Zero Waste Christmas Guide To Singapore

CHRISTMAS TREES: Artificial, Reusable Trees

What better way to start your eco-friendly journey than by purchasing a tree that you can reuse and decorate differently year after year? Opt for these artificial beauties instead of live trees, and for starters, you can check out Spotlight for a variety of different choices. Alternatively, there are also recycled wooden trees out there in the market if you prefer a more quirky option.

Spotlight, www.spotlightstores.com

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Christmas Tree Singapore - Artificial Christmas trees

Oncor Recycled Trees - Recycled Christmas trees

Vanda Win - A wide variety of different types of Christmas trees

IKEA - Artificial Christmas trees of different sizes

Etsy - A wide selection of artificial Christmas trees

HELP PLANT TREES: One Tree Planted

Besides opting for an artificial tree, take it a step further by helping with reforestation! If you're thinking of initiatives to donate to during the season of giving, consider One Tree Planted if restoring forests is your thing. They're a non-profit organization that supports quality conservation projects around the world, and you can plant a tree with every dollar donated. You also get to choose the specific tree planting project you're donating to from a wide array of choices.

One Tree Planted, www.onetreeplanted.org

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Woodchuck - One tree planted for every product purchased

The Nature Conservancy - Tree planting campaign

Ecologi - A subscription that helps the environment

DIY CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS: Twiggy Candle Holders

Not only are DIY decors fun when you get all the kids in on making them, they are highly effective in reducing our carbon footprint during the festive season. Cut the plastics and bring on the recycled papers, and you'll be amazed at how much that alone will reduce the burden on our environment. One way to set the mood to usher in the yuletide is to have the kids pick up random twigs when they are out and about. Simply glue the twigs side-by-side around a glass cup, place a tea-light in it and voila, you've got yourself a twiggy candle holder!

Homedit www.homedit.com/beautiful-diy-wood-sticks-candle-holders/

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Fireflies And Mudpies - DIY Christmas decor for kids

Lushome - Eco-friendly Christmas decor ideas

Inhabitat - DIY Christmas decor ideas

Pinterest - An endless supply of Christmas decor ideas

PARTYWARE: Sustainable, Disposable Cutlery

Tis the season for Christmas feasts and tons of parties! You can do your part for the environment by choosing elegant partyware made from renewable, sustainable, and even upcycled materials. Check out Eco U, a local online store that sells birch cutlery that aren't treated with any chemicals. These products are also compostable in 90 days. Who says you have to forgo elegance when choosing eco-friendly products?

Eco U www.ecou.com.sg

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BioPak - Eco-friendly party supplies with fun designs

Oosh - Eco-friendly tableware

The Green Collective SG - Sustainable homeware for dinner parties

NTUC Fairprice - Eco-friendly cutlery

GIFT WRAPPING: Wrappily

Being eco-friendly with gift wrapping doesn't mean you're limited to just recycled magazines and newspapers! Wrappily makes use of 100% recyclable and compostable newsprints by printing colourful patterns on them, giving them new life. By using their wrapping paper for your Christmas gifts you can be eco-friendly without compromising the aesthetics of your gift wrapping.

Wrappily, www.wrappily.com

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GreenDay - Sustainable gift wraps

Little Omo - Wrapping made from recycled paper

Etsy - A huge selection of recycled wrapping

LOOK FOR LOCAL GIFTS: Various Local Stores

Buying gifts from stores overseas contributes to greenhouse emissions and global warming when they're being transported halfway around the globe to you. Therefore, purchasing your presents locally is a more sustainable and eco-friendly way to go about Christmas! There are a ton of local brands and makers you can shop from that offer quality gifts, including brands like Haikini, Oo La Lab and Beyond The Vines.

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By Invite Only - A wide selection of modern jewelry

Nana & Bird - Apparel and accessories

When I Was Four - Novelty gifts with nostalgic themes

Cat Socrates - An assortment of novelty gifts

Actually - Apparel and accessories for men and women

OUT WITH PLASTICS: Rally Rally

Bring along a bunch of reusable bags when you're Christmas shopping! It's much more eco-friendly than taking plastic or paper bags from each store that you buy your gifts from. These BAGGU bags from Rally Rally also feature pretty patterns and will be an absolute joy for the fam to use and carry around as you Christmas shop.

Rally Rally, www.rallyrally.co

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The Paper Bunny - Reusable and silicone bags

MUJI - Reusable cotton and jute bags

IKEA - Reusable carrier bags

ECOBAGS - A large variety of reusable bags

Cotton On - Proceeds from reusable shopping bag sales are contributed towards the Cotton On Foundation

CHRISTMAS FEASTS: Afterglow

Go Organic or Eat More Greens! That's the way to go for some eco-friendly feasting this Christmas season. There are many options out there if you want to order in or head out for the night. Afterglow's dishes are not only extremely convenient to order for a house party, they're also completely plant-based, free from preservatives and artificial flavouring.

Afterglow, www.afterglow.sg

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The Summerhouse - Supports growers and producers who adopt sustainable practices

Open Farm Community - Supports organic local and Southeast Asian growers and herders

Catersmith - Vegetarian Thai food

ECO FAMILY OUTINGS: Beach Clean Up

Embark on a beach cleaning quest with the fam during the holidays! You'll not only keep our beaches pristine but also give back to the environment. Every day, tons of trash get washed up on our shores which our contract cleaners have to tirelessly bag up before more appears the next day. Do your part by joining clean-up initiatives by organizations such as Public Hygiene Council or merely head straight to the beach to clean up some trash.

Public Hygiene Council, www.publichygienecouncil.sg

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Marina Barrage - Sustainable Singapore Gallery

Clean & Green Singapore - Volunteer programs that protect our environment

Nature Society - Various environmental and conservation projects

Green Nudge - Beach cleanups

DRESS WISELY: Wray Crafted

Get your Christmas party outfits from Wray Crafted, a fashion brand that strongly believes in and works towards sustainability. How do they do it? By using only natural fibers and recyclable packaging. They're also slowly incorporating the use of herbal dyed fabrics into their products. If their aesthetic and values are aligned with yours, it may be a good place to look for your party ensemble.

Wray Crafted, www.wraycrafted.com

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Sui - Sustainable clothing and recycled fabrics

Esse - Sustainable apparel and organic cotton

Whispers And Anarchy - Slow fashion and sustainable packaging

August Society - Sustainable swimwear for the whole family