In 2006, the number of handphone subscribers in Singapore is about 4.6 million. This means that each person in Singapore probably own at least one handphone (the population in Singapore is about 4.5 million). The rate of change of handphones is fast and we know of people who change their handphones every few months so that they can have the latest model with better functions and features. If each person change their handphone once a year, we would end up with 4.6 million old handphones that are usually sold as secondhand phones locally and overseas, or disposed of.

We think that there is no need to keep changing your handphone to the latest model if your current one is still working fine. The frequent changing of handphones results in more resources being used to make new ones and also increases the disposal of the old ones.

Image credit: Chance Agrella via freerangestock.com.

Share This

Rechargeable AA and AAA alkaline batteries can be reused many times and this will help to reduce the disposal of normal single-use batteries. If 5% of the local population switched to rechargeable batteries, this would prevent the annual disposal of more one million single-use batteries (assuming each person throws away five batteries a year).

Switching to rechargeable batteries also helps to save money. A pack of four AA alkaline batteries costs about S$2 and can be used once, whereas a pack of four rechargeable batteries and a charger costs about S$20, and the batteries can be reused about 500 to 1,000 times. If you switch to rechargeable batteries and reuse them 10 times, the purchase cost between normal and rechargeable batteries would breakeven.

Image credit: PublicDomainPictures.net.

Share This

When it rains, you can bring out the pails or other storage containers for collecting rainwater. The rainwater collected can be used for flushing the toilets, watering the plants and even for washing your car. There is no need to use clean drinking water for those purposes. By using rainwater, it would help you save water and money.

If you stay in a flat and do not have space outside your corridor to collect rainwater, you can consider making a simple rainwater collection system. Tie some funnels to a bamboo pole and connect the outlet of each funnel to a plastic hose that leads to your pail. When it rains, put out your bamboo pole and close your windows (leaving a slight opening for the hose). The funnels collect the rainwater and channel it through the hose to the pail. Explore other possible ways to collect rainwater. Be creative and have fun.

Photo credit: Chance Agrella via freerangestock.com.

Share This

The printing of ATM receipts not only wastes paper but also creates a litter problem. There are about 1,378 ATM locations provided by the three local banks (DBS/POSB - 656; UOB - 367; OCBC - 355). If there are two people printing receipts from each ATM machine daily, we would end up with more than one million paper receipts annually.

And this is not taking into account the fact that there can be more than one ATM machine at each location and that there are more than five other banks with ATM machines. Imagine the paper wasted if we take all these into account.

In addition, the receipts are often found as litter around the ATM machines. So, choose not to print receipts and check your bank account online or update your bank book regularly to ensure that there is no discrepancy.

Image attribution: padday.

Share This

There is a refrigerator in most homes, and they are always running and consuming significant energy. According to the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources website, “a typical 4-room air-conditioned HDB flat spends 30% of its energy bills on air-conditioning, 17% on its refrigerator, 10% on lighting, and 9% on its water heater.” Since the refrigerator is the second highest energy consumer in our house, we should aim to reduce its energy consumption.  Read the rest

Share This

We have a choice. We can choose what we want. There is no need to follow the latest fashion and keep on changing our clothing and accessories to suit the new style. Read the rest

Share This

If you’re interested about the environment and want to start doing something, we make it easier for you to go green in the new year. We have compiled a list of 6 habits (adapted from our ebook) that we find common in friends who are green conscious and environmentally aware. More details on the 6 habits are found in this Squidoo lens. Learn the 6 habits now, and take action to improve and protect the environment.

The 6 habits of green conscious people include:

1) Respect all life and renew your bond with nature and its biodiversity

2) Improve your environmental awareness and knowledge

3) Practise the 3 “Rs” - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

4) Spread the environmental message and influence others

5) Support local environmental initiatives and groups

6) Use your rights as citizens and consumers

The habits begin with first developing your “Self” by respecting and renewing your relationship with nature and its biodiversity, improving on your understanding of environmental issues and knowledge, and taking personal actions to reduce wastage and overconsumption.

Next, move on to influence your “Family/ Friends/ School/ Work/ Group” by spreading the environmental message to others such as family members, friends and colleagues, and convincing organisations that you belong to, such as schools, companies, religious or social groups, to be environmentally friendly.

Finally, go one step further to shape your “Community/Local Environment” through supporting environmental initiatives by the government and environmental groups, volunteering or participating in activities organised by the groups, and exercising your rights as citizens and consumers to influence the status quo on the environment.

Check out our Squidoo lens now and adopt green habits for the new year!

Share This

We feel that it’s not necessary to be clean and spotless at all times. It’s ok to be slightly dirty, and help save water and energy or reduce the use of chemicals. You may not agree with us but we think cleanliness can be overlooked at times. Read the rest

Share This

We receive phone bills, bank and credit card statements, or other utilities and government agencies’ statements every month or on a regular basis through the mail. Those envelopes and paper bills or statements often end up in the recycling bins or simply thrown away. To prevent the paper waste from being created in the first place, we should aim to reduce the amount of paper used for the bills, statements and envelopes. Read the rest

Share This

What can I do to go green? How do I start? To answer those questions, we are introducing a series of green tips to help you go green and start making changes today. Take action. Do what you can. Try it. Read the rest

Share This