30 tips to be more eco-friendly

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With the world's dismal record in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, it is now more crucial than ever to adopt habits that reduce our carbon footprint.

Luckily, there are more green alternatives available than ever before, and becoming more eco-friendly can be as simple as switching products, or changing the way we use them. 

Here are 30 tips, products and ideas to become more ecologically friendly today.

Day 1: Bamboo straws

Plastic straws are one of the most egregious examples of plastic waste, but metal straws (especially those made from raw ore) are polluting and damaging to the earth.

Switch instead to bamboo straws that are renewable and biodegradable.

Day 2: Silicone food bags

Still using plastic ziplock bags that have to be thrown out after a few uses? Say hello to your new upgrade - silicone food bags that are food-safe, odour free and infinitely washable.

The Stasher range is even freezer and heat safe, so you can easily go from freezer to pot to table.

Day 3: Reusable food wraps

Reusable cotton food wraps infused with beeswax are a great alternative to toxic plastic clingwrap. Just press to seal, using the heat from your hands to melt the wax.

Handy as an all-natural placemat, sandwich wrap or to cover bowls of food.

Day 4: Vacuum-insulated water bottles or mugs

We know not to buy bottled drinks, but it's hot out and we're dying for a cold one.

Instead of buying a bottle of water and adding to plastic pollution, invest in a leak-proof vacuum-insulated water bottle or travel mug that will keep your drinks cold (or hot).

READ ALSO: 5 earth-friendly cling wrap alternatives for food storage

Day 5: Takeaway lunch boxes

Reduce your trash output when you tar-pow food by bringing your own takeaway lunch boxes. Bonus points if cutlery is included.

Sure you'll need to wash them after each use, but think of how many turtles you'll save from choking on your discarded, colourful plastic bags?

Day 6: Thermal lunch bags

Cook your own lunch to save money, eat healthier and go zero-waste. Pack your food in a thermal lunch bag to help keep food warm, so you can tuck in come lunchtime without having to use the gross office microwave.

Day 7: Bamboo cutting board

Plastic cutting boards are not only bad for the environment, they can also be hazardous to your health. They wear down easily, forming bacteria breeding grounds with each cut.

Switch to a bamboo cutting board that is easy to clean, durable, food-safe and stylish.

Day 8: Bamboo paper products

Bleached wood pulp paper products not only destroy forests, they also pollute the environment producing that blindingly white toilet paper.

Unbleached bamboo paper products do the same job, but are much more renewable (bamboo regrows; trees have to be replanted) and less environmentally damaging.

Cloversoft's unbleached paper towels are suitable for sensitive skin and purportedly prevents skin irritation.

READ ALSO: 10 simple everyday habits for an earth-friendly lifestyle

Day 9: Wooden disposable cutlery

At your next party, try switching to wooden disposable cutlery instead.

Unlike plastic (or that friend who can't handle her drinks), these biodegradable products won't stick around and cause problems long after the party's over.

Day 10: Expandable bamboo drawer organiser

Instead of plastic drawer inserts, effortlessly organise your drawers with this expandable bamboo drawer organiser that changes sizes to fit a variety of drawers.

Day 11: Cycle everywhere

Whenever possible, cycle instead of taking public transport, car-pooling, or worst, driving. Not burning any fossil fuel on your daily commute (or as little as possible) is the most direct way to reduce your carbon footprint.

Day 12: Use the aircon in dry mode

Ever felt like the air was stuffy and oppressive even though the aircon is in full blast? Humidity is likely to blame. Switch the aircon to Dry Mode to reduce humidity, restore coolness and save electricity in the process.

READ ALSO: Sustainability in Singapore: 9 local and regional fashion brands to watch

Day 13: Reduce meat consumption

Raising livestock uses precious resources, all to satisfy human appetites. Reducing your meat consumption will contribute less stress to ecological systems.

The most wasteful is beef, so cut down or switch to less polluting alternatives like poultry and seafood.

Day 14: Don't insist on organic

Organic food has not been proven to be better for human health. Worse, studies show that organic farming results in lower food yield.

So by insisting on organic food, you are indirectly causing more natural resources to be wasted on food farming.

Day 15: Ditch liquid toiletries

Body wash and shampoo bottles use a lot more plastic than solid soap bars - just think about that one-litre pump bottle vs the tiny plastic or paper sleeve.

Go all the way and pick soap bars with eco-conscious packaging, such as Ethique.

Day 16: Visit zero-waste stores

Visit a zero-waste store to learn more about the movement.

The more you know, the more you'll be inspired to come up with your own ways of contributing to a sustainable future.

Of course, shopping there will also earn you instant eco points.

READ ALSO: Shopping green: Celebrate Earth Day with these labels that give back

Day 17: Give upcycling a try

Shop upcycled products for an inspired take on your home decor.

Or if you're good with your hands, try joining an upcycling class or group and create projects from items you might otherwise have thrown away.

Day 18: Become an urban farmer

It's a quirky idea, but it's completely possible to grow your own vegetables and fruits in Singapore.

By joining the growing urban farming movement, you can facilitate the reduction of supply chain pollution and packaging waste.

Day 19: Filter, not boil

If you're still boiling your tap water before drinking it, you're wasting precious energy on an unnecessary task in Singapore.

However, if you can't stand the thought or taste of tap water, using a water filtration system is a greener alternative.

For hot drinks, use an electric airport to keep water hot and save energy.

Day 20: Stop washing clothes with hot water

With modern-day detergents, using hot water to wash your clothes is simply a waste of electricity.

Instead use colour-friendly bleach, and clean out your washer dryer to prevent musty odours.

READ ALSO: Sustainability in Singapore: Eco-friendly ways to adapt to the existence of Covid-19 in daily life

Day 21: Toothbrushes with detachable heads

Chances are the only part of your toothbrush that need replacing is the head itself - the handle is usually still good.

Switching to toothbrushes with detachable heads (such as these from Boie) is another great way to reduce waste.

Day 22: Watch out for microplastics

Many personal care products - such as toothpaste and facial scrubs - contain microplastic beads as an exfoliator, which get flushed into the oceans, and into the food chain.

Avoid these products to help stem the flow of plastic pollution.

Day 23: Break your fast fashion habit

The fashion industry is emerging as one of the worst polluters of our environment, with the multiple release cycles driven by fast fashion.

Slow down the damage by ditching the fast fashion habit, and only shop sustainable fashion labels.

Day 24: Switch to a green power plan

Speak to your electricity provider about switching to a green power plan - carbon-neutral, solar power or partial solar power.

Sure, you'll pay a premium but at least you'll be encouraging the further development of sustainability efforts.

READ ALSO: Earth Day: Greenfluencers show us how easy it is to be eco-friendly

Day 25: Rechargeable batteries

Devices such as remote controls, electric toothbrushes and Bluetooth mice and keyboards still require disposable batteries.

Use rechargeable ones instead to prevent using up precious metals as well as environmental degradation from improperly disposed batteries.

Day 26: Biodegradable garbage bags

Bagging your garbage for disposal is one of the most common ways in which plastic gets into the environment.

Switch to biodegradable garbage bags that break down to reduce pollution and save land from turning into landfills.

Day 27: Stop buying almonds and almond milk

Almonds are tasty and nutritious, but growing them is a thirsty endeavour.

Farmers in California - which produces 80 per cent of the world's almonds - take to sucking up precious groundwater to grow this profitable crop, leading to environmental damage, sinkage and even earthquakes.

Day 28: Single-serve coffee pods

Those single-serve coffee pods that you love so much are creating an environmental nightmare, filling up landfills with aluminium waste.

Worse, coffee pods aren't easily recyclable due to their manufacturing process. Switch to reusable coffee pods for a greener cup of coffee.

Day 29: Disposable tea bags

The manufacture and use of disposable tea bags and their sachets involve paper, linen or plastic fibres, which all ultimately end up polluting and degrading the environment.

Reduce waste by opting for loose leaf tea with an infuser mug or teapot instead.

READ ALSO: World Earth Day: If funeral parlours and swimwear can be eco-friendly, so can we

Day 30: Low-flow showerhead

Did you know the average Singaporean uses 148 litres of water a day?

Switch to a low-flow showerhead to manage your water consumption, and advanced models promise to give you a great wash even with less water.

This article was first published in Her World Online.