Greeting Cards Pharmaplus accepts used greeting cards to create gift boxes. You won't only be saving trees, all gift-box proceeds are donated to Club Rainbow - a registered charity helping children suffering chronic and life-threatening illnesses. 1 Orchard Boulevard, #01-04 Camden Medical Centre.
Tel: 6887 3456 www.pharmaplus.com.sg
Baby bottles In their efforts to discourage use of baby bottles made of plastics, including Bisphenol-A - a potentially harmful chemical linked to cancer, obesity, diabetes and hyperactivity - Pharmaplus is hosting a baby bottle drive. Join the collective movement towards this trend, already popular in Europe, USA, Japan, Korea and Taiwan. Take just one baby bottle to Pharmaplus and receive $5 off a twin-pack of B.free baby bottles (usual price $34.90). $1 from every purchase is donated to the Children's Cancer Foundation and all old bottles are sent for recycling.
I.T. equipment Hewlett Packard (www.hp.com/sg) has introduced a Planet Partners Return and Recycling Programme for the responsible disposal of unwanted computer hardware and printing supplies. The company accepts end-of-life computing equipment of any brand. This includes personal computers, laptops, monitors, handheld devices, notebooks, servers, printers, scanners, fax machines, digital cameras and associated external components - such as cables, keyboards and your mouse. Upon receipt, all items are dismantled and sorted for reusable components - such as chips and materials - before being thoughtfully disposed of.
You can also return your used HP ink cartridges at various participating retail stores. The plastics and metals are processed into raw materials, while other materials such as residual ink or toner is used to generate energy. See the website for more information and a chance to win $1,500 in HP shopping vouchers by participating.
Mobile phones Electronics giants Nokia (www.nokia.com.sg) and Motorola (www.motorola.com/sg) have embarked on a similar initiative by accepting used mobile phones and accessories. Nokia's Take-Back scheme allows you to drop off Nokia mobile phones and related batteries and accessories at their Care Centres, which are then forwarded to selected recyclers.
Motorola has introduced the ECOMOTO Takeback, essentially working on the same principle - to recycle end-of-life products at Motorola Electronics stores and Service Centres.
Trash into treasure If you want some bang for your buck, advertise any used items in good condition in the classifieds sections of newspapers and magazines, at message boards, or on the Internet. Popular websites such as eBay (www.ebay.com) and Yahoo Auctions (http://sg.auctions.yahoo.com) allow registered members to post items for sale, which can then be purchased through a bidding system. The highest bidder wins the item and the seller posts the item upon payment. Craigslist (www.craigslist.org) is a community-based website, which allows you to post free advertisements for items you wish to sell - from houses and cars to clothing and concert tickets. Interested buyers then contact you directly to negotiate a deal. A wide variety of goods are available on these websites, ranging from everyday items to the bizarre. It's convenient, fuss-free and allows a degree of anonymity.
If you're hesitant about selling and purchasing goods online, Cash Converters (www.cashconverters-asia.com) stores are a good alternative. Cash Converters enables customers to exchange items for cash quickly and professionally. Dispose of televisions, stereos, audio CDs, electrical appliances, computers, jewellery, sporting goods and musical instruments. Clothing, books and bulky furniture items are not accepted.
Recycling Point Dot Com (www.recyclingpoint.com.sg) places collection bins in specific areas to accept and transport items to material recovery facilities. Items you can sell include paper, electronic appliances, computing equipment, carpets, office furniture, refrigerators, washing machines, mattresses, curtains, batteries, air-conditioning units, shoes, cameras, spectacles, wall and ceiling fans, books and exercise equipment. They also offer a free paper shredding service.
Thrifty donations If raising cash isn't a concern, donate unwanted items of any size to thrift stores such as the Salvation Army (www1.salvationarmy.org/Singapore), Singapore Red Cross (www.redcross.com.sg) and independent outlets such as 301 Thrift Mart (Tel: 6744 9712) Treasure Minds (Tel: 6473 1148) and Thrifty Ideas (Tel: 6482 2061). Don't forget, your domestic helper may also be able to send any unwanted items home to relatives and friends.
Swap meet Gather with like-minded friends or colleagues once a month to exchange books, magazines, clothing and accessories, as well as children's clothing and toys. Hair and beauty salons, clinics, shelters and family support centres will also accept back issues of magazines. Swirl (www.ilovetoswirl.com) boutique organises a Swirl Swap Swop day each month, allowing customers to contribute pre-loved items and rummage for a new find. This service is free of charge and leftovers are donated to children's charity Beyond Social Services.
Family support centres Do your part for the needy by giving away items you no longer need. Log onto www.passiton.org.sg to view wish lists of families under various welfare organisations requiring a variety of household goods.
To donate household appliances such as DVD players, radios, television sets as well as kitchen appliances and clothing, contact Pertapis Children's Home (Tel: 6383 0914) or High Point Community Services (http://cms.highpoint.org.sg) - an organisation for men recovering from drug addiction.
You can also give away old clothes, books, electrical appliances, even airline bags and hotel toiletries to any of the four Self-Help Groups in Singapore - the Chinese Development Assistance Council (www.cdac.org.sg), Yayasan MENDAKI (www.mendaki.org.sg), SINDA (www.sinda.org.sg) and the Eurasian Association (www.eurasians.org) - as well as other charities and family support centres.
Children's items Let your child's old toys and books bring joy to someone else. Kandang Kerbau Hospital (Tel: 6394 2328) uses donated goods to equip their playrooms and also passes items to needy families through social services. Donations should be of educational value and not encourage violence.
If you'd like to help other children in Asia, donate your items to the Santa Niño Children's Home (Tel: 6554 1239), which assists needy families in the Philippines.
Car-share If you're thinking of purchasing a car, consider joining a personal mobility programme - such as those offered by NTUC Income Singapore (www.carcoop.com.sg) and Whizzcar (www.whizzcar.com). Members receive 24-hour access to cars within a short walking distance of their home, giving you the freedom of driving - without the high cost of car ownership. Fees are calculated according to time and mileage used.
Do your part by toting a cloth carryall when you shop and reusing plastic bags whenever possible. Bring Your Own Bag day is officially on the first Wednesday of each month and was created to encourage shoppers to bring their own bags or purchase reusable bags at participating supermarkets. Those who don't are asked to donate $0.10 for each plastic bag used. Lifestyle mart Ikea has permanently incorporated this concept, no longer giving out plastic bags for free. Remember, next time you go shopping - no matter what time of the month - bag it!
Recycling bins There are more than 5,200 communal recycling bins situated throughout Singapore. To find the one nearest to you visit http://www.nea.gov.sg/. Condominiums usually have a collective recycling bin in the rubbish area of each complex. If your apartment block doesn't, suggest it to the committee. If you live in a landed property, check your usual garbage bin for details of the designated waste disposal company in your area. Many will provide a recycling bin at no additional charge, but only upon request.
At home There are many ways to recycle household items, try these creative ideas:
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Invest in cloth grocery bags and store them in the boot of your car.
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Buy in bulk or purchase refills to save on packaging.
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Turn cereal boxes into file or magazine holders.
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Tear old curtains and clothes into cleaning rags.
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Old toothbrushes are ideal for cleaning bathroom taps and small crevices.
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Use handkerchiefs rather than paper tissues.
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Phonebooks can double as booster seats at the dining table.
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Old jars are good for storing nails, screws and spices.
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Cut away the top of plastic bottles, using the base as a pen stand or pot for kids' paints.
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Purchase refillable pens and pencils.
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Reserve vegetable waste and create compost for your garden or potted plants.
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Save used envelopes for shopping lists and notes to family members - better yet, use a mini-whiteboard.
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Avoid plastic food wrap or containers made of non-recyclable materials.
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When shopping, give preference to those brands which use less packaging.
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Purchase rechargeable batteries and a battery charger.
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Look for long-lasting and energy-efficient appliances when buying new electrical items and maintain them regularly to increase their life cycle.
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Buy recycled products whenever possible.
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Switch off electrical outlets when not in use.
At work Encourage your colleagues to "go green" by adopting these simple measures:
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When printing a document, print two pages to a single sheet. Better yet, read it on screen.
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Set your printer to print "double-sided", or manually print on both sides of a page.
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Store computer files - not paper files.
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Encourage co-workers to use flatware, tableware, glasses and coffee mugs, rather than disposable items.
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Save used envelopes for internal mail.
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Reuse paper with print only on one side.
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Activate the power management features on your computer.
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Switch off all equipment and lights at the end of the day.
While recycling is not a comprehensive solution to the world's waste problem, it is one of the most effective ways to reduce wastage and encourage the reuse of waste materials. Embark on your recycling journey today - and involve your friends as well. The very first step is to "think before you buy". Always ask yourself if you really need the item you're about to purchase. Live each day with a conscious awareness of your impact on the environment and your contribution to wastage. Each "green" step we make - no matter how small - is sure to bring a positive change to Singapore and the world as a whole.
Posted May 2008
