Whether you have resolved to declutter your wardrobe, it is always a good idea to start the beginning of the year with a fresh and organised wardrobe to get you kickstarted on a clean note. With Chinese New Year right around the corner, it may even be that extra motivation to do a spring cleaning of your closet. But if you are not sure how or where to get started, we have curated a step-by-step guide that will take you from A to Z on getting your wardrobe clean while still doing good for the earth.

Step 1: Take it all out

The first step is the easiest step and certainly not much of a huddle to get you started. Simply begin by taking everything out of your closet, empty your drawers and get your hangers off the rack. It might seem like you are creating a mess, but in fact emptying your wardrobe is very much a good check on the total amount of clothes you have. This is to help you realise and give you a sense of the magnitude of clothing items that you own, and certainly a reminder on your consumption habits. Once you have a good idea on the total number of clothes you own, it easily brings you to the next step of the cleanout.

Step 2: Set a goal

Once your clothes are all together in a giant pile, take note of the size of it and set goals to manage your wardrobe situation. If your wardrobe is bursting and your pile of clothes seems to be a huge mountain, think about the outcome you would want to achieve. It could be mixing and matching your outfits among key pieces in your collection that you frequently wear, or simply choosing to pass on any clothes that has not been worn for the past year or so.

A great tip that could get you started on your goals for your wardrobe is the “one item in, one item out” rule. For every new piece of clothing you introduce, you will need to get rid of another to prevent an overcrowded wardrobe. With a clear intention set in mind for your wardrobe, it will not only help you in the next step of the decluttering process, but it could be the anchor in your shopping habits whenever you are looking to add new pieces into your collection, encouraging you to think twice before carting out.

Step 3: Categorise and sort

Now comes the hardest part which is for you to tackle the pile of clothes that you have created and categorise them into a “throw” or “keep” pile. With every piece of clothing, you can decide by asking the great question of whether you have worn it in the past six months. If you catch yourself thinking you will wear it in the future but have not worn it a single time in the past six months, it may be time for you to let it go into the “throw” pile. In addition, any items that are damaged beyond repair, do consider throwing them out as well.

With the items you have set your heart on keeping, evaluate the categories you can sort them under and have them arranged in order within your wardrobe. From t-shirts to undergarments, having categories will help allocate each item to a spot it owns.

Step 4: Rethinking the “throw pile”

You should have a much tidier and neater wardrobe at this junction with a “throw pile” set aside. With this pile of clothes, there are many ways to deal with it and they may not necessarily entail discarding them. In Singapore, according to figures from the National Environment Agency, 168,000 tonnes of textile waste were produced in 2019, of which only 4% was recycled ^[1] ! Should your clothes be in a mint condition with minimal damage, consider the following ways to repurpose them that will be of good for the environment.

Upcycle
Clothes does not just have to function as clothes. Upcycling them can inject new life into these garments and create something entirely new. You could turn an old t-shirt into a reusable bag or have your socks function as hand puppets that are fun to entertain your children!

Sell online or do a swap
While a piece of clothing may be of a style you have outgrown or it simply no longer fits, consider if it could be an item someone else would appreciate. Organise a clothes swap with your friends to experiment with different styles of clothing from each other’s closet or sell it on a local marketplace such as our ChangeMakers partner REFASH, a secondhand fashion marketplace that looks to connect women’s closets and reduce textile wastage in Singapore!

Donate
Clothes donation bins by various organisations across the island are great options as well. Most of these donation bins are tied to businesses with a cause or an organisation looking to do good for the community. By contributing your lightly worn clothing, your clothes are certainly given a new lease of life with it either being rehomed to an individual who enjoys it or used to raised funds for a good cause.

Organising your closet may seem a daunting task at first, especially with a bursting wardrobe of clothes. However, by repurposing the pieces that you no longer wear into new homes and evaluating your consumption habits, it serves to start your year on a sustainable note, breathing life back into your clothes and our planet!

As you clean up your wardrobe this Chinese New Year, don’t forget to clear out the old red packets that you may have accumulated as well. In partnership with CRU, IUIGA, REFASH and Tay Paper Recycling, Geneco is introducing used red packet recycling bins across 29 public locations from 10 February to 8 March. Collected red packets are recycled into paper pulp and repurposed into other paper products! For more information on the locations click here! Let’s all take this opportunity to Power The Change together for the planet!

The long-awaited Phase 3 have finally kicked off and it is a sign of progress for Singapore in our fight against the pandemic. Even though many of the initial recommended guidelines are still in place as we enter Phase 3, most Singaporeans understand that the fight against this pandemic is far from over. While many of us were heartened by this milestone we have achieved together as a nation, let us also be reminded that there’s still much to be done for the Earth against climate change. We have put together these sustainable lifestyle tips which we can continue to practise, even with the new guidelines of Phase 3.

Start with reusable masks

Wearing a face masks is still an essential even in Phase 3. Everyone must play their part in being socially responsible as we adapt to our new lifestyle with the guidelines in place.

If you are still using disposable masks when you head out, consider making a switch and have a go with reusable masks which are just as good, and even more comfortable! Used disposable masks and other personal protective equipment cannot be recycled and are increasingly washing up on shorelines and causing harm to wildlife.

While the use of disposable face masks unfortunately cannot be avoided entirely, the mass public can choose to adopt the use of reusable masks for their daily wear. This can help reduce the amount of waste incurred and do our part for the Earth!

Choose to dine in

Singaporeans have been patiently waiting to be gathering in a group of more than 5 and it is time to rejoice! Group sizes permitted to gather socially have now been increased to a maximum of 8 people when heading out or visiting others!

To celebrate being able to come together in a larger group, a great way would be to choose to dine in at restaurants or food establishments when you can. After months of staying in, this has led to a rise in takeaways and home deliveries. The number of extra plastic waste generated during the two-month circuit breaker is an alarming 1,334 tonnes among Singapore households¹ (that is about 90 double-decker buses)!

Have a change in scenery and opt to dine in food establishments when meeting your friends and family outside! By choosing to dine in, this reduces the amount of plastic that can potentially incur from takeaways or home deliveries, a conscious effort for the environment. Do remember to continue to be socially responsible and ensure you are safely distanced from other guests during your meals!

Consider going car-lite

With many adopting a more flexible working arrangement in Phase 3, it certainly puts into perspective the need for a car to go about our daily lives.

If you are one of the many who have experienced a change into your daily routine where staggered working hours and non-traditional flexible work arrangements seem to be more regularly adopted now, consider going car-lite and opt for public transportation if you can. A major advantage from going car-lite is the fall in amount of carbon emissions released into the atmosphere. With less cars on the road, carbon footprint of the masses will be reduced and there will be better air quality – a huge benefit for our planet!

Practise Mindful consumption

Similar to our social gatherings, capacity limits and for malls and large standalone stores have also increased. Resumption of shopping and consumption activities within these venues are expected to climb as well with the upcoming festive occasions.

Being able to enjoy some physical retail therapy might be a mood booster among these difficult times, but before you cash out and sign off that purchase, consider taking a step back and rethink the necessity of your purchase. Looking for new pieces to refresh your wardrobe? Why not consider second-hand fashion which are as good as new with one of our ChangeMakers – Refash, Singapore’s largest online and offline thrift store. Or if you are sourcing for natural organic produce as part of the upcoming food preparations, go for retail concept stores such as Scoop.

Being mindful in your consumption is not just about buying what you need, but it can also be about supporting causes that are beneficial to our environment. This is a habit you can inculcate not just for Phase 3 but for the rest of 2021 as well!

With Phase 3 having commenced,  it serves as a fresh start to power us through 2021! Keeping yourself and those around you safe will still be of paramount importance, but without compromising on safety, more can be done for the environment to fight climate change and global warming. Together, the accumulative effect of these small actions can contribute to a larger cause for our Earth!

Beyond the city sights and the tall skyscrapers, there is certainly more to Singapore than just its iconic urban architecture. While we might not be blessed with tall mountains, the City in a Garden is true to its name with scenic trails and green corridors to discover all across the country. There are plenty of nature reserves and trekking trails filled with lush greenery and rich biodiversity to soak in some fresh air and be one with nature.

From trekking the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve to taking a boat ride to Pulau Ubin, here are some trails in Singapore that will let you escape the bustle of the city and get in touch with our green roots. Grab a friend or two and strap on your walking shoes, as we bring you our favourite hiking trails for you to set foot and discover a whole new side of Singapore.

1. Chestnut Nature Park

Chestnut Nature Park is in fact the largest nature park in Singapore. Located near Bukit Timah on the fringe of the Central Catchment Nature Reserve, this nature park spans across 81 hectares and is larger than 110 soccer fields. There are three hiking trails available for trekkers to explore the park and even includes a mountain biking trails for cycling enthusiasts. The scenic trails at the nature park are never dull with routes of various difficulty and it being a hotspot for bird watchers. You may even get a glimpse on some of Singapore’s rarer birds on your hike!

Click here on directions on how to get there.

2. Central Catchment Nature Reserve

With Singapore being home to four nature reserves, the Central Catchment Nature Reserve is the largest one out of the four and spans over 2000 hectares. The nature reserve is well known as the country’s green lungs with a forest like no other. Take a trek through the reserve with its specially designed nature trails across the four reservoirs within it. The MacRitchie Reservoir Park is a great starting point for the 20km network of trails and boardwalk for hikers of all levels. Don’t miss out Jelutong Tower in the heart of the forest; be rewarded with a sweeping view of the Central Catchment Nature Reserve and the waters of MacRitchie Reservoir after climbing up the seven-deck observation tower!

Click here on directions on how to get there.

3. Bukit Timah Nature Reserve

Undoubtedly one of the most popular local hiking spots in the city, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve is the tallest natural hill with one of the most diverse species of plants, animal, and insect life in Singapore. For those who are geared for a good workout, the steep trek up to the summit will leave you wanting more. Due to the popularity of this trail, we suggest heading there during off peak hours to full enjoy the green experience this nature reserve has to offer.

Click here on directions on how to get there.

4. Southern Ridges

Home to panoramic views of the city, the Southern Ridges is a great option if you are looking to challenge yourself and conquer five parks (Mount Faber Park, Labrador Nature Reserve, Hort Park, Telok Blangah Hill Park and Kent Ridge Park) at one go! The entire trail spans across 10km and is definitely not for the fainthearted. But with every step you take, you can expect to be rewarded with a unique outdoor experience and to look forward to a stellar view of the harbour from Henderson Waves.

Click here on directions on how to get there.

5. Coney Island Park

A bird lovers paradise, don’t be surprised when you spot rare bird species such as eagles or owls at Coney Island Park. Visitors will be surprised to know that there are about 80 species of birds on this mangrove habitat and the park serves as a sanctuary for migratory birds!

The rustic green space in the North-East part of the city focuses on conserving energy and water and retaining the natural elements of the park. The Casuarina Exploration playground within the park is constructed out of recycled Casuarina trees, creating natural wooden bridges and log fences for kids to enjoy and soak in the nature vibe! Whether you are opting for a breezy walk or a cycle around this picturesque island, a trip on the island is great family time for an afternoon of fun.

Click here on directions on how to get there.

6. Pulau Ubin

Transport yourself back in time as you take a glimpse of what Singapore was like during the 1960s at Pulau Ubin. The little island is a 20-minute bumboat ride away from the main island and a gem in the east. Exploring the island on foot is very much possible with much to see!

Take a 40-minute trek to Chek Jawa Wetlands, an intertidal zone rich in biodiversity. The boardwalks meandering within the mangrove forest and the coastline brings you closer to the surrounding flora and fauna. Crabs and other living organisms unique to the mangrove and coastal habitat can be spotted as well, which makes a great learning experience for the entire family!

If a challenge is what you are looking for, take a hike up Puaka hill, the highest peak of Pulau Ubin. We guarantee a breath-taking view of the quarry awaits at the end of the steep hike!

Click here on directions on how to get there.

Go green even at home

As we take time out of our busy schedules and enjoy the health benefits brought about from trekking on these scenic trails, let us not forget the importance of preserving these green spaces for future Singaporeans.

Protect these natural landscapes with eco-friendly habits such as bringing your own water bottle for the hike and leave no trace behind by not littering and properly disposing your trash and recyclables. The green spaces that we enjoy today are through the conscious efforts of maintaining and advocating the importance of green in our day-to-day, and hence a trait we should pass on to future generations.

You can also do your part for the environment even in your daily life with your choice of electricity plan! Geneco’s Get it Green plan allows you to do so with 100% carbon-neutral electricity, so find out how you can power a more sustainable world here!

Gifting and receiving a present is always exciting jolly time for everyone. The anticipation and excitement as you unwrap your gifts will always be a wonderful experience, be it for the young or old. As we approach the season of giving this year, let us take a look at how this gift exchange may be affecting our environment.

The challenge with gift wrapping

Everyone loves the feeling of unwrapping and tearing into their presents, but have you ever stopped to think about the amount of wrapping papers we use every year? According to statistics by the NEA, Singapore produced just above 1,000 metric tonnes of paper waste in 2019^[1], which is hardly surprising, considering each individual receives about 5 to 6 presents every year. Multiply that by Singapore’s population number and the math easily adds up to a huge amount of wrapping paper used, simply on presents.

Not only do gift wrappers contribute to a huge amount of waste produced by the nation every year, they are also often dyed and laminated, and some even contained non-paper additives such as gold and silver colouring, glitter and plastics, making the paper unrecyclable^[2].

With this in mind, here are some suggestions for you to consider the next time you plan on gifting someone a present, making it a greener and more sustainable one!

Wrapping paper alternatives

We’re spoilt for choice when it comes to going green in your gift wrapping! As long as you’re willing to get a little creative, you will certainly be able to find an alternative out there suiting your needs!

To start off, simply look around your home for discarded paper, fabric, and any materials that you no longer have use for and can still be used to be wrapped around your present. This may take the form of old newspapers, discarded packaging paper, plastic bags, or even used wrapping paper that you have received from others! Think of it as a scrapbook of wrapping paper that you can customise, decorate, and personalise for your loved ones.

If reusing old material doesn’t feel quite right for you, there are also plenty of recyclable wrapping paper options for you to consider. You may purchase Kraft paper that is fully recyclable^[3] and biodegradable from stationery stores or the local supermarket. If not, simply visit one of the many arts and craft stores in Singapore selling colourful, yet recyclable paper for you to use for your presents.

Finally, for those who aren’t as artistically inclined as to design and wrap your own gifts, you can always consider used containers such as old cookie tins or tea boxes to house your gifts this year. This creative yet, hassle-free gift wrapping option also reduces unnecessary purchases of gift wrappers while upcycling items around the house.

Gifts that don’t require wrapping

Avoiding using wrapping paper this jolly season does not just end at gift wrapping alternatives. Another way of giving without harming the environment is to consider presents that require no wrapping paper at all!

For instance, why not try your hand at baking or cooking this year? Cookies and pastries are great treats that everybody loves to indulge in regardless of the occasion, and we’re sure many would be touched by your homemade batch of brownies or cookies baked with love! Once you’ve done the work in the kitchen, simply pack the pastries in glass jars or Tupperware boxes, instead of disposable plastic boxes to store the food!

Alternatively, why not go for the gift of experiences instead of physical gifts? Take a family member or a friend out for their favourite meal or enjoy fun activities and have a nice catch up with them! This way, both you and your loved ones will be able to create fond memories and spend meaningful time together.

Wrapping Up

While glamming up presents in glittery and shiny paper feels luxurious, the true purpose of gifting ultimately lies in the sincerity towards your friends and family, letting them know how much you care for them. Even gifts wrapped in newspaper, or other eco-friendly materials will still surely be cherished by your loved ones, as long as they are gifts from the heart.

As the jolly season approaches, let us take the time to care not only for each other, but also for our planet and environment. If we can all take a moment to think about implementing more sustainable practices into our festive activities, we can gift ourselves the present of a cleaner, healthier environment and be #JollyTogether with the planet.

With the end of 2020 fast approaching, many of us may find ourselves out of our usual routine of planning for our long-awaited end-year vacations during this time of year. From finding the best flight ticket and accommodations deals, to marking down the city’s must-eats for a gastronomic experience, the thrill and excitement of a holiday is definitely missed.

But that does not mean that escaping into a different country is entirely impossible. Even though Singapore and Hong Kong have launched the air travel bubble, virtual travel has demonstrated to the world with new possibilities in deep diving into a new culture in any foreign cities. Not only does it reduce the amount of carbon footprints caused by air travel, it has also eased air pollution around the world^[1]. So, what better time than now than to experience a technology that some experts have advised as an eco-friendly solution to the problem of overtourism?^[2]

In view of everyone’s health and safety, curb the wanderlust fantasies and possibly bring the holiday experience right into your homes. We have put together a guide in creating that perfect virtual holiday for your family where not only is the act itself eco-friendly, but it gives you a chance to breathe second life into the items around the house. Once you are fully immersed in the entire experience, we guarantee a ball of a time of family fun!

1. Plan where to go

As with any holiday, a location is required. This time round, the world is your oyster and exorbitant plane tickets are the least of your concerns. You might have a destination already in mind, but if you are undecided, here are some off-beat options to explore from the usual favourites.

Immerse in South American history right up at Machu Picchu
A view like no other, experience the mystical place of Machu Picchu. Nestled in the Andes Mountains, the symbol of the Incan Empire is more than 7,000 feet above sea level and a sight to behold. Take a virtual tour of this UNESCO World Heritage Site from the comfort of your home as you discover Incan history without the altitude sickness.

Discover the Pharaoh’s tomb at the heart of the Great Pyramid of Giza
Transport yourself back in time to Ancient Egypt and be an archaeologist for a day as you dig deep into pyramids and tomb. Built over four and a half thousand years ago, the Great Pyramid of Giza is the tomb of the Pharaoh Khufu. Be awed by the science and precision of this historical masterpiece as you crawl through the secret chamber. The 360 virtual experience by BBC will take you pass through the walls into the very core of the Pyramid.

Journey through a South African safari in Kruger National Park
Get up close and personal with friends of the wild right in a world-renowned national park. Kruger National Park offers a full-blown safari into your home with their tours where you get a wildlife experience and to be able to observe lions, rhinos, tigers and bears up close. Safari vehicles head out into the wild twice a day for live safari tours where expert rangers take you onto the terrains of the national park to bring you a first-class experience.

*Catch the LIVE sunrise safari and sunset safari tours here at WildEarth at their respective timings

2. Set the stage

To really make it feel like you and your family are heading for a trip, consider getting everyone on board and decorating a part of the house to reflect the unique points of your selected destination.

A fun way to engage the children to be a part of this project will be to have them craft the backdrop of your selected city. Make use of old cardboard boxes or unwanted materials around the house by turning into key landmarks of your location such as pyramids in Egypt of llamas in Peru. Gather items from around the house and challenge them to upcycle and create the perfect stage for your holiday

Alternatively, if creating a physical background might be too daunting, Snapchat and Instagram filters are a great way to transport everyone to your desired location. Make it a full photoshoot moment and have fun with posing from the comfort of your home while imagining you are at the peak of Mount Fuji or climbing the Great Wall.

3. Dress the part

Just because you are at home, does not mean you have to be in your pajamas for your entire ‘trip’. Bask in the full fun of travelling from home by dressing up and putting on your favourite vacation outfit. Don that safari hat or throw on your favourite hiking gear certainly livens up the mood and creates that nostalgic feeling of pre-flight jitters before going on a trip. Afterall if dressing up the part affects the way we feel, it may just help bring about vacation excitement!

4. Taste the local delights

Food is certainly one of the best parts of any holiday. It reflects the essence of any city and its culture and most often, one of the most unforgettable parts of any trip. This is certainly something you must not miss out on your virtual holiday!

Avoiding using wrapping paper this jolly season does not just end at gift wrapping alternatives. Another way of giving without harming the environment is to consider presents that require no wrapping paper at all!

For instance, why not try your hand at baking or cooking this year? Cookies and pastries are great treats that everybody loves to indulge in regardless of the occasion, and we’re sure many would be touched by your homemade batch of brownies or cookies baked with love! Once you’ve done the work in the kitchen, simply pack the pastries in glass jars or Tupperware boxes, instead of disposable plastic boxes to store the food!

Alternatively, why not go for the gift of experiences instead of physical gifts? Take a family member or a friend out for their favourite meal or enjoy fun activities and have a nice catch up with them! This way, both you and your loved ones will be able to create fond memories and spend meaningful time together.

Wrapping Up

To spice things up, have a go at recreating some of the dishes from your destination’s local cuisine. There are plenty of online recipes that can give you a taste of your selected city. If your heart is in Paris, some pastries and croissant from your local bakery will do the trick. If Thailand is your location of choice, make full use of the local produce and whip up some Basil Chicken with rice. One of Geneco’s ChangeMaker Comcrop has locally grown basil that adds the flavour that is just needed in the dish.

Ultimately, food is a great way to complete the full virtual holiday experience while transporting your tastebuds to another part of this world.

While an end-year family vacation may be a dream for now, make no mistake in creating your own family fun from the comfort of your own home with this guide on having your own virtual holiday. It truly is the perfect green alternative for your family to have a get-a-way and take a peek at some of the destinations around the world. This way, you not only get to reduce on your carbon footprint, but to experience a whole new culture from the comfort of your home. With the advent of technology in modern times, we are sure this experience can only get better!

Working from home may be a semi-permanent fixture for most of us now having stayed at home for a good majority of the year. Having a dedicated workstation is thus important since it can do wonders in ensuring we stay on track with our work while at home. A sustainable home office is a great example of how easy we can merge zero-waste and daily work together as we carve out that personal workspace. Not limited to just being beneficial to our health and well-being, it further ensures we are doing our part in advocating for a more sustainable lifestyle choice.

Here are some tips to help you in creating a sustainable green home office.

1. Cut off energy vampires

Your electronic devices such as your laptops, computers, and speakers, are using up energy even when not in use. When not turned off entirely or left to run on standby mode, these items are slowly draining energy in the background by responding to commands or performing updates even when not actively engaged by a user, and can suck up large amounts of electricity.

To prevent wasting your electricity usage, unplug your devices at the end of the workday. This way you not only do good for the earth but for your pocket as well.

2. Office plants

Bring the great outdoors inside! Another way to make your home office green is to fill your space with houseplants. They are easy on the eyes and a brilliant way to improve your air quality thanks to their ability to purify the air.

Some plants like orchids and succulents even continue emitting oxygen at night, making it safe to house them indoors^[1]. Having indoor plants in your room can even help to reduce stress and create a peaceful environment, which can benefit your productivity and mental well-being as well.

Worried that you may not have any green fingers? There are plenty of low maintenance plants that require little care which are perfect for beginners or people with busy schedules. Some of them include the English Ivy, Snake Plant or even our local favourite, the Money Plant.

3. Go digital

A total of 1,011,000 tonnes of paper waste was disposed by Singaporeans in 2019^[2]. This is the third largest amount of waste generated among the various types of waste generated in the country.

With the advent of technology, keeping things digital and going green in the office has become accessible and easy. Use your electronic devices for most of your transactions like online billing, invoicing and payments. It can also be as easy as filing work documents digitally on electronics instead of having physical folders, or reviewing them on-screen rather than printing out. If you must use paper in the office, consider if it is possible to reuse misprints to reduce the need for a fresh sheet.

One of the ways Geneco is doing their part for environment is to only issue e-bills and have gone paperless since its inception. This helps reduce the unnecessary carbon footprint incurred from paper bills and postage mailing. A small move to phase out physical bills is a huge step towards a better world. We even have a guide to help you understand your Geneco e-bills to ensure a hassle free process!

4. Skip single-use stationery

Whenever you run out of pen ink or are looking for stapler refills, the first thought will usually be to head for the supplies closet to retrieve a new batch of stationery. Instead of being dependent on these disposable office supplies, choose to reuse and opt for sustainable options.

Choose refillable pens or staple-less staplers to reduce your consumption and the amount of waste generated. You will be even surprised to know that there are plantable pencils in the market that are designed to be planted once they are of unusable length. To complete building your own eco-friendly home office, you could even try to adopt a plastic-free routine as you go about your daily tasks.

5. Make the most of natural light

Selecting a workspace that has a window to allow natural light in is a great way to go green in your home office as well. This way, you save on your energy consumption by minimising the use of unnecessary lighting and get to enjoy the health benefits of Vitamin D which can improve your quality of sleep and productivity levels.

When optimum use of natural lighting is not possible, ensure your workplace is well lit by opting for an energy-efficient LED desk lamp. Not only do they not strain your eyes, they also consume 80 per cent less electricity and have longer lifespan than halogen bulbs^[3].

Going green has never been easier, especially at work. It is a great way to keep individuals happy, healthy, and productive at the same time. Transform your home office into a green one today or challenge your colleagues to adopt sustainable practices for their own home office. You could even take it a step further to going green for your home by checking out Geneco’s Get It Green plan! At only 17.45cts/kWh, reducing your carbon footprint is both simple and affordable!

Share your ideas with one another on how to maintain a green office at home and power the change together!

With the recent series of online shopping events, such as the 9.9 and 10.10 sales, as well as the upcoming 11.11 Singles Day sales, the popularity of retail e-commerce activity is becoming increasingly widespread every day.

In Singapore, online retail sales takings in January 2019 stood at over $201 million^[1], and is expected to double by 2022 from 2017 figures, according to CIMB’s Research. Southeast Asia’s e-commerce market was worth $31.5 billion in 2018 and is projected to hit $138.5 billion by 2025.

Added on with the COVID-19 preventive measures, the number of online purchases made by Singaporeans have also increased dramatically over the past few months.

However, is this good in terms of sustainability and environmental conservation? Let us weigh the benefits and environmental impact of physical and online retail.

The Good

The good news for shoppers who prefer e-commerce options is that they generally produce less greenhouse gases and emissions than those who travel physically to the store to browse and purchase their goods – yielding a carbon footprint about 50% lower than that of the traditional shopper.

According to research, about 3.1kg of CO2 is yielded per customer journey whereby the travelling to the stores itself accounts for about 75%^[2] of greenhouse emissions in the entire shopping process via the various modes of transportation, while the remaining emissions come from packaging, overheads of displaying the goods and running the store, and returning items.

The Bad

However, even without travelling physically, there are still many factors that can contribute to increased greenhouse gas emissions and carbon footprint produced by e-commerce activities.

The most common and serious form of waste from e-commerce comes from the packaging involved in the entire process. Anyone who has received a parcel from an online purchase will likely attest that their products are usually packed in an excessive mix of cardboard and plastic used to minimise damages. The amount of cardboard used for the 165 billion^[3] packages shipped in the US yearly accounts for more than a billion trees alone, almost equivalent to 350,000 hectares of land, which is about five times the size of Singapore.

Another major source of waste and carbon emissions stems from the process of returning or exchanging products purchased online. This process is usually free, and customers have taken advantage of it – with the return rates of e-commerce products spiking by 95%^[4] over the last five years. By having the product shipped back to the supplier, replaced, repackaged, and then re-shipped back to the customer, the entire process produces up to 2 to 3 times more emissions than it would for a single journey. Returns in the US alone accounts to more than 2 billion kilograms of landfill waste and 15 million tonnes of carbon emissions every year.

So what can you do?

Despite the many ways for e-commerce to create a massive carbon footprint and waste, there are also plenty of sustainable habits we can practice for our online activities:

1. Don’t buy on impulse
Take your time to consider the item you’re purchasing and eliminate any potential chance to return your product. Check out the reviews or do your research to help your purchase decision. By ensuring that your product makes only one trip to your home, you’ll be reducing the carbon footprint of your purchase, contributing to a more sustainable environment.

2. Avoid Express Shipping
Avoid the “express delivery” option for your purchases. Doing so will allow companies to consolidate more orders and their products together into one shipment instead of multiple shipments for single items, hence driving efficiency and reducing emissions.

3. Choosing to go green
Consider retailers and services that provide the possibility for a greener e-commerce journey. For instance, there are several brands that have made the swap from poly mailer bags to biodegradable ones, making use of 100% recyclable paper bags in a bid to reduce its carbon footprint without compromising on customer experience. Alternatively, you can support local initiative such as Package Pals, which collects single-use packaging from Singaporeans either via collection or by mail before redistributing them to retailers for re-use.

A collective effort

While we embrace the convenience of e-commerce as they become the more prevalent method of shopping, there are plenty of resources and initiatives available online helping us to make this process a sustainable one, as it should be and was meant to be.

With a little effort, we have everything we need to change the landscape of retail and consumerism, so what’s stopping you from becoming a greener shopper?

As the habit of recycling at home steadily gained traction in Singapore, you might be familiar with the usual recyclable items around the house such as cardboard boxes, plastic bottles and aluminum cans, and how to go about recycling them. There is certainly more to the list and you might be surprised by some unexpected ones. Here are some additional items at home you never knew you could recycle as well.

Light bulbs and lamps

Light bulbs are considered a form of e-waste and can be recycled. Due to the nature of the product, they cannot be deposited into the common recycling bins located within the residential areas. With most lamps and light bulbs being mostly made up of glass, metal and limited amounts of mercury, improper disposal could lead to contamination.

What to do: Check in with your neighbourhood community centres if they have a collection point for faulty light bulbs and lamps to be recycled by professionals.

Aerosol cans

Face mist, paint sprays, insecticides and hair sprays – these everyday household items can come in the form of aerosol cans. Aerosol containers or spray cans are pressurised products that can start a fire or cause injuries when you dispose them in the trash where they can be punctured and explode.

What to do: Empty the aerosol cans before recycling them in our common neighbourhood recycling bins. An empty spray can is safe for disposal if you no longer hear air being released from the container when the nozzle is pressed.

Portable chargers and electrical cables

With our phones constantly by our side all the time, you can imagine how important it is for it to have sufficient battery life. As such, portable chargers and electrical cables have become almost indispensable in our everyday lives.

With daily use, wear and tear is expected much like any other household items. Consider if it is possible to have it repaired with your local repairman or to do an exchange with the manufacturer.

What to do: Should throwing out be the only available option, don’t be too quick to bin it as these items can be recycled as e-waste. Check out these locations where cables and portable chargers can be recycled!

Spectacles

According to the World Health Organisation, at least 2.2 billion people have a vision impairment or blindness, of whom at least 1 billion have a vision impairment that could have been prevented^[1]. By recycling your unused glasses, it is a great way to put your old glasses to good use while making a difference in enabling the vision of those in need.

What to do: Do a quick check for local optical shops which collect or trade in old spectacles. One such optical shop is Visio Optical, who runs an eyewear collection programme where everyone is encouraged to donate their old or new spectacles and sunglasses that are in usable conditions. The glasses will then be reworked and offered to people with financial difficulty unable to access or afford quality eye care, providing them with proper prescription glasses.

Being able to recycle these unexpected household items, it broadens the perspective of how we view recyclable items to not just be confined to the usual suspects. The next time before you bin something, do a quick check with this list if it can be recycled.

As sustainability becomes more of a necessity with the increasing urgency of climate change, it’s time we practice more mindful habits to leave the world in better hands for the generations after us.

We all have memories of our parents telling us not to waste food when we were younger. However, the issue of food waste in Singapore expands far beyond simply finishing food left on your plate. According to statistics provided by the National Environment Agency (NEA), Singaporeans disposed 744 million kilograms of food in 2019. Putting this into context, that’s about 2 bowls of rice per person wasted every day, or 51,000 double decker buses of wasted food generated every year^[1]!

Our nation’s trend on food waste is on a worrying rise, with the amount increasing by about 20% over the past 10 years^[2]. This figure is also expected to increase, alongside our nation’s growing population and economic activity.

To find out how we can address this unhealthy trend, an understanding of Singapore’s most typical avenues of food waste must first be reached.

How is food in Singapore wasted?

With our nation’s love and passion for food, it is no surprise that Singapore’s food waste emerges from all avenues along its supply chain. From food distributors, to supermarkets, restaurants, and finally within our own households – most of us are part of this vicious cycle.

For instance, cosmetic filtering is a common phenomenon that happens with most food retailers. This practice is exactly what it sounds like, where foodstuffs are filtered and selected based on how edible or appealing, they look. Items that fail to meet the aesthetic standards of the chefs or retailers are discarded without reaching the shelves. A study revealed that stall owners at a wet market dispose of up to 30,000 kilograms of unwanted vegetables and fruits every day based on this very reason^[3].

Another top avenue for food waste boils down to the improper inventory management of food stock by restaurants and chefs. This occurs most commonly when restaurants overorder more food than what is required, to avoid running out of food during service.

Finally, food waste is something that happens in our households as well. According to a study conducted by the NEA and the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA), the top three reasons people at home threw food away was because “it had expired, gone mouldy, or that it looked, smelled or tasted bad”^[4], which caused many Singaporeans to throw away food that may still be safe for consumption.

Why is Food Waste a Problem?

As more food is wasted each year, an increased amount will also have to be sourced to meet the growing and misrepresented demand for food within our nation. This directly places a greater amount of stress on Singapore’s food security goals, where local food producers such as our ChangeMakersSG Comcrop, are striving to meet 30% of the country’s nutritional needs by the year 2030.

Aside from having to meet a growing demand for food, Singapore is also being forced to step up its waste disposal systems to efficiently dispose and incinerate the large volumes of food wasted every day. The incinerated food is then added on to our landfills, which when buried and broken down, emits methane – a greenhouse gas known to contribute towards global warming^[4].

Lastly, each step of the food supply chain involves a huge amount of resources and processes, such as food production, storage, and transportation, with each activity leaving its own carbon footprint on the planet. By consuming and wasting more food than we need, we are therefore heightening our planet’s crisis of climate change.

What Can I Do?

To better minimise food waste at home, you can begin by simply being careful to only purchase what your household needs. In doing so, you avoid having to throw away spoiled food, or grapple with whether a certain food item can still be eaten or not. On top of that, try exploring the option of using your leftovers to transform them into new dishes for the next meal, instead of being so quick to throw your excess dinner away.

Finally, in the event where you have excess food that you know you won’t be able to finish, you can donate them to the various charities and non-profit organisations that will put your food to better use. One of Geneco’s ChangeMakers The Food Bank Singapore, specialises in redistributing food that has been rejected by food retailers and manufacturers due to cosmetic reasons, giving them instead to the less privileged communities in Singapore who grapple with food insecurity every day.

While Singapore’s food waste issue is not one to be taken lightly, there are plenty of efforts, initiatives, and resources around for us to educate ourselves about regarding this issue. However, more than just looking at the solutions we have, the key to a long-term solution lies in adopting a different, better mindset on how food can be consumed, and conserved.

Everyone has a part to play, and with food being an integral part of each of our lives, the change can always be started within ourselves.

Sustainability is no longer just a trend, but a lifestyle choice for many people. As more consumers choose to switch from single-use plastics to reusable options, or opting for eco-friendly products as part of their daily routine, there are many other ways for individuals to lead a more sustainable lifestyle. A method few may have considered is switching to plant-based eating.

Does plant-based eating means that you have to abstain from meat? We clear the air and answer some of these questions as part of our beginner’s guide to plant-based eating. You will be surprised that it may be easier than you think!

What is a plant-based diet?

A plant-based diet essentially emphasises on food such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains and legumes, while at the same time, limiting your intake of meats, dairy and eggs. It really depends on how strict an individual wants to be in terms of the diet and what will be the best fit depending on health needs and daily lifestyle.

Some may opt to completely axe animal food products if they prefer, while others might just reduce their intake depending on their own interpretation of a plant-based diet. The beauty of it is that meat and seafood do not necessarily need to be off-limits, instead you can make conscious efforts to cut down on how often you consume those items.

There are a range of diet options that fall under plant-based diets. Some of these examples include:

Pescatarian diet
A pescatarian diet involves eating fish and seafood as a main source of protein, together with vegetable and plant-based foods.^[1]

Mediterranean diet
A Mediterranean diet focuses on fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and it includes consuming less dairy and meat.^[2]

Vegetarian diet
A vegetarian diet is a meat-free diet. Depending on the individual, some will include eggs and dairy within their diet requirements.^[3]

Vegetarian diet
A vegan diet excludes all animal-based foods.^[4]

Benefits of a plant-based diet

There are several benefits when choosing to incorporate a plant-based diet into your daily life. One of the most apparent change will be how it impacts your health. According to Harvard University’s health blog, it states that plant-based diets such as the Mediterranean diet, shows lower risk of chronic diseases, certain cancers, depression and frailty in older age. ^[5] Beyond preventing diseases, plant-based diets are also effective for treating obesity and boosting energy levels. ^[6]

Plant-based diets are also better for the environment. Unknown to most people, what we choose to eat makes up a huge proportion of our impact on the environment. Cattle grazing contributes to climate change by producing a lot of gas such as methane and CO2. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) estimates that livestock production is responsible for 14.5 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions. ^[7] The Worldwatch Institute have even mentioned that this figure could be as much as 51 per cent.^[8]

With a significant amount of global emissions coming from animal products, our small choices in diet plays a huge role in helping combat climate change.

Taking the first step towards a sustainable diet

If you are convinced on wanting to move towards a plant-based diet, you might not know where or how to start, especially with so much information available out there.

Here are some additional tips and tricks to ensure a smooth transition to a plant-based diet!

1. Start with a small change:
Instead of jumping straight in and completely eliminating meat from your diet, choose to start with 1 day a week to lower your animal food intake. Meatless Monday is a global movement which encourages people to not eat meat on Mondays in a bid to protect the environment and improve one’s health. Once you are well adjusted with this, slowly increase this habit to 2-3 times a week.

2. Explore your food options:
In Singapore, there are plenty of food options out there that can come in place of meat. From mock meat to mushrooms and even legumes, choosing a plant-based diet can exercise some creativity on how you can keep those meat cravings at bay and gain the required protein from other alternatives.

3. Plan your meals and cook at home
By planning your meals for the week and making them on your own, it is certainly helpful in sustaining plant-based eating for the long haul. This is a great habit to keep where not only does it help you to stick to this commitment, but also ensures your food waste is reduced. In addition, it also gives you a chance to experiment in the kitchen and attempt new plant-based recipes you may have never tried!

Plant-based recipes to get you started

To help you kick-start on this journey, one of Geneco’s ChangeMakers Cultivate Central, have put together plant-based recipes that you can try at home using microgreens you may have grown in your own home garden.

• Quinoa, daikon, radish microgreens and tapioca salad
• Tanghoon soup with buckwheat microgreens
• Raita with sunflower microgreens

A plant-based diet really is not as daunting as it seems and can be attempted by anyone. The key is to start small and to find a flexible diet that you are comfortable with as you choose to reduce your animal product intake. While everyone has their own reasons for adopting it, the benefits it brings to our environment and fighting climate change is undeniable. Many alternatives that can help to build a compromise to enable everybody to take action for the environment, exist through their dietary choices.