Did you know that cutting just one minute off your shower can save up to nine litres of water each time? While saving the environment may seem like a huge task, all it takes are a few small steps to create a more eco-friendly home.
Here are some tips to help you keep your home green, carbon footprint light and utility bills low.
1. Be wiser with water
With water prices in Singapore set to gradually increase, it’s time to get smart about how you use this precious resource.
Apart from keeping your showers to under five minutes, wash your dishes and vegetables in a filled sink instead of under running water.
Only use the washing machine when you have a full load of clothes, and reuse the rinse water from the machine to mop floors or wash your car.
If you keep plants, water them just once a day before 7am or after 7pm. This minimises water loss by evaporation, so your plants will have enough water for the day.
2. Reduce, reuse, recycle
Last year, Singaporeans threw away 791,000 tonnes of food, and only a small fraction of that was recycled. Creating a weekly meal plan can help make your grocery shopping more efficient and reduce the risk of food going bad in the refrigerator. Plus, your wallet will thank you too.
Keep a few airtight containers handy for freezing your leftovers in small portions. This way, the food freezes more quickly, and you can thaw only what you need.
In addition, if festive occasions such as Lunar New Year have left you with too many uneaten goodies, consider donating non-perishable ones to groups such as Food Bank Singapore.
3. Give pre-loved items a new lease of life
If your regular wardrobe clean-out has left you with piles of unwanted clothes, donate them to welfare organisations such as the Salvation Army, Metta Welfare Association and Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore.
You can also bring the clothes to your nearest H&M branch. Every store has a collection point for garments to be resold or recycled.
When it comes to faulty appliances or electronics, don’t head for the rubbish bin just yet. You can learn how to fix them by joining community groups such as Repair Kopitiam.
Finally, don’t just keep your unused electronics in a drawer. There are plenty of ways to recycle them, which is important because improper disposal of e-waste can lead to environmental pollution and ultimately harm human health. Common types of e-waste include:
- Desktop, laptop, and tablet computers; mobile phones and all computer accessories, such as keyboards, modems and monitors
- Home appliances, including televisions, refrigerators, and rice cookers
- Lamps, electronic toys, some electronic sports and leisure equipment
To find out more about where you can recycle your e-waste, check out this list from the National Environment Agency by clicking here.
If you enjoyed these tips, you’ll be glad to know that property developer Keppel Land has adopted six United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including responsible consumption and production.
The United Nations came up with 17 goals to tackle the world’s sustainable development challenges, and Keppel Land is focusing on the six most relevant to its operations.
Just remember, every little bit of effort helps. Look around your home today, and take the first step towards making it an eco-friendly one.