Easy opportunities to be better - AM to PM Guide to Sustainability
What if I told you that the state of our planet and her devastating future and our very survival comes down to the decisions that we make every day. All it takes is choice; the choice of good over bad and better over good. Every choice that we make from the second we wake up in the morning until we go back to bed, we have a chance to influence the world around us.
“You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” - Jane Goodall
So, let us be the difference we want to make.
First things first. FIRST RULE OF SUSTAINABILITY: The most sustainable option is the one that you already have. But when it comes time to replace something that needs replacing, the second rule of sustainability kicks in. Always think ahead. When you are about two weeks away from running out of shampoo/conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrush, start looking for your better option. For the things that you know, you will need, wait for a sale or a bundle offer to save money in the long run. Always think ahead because when has anything good come out of rushing to get something done.
Here is your 9-5 Guide to Sustainability with Singapore-specific options. This is based on must-do daily activities and some other common ones.
MORNING
The first thing that we do, when we wake up is clean our face and teeth and for some, a quick shower as well.
MOUTH - toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, mouth wash, tongue scraper, and oil pulling.
Replace your manual plastic toothbrush with a bamboo/beechwood toothbrush*. If you use an electric toothbrush, when the time comes, keep in mind the brand GeoOrganics (UK), which packages everything plastic free and has a Zero to Landfill recycling plan. GeoOrganics also has all that is needed for cleaning your teeth, so if you are going to make an order, make it a bulk order for free international shipping.
Replace regular toothpaste from a plastic tube with toothpaste tablets, GeoOrganic’s toothsoap, or toothpowder. In Singapore and Australia, you can find plastic-free options at The Source. Globally, Lush has some good options.
Did you know that most floss is made of synthetic fiber? Replace plastic containers with cotton floss in reuseable container.
If you don’t already, add a tongue scraper to your mouth regimen and experience your best breath ever. You can find this one from Dr. Tungs at Watsons’ or a copper one from The Dirt, where you can simultaneously make an order for all your teeth cleaning needs.
*note that no toothbrush can be completely plastic free because of the bristles. It is advised that you use pliers to pull the bristles out and then use the bamboo handle for upcycling projects
FACE - soap and lotions
The best way to go plastic-free is to also go organic and non-toxic. Triple benefits. Remember that our skin is our largest organ; it absorbs a lot including the soaps and moisturizers we use and the pesticides used to grow clothes and bed sheets (see below).
Use solid versions of face soap and face serum/lotions. I recommended Ethique from New Zealand.
Choose Brands and products that come in glass containers instead of plastic containers. Or, you can switch to products that are refillable.
When it comes to make up, natural products are also recommended. Choose solid mascara instead of ones in plastic containers (recommended Besame’s Cake Mascara). Choose makeup brands that are cruelty-free, natural, and plastic-free. Recommended: Elate Cosmetics and Dirty Hippie, Clean Faced Cosmetics, Keeping it Natural.
Instead of quick wipe makeup removers or cotton pads, cut up your old t-shirts into rounds/squares instead, or buy just some Marley’s Monsters. Marley’s Monsters is famous for the “Unpaper” substitutes. See more uses below.
Switch to bamboo cotton swabs (Brush Mable)
For boys looking for a clean shave - Ethique has a shaving bar and invest in a stainless steel safety razor.
SHOWER - body wash, shampoo, conditioners, moisturizers.
Replace toxic cleaning products marketed are body wash and shampoo/conditioners with the solid version or refillable ones. They are better for your body and better for the planet.
Recommended: Solidskincareco (Singapore) for amazing shampoos and conditioners and body cleansers. Or Ethique (NZ or US) for shampoo, conditioners, and body wash, and face-specific soap and serum.
As for refill stations in Singapore, check out the options at The Social Space and The Source.
#1s and #2s
Toilet paper uses a lot of plastic for wrapping the whole pack and sometimes individual rolls. Choose a plastic-free option that upcycled, unbleached bamboo and paper, Who Gives a Crap, who also donates 50% of their sales to building sanitation in much-needed places. The other popular brand in Singapore is Bambooloo, which can be found in any of the bulk stores and there is also Reel Paper; both made of bamboo (see Greenwashing blog)
If you have a bidet, go low waste by making your own toilet squares from old T-shirts or buy Marley’s UnToilet Paper. Keep a jar of vinegar based natural cleaning solution to ensure hygiene and cleanliness.
Getting Dressed
What we wear matters from all three major angles: environmental, social, and health.
For you (personal) - as mentioned above our skin in the largest organ in/on our body. And it absorbs a lot without us thinking about it. That’s why it is important to always chose natural materials and organic; synthetic materials, as well as some natural materials (like bamboo), are made using an intense chemical process and you can’t wash the pesticides out of the cotton fibers completely.
For the People - In this day and age, people in developing countries are still being exploited in the entire production process. Growing conventional (non-organic) cotton, workers are not given adequate protection from the exposure to pesticides and sewing factories are generally in grim conditions.
For the Planet - Pesticides used to grow cotton accounts for 16% of global pesticides. And compared to organic and sustainable cotton which is grown, it uses 91% less water than conventional cotton. In the big picture, pesticides leach into the soils and then indirectly into our drinking water as well.
Explore a range of responsible options here at The Good Trade. You can also double-check the integrity of brands through the GoodOnYou App, free to download and use. Use your spending power to support brands that do good for the environment and the people. Quality over quantity. When you invest in high quality, slow fashion, the lifetime of your clothes will be longer, and in the longer run, you will save money.
As mentioned, the most sustainable option is the one you already have. Before buying anything, go through your own clothes, in general, we wear 20% of our clothes 80% of the time. Start exchanging clothes with your friends or reforming them into updated designs.
Check out the Head to Toe blog for my favourites.
Watch the documentary True Cost to learn who is truly paying the price for fast fashion.
Packing your Day Bag or Purse
Buy a bag that does good as well. Recommended: Matt and Nat for a more professional look with their vegan leather line or Ethnotek for backpacks that are functional and colourful. For other brands, cross reference their integrity with GoodOnYou App.
On a daily basis, make sure you are ready for everything. Which brings us to the third rule of sustainability: Always be prepared. This is what you should arm yourself with on a daily basis:
Wide-mouth thermal bottle (at least 500ml) for water, coffee, juices, soups, and a take away container if necessary
Packable bag to replace any one-time-use plastic bags
Assuming your office provides clean drinking water and cups you do not need to bring a water bottle. If they don’t, always have a water bottle on you. The average person should be drinking 3L minimum a day.
If you have a tendency to get your food takeaway, invest in a collapsible container (or more if you need, you know your eating habits more than anyone) and if your office does not provide you with eating utensils, invest in a spork.
Say no to straws but if you like them too much, invest in your own metal or bamboo straw. If you drink smoothies, I recommend to drink water through it immediately after you’re done to keep any debris from drying and sticking to the insides.
Check out my $250 to save the world blog.
GETTING TO/FROM WORK AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN
Always choose public transport when you can. If you must take a taxi, choose the electric car option. If you must drive, be strategic about your plans and consolidate your errands in order to drive less and if you are commuting a distance to work, carpool.
But honestly, walk outdoors more. We do not spend enough time in the sunshine breathing fresh air.
WORK
Bring in an indoor plant for your desk to purify your air and to stare at for 5 mins every hour.
TAKE AWAY FOOD AND DRINKS
Always bring your own cup to get coffee/tea. Takeaway cups might be not plastic but because the paper cup has a plastic lining, it is not recyclable or sustainable or good for your health, not to mention the plastic lids. Plastic cups and straws need no explanation.
For juices, it is best to hand the juice auntie/uncle the cup with the reusable straw so they know not to use give you one.
Choose smaller cafes and coffee shops over larger chain stores.
Even better, source your own high quality beans and make your own coffee. Even better better, prioritise sleep in order to stop drinking coffee habitually.
Bring your own reuseable container.
EXERCISE/YOGA
Just like Getting Dressed, be mindful of the brands that you buy.
For running shoes, invest in some All Birds instead of the typical sports brands
For yoga, invest in recycled mats and brands like Manduka
EVENINGS
MEALS AT HOME
As you finish up your edible kitchen supplies, take note your Top 20 most eaten dry foods and head down to The Source when you can for a plastic fill refill.
Being mindful about what you eat is one of the most important and significant things that you can do for yourself and your health and the planet.
CHORES (cleaning the house, laundry, and more)
Just like toiletries, the best thing you can do for yourself and for the environment is to use natural and refillable options. Check out The Social Space and The Source for refillable options. And simply use vinegar and citrus peels for general surface cleaning, as well as baking soda and essential oils for laundry powder.
OTHER SMALL TIPS:
Save all receipts, envelopes and letters. You can use the white space for note taking. Spend a day cutting them down to size to create your own recycled paper notebook.
Always choose the glass container option when you buy anything at the grocery store. Plastic containers end up unrecycled in a dump. Tin cans can be recycled. But glass can be re-used as many times as possible until broken.
Inbox Zero is the goal for all your emails. Unsubscribe all unwanted newsletters and emails. Delete all old folders and read and unread emails. Delete anything saved. It is safe to say that you will never read something pre-2020 ever again. Just because it is free storage, does not mean that it does not take up energy or space somewhere in the world. The Cloud uses a lot of energy. And every action you take on the internet, takes up energy.
If you do not know how your city recycles their plastics, the next best option is to make eco-bricks. It is not the ideal solution, but the idea is that plastic stuffed into plastic bottles can be upcycled temporarily into furniture and other things until a reliable and truly sustainable solution has been invented.
