The Plastic Trap: Tips to Reduce Plastic Wastage!

Image credits: http://gourmetsupplies.com.sg/ / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wH878t78bw, Edited by author

You’ve probably seen the viral 8 minute long video of a poor turtle being aided to by a group of marine biologists. The team found a 4-inch plastic straw lodged in the turtle’s nasal cavity, which was suspected to have given him eating difficulties. In the heartbreaking video capturing the removal of the straw, the turtle can be seen to be wincing in pain as blood trickled down his nostrils.

Our plastic wastage causes extensive damage to wildlife. We’re not just polluting their homes but also creating potential fatal traps for them. In A Plastic Ocean, a documentary on the impact of plastic pollution on oceans, Craig Leeson explains that blue whales “can’t tell the difference between krill and plastic” and hence ingest it.

A Bryde’s whale taking its final breaths, found to have 6 sq metres of plastic sheeting that prevented it from eating and caused it to die of malnutrition. (credits: A Plastic Ocean)

This is a common fate for other animals as well, and for animals that are much smaller in size such as turtles, they can also get entangled or suffocated by plastic waste.

Perhaps you may feel like you can’t help what’s going on, but you need to know that everything you do – no matter how small it may seem – will make a difference in this ongoing crisis. For that, we have come up with 3 small changes you can make to your life that will contribute to reducing plastic waste!

Most of us can’t live without our favourite drinks, be it from Koi or Starbucks or even just a local coffee shop. Replace the disposable cups with your own cup or bottle! Don’t need to feel paiseh, because it’s been tried and tested at most drink stores around Singapore.

Additional incentive:

• Starbucks: $0.50 discount whenever you use their reusable tumblers
• Joe & Dough/The Exchange: $0.50 discount with the use of any reusable cup/tumblers/bottles
• Foreword Coffee/Yellow Cup Coffee: 10% off your beverage with the use of any reusable beverage container

According to a life-cycle assessment (LCA) study commissioned by the National Environment Agency (NEA), using a reusable bag could replace the use of 125 single-use plastics bags a year per person! You probably still have that free tote bag you got from a university fair, or an NDP goodie bag collecting dust somewhere in the house. Fold it up and keep it close so that you can reduce your use of plastic bags whilst shopping!

Additional incentive:

• NTUC Fairprice: $0.10 discount with min. $10 purchase

The United States Environmental Protection Agency estimates that 2 billion razors are thrown away each year – and it’s extremely difficult to recycle them in any way. Now, many of us don’t want to miss having smooth, hairless skin, so switch to shavers with replaceable blades reduce this wastage!

Additional incentive:

• It will also be cheaper in the long run, trust us!

We genuinely hope you’ve learnt something from this article, and shall leave you with a quote from Yeo Jing Ying of Plastic-Lite Singapore, a group that aims to reduce local plastic wastage,

“ You may feel like this is a thankless deed, but these changes will make it possible for future generations (for all living creatures alike) to wake up to fresh air and homes that aren’t flooded.”

If you have not caught our latest video “A Plastic Trap” where we tried to raise awareness of this issue amongst the public, watch it right here!

Everyday Heroes : Li Seng

What does doing good mean to you?

“Doing good seems to suggest that there has to be some kind of tangible positive outcome, but the nature of doing good is inherently in spirit.”

In Li Seng’s opinion, doing good is an act with the intent to help or improve lives without expecting anything in return. It is about acting solely from the space of giving and is a genuine and unconditional act of kindness.

Li Seng is the founder of Green Nudge, an initiative that aims to tackle the generation of large amounts of waste at mass and sporting events. What many may not know is that half of the recyclables collected in Singapore are contaminated, making them un-recyclable. Contamination happens when recyclables come into contact with food or other organic waste and is a reason why recycling in Singapore has not been as successful as it should be.

Being unable to see its immediate adverse effects, it is no surprise that many fail to see the issue of unsuccessful recycling as an urgent one. If we keep at the current pace of recycling, more land will have to be used for landfill, creating less land for other purposes such as housing or leisure. Although this may not have a direct impact on us, it does affect the livelihood of future children and generations.

Li Seng knows that something has to be done to improve the way we treat our home. As a result, he left his role in the public sector to join the local social enterprise, Society Staples, to learn about its operations. The enterprise aims to build an inclusive future where people with disability can maximise their potential and be integral members of society. Eventually, he geared towards the juggle between working at Society Staples and building up Green Nudge.

A takeaway he got from this experience is that you never have to fight battles alone. You should also make an effort to find and treasure those who care and support you.

“I have learnt that if you have friends like them, you better treasure them properly!”

There were times where Li Seng felt utterly lost and stressed. However, with the support and guidance of the founders of Society Staples, Debra and Ryan, he was able to develop the ideas for Green Nudge. Through his persistence, Green Nudge got to where it is today.

Awareness programs are part of Green Nudge’s initiative, and they include spreading the word on the waste management process in Singapore. Li Seng recalls an experience so heartfelt that it still remains edged in his mind. In one of the cleanup activity at Yishun Dam, participants collected over 40 trash bags filled with rubbish weighing nearly 180 kg. After which, the participants were genuinely keen to learn more about what they can do to impact the environment positively.

Knowing that Green Nudge has the power to inspire individuals to kickstart efforts towards a positive environmental change serves as a sign of success and motivation.

“We live in an era where there are many paths to success so don’t be afraid to take the less trodden path if you are clear about it.”

Everyone has their own definition of success but before chasing success, understand what it really means to you. It is important to push the pause button on life and take a step back to understand what is it you really want to do. Give yourself some time to find out what interests you and widen your perspectives by speaking to people who are outside your usual social circle. If somehow along this process you find something that calls out to you, that might be something that you could look to deepen with time.

Don’t forget to live a life that you call your own.

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Everyday Heroes is an online series that captures stories of youths creating impact and embracing possibilities to build a more positive community in Singapore. Most importantly, they help stand as positive reminders that doing good doesn’t have to look a certain way!

 

#EverydayHeroes #TheHiddenGood  #sgyouthcares #nycsg

Everyday Heroes : Suzana

Born hearing, many questioned for Suzana Slemat on her business model – a social enterprise that aims to bring light on the Deaf community in Singapore. But the then 19-year-old Graduate in Business Studies from Ngee Ann Polytechnic is not paying heed – for all the right reasons.

 

Founded in 2017, Puzzles SG is the brainchild of students Suzana and Shazlina looking to bridge the gap between the hearing and the Deaf. By encouraging students to order in Sign Language and hiring employees who are Deaf, this initiative excited many eager students and piqued the interest of many others into the realm of the Deaf community. When asked about her motivation behind this “aha moment”, Suzana shares, “I often ask myself…What can I do that can impact people positively for the long run? This question triggered the idea of a social enterprise.”

 

An initiative borne out of a noble deliberation, Suzana’s altruism for social responsibility was unlike any her age. While there are many marginalised communities in Singapore, you’d probably have the same question as we did – why specifically the Deaf community?

 

“I’ll tell you why..being involved in the Deaf culture is really enjoyable. When one person is talking, all eyes and focus will be on him/her to get the message across. It’s a beautiful and respectful culture that many of the Hearing should experience. At the same time, I want to ease the isolation that the Deaf face by spreading interest in Sign Language.”

 

Her words hit us hard – there was so much truth there. It hits us that respect in communication has often been trivialised to even points of disrespect in this day and age.

Having to grapple between creating a sustainable business model and impacting a community for a great good, Suzana admitted there were many challenges. One of them was a self-limiting belief that she was “too young”. But what struck us was the fiery passion in her eyes – she’s certainly not caving in to these thoughts.

 

Have you ever felt your young age is a limit or barrier to your role here?

Suzana:  “To overcome my lack of experience in years, I sprint towards any opportunity to listen to the stories and tips that the experienced have. Mentors are an essential resource for us. If there is an opportunity to contribute or make a difference in someone else’s life, there’s your chance. Decide, and follow through. And if that doesn’t work, you learn and grow.”

 

While there are still many detractors in the road ahead, Suzana’s grit and determination has shown us what it means to channel your passion for a greater good. Her noble quest to ease isolation that the Deaf faces, for one, is indeed a humbling reminder to us in the Hearing world. Speaking beyond her years, Suzana’s inspiring last words certainly left a deep impact in us.

 

How would you encourage other youths to be a change maker?

Suzana: Instead of asking “why should I”, many in my generation already has the mindset of “why not?”. And that’s a great start already! We have to remind ourselves once in awhile, “Are we okay living in comfort while others are not?”. That leads to the discussion of the definition of comfort according to different people. “Everyone has the potential to be a changemaker. It is not my place to advise other youths, so just do what you’re passionate for, and once you can support yourself emotionally, financially, physically – reach out to those around you and get to know about their life. For me, it’s the Deaf community.”

 

It is indeed selfless people like Suzana Slemat that truly makes the community a better place. The everyday heroes, right amongst us.

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Everyday Heroes is an online series that captures stories of youths creating impact and embracing possibilities to build a more positive community in Singapore. Most importantly, they help stand as positive reminders that doing good doesn’t have to look a certain way!

#EverydayHeroes #TheHiddenGood  #sgyouthcares #nycsg