How to Go On a Zero-Waste Date in Singapore
Want to know how to go on dates that are more eco-conscious? Here are 9 ways how!
So the most significant trend in eco-awareness at the moment is something known as the “zero-waste” lifestyle. Zero-waste dining. Zero-waste cleaning. Zero-waste fashion. You name it, and it’s there. But how did it come about in the first place and why does it matter so much?
The zero-waste lifestyle came about in response to a traditionally linear economy where resources are taken from the earth and are disposed of in an unsustainable fashion. It solves this problem by suggesting a circular economy where the concept of trash is wholly eliminated. Thus, all resources utilized are put back into the system and are not wasted at all. In this way, eco-friendliness and sustainability are achieved. Environmental concern aside, the zero-waste lifestyle is growing in its appeal and is fast becoming a trendy way to live. Type in #zerowaste into Instagram, and you will get at least thousands if not millions of hits.
At this point, you might be thinking, “What does zero-waste have in common with dating?”. The answer is … a lot more than you can imagine! Let us show you 10 ways in which you can enrich your dating life in Singapore, the zero-waste approach!
Have a picnic date.
This is the easiest way to go zero-waste. Bring your own delicious, home cooked meals to savor together while surrounded by Mother Nature and her beauty. Prime places to do this in Singapore include the Botanic Gardens, Chinese Gardens, and Hong Lim Park.
*Sarah, 26, marketing executive and self-professed zero-waste advocate, extols on the virtues of a zero-waste picnic date:
“Having zero-waste picnics is how me and my dating partner bond on the weekend. We always bring homemade Singaporean dishes to share while enjoying flora and fauna. We also make our own snacks and treats, e.g. kueh lapis, dumplings and murukku in keeping with the no-packaging theme. A great, romantic way to enjoy the great outdoors and save the planet while indulging in some yummy local fare!”
Make sure to pack your delicacies in a reusable pyrex or plastic containers and bring a reusable tablecloth or picnic mat to sit on so you can end your date trash-free!
Go on a beach-cleaning date together.
You and your date could go on a beach-cleaning date to help pick up the trash that is an ever-growing problem affecting marine life. According to ScienceDaily (2008), debris in the ocean and on beaches kills more than a million seabirds and 100,000 marine mammals and turtles every year. That’s a lot of wildlife that perishes because of ocean trash.
By going on a beach clean-up date, you would be spending some much-needed quality time and help to end this problem. Two birds killed with one stone! You may sign up with The Public Hygiene Council and the International Coastal Cleanup to do this in Singapore. Here are links to their website below:
https://www.publichygienecouncil.sg/beachcleanup
http://coastalcleanup.nus.edu.sg/
Go on a vintage/second-hand shopping date!
Thrifting is yet another way that you could support your joint zero-waste initiatives. Buying clothes, knick-knacks, and other useful stuff secondhand is a fun way for the two of you to explore hobbies and shared interests while saving the planet. You can buy used items off of online auction and specialty websites like eBay and Etsy, or you could get off your chairs and go do some thrifting in real-life! Here is a list of some prime thrift shops in Singapore:
New2U Thrift Shop — This gem is hidden away in the SCWO building at Waterloo Street. They always have new items of clothing, shoes and other memorabilia come through their doors. When you buy from them, you are not just saving the planet but are also helping the homeless women housed under SCWO initiatives.
Address: 96 Waterloo Street, Singapore 187967
Opening Hours: Monday — Friday, 10.30am — 2.30pm
Website: https://www.scwo.org.sg/what-we-do/facilities/new2u-thrift-shop/
Refash — This is a more upscale clothing thrift shop where the clothes are neatly presented on hangers. You can expect not to pay anything less than $5 here, but in return, you will be getting some notable brands like MDS, Top Shop and Zara! They also do sales every now and then and have an online store so do pop in offline and online and see what bargain steals you can pick up!
Outlets: Orchard Gateway #02–09, PoMo Mall #01–01 and City Plaza #03–136
Opening Hours: 1–8pm
Website: https://www.refash.sg/offline_store
MINDS — The Movement for the Intellectually Disabled Singapore runs a total of 4 thrift stores island-wide. They carry a hodgepodge of second-hand goods ranging from clothes to vintage vases for you to browse. The store is staffed by intellectually disabled workers which allows them to interact with customers and gain retail skills while increasing the general public’s awareness of the problems and challenges intellectually disabled individuals go through. A great cause to support while saving the environment!
Outlets: Margaret, Woodlands, Rosyth and NTUC Healthcare
Opening Hours: range from 9am — 6pm
Website: http://www.minds.org.sg/Shop.html
The Salvation Army — The Salvation Army is probably one of the largest thrift stores around Singapore! You can find everything under one roof here from clothes to musical instruments. The prices might be a little steeper than other thrift stores, but you can be safe in the knowledge that you are supporting local beneficiaries that help the underprivileged.
Outlets: Praisehaven, Tanglin, Hope Centre, Bukit Merah, IMH
Opening Hours: range from 8am — 9pm
Website: https://www.salvationarmy.org/singapore/
Recycle together.
There are so many small ways in which you and your dating partner can recycle. You can order only what you know the two of you will eat when eating out to cut down on food waste. You can also join ZeroWasteSG’s Save Food Cut Waste (SFCW) initiative to learn about more ways you can make Singapore a food-waste free haven for all.
You could also set a joint limit on how much household waste you will accumulate together as a couple. Trying the ‘jar technique’ to help manage this is a favorite amongst zero-waste connoisseurs!
This way you aim to only dispose of enough waste, so it fits into a mason jar of your choice. How cool is that?
Try some DIY zero-waste ideas together.
You could try making a DIY zero-waste toothpaste, sunscreen, extra-strength deodorant, and lotion just to name a few!
*Dennis, 28, a finance manager, said that he feels creating things from scratch helps to strengthen the bond he has with his dating partner.
“I feel when you create something with the one you love it helps make your dating relationship more meaningful. You tend to bond a lot when you know the things you are creating are helping the planet!”
For more ideas on DIY zero-waste how-tos and ideas, visit https://www.goingzerowaste.com!
Try some windowsill gardening!
Windowsill gardening is a neat, fuss-free way of adding greenery to your home décor while reducing your carbon footprint. Just visit your favorite local nursery with your date to buy some herbs/seeds and pots. Bring your own jars and bags to pack your purchases so you can minimize on trash.
Plants that do well on your windowsill include:
- Basil
- Lavender
- Mint
- Parsley
- Rosemary
- Thyme
Planting herbs in your house are perfect for personal holistic wellness along with the planet. They bring in positive energy and can be added to water in a misting bottle to create perfumes, air fresheners and pillow mists amongst many things. Besides, the scents of herbs have soothing, aromatherapeutic properties that help you smell and feel good!
Alternatively, if you and your date prefer cooking rather than aromatherapy you can try re-growing scraps from the comfort of your windowsill. Plant scraps such as lettuce, celery and green onions to have some garnishes and ingredients ready for your salads or soups when making them. A great way to save on money, avoid multiple trips to the supermarket and save the environment!
Try out some zero-waste recipes.
Speaking of culinary pursuits, there are many amazing and healthy zero-waste recipes you can try with your dating partner. Why not try making some zero-waste cookie-dough energy balls? Or some zero-waste oven-fried buffalo cauliflower lettuce wraps? You can find links to these recipes below:
- Cookie-dough energy balls: https://www.goingzerowaste.com/blog/2016/3/17/allergy-fighting-energy-bites?rq=cookie%20dough
- Zero-waste oven-fried buffalo cauliflower wraps: https://www.goingzerowaste.com/blog/oven-fried-buffalo-cauliflower-lettuce-wraps?rq=buffalo
In addition, Pinterest can be a valuable source for DIY zero-waste recipes and other craft ideas. Creating a zero-waste board can help you save exciting and creative ideas that you and your date can refer to when in a pinch!
Write some zero-waste pledges together.
Examples of pledges you could write together are:
- I will go plastic-free for October.
- I will only use BPA-free bottles for the entire year.
- I will try out one zero-waste recipe every week for December.
Going zero-waste might seem tedious at first, but when you do it as a couple it does not have to be! When you value the things you have and are mindful of the things you create or use, you bring this mindset to the relationship. Try it and tell us about your experience!
References:
Ocean Conservancy. (2008, April 18). Millions Of Pounds Of Trash Found On Ocean Beaches. ScienceDaily. Retrieved October 9, 2018 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080416214912.htm
*Grouvly provides matchmaking services in Singapore. Our mission is to bring working professionals of all walks of life together in real life, to connect you with fun and interesting people in your city. We’re a one-button solution that gets you talking to awesome people. Sans the online chat or lame public profiles. Together, our team aims to turn dating into an enjoyable experience that expands your social network. One person at a time.
