Time to turn our words into actions!
1. Think Whether Your Actions Will Uphold Or Degrade Planet Earth
The first step towards living a more sustainable lifestyle is to be aware of your actions. Once you are aware of the choices you make and the impact of these choices, it is up to you to take the next step in swapping out old habits into more sustainable ones!
2. Separate Your Trash For Recycling
Do you have a recycling corner at home? If you do not, maybe it’s time to set up one! This makes recycling a lot more convenient as you can separate your trash as and when required. Having a recycling corner also serves as a physical reminder for you to improve your recycling efforts and think before throwing plastic items straight into your bins for general waste.
3. Turn Your Food Waste Into Compost
Composting isn’t as tedious as it seems. Four simple steps should do the trick!
1. Prepare a Compost Bin
You could simply purchase one or otherwise, build one yourself. Building one yourself allows you to put your creativity to the test and you could also use this opportunity to repurpose plastic containers! Do ensure that there is a good circulation of air as oxygen is required to decompose our food waste. You could do so by drilling small holes on the lid and at the bottom and sides of the bin, which should not be placed under direct sunlight.
2. Add Waste
There should be a mixture of “greens” and “browns”. “Greens” are rich in nitrogen and represent items such as fruits, vegetables, flowers, eggshells, teabags and coffee grounds. “Browns”, on the other hand, are rich in carbon and these include dead leaves, wood shavings, egg boxes, newspaper and waste paper. These are essential as microorganisms need both carbon and nitrogen to decompose waste. A ratio of 50-50 is recommended for your “browns” and “greens”!
3. Maintain the Compost
Your compost should be warm as heat would be released during the composting process. Mix it daily to keep the air circulated and to cool down the compost.
Keep the compost moist and add more waste accordingly, using the 50-50 ratio of “greens” and “browns”.
4. Use the Compost
After 3 to 6 months, your dark brown compost should be ready for use! All that is left to do is to mix it together with the soil or add a layer at the base of your plants to prevent weeds.
4. Grow Your Edible Garden And Shower Nature With Love
Before you rush off to make your own compost, you would, of course, need to have plants to use it on. Heard of the farm-to-table concept? Growing your own edible garden is the new trend! Some common vegetables to consider are Lady’s finger, Brinjal, Sweet Potato Leaves and Celery. Spring Onions, Chinese Kale (aka Kai Lan) and Garlic also thrive in Singapore’s weather as lots of direct sunlight are required.
5. Choose Alternative Modes Of Transport To Reduce Air Pollution
Let's talk about bicycles! Cycling is a cleaner source of transport and is increasingly popular in Singapore. By 2030, the Ministry of Transport, (LTA) aims to build an island-wide cycling path, connecting residents between towns and allows them to travel safely and comfortably.
6. Show Respect and Care for Others who Live in your Community
Personally, respect is one of my most valued values as it forms the foundation of all relationships. Respect others the way we would want them to respect us. This saying, although cliché, goes a lot way. It builds feelings of trust, safety and well-being among others, even more so for those dependent on you. Little do you know how much of a positive impact you can have on our environment. So start taking action today by showing you care!
