It is time to hit the “green switch” and take small steps against climate change. To promote green living, Singapore has doubled its 30 by 30 target, an initiative that aims to meet 30 percent of the country’s food needs locally by 2030.
Given that a typical Singapore household spends about $ 1,199 a month on groceries (more specifically, $ 350 to $ 475 a month on groceries), an easy way to go green and save on food costs is to regrowth of scrap food items.
Grow your own herb garden
You don’t need a garden to grow your own herbs, fruits, and vegetables. All you need is a little corner of the balcony or kitchen. As long as you can put up shelves that can support the potted plants and provide them with water and plenty of sunshine, growing herbs at home is relatively easy.
If you’re serious about urban gardening, consider buying an indoor garden kit that is space-saving and also has smart features like LED lights to help plants grow despite cloudy weather conditions.
These smart garden kits cost anywhere from $ 100 to $ 300, but the investment pays off over time, especially if you love to cook at home. Additionally, you can grow a number of foods like lemongrass, spring onions, basil, and more from leftover food. Here are seven foods that you can easily grow back at home to go green and save on your grocery bill.
ALSO READ: 5 Urban Vegetable Farms To Explore With The Little One
transport
Singapore’s policies are designed to encourage people to use public transport and reduce car ownership. It’s no surprise that a car is expensive to own, drive, and maintain in Singapore. In addition to the acquisition costs for the car, there are also vehicle taxes, vehicle insurance costs, the certificate of entitlement and rising fuel prices.
While a new Toyota costs about $ 110,000, the additional cost adds up to about $ 6,000 a year – that’s $ 500 every month. Singapore is known for having one of the most efficient, cleanest and cheapest transportation networks in the world.
When it comes to transportation, there are several ways you can be environmentally friendly, including car sharing, public transportation, or even owning your own bike. To save on monthly transportation costs, consider using an EZ-Link Reload credit card.
Support green businesses
Supporting local businesses is good for the environment as they often have a smaller carbon footprint compared to larger businesses. This is especially true when you consider the logistics of moving products across borders. The good news is that there are plenty of green and sustainable companies here in Singapore.
Whether it’s a mom shop or a clothing store that sources materials locally, consider swapping out the usual mainstream store for a local, eco-friendly brand instead.
While these stores may appear a bit more expensive on the surface, the quality of the products and the friendliness of the staff tend to be better. If you are worried about the cost, there is always a grocery credit card available to get cashback for those monthly expenses.
handyman
If you live in an HDB apartment, you may want to switch to environmentally friendly devices that are worth the money. This includes energy-conscious refrigerators and environmentally friendly washing machines. If you live on a property, it can be worth installing solar panels.
Unfortunately, there are high up-front costs, which depend on your type of house, the size of the roof and the size of your solar system. It is estimated that installing a solar panel in Singapore can cost anywhere from $ 10,000 to $ 38,000.
On the plus side, you save on your monthly electricity bill. In addition, the cost of solar energy has decreased 89 percent over the past 10 years and is now competitive with traditional energy sources.
ALSO READ: How To Make Your Home Greener
How Much Money Can You Save By Going Green?
| activity | Green alternative | savings |
|---|---|---|
| transport | Car sharing and public transport | $ 250 / month |
| buy food | Aero waste food wholesale, socially conscious multi-concept store | $ 100 / month |
| clothes | Environmentally friendly clothing brands such as Matter Prints or a clothing exchange platform such as The Fashion Pulpit | $ 75 / month |
| At home | Environmentally friendly devices like a solar panel | $ 100 / month – $ 250 / month |
| Herbs | Grow your own herbs | $ 25 / month |
Sustainable also means cheaper
There is a common misconception about sustainability and ecology. It is often viewed as an expensive endeavor. However, this is not the case, as acting sustainably in most cases actually helps to save money. Just in the beginning, you may have to invest to go green.
But like any other investment, you will need to invest some time, effort, and money to see the return. So don’t be afraid to go green – there are many benefits for the environment and your wallet.
ALSO READ: Can Green Household Products Save You Money?
This article was first published in ValueChampion.
