Upcycling: Not really an uphill task

Last week, I talked about pre-cycling. I have come across another fantastic way to reduce waste! Upcycling! According to Google Definition, upcycling is to re-use or convert an item such that the product increases in value, as compared to the original object.
Here’s a good example of upcycling: origami Starbucks paper bag wallet.

Starbucks paper bag wallet
Photo credits to Stomp

The video below shows the steps on how to convert the paper bag into a functional wallet.

In the next post, I will show you guys examples of my own adventure with upcycling!

Pre-cycling isn't Prehistoric behavior

In my previous post, I've talked about recycling in Russia, and how Singaporeans can learn from them. Today, I'll remain in Eastern Europe and talk about pre-cycling in Berlin!

Article from the Straits Times on 23 Sept 2014

So, what is pre-cycling? According to Gillilan (1996), pre-cycling is to shop wisely, such that the amount of waste generated is lessened. Now in Berlin, the locals have an opportunity to shop wisely at Originally Unpackaged. Shoppers bring their own re-useable containers to package their food! This is a huge step up from bringing your own bag to carry produce home.
Perhaps this step will not be very feasible in Singapore yet, especially since we struggle to even have a BYOBD (bring your own bag day). Singaporeans seem to rather pay a nominal sum for a plastic bag of convenience than bring our own re-useable bag. Asking us to bring a few bulky containers... I can imagine how we would baulk.

Literature cited:
Gillilan, S., et al. (1996). "Teaching the Concept of Precycling: A Campaign and Evaluation." The Journal of Environmental Education 28(1): 11-18.

(Re)cycling all the way

Newspaper article from the Straits Times (September 20, 2014) about recycling in Russia

After reading this news article, I was very encouraged. In Russia, there are few to no recycling opportunities for the general population. Also, the government did not provide the same recycling points that we Singaporeans have. But because a few individuals started to think about saving the environment and becoming passionate about it, their problem with no recycling points have reached an international level, appearing even in Singapore's local news.

Since we have the convenience of having drop-off points for recyclables so near our doorsteps, with each HDB estate having a couple of bins, Singaporeans really do have it easy! I believe that if only more awareness is raised about the significance of waste reduction by recycling materials, there might be an increase in the amount of recycling done. 

Some may say that that it is a hassle to sort items, or they do not know what are recyclable. There is information available on websites (such as this and this), an even on the bins themselves. 

Example of a recycling bin. Photo credits to zerowastesg. 

Prettier Packagings

I've never really thought about what the purpose of packaging was for, other than to maintain a certain standard of hygiene. Recently, I came across a paper on marketing strategies by Bo Rundh (2005). I learnt that careful design of the packaging through the use of shape, form, color, aesthetics, etc, can be used to give the company a competitive edge, attracting more potential customers. (B. Rundh, 2005) With greater public awareness of global warming and other environmental problems, it is no surprise that the trend now is for environmentally friendly products, especially if there is a reduction in wastage or if it can be recycled. 

Some companies, such as Boxed Water, have been coming up with environmentally-friendly packaging. Boxed Water packages their water in cardboard cartons, which comes from a renewable resource, trees. And it is recyclable. Sounds like a great marketing strategy to me! I would find it rather difficult to drink water directly from a carton though. 

Photo credits to Boxed Water

However, some companies take "environmentally friendly" to a whole other level. They produce what I would call 'non-packaging'. One such example is the WikiPearl that I've mentioned in my previous post.

Photo credits to WikiPearl

Another would be Loliware, which has designed biodegradable cups that can be eaten.

Photo Credits to Loliware 

Although these products have not really taken off, I feel that environmentally friendly or edible packaging will become even more popular in the future as irreversible climate change becomes more of a reality.

Literature cited: 

Bo Rundh, (2005) "The multi-faceted dimension of packaging: Marketing logistic or marketing tool?", British Food Journal, Vol. 107 Iss: 9, pp.670-684

Pretty Packagings

Newspaper clipping from the Straits Times
about recycling of coffee capsules

I've been seeing a lot innovative and interesting marketing schemes to sell a product. One good example is coffee. This becomes a slight problem when it does generate a lot of waste as well. But I am quite glad to see that this company has a recycling programme to combat this waste generation! As seen in the newspaper article above, there are a few collection points for used capsules from homes, a collection service of used capsules for those customers who have the capsules delivered to their homes, and Nespresso also works with hotels to recycle their used capsules. I feel that this is a good initiative by Nespresso since it sets a "good lead for other consumer retailers to follow", according to Ms Lynda Hong, when interviewed by the newspaper. Furthermore, this initiative would make Singaporeans (who consume Nespresso's products)more aware of the need to recycle and how easy it is to do so because of the many recycling points available in Singapore.

Talking about packaging and recycling them, I have stumbled across this wonderful invention: the WikiPearl!

A picture of the WikiPearl
(photo credits to WikiPearl)

This WikiPearl has an edible skin "inspired by the way nature packages fruits and vegetables". And that means: no need for a packaging! I will talk more about this amazing WikiPearl and other pretty packagings in my next post. 

Advocates of Environment in Action!

Students from the Environmental Studies course at NUS collecting second hand clothes

Taking a stroll through UTown at NUS, I passed by a booth set manned by students in the same course as me to promote being green while staying fashionable. What they have decided to do was to collect second hand clothes from students, in exchange for a coupon per clothing item. After a few days of collection, they would then set up a mini bazaar with all the clothes collected. Students can then use the coupons to "buy" clothes. Having no uniform in university, I go through my wardrobe very quickly and get bored of my choices fast. So, I feel that this was a very interesting way of promoting reuse of clothes because it allowed the students to refresh their wardrobe without paying a cent!

A closer look a their poster

Their poster is quite eye-catching, with not too many words, making it easy to read. Although they did provide a couple of feasible solutions, I feel that they did not provide sufficient information about how not being "fashionably green" would affect the environment. Students then may not be compelled to take action.