Gift Something ‘Green’ This Festive Season
Give gifting a new meaning with these five eco-friendly gift ideas
Every little effort counts when it comes to being more environmentally responsible. A study published by the National Environment Agency of Singapore showed that almost three million tonnes of waste had been shipped to the Semakau landfill in 2019. With Singapore’s sole landfill estimated to overflow by 2035, there is a pressing need for all of us to play our part in becoming more eco-conscious.
The year-end festive season now offers you a chance to do your bit for the environment and go green with your gift giving. If you are unsure of where to start, here are some ideas from BiZQ to kickstart your sustainable gift giving journey.
For the music lover: MusicCloth® Gold Clutch Bag by rehyphen
Audiophiles will appreciate this award-winning creation. Digitisation has left behind a lot of discarded cassette tapes in its wake that are unfortunately considered as waste for the environment. Local company Rehyphen’s mission is to give these discarded tapes a new lease of life by upcycling them into MusicCloth®, a lightweight, sound absorbing and highly water-resistant material. They use this upcycled woven material to make gift keepsakes and fashion accessories like the MusicCloth® Gold Clutch Bag. Just this year, MusicCloth® was given the Red Dot 21 award for its unique design concept. To give it that extra festive cheer, Rehyphen is using only Christmas cassette tapes to weave all MusicCloth® products like city maps, world maps and clutch bags.
Rehyphen | Website
Calm the stresses away: de Mamiel Anchor (Sleep Series) balm from The Naturally Better Company
The de Mamiel Anchor balm makes the perfect gift for your sleep deprived friends. Combining a blend of herbs, watermelon seed oil and passionflower oil, the balm exudes a soothing and calming effect for your friends to relax in a restful night’s sleep. On the sustainability front, every step in the production of the balm spares a thought for the environment. De Mamiel only works with companies dedicated to making ethical, sustainable, and toxin-free products, and they encourage and support responsible and ethical manufacturing practices around the world. Their ingredients are naturally sourced and hand blended in small quantities, certified organic, non-toxic, not tested on animals, and made from pure plant extracts.
The Naturally Better Company | Website
Aroma to-go: Orchid & Fig Clay Diffuser by Artisan of Sense
Artisan of Sense is another local company with a strong sustainable promise. They are known for their luxuriously handcrafted candles that are made from eco-friendly soy wax from US-grown soybeans, and natural lead-free cotton wicks. Positioning their products as a sophisticated blend of nature and luxury, the company only uses 100% pure, therapeutic grade essential oils from plants to ensure that all their scents are fresh and uplifting. Their products are also free from phthalates, parabens, sulphates, animal testing, and toxins. You can rest assured that only quality stuff is available. The Orchid & Fig Clay Diffuser is the latest in their range of products that are made in Singapore and makes a handy diffuser that you can use in your home, the car or anywhere you need that extra oomph.
Artisan of Sense | Website
Skincare that cares for the environment: The Green Collective SG at Funan Mall
If you are looking for a one-stop shop for all things sustainable, The Green Collective SG offers a wide variety of eco-friendly gift ideas. Their products range from household items, apparels, beauty and wellness, to food and drinks. All their globally sourced brands go through a strict curation process and are evaluated based on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. A steadfast believer in the principle of sharing to create a responsible ‘Green Kampung’, the company has played a major role in supporting communities and young entrepreneurs. The ManukaRX from New Zealand is one such brand, offering a carefully formulated range of gentle cleansers, soaps, oils and deodorants made from sustainably crafted manuka oil, natural moisturisers, waxes and oils.
The Green Collective | Website
Plastic free for the new year: Beeswax Wrap Set from Your Sustainable Store
One of the biggest culprits of waste is plastic. To start adopting a plastic-free lifestyle, you can consider getting your hands on this multipurpose Beeswax Wrap Set. This non-toxic, antibacterial, and waterproof wrap can be used to replace plastics such as clingwraps, plastic bags and plastic containers — to cover bowls of leftovers, wrap sandwiches or as food storage. Aside from reducing plastic usage, these wraps are made from beeswax, cotton and other materials that are compostable and biodegradable. The production process also creates new employment and uplift wages in rural Thailand, with workers getting paid more than the living wage as suggested by the Fair Trade Association.
Your Sustainable Store | Website
Sustainable gifts can last a lifetime and you can do your bit for a cleaner and greener environment!
Featured products are not paid-for advertisements and have been independently reviewed by BiZQ.
