Looking back at 2021 with Geneco
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Looking back at 2021 with Geneco
Entering into the second year of the pandemic, 2021 has come with its own set of challenges. While the year has been about continuous adapting and living with the new norms amid these Covid-19-related conversations, the topic of climate change has come to the fore, buoyed by the freshly unveiled Singapore Green Plan 2030 and recently concluded 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26).
It is heartening to see governments, businesses and individuals alike coming together to make a difference for our planet Earth. Regardless of seemingly small actions like bringing our own reusable containers for takeaway meals or national-level movements of setting Singapore’s green targets, we believe that each effort counts in making a collective difference.
Looking back at 2021, Geneco have also rallied our communities and partners to do good for our environment as we continued to build upon what we’ve achieved in the past year. The year has no doubt been fruitful for us as we kept true to our mission to #PowerTheChange. As the year comes to a close, let’s take a look back at some of the milestones we’ve achieved together with you.
Chinese New Year Red Packet Recycling Bins
We kicked off 2021 with the exciting launch of our inaugural Used Red Packet Recycling Initiative. In partnership with like-minded local brands such as CRU, IUIGA, Tay Paper Recycling, and one of our Changemakers – Refash, we deployed 28 recycling bins across Singapore to encourage the public to drop off their used red packets and make a difference for our rainforests by recycling and reducing our paper waste. These red packets were then sent to Tay Paper Recycling to be pulped and made into other paper products.
We were truly heartened by the overwhelming response from the nation, with more than 410kg of red packets collected in less than a month! As Singaporeans remain eco-conscious even amidst the festivities, we look forward to keeping this tradition alive and continue making a difference for our planet in 2022.
Geneco’s joins NParks’ #OneMillionTrees – Plant-A-Tree Programme
As part of Singapore’s plan to transform our country into a City in Nature, the government has committed to planting a million trees across our island over the next decade. These trees play an important role by serving as natural filters and adding to the lush greenery we enjoy in Singapore. At the same time and most importantly, they contribute to strengthening our country’s resilience towards climate change.
Achieving this ambitious goal of one million trees requires contributions from both the public and private sector. As such Geneco has pledged to plant 250 trees over the next five years and is proud to be doing our part for this nationwide effort.
Our plan was set into motion on Earth Day (22 April) this year at Windsor Nature Park, where we planted our first 50 trees together with our Changemakers – Comcrop, Cultivate Central, The Food Bank Singapore, Green Nudge, Refash and Repair Kopitiam – as well as like-minded corporate partner Standard Chartered Singapore.
On the very same day, we also launched our new comprehensive and integrated solar panel solution – the Power Eco Total Home Solution, for landed residential homes..
These mark another of our many green efforts as we contribute to Singapore’s goal to becoming a greener and more sustainable city.
Powering Change with our #ChangeMakersSG
Throughout the year, we were honoured to also continue strengthening the bonds with our #ChangeMakersSG partners while giving back to the communities and furthering our green message.
In the midst of 2021 when the nation went into Heightened Alert once again for Covid-19, many organisations were impacted and our Changemaker – The Food Bank Singapore – was no exception.
In a bid to increase their delivery efforts and distribute 1,500 food bundles to their beneficiaries, Geneco rallied for support from our social media family, and together, we prevented more than 6,700kg of food from being wasted.
And as the nation moved forward with the ease of safety measures in July, we partnered with And as the nation moved forward with the ease of safety measures in July, we partnered with Refash and join in the global #PlasticFreeJuly movement, to encourage everyone to #PowerTheChange and reduce their single-use plastics.
By contributing 1,300 Geneco tote bags to Refash’s outlets, customers could redeem these tote bags for free instead of opting for plastic bags with any preloved item purchased.
Through such sustained efforts, we hope to inculcate greater awareness towards the harmful effects of plastic waste and inspire individuals to take a step towards a #PlasticFree future!
Go Green Your Way with Power Eco Add-on
In celebration of our nation’s birthday on 9 August, Geneco launched our Power Eco Add-on, Singapore’s first-and-only green add-on for electricity plans.
To show our commitment towards our country’s sustainability efforts and the SG Green Plan 2030, Power Eco Add-on was conceived to encourage and ease Singaporeans in embarking on a journey towards building a greener home.
With its affordable yet flexible offering where customers can choose from different levels of green – 25%, 50%, 75% or 100% – and between Carbon Credits (CC) or Renewable Energy Certificates (REC) for their electricity plan, we hope to empower our customers to #gogreenyourway and make a difference for the environment.
We were truly heartened and encouraged by the response received within a month of the Power Eco Add-on’s launch. As we look towards the new year, we hope to continue being the catalyst towards inspiring individuals to opt for greener alternatives.
The Jolly season to be Green
Topping off these initiatives, we also encouraged Singaporeans to embark on a green journey with monthly giveaways on our social media platforms, with two exclusive giveaways for 2,000 Geneco customers on 11.11 and 12.12 in celebration of the year end #JollyGreen season.
In total, we have distributed over 6,000 eco-friendly lifestyle items that include Microgreen Kits, Sprout Plantable pencils, 100% recyclable foldable umbrellas, collapsible water bottles, reusable straws, grocery net bags and more.
Through these green giveaways, we aim to inspire everyone to make a meaningful change for our environment in the long-term.
2021 has truly been a fulfilling year for Geneco despite the continued uncertainty faced around the world.
These milestones could not have been achieved without your support and we’d like to thank each of our #ChangeMakerSG partners, communities and families for your confidence in us.
As we look ahead into 2022, let’s continue to #PowerTheChange for a greener and more sustainable future.
Before we end off, here’s a quick recap video on our green milestones for 2021:
From our Geneco family to yours, here’s to a greener and better 2022!
5 Eco-friendly gifts for your loved ones this holiday season
[Post Date]
5 Eco-friendly gifts for your loved ones this holiday season
‘Tis the season to be jolly!
As we enter the most wonderful time of the year, it’s time to embark on our holiday ritual of family gathering, feasting and the best part – unwrapping of presents! While the possibilities are endless, we all know how stressful it could be when it comes to shopping for thoughtful and unique gifts for our loved ones.
Instead of purchasing the usual chocolates or coffee mug, how about thinking out of the box with eco-friendly gifts that are meaningful and good for the planet? To spread the green message this #JollyGreen season, we’ve come up with some sustainable gift ideas that are perfect for anyone you may have in mind – whether it’s your other half, your child or even your parents!
1. Beeswax Wrap
A colourful and fun replacement to single-use plastics such as clingwrap and zip lock bags, beeswax wraps are one of the latest trends in reducing waste in our homes. Made from cotton fabric and infused with pure beeswax, organic coconut or jojoba oil and tree resin, these wraps are perfect for covering a bowl of leftovers, wrapping sandwiches or even to hold fresh fruits and vegetables.
Besides having antibacterial properties that help keep our food clean and free of germs, beeswax wraps also locks in the moisture of our food to retain its freshness and flavour. In contrast, plastic wraps typically suffocate our fresh produce leading to condensation and mould forming in the bag. When this happens, it hastens the decomposition of our food and results in food waste.
Available in a myriad of designs and sizes, check out these stylish beeswax wraps at our local green brands such as Your Sustainable Store, Minimakers and The Sustainability Project.
2. Jar of Christmas Spiced Nuts
Instead of gifting the typical box of Christmas sweets packed in plastic boxes and wrappers, how about making your own festive spiced in a beautiful glass jar for a thoughtful and delicious gift! Nuts such as almonds, cashews and pecans are highly nutritious and loaded with antioxidants – a great option for your loved ones as a yummy midday snack.
Some of our favourite recipes include Jamie Oliver’s honey-roasted nuts and these maple cinnamon spiced pecans that remind us of our favourite Christmas sweets. These recipes are also a breeze to prepare – great if you’re looking to involve your kids in your Christmas preparations!
What’s more, with these glass jars, you can also encourage your loved ones to reuse them for storing other foods or even repurpose it as a mug or vase. This gift also serves as a great conversation starter to encourage them to visit zero-waste grocery stores and fill up their empty jar with the mouth-watering goodies available. Some of our favourite stores include Scoop Wholefoods, an Aussie-owned supermarket that can be found in multiple locations like Tanglin Mall and Great World City, and Unpackt, a homegrown social enterprise that offers an array of delicious snacks such as its Zesty Maple Glazed Nut Mix.
3. Edible Indoor Gardening Kit
Have someone in mind who enjoys putting meals together at home? An edible indoor gardening kit might be just the perfect gift for them! Besides bringing a pocket of green into their homes, these nifty gardening sets can also bring a splendid harvest and help your loved ones embark on a more sustainable food journey.
Best of all, these kits are easy to use even for those who have had zero experience in gardening! Available in a variety of options such as Basil, Kang Kong and Chye Sim, these planting sets are a gift that keeps on giving, and in a nutritious way too!
Check them out at our local brands like Root Farm and Super Farmers, where they offer microgreens sets that can easily be grown in small spaces (perfect for HDB dwellers) and only takes a week to harvest!
Gift the gift of experiences
While the above presents can certainly be meaningful, gifting an experience can also be equally or even more special! In addition to creating lasting memories with your loved ones, gifting an experience is also usually more sustainable as there is no physical gift that requires additional wrapping or packaging, thus eliminating unnecessary paper or plastic waste.
4. Treat your loved ones to a zero-waste spa session
Instead of going to the spa, where products used typically contain chemicals that are bad for the environment, how about transforming your home into a blissful sanctuary and indulging your loved ones in a zero-waste pampering routine? Best of all, you can even join in and get some much-needed TLC as we wrap up the year!
Step 1: Set the Mood
Light a scented candle like this one from Pass It On. These candles are not only made from eco-friendly materials but encourages zero-waste practices by allowing you to repurpose your empty candles into planting pots. They even come with seed paper for you to sprout a modest produce after!
Step 2: Mix your very own concoction of homemade avocadoes hair and face mask
Mix your very own concoction of homemade avocadoes hair and face mask for that au naturel experience. A buttery fruit that is rich in vitamins, avocadoes are extremely nourishing as they not only high levels of minerals that would keep our loved ones’ hair smooth and shiny, but also compounds that help to protect their skin from sun damage – especially useful given that we live in sunny Singapore!
For a hydrating hair mask to lift those dull strands, mash an avocado with two ripe bananas. If you like to bring it up a notch, drip a few drops of rosemary and tea tree oil for that soothing scent. Then, slather the mixture from the tips of your loved ones’ hair and working your way up to their scalp, leaving it on for a good 20 minutes before rinsing off thoroughly.
And for a purifying mask to brighten up your skin, pit half a ripe avocado, add a tablespoon of solid coconut oil, and a teaspoon of honey and water. Gently massage this creamy concoction on their face and leave it on for 15 minutes to absorb all the nutritious goodness. While the avocado moisturises the skin, the honey and coconut oil can help to fight minor acne and inflammation.
Step 3: Rejuvenating body scrub experience
Finally, give them a full rejuvenation with a natural homemade sugar scrub that can easily be put together with ingredients found in your kitchen in less than 10 minutes. Simply combine equal portions of brown sugar and coconut or olive oil, mix them thoroughly and voila; you’re done!
For those of us looking to gift a more luxurious experience, our Changemaker Cultivate Central has the perfect recipe right here that is infused with floral botanicals like Citonella, Lemon balm and Globe Amaranth flowers. The wonderful scents from these herbs also provide mood lifting and stress relieving properties! Give these DIY recipes a try to make your skin feel incredibly soft and hydrated in no time.
5. Experience nature’s gifts
If you’re still looking for a great gift for your kids, how about bringing them closer to nature with an outdoor tour with EcoTrail that casts a spotlight on the everyday ecosystems in Singapore? This 1.5 hour-long guided tour includes multiple stations with activities such as chicken feeding, planting organic fruits and vegetables, and even learning about how solar plants and incubators work! Immerse yourself in the beauty of our local nature and relish the fresh air, lush greenery and clear blue skies in this private farmland – it’s a great gift to quench the curious minds of our little ones while showing them the beauty of our Mother Nature.
Alternatively, check out The Sundowner’s rooftop farm experience that is great for adults and children alike. Enjoy an organic farming class where you learn all the secrets of creating a healthy soil for the freshest harvest, come up close and personal with honeybees, and delight in a farm-to-table honey tasting to round it all up! Best of all, take in the beautiful sunset as you enjoy this one-of-a-kind rooftop experience in Singapore. This is one hidden gem that will be the perfect gift for any loved one!
This holiday season, go beyond embarking on your own green journey to encourage your loved ones to take the first step. Be it a physical gift or experiences, what matters is the thought that counts!
Here’s wishing you and your loved ones a merry and #JollyGreen holiday!
