a greener tomorrow.

Coral reefs are one of the most valuable ecosystems on Earth as about 25% of the ocean’s fish are dependent on healthy coral reefs for survival.

With approximately 60% of Singapore’s reef area lost to land reclamation, our nation is left with over 250 species of corals that can still be found largely around our southern islands, such as Pulau Satumu, Pulau Semakau and the Sisters’ Islands.

In view of this issue, the National Parks Board (NParks) recently launched an initiative to scale up existing coral restoration efforts and plant 100,000 corals in Singapore’s waters under their Plant-A-Coral, Seed-A-Reef (PACSAR) Programme.

This Chinese New Year, together with NParks, and alongside Marshall Cavendish Education (MCE), we hope to invite Singaporeans to dive deeper with us, explore the vast coral reefs that are thriving within our waters, and join us in our conservation efforts, through our #VoyageToProsperity initiative.

Pledge your support by playing the Voyage To Prosperity Game

In collaboration with MCE, we have co-created the Voyage To Prosperity Game, together with 10-year-old Gabriel Chin. 

As part of MCE’s Summer Coding Hackathon themed ‘Code the Ocean’, students aged 9-12 from around the world were invited to create games of their own to raise awareness for ocean sustainability, and among the shortlisted entries was this game creatively coded and designed by Gabriel, which theme is focused on ocean clean-ups. 

Simply play this game to pledge your support, and we will donate on your behalf, towards our $10,000 donation to the coral reef conservation and enhancement efforts by NParks’ Garden City Fund.

Haul in a prosperous Chinese New Year with Geneco’s marine-inspired red packets

Together with NParks’ Garden City Fund, this year, we are illuminating the beauty of coral reefs, which serve as a pivotal foundation for a thriving marine ecosystem. 

Each red packet, printed on FSC-certified paper, features a radiant flow of fishes in vivid hues of pink, blue and gold, as well as blooming corals to represent their flourishing prosperity. 

Within each red packet, you will find unique lesser-known facts about our native coral reefs, such as “While our reefs are only 0.01% the size of the Great Barrier Reef, they host about half as many coral species, showcasing the remarkable resilience of our local marine biodiversity.”

If you would like to receive one of these exclusive red packets, you can head down to our pop-up event happening now at Tampines Mall. More details below.

Breathe new life into used red packets

2024 marks the fourth consecutive year of our Used Red Packets Recycling Initiative. This year, we are joined by new and returning partners, including CapitaLand malls, CRU, IUIGA, OTO,  PAP Action for Green Towns, REFASH, and Wisma Atria, who are hosting our recycling bins at over 90 locations across the nation from now till 31 March.

These red packets will then be collected by SG Recycle, who will repurpose them into new paper products. 

Plus, join our Geneco Facebook or Instagram giveaway and let us know which CapitaLand mall you will be visiting to drop off your red packets in our recycling bins, and you could be one of the 40 lucky winners to walk away with a $28 eCapitaVoucher. Contest ends on 11 February 2024.

Join us at #VoyageToProsperity pop-up event

From now till 6 February, come on down to Tampines Mall, Level 1 Concourse, to show your support for local coral reef conservation efforts at our #VoyageToProsperity pop-up event. 

Together with your little ones, you can play the Voyage To Prosperity Game at the event and stand to win a $28 eCapitaVoucher, when you are amongst the top five players of the week, and a limited-edition Geneco reusable straw. 

What’s more, you can drop by between 3pm to 6pm on 3 & 4 February and stand to receive an exclusive set of Geneco Red Packets and a Geneco Green Starter Kit (worth $40) that consists of a silicone water bottle, reusable straw, recyclable umbrella and a grocery net bag if you are among the first 50 players each day.

If you have used or excess red packets at home, you can also bring them down to our recycling bins at the pop-up event. 

For more information on our campaign and event details, visit https://www.voyagetoprosperity.sg/ 

Together, let’s embark on a #VoyageToProsperity towards a sustainable nation for our next generation.​ 

And beyond.

Beyond our lush urban greenery, Singapore is home to a vibrant mosaic of oceanic biodiversity, with over 12,000 species of marine organisms living in our waters. 

At the heart of this lively marine community, our native coral reefs, also known as “the Rainforests of the Sea”, emerge as magnificent marvels, over countless generations of corals and reef organisms. Within their intricate ecosystems, you can find over 120 species of reef fishes and about 200 species of sponges creating a rich and diverse underwater habitat. 

Through meticulous conservation, we can do our part in helping our reefs to persevere through threats, such as climate change and land reclamation, and support a thriving and harmonious ecosystem. 

In this month’s blog, join us as we delve into 4 activities that you can do in Singapore to instil awareness about the importance of marine conservation from an early age.

1. Making a difference with ‘Our Singapore Reefs’

Established in 2017, Our Singapore Reefs (OSR) has been an emerging leader in local marine conservation. Led by a quartet of avid divers – Sam, Tai Chong, Lynette, and Yvonne – OSR chiefly organises reef clean-ups, taking volunteer divers on expeditions to clean up marine litter lying on our seabeds. 

Despite the common practice of properly disposing of our waste, trash such as plastic containers and empty glass bottles are still often left behind on our beaches. Subsequently, during high tide, these remnants are swept into the ocean, causing pollution and disruption to coral ecosystems.

OSR’s goal is clear— every dive uncovers new litter, fueling their ongoing efforts to raise awareness about the importance of marine conservation, and serving as a reminder to all that maintaining cleanliness in and around our waters is our responsibility.

If you would like to join their cause but are not a diver yourself, OSR also co-hosts beach clean-up sessions with Georges, providing an opportunity for families and young ones to get involved. These sessions are often accompanied by expert sharing programmes, serving as an educational avenue for newcomers to learn about marine diversity, mangrove protection and more. 

By participating in OSR’s activities with your family, you will not only be contributing to the ongoing efforts of marine conservation but also cultivating knowledge and enthusiasm for marine conservation early. Head over to OSR’s Instagram to discover more about their activities. 

2. Educating from young with “Let’s Discover Our Seashores, Singapore!”

While sustainability topics have been weaved into the classrooms in recent years, it is equally important that parents continue cultivating these learnings and interests at home — and what better way to do so than with an interactive children’s picture book.

Titled “Let’s Discover Our Seashores, Singapore!”, the picture book authored by father-daughter duo Professor Emeritus Chou and Diana Chou is a visual and aural experience that invites parents and young readers to explore the world of marine creatures living on our shores. 

Featuring 25 unique sea creatures, the book incorporates visual illustrations and QR codes linking to animated videos online, where Professor Emeritus Chou, a marine biologist at the Tropical Marine Science Institute, explains in deeper detail the interesting traits and behaviours of these animals. 

For example, young readers may discover animals such as an eight-armed seastar extending its arms, with small, flexible tube-like structures to enhance its speed during incoming tides. Interesting as it may be, this newfound knowledge can enrich your child’s learning, making their next trip to the beach more engaging and rewarding. 

Through captivating visuals and tech integration, there are endless ways in which children can nurture their interest in marine life conservation. If you are keen to kickstart your child’s educational journey, you can do so by picking up a copy of “Let’s Discover Our Seashores, Singapore!” at any Popular, Kinokuniya and Times bookstore near you.

3. Exploring new coastal trails on Big Sisters’ Island

Beyond our mainland beaches, families can take their curiosities further with the upcoming opening of Big Sisters’ Island this year. With a host of exciting new activities lined up, you can now look forward to exploring a whole new side of Singapore, just a boat ride away.

The island features a 230-metre coastal forest trail, complete with a hilltop viewing deck that offers an unobstructed view of our cerulean seas. You will also find lush green canopy throughout your hikes, all of which were strategically placed to enhance coastal habitats for sea creatures in our waters.

Besides the sights of the native animals living on Big Sisters’ Island, the little ones can experience the sea within the confines of a lagoon tidal pool, designed to retain seawater during low tide. Kids and parents can even partake in snorkelling activities, spotting moon snails, sea cucumbers and even octopi during their swims.

By providing children with a unique and immersive experience, we can help instil a deeper appreciation for marine conservation. This initiative is further enhanced by the collaboration between the National Parks Board and Singtel, who will incorporate 5G technology across the island to boost monitoring and virtual education programmes as well. 

Discover more coastal activities and amenities on Big Sisters’ Island here.

4. Diving into coral reef and marine conservation with #VoyageToProsperity

This Chinese New Year, we would like to invite you to dive deeper with us, explore the vast coral reefs that are thriving within our waters, and join us in our conservation efforts.

Through our collaboration with Marshall Cavendish Education (MCE), we have co-created the Voyage To Prosperity Game together with 10-year-old Gabriel Chin. As part of our initiative, we will be donating $10,000 to the coral reef conservation and enhancement efforts by NParks’ Garden City Fund, and you and your little ones can join us to pledge your support for coral reef conservation efforts, simply by playing the game. Each gameplay will count as a pledge towards conserving our coral reefs.

Together with the NParks’ Garden City Fund, we are also illuminating the beauty of coral reefs, which serve as a pivotal foundation for a thriving marine ecosystem on our Geneco Red Packets. 

This is symbolised by the radiant flow of fishes in vivid hues of pink, blue and gold, as well as the blooming corals to represent their flourishing prosperity. Within each red packet, you will also discover the lesser-known facts about our coral reefs and how they are vital to our marine life.

For a chance to win a set of limited edition Geneco Red Packets and $28 eCapitaVoucher, you can also take part in our Facebook and Instagram giveaway contests simply by sharing with us one of the places where Singapore’s coral reefs can be found.

By nurturing an appreciation and sense of responsibility for our marine environment from a young age, we hope to inspire and empower the next generation of environmental stewards to build themselves a sustainable future.

Together let’s embark on a #VoyageToProsperity towards a sustainable nation for our next generation. 

And beyond.