Simple Ways To Reduce Plastic Use At Home
Plastic waste is causing a real mess for our planet. In Singapore, only a measly 6% of plastic was recycled in 2022, with a whopping 944 million kg of plastic was disposed of. Can you imagine the amount of waste we are generating at home daily and contribution to that staggering statistic?
It might sound cliché, but we do have the power to make a difference even with a small change in our lifestyle. By taking these simple steps, we can reduce plastic waste at home and create a more sustainable future.
Reuse & recycle
Your mum was right to horde plastic bags and wash all that plastic cutlery. These plastic products can be reused multiple times, so before you toss them out, think twice! And when the time finally comes to say goodbye, it's important to send them off for recycling. If you have a blue bin at your HDB block, simply gather all your recyclables in a bag or box (no need stress okay!). They will be sorted centrally after collection. Just make sure to give them a quick rinse if necessary.
Tote it, don't trash it
Tote bags can be the ultimate trendsetters (Gentle Woman, anyone?). These solid bags have got your back, whether you're carrying your weekend essentials or stocking up on groceries at the supermarket. Not only do they make a stylish fashion statement, but they also help you avoid paying extra charges for plastic bags. But if you're looking for an even more convenient option, look out for reusable bags that can be folded up into teeny-tiny sizes, like this Shupatto. Just imagine effortlessly pulling out your compact reusable bag when the cashier at Donki asks you that dreaded question, "Do you need a plastic bag?"
Refill packs for the win
Nowadays, you can buy refills for your hand soaps and laundry detergents at your friendly neighbourhood NTUC or Sheng Siong. And the best part? These refills are way cheaper than buying a brand new bottle. Saving the environment and saving money? That's a win-win.
Smile bright with a bamboo toothbrush
We all know the drill: replace our toothbrush every 3 months, as recommended by SingHealth (and seriously, if you're not doing this, ew!). But have you ever stopped to think about what happens to all those discarded plastic toothbrushes? They end up piling up in a Semakau landfill, where they can take up to a whopping 1,000 years to decompose. Yikes! Switch to bamboo toothbrushes, which are just as durable and effective in keeping our pearly whites sparkling, but they biodegrade much faster. Bamboo is a fast-growing and renewable resource, making it a sustainable choice for oral hygiene.
Cook it up, pack it up
Remember those glorious days of WFH when you became a Masterchef in your own kitchen? Bringing your own lunch to work not only saves you money from the cai png stall, you’re also cutting down on plastic waste by bringing your own reusable container. But if life is just too busy, you can still make a sustainable choice by bringing your trusty reusable container to da bao lunch from the nearby hawker centre. Don’t forget to pack your cutlery too.
Razor sharp eco-moves Stop the endless cycle of reusing disposable razors and the unpleasant razor burn that comes with it. Not only is it a hassle, but it also contributes to the ever-growing pile of plastic waste. But fret not, because here is a smooth solution: an electric razor. It’s a big one time investment, but it’s a total game-changer. No more frantic last-minute dashes to the store when you realise you've run out of razors. You can recharge and reuse an electric razor for years to come, saving your hard-earned cash while making a positive impact on our planet.
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