Christmas is right around the corner! As we approach this season of giving, we must not forget to be environmentally responsible and reduce our waste as much as possible. Christmas is a wonderful opportunity to share some gifts with your loved ones that can encourage them to adopt a greener lifestyle.

Here are some gift ideas that can help your peers kickstart the environmentally-responsible lifestyle:

1) Kickstart an eco-friendly journey with with a reusable collapsible cup

Have a friend who is always out on coffee runs? Gift them a collapsible cup. Not only does it help reduce the amount of plastic waste, but it is also storage-friendly and stylish as well. With many places offering Bring-Your-Own-Cup discounts now, everyone’s a winner!

2) Hand-painted Mugs

Mugs are usually seen as “boring” or “lazy” christmas gift exchange options. You can change this view by personalising a mug for a friend! Bring out the paintbrushes and put on your artist cap to give a plain mug a new look by hand painting it with any design you can think of. You can even use old nail polishes instead of paint. Your imagination is the limit with this special gift that will certainly be appreciated by your friends.

Want to go the extra mile? Make your own gifts with material you have at home instead of purchasing new items for added sincerity and sustainability!

Photo Credits: CULTU-RE EXPERIMENT

3) DIY Tote Bag for grocery runs

If you have an old t-shirt lying around at home, consider upcycling it to create a unique tote bag that can be used for grocery shopping. With a few simple steps, you can give a close friend or family member a one-of-a-kind tote bag that is both unique and personal. You can even further decorate it with some drawings or stickers!

4) DIY Body Scrub

Add a layer of closeness to your relationship with your loved ones with some homemade body scrubs. These are easy to make, and not only gentle on the skin, but also on the environment. These DIY body scrubs are guaranteed to be fully organic and beneficial for the body, a wonderful way to express your love for the recipient. To keep up with the theme of sustainability, store the scrub in a recycled jar.

Photo Credits: Etsy

5) Upcycled Succulent Planter

Give your loved ones the gift of life with a succulent plant, a great way to add a touch of green to their households. These plants are beautiful to look at, and easy to take care of, making them a great decorative choice for Christmas. For a unique look, consider upcycling condiment jars or tins into planters to place your succulents in before gifting them to your family or friends.

Photo Credits: HGTV

6) Creative Christmas Tree Ornaments with Upcycled Light Bulbs

Have some faulty light bulbs at home? Don’t throw them away just yet!

With some acrylic paint and a little creativity, you can easily upcycle them and give them new life as beautiful christmas tree ornaments. These ornaments make adorable gifts as well that your friends can put up onto their christmas trees at home.

Photo Credits: Wikihow

7) Handmade Cutlery Pouches

Encourage your family and friends to ditch the disposables and cut down on plastic waste by giving them a good reason to start bringing their own cutlery around. Simply use any leftover fabric, or even old clothes, to make a pouch that can be used to keep metal cutlery or even metal straws that they can bring around with them.

8) Handmade Cookies and Cakes

Conquer both the heart and stomach with some homemade cookies and cakes. Christmas gifts don’t always have to be a useful object – they can be consumables too! Make the extra effort to bake some homemade cookies and cakes that are full of butter and love for someone you care about. Remember to put the food in a lunchbox or metal container to avoid plastic use!

9) Send E-Cards instead of Physical Cards

Consider sending an e-card instead of a physical card. The manufacturing and delivering of a physical christmas card can increase your carbon footprint. Instead, try sending an e-card instead via email. Websites like Canva are a great guide to help you create an amazing looking e-card that your family and friends can instantly receive. Furthermore, e-cards offer you a wider range of possibilities beyond the limited design options of physical cards.

10) Reduce Food Wastage

Turkeys, ribs, log cake. It is easy to get carried away while purchasing food for a christmas feast at home and ending up having to throw away a lot of leftover food. One good way to manage your food waste is to plan in advance and buy only what is needed. After the party, keep your leftovers wherever possible and save them for other meals. Encourage your guests to bring their own food containers as well to take home all the extra food.

11) Used Recycled Paper to Wrap your Gifts

Did you know that most wrapping papers cannot be recycled? The usage of wrapping paper for christmas gifts each year contributes to our generated waste, and you can help by choosing to use other options to wrap your gifts. Consider upcycling old magazines or newspapers that you no longer read as wrapping papers for a colourful and rustic look. You can also opt to paint over the paper with acrylic paint for some DIY wrapping paper!

12) Conserve Energy and Opt for Greener Options

A lot of electricity can be consumed during the christmas period as we light up our christmas trees. Switch to LED lights for your christmas lights – not only do they use less energy than the usual incandescent christmas lights, they also emit lesser greenhouse gases than incandescent bulbs, making them not only more energy-efficient, but also much more environmentally-friendly.

To go the extra mile, also consider if your electricity plan is environmentally-responsible. Consider electricity plans such as Geneco’s “Get It Green” carbon-neutrality plan or the “Get Sunny” solar energy plans.

Bills are part and parcel of your monthly routine. At Geneco, we try to keep this as hassle free as possible with our simple bill to assist in you finding the information that are important to you.

Understanding Your Geneco Electricity Bill

When will I get my first electricity bill?

If you are receiving your Geneco bill for the first time, your first bill will be available on the Geneco Self-Service Portal approximately 45 days to 60 days after your contract start date.

Why does my Geneco bill do not have any non-electricity charges?

Your Geneco bills are for electricity charges only. For non-electricity charges, please refer to your SP Group’s bill for non-electricity charges.

How to convert your Geneco bill into PDF format?

We hear from you that you would like to have your Geneco bill in PDF format but did you know, you can convert your Geneco bill into PDF format as well by just following this 3 easy steps.

1. Install a PDF reader on your device. If you have a PDF reader installed, you can ignore this step.
2. Press ‘CTRL’ + ‘P’ on the browser with your bill.
3. On the left of the dialog box, on the destination, select “Save as PDF” and click save.

Your bill in PDF format will be available for you on your desktop.

Got a question on your electricity consumption?

Find out more here to understand why you might see an increase on your consumption.

The ingredients may just be sitting in your pantry and it may be just as effective as those store bought cleaners.

With the new year approaching, spring cleaning will definitely be on everyone’s agenda. Before you head down to the supermarket to buy that new multi-purpose cleaner, you may want to look around your pantry first. A couple of key ingredients to that effective homemade cleaner may just be sitting right there.

Why should you make your own home-cleaning products?

Homemade cleaners are beginning to gain traction among households and here are some reasons why as to the rise in their popularity.

Making your home safer
By making your own cleaners, you are opting for a non-toxic option and you know what goes into your cleaning solution. Many conventional cleaning products come with a long list of ingredients that are not recognisable and that can be downright dangerous.

Some of the ingredients used in conventional cleaning are allergies or asthma triggers. Reduce the use of unnecessary chemicals to make your home safe for your family.

Parents can also have an ease of mind by putting together their own cleaning solutions with natural ingredients. Children and pets are especially vulnerable due to higher exposure levels because of their size. With homemade cleaning solutions, parents do not have to worry if their child gets too close. They can even give them a sponge with a squirt of homemade cleanser and imitate their cleaning actions.

Cleaning your home at a fraction of a price

Homemade cleaning solutions surprisingly require only a couple of key ingredients. All you need may be some lemon, baking soda and vinegar to make that cleaning solution to get all the dirt out. These are essentially the three magic ingredients that can clean just about anything if you think they may not be as effective as store bought cleaners.

Read on to see how you can make some for yourself

Helping the Environment

Making your own cleaning products is a step towards an even more sustainable lifestyle. Some conventional cleaning products contain ingredients that are toxic, hazardous and non-biodegradable. Many of which come from non-renewable resources like petroleum and adversely affect our planet’s ecosystem.

How to make your own own cleaning products?

All-purpose cleanser
Ingredients:

1. 8 tbsp vinegar
2. 4 tbsp baking soda
3. 1 litre of water
4. Lemon rinds (optional)

Mix the vinegar and baking soda with water and shake it all up. Pour it into your own spray bottle to create your own all-purpose cleanser.

You can use it to remove water stains in the shower, clean any surface and make it smell nice with an added touch of lemon. It not only makes it smell good, but has additional cleaning properties

Drain unclogger and drain freshener
Ingredients:

1. 1 cup baking soda
2. ½ cup warm white vinegar
3. 1 tbsp salt

If your drain is clogged or is beginning to smell this natural recipe will remove the clog and freshen up. Mix baking soda and salt and pour down the drain. Warm the vinegar, pour down the drain then immediately plug up to keep it all inside the drain. Leave for half an hour then run through hot water for a few minutes. Might need to repeat in some cases.

Window cleaner
Ingredients:

1. ¼ cup of white vinegar
2. 1 tbsp of cornstarch
3. 2 cups of warm water

This mixture will clear your windows and make sure you its streak free.

Bathroom cleaner
Ingredients:

1. 2 cups of water
2. 3 tbsp white vinegar
3. 20 drops of tea tree oil

Get your toilet smelling clean with this solution as you mix it up and use a sponge or cloth to keep it spick and span during your weekly clean.

Green Living at Home

Making small changes around the house can really add up to make a difference as a whole. Opting for homemade natural cleaning products not only have positive impacts for your family and home in the long run, but also for the earth. You can also make a conscious effort by opting to save electricity and and learn how to cool your home naturally as well. We promise that it will help you fight the heat.

Last week, Singapore’s National Environment Agency (NEA) shared some alarming data on plastic waste in Singapore. Out of 949,300 tonnes of plastic waste generated in 2018 (any comparison we can give? For example weight of like 5000 buses or something), 96% of these were incinerated and dumped at Pulau Semakau. The more worrying trend is that this number is 2% less than 2017, and less than half that of five years ago.

How much plastic waste have you generated so far today?

Plastics are among the most common forms of waste not just in Singapore, but around the world. Every day, we see plastic being used across almost all aspects of our lives. From food wrappers to straws and plastic bags, it is almost impossible for us to completely avoid any plastic usage. While some of these plastic items can be reused, most of it ends up being thrown away, resulting in plastic waste that is usually non-biodegradable and can’t be recycled.

Why Does It Matter?

In Singapore, non-recyclable materials are incinerated, before being dumped at Pulau Semakau, an offshore island. With an increasing rate of plastic usage in Singapore, Pulau Semakau is now quickly filling up. At our event with Repair Kopitiam last month to launch their third site, Dr. Amy Khor, Senior Minister of State for the Environment and Water Resources, shared that Singapore generated 8 million tonnes of waste just last year alone, equivalent to 530,000 double decker buses. At this rate, we will be filling Semakau landfill by 2035, and it will be difficult to find an alternative solution when that happens.

Besides the immediate land pollution implications, burning plastic waste is also a huge contributor to air pollution. Without the right measures, the incineration of plastic waste can result in harmful toxic gases being released into the air.

And this is only the case if the plastics are properly disposed.

While most of us may be considerate enough to dispose of our plastic waste properly, it is inevitable that some of these plastic waste end up in our surrounding waters. This is extremely harmful for our beautiful marine life who may accidentally swallow the plastic or be caught in them, and this problem has since come back to haunt us.

In fact, statistics from the World Wildlife Foundation (WWF) Singapore have revealed that one-quarter of the fish that we consume have plastics in their guts, and 83% of tap water samples contain plastic in them. These are worrying numbers, as they show that plastic pollution is not only harming the environment around us, but also threatening our lives and our future generations.

What Can I Do?

To help combat the threat of plastic pollution, you can play your part by reducing your daily plastic footprint. It may be cliche, but everyone has their part to play, and influencing those around you with your actions will go a long way in shaping a better tomorrow for ourselves.

To get started, here are some simple ways you can cut down on your plastic usage:

1) BYOB (Bring Your Own Bag)
When shopping for groceries or other products, bring your own shopping bags to avoid having to use plastic bags at shops. A nice tote bag can actually be more durable than the average plastic bag, and even provide an aesthetic boost! If you do end up using a plastic bag for your shopping, be sure to keep it for future usage instead of throwing it away.

2) Reusable Utensils and Kitchenware
Instead of using disposable utensils and plastic containers, bring your own reusable ones. Metal containers can be a good companion for your takeaway food, and you can even keep it warm! With a small additional hassle of washing your container and utensils, you can do a big part in cutting down plastic usage. The same applies for plastic straws, and metal straws are becoming increasingly popular among Singaporeans as more F&B outlets are beginning to stop providing straws for customers.

3) Choose Your Packaging
With an abundance of products available in our supermarkets, you can help to promote good habits by making the right choice while buying your everyday goods. Avoid products that make use of too much plastic packaging, and support those that use alternative materials. By making this slight change to your purchasing patterns, you can send a message to the manufacturers that reducing plastic usage in their products can be beneficial to their business.

4) Reuse Your Plastics
Plastic bags can be reused to contain other items. Refrain from throwing them away immediately after just one use. Certain plastic bottles and containers can also be reused to contain other household items. Our latest changemaker, Green Nudge Singapore, goes the extra mile by repurposing plastic waste into “eco-bricks” – plastic bottles with smaller pieces of plastic stuffed in them – that can then be made into improvised furniture such as stools and tables.

#PlasticFreeGeneco

At Geneco, we strive to be more than just a power retailer, but a partner to our users in the larger ecosystem. We want to bring positive energy to our community, and contribute to powering the change in people to adopt better habits. Visit our Changemakers website to find out more about what organisations like Green Nudge are doing to help Singapore become a greener and better place to live in.

By doing our part against plastic pollution, we are taking charge of our own future and helping to improve our ecosystem, keeping it beautiful, clean and green for the years to come. Making small changes to your daily lifestyle to reduce your plastic usage can go a long way in changing the world around you. Start today!

Besides your plastic footprint, think about reducing your carbon footprint as well. You can begin by signing up for Geneco’s carbon-friendly “Get It Green” and “Get Sunny” plans.

Over the past months, we have held conversations on combating food waste, being savvy with our resources and paying attention to marine trash. Becoming mindful of the impact of our consumption and lifestyle is the first step in dealing with the environmental problem facing our future.

This time, we look at an oft-neglected, insidious and ominous waste – electronic waste.

What Is Electronic Waste?

Electronic waste, or simply e-waste, refers to electrical or electronic devices that have been discarded. Electronics that are destined for repurposing, either to be reused, resold, refurbished, recycled or simply disposed are regarded as e-waste.

Contrary to popular belief, the processing of e-waste is not always something green warriors can be proud of. The process can release many harmful materials and substances into the environment.

How Harmful Is E-waste?

There is a reason why parents freak out when children discover “oily” batteries. This “oil”, which is either a corrosive and contaminating alkaline (in alkaline batteries) or acid (in lead batteries), is just one example how e-waste can harm our health and the environment.

Many electronics are made with materials that are far from friendly for health and environment. Such materials include:

• Lead
  Used to make wires and solders. Lead exposure can damage the brain and nervous system, leading to coma, fits and death.
• Cadmium
  For electronics coating and rechargeable batteries. Very toxic and exposure can cause cancer and impair heart, kidney, gastrointestinal, brain, reproductive, and respiratory functions.
• Beryllium
  Used in making phone parts and portable devices. Damages the lungs when breathed in and causes berylliosis.
• Brominated flame retardants
  Can cause cancer and may affect brain and mental functions.
• Polychlorinated biphenyls
  Used in electronics fluids, capacitors and transformers. Highly toxic and carcinogenic.

Such compounds, among many others like mercury and lithium, when released into the environment, can pollute air, water, ground and wildlife. Such pollution ends up back in the food supply chain and accumulate over time.

How You Can Reduce E-waste

Sell away or donate unwanted/obsolete electronics
One man’s trash is another’s treasure. Selling or giving away gadgets helps to prolong its usefulness and keep it off the trashcan or landfills.

Finding buyers for such items is not difficult with Facebook’s Marketplace, Carousell, Craigslist and even Gumtree. If your item in question is a cell phone, you can always try to get a good deal with mobile phone shops.

Whatever it is, keeping electronics in good condition is always a good way to maximise sale value!

Dispose of/Recycle E-Waste the Right Way

As explained earlier, e-waste can contain a lot of hazardous materials and, thus, proper disposal is needed. Big electronics brands like Apple, Samsung, and other electronics companies have programs to take back unwanted gadgets. Certain shopping malls have e-waste bins where you can safely discard your electronics.

As compared to producing new parts, recycling old electronics can help save a lot of energy and reduce the demand to mine the raw materials.

Take Good Care of Your Electronics

Keeping your electronics in good condition not only allows you to sell it off at a better price later, but meanwhile increases its lifespan. This way, it can help reduce the demand for replacements. Here are some simple tips to taking care of electronics:

• Keep them out of extreme cold and heat
• Clean lint-free/microfibre cloth to prevent lint from filling up crevices or going into the chips.
• Turn off TV’s power before cleaning to avoid having moisture going into the components and shorting it. TVs can get quite hot; vacuum the air vents often to ensure dust do not trap heat or prevent the fans from working well.
• Make sure electronics that heat up during use, such as the TV, computers and microwave ovens, are well-ventilated.
• Make sure to declutter your computer’s drives so that it can run smoothly and quickly.
• When going away for a few days, keep laptop and mobile phone batteries at 80% – not empty nor 100% full – to maintain batteries’ lifespan.

Learn to Repair Electronics

Stand against the buy-and-throw-away culture and cultivate a second-chance attitude when it comes to dealing with faulty electronics. Many electronics, like fans, irons, phones etc. can work just as well if you know where the faults are and repair them. This can ensure less waste is generated and save you money too.

There are many videos available on YouTube that will show you how to conduct simple repairs and help you understand how to replace parts.

Our #ChangeMakerSG partner, Repair Kopitiam, is a great place to learn how to repair your electronics and discover neat tricks to maintaining them. At Repair Kopitiam, you will find ‘Repair Coaches’ helping Singaporeans fix all kinds of faulty products, from electrical appliances to everyday household items. We at Geneco maintains a strong partnership with Repair Kopitiam so that we can reduce e-waste by encouraging people to try repairing faulty products first before deciding to discard it.

We are also excited to announce that we are strengthening our partnership by powering Repair Kopitiam’s expansion into Ang Mo Kio on 29 September 2019!

COMBATING E-WASTES WITH THE 4 RS

Preventing electronic waste from ending up in the incinerators, landfills and waterways can be achieved by everyone.

Reduce unnecessary demand for new electronics wherever possible, such as new smartphones or computers. Reuse/Repurpose properly working electronics such as by making your old phone your new music player. Recycle electronics so that we can collectively relieve the demand for raw materials. Finally, repair broken electronics and give them a new of life.

A little bit of patience, creativity and tenacity can go a long way to protecting our environment!

When we bring up the topic of marine waste, you probably think about far-flung marine waste destinations like the Pacific trash islands, Dominican Republic’s and Hawaii’s not-so-pristine beaches.

However, to think that Southeast Asia is not contributing to and facing large-scale marine waste problems is utter rubbish. In fact, SEA nations Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Thailand, along with China, were named the worst litterbugs by a 2017 Ocean Conservancy report.

What Is Marine Waste?

Marine waste refers to man-made trash that have been either accidentally or purposefully released into the water bodies like lakes, rivers, seas and oceans. Because of tidal motions, marine waste can accumulate and end up on beaches, disrupting wildlife, or get snagged by reefs and choke corals as a result.

With plastic being a prevalent material in man-made products, the impact of marine waste is significant. Most plastics, being non-biodegradable, can plague the oceans for thousands of years to come. They can destroy coral reefs, hurt marine life when accidentally ingested and even end up along the food chain.

NGOs and scientists have continuously sounded the alarm and activists flailing their arms in the air. As such, governments around the world awoke from slumber and are gradually enacting laws to address the issue.

However, even the late Lonesome George would find the speed of marine protection too slow.

What Can You Do to Combat Marine Waste?

The global waste problem may be colossal, and each individual seem too small to make a dent. However, by taking some simple and personal steps, we can pitch in to help.

Reducing our dependency on single-use plastics
It’s hard to tell if plastic exist around us or we exist around plastics. From straw to carriers to car parts and cutlery, extra-terrestrials observing us from space would think plastics make up our natural habitat. Make a commitment to rely less on single-use plastics and adopt more permanent lifestyle choices like using metal or wooden alternatives where possible.

Bag your trash
Have you seen how plastic bags get swept up by even a gentle breeze and metal cans float in the sea? Small items are easily misplaced. To make rubbish less likely to end up in places they are not supposed to, simply collect them and make it collectively larger where wind, water and any other forces are less able to pick them up.

Consume less

The intelligence of humans is our greatest asset but can also be a crippling shortcoming. With sophistication as our middle name, we tend to approach simple problems with complicated solutions. To reduce waste ending up in the ocean, we can just ensure less material gets out there. Simply put, use less materials.

We do not need straws (most times), plastic cup lids when dining, a carrier for a single piece of ham roll from BreadTalk. Heck, with e-angbaos, we don’t even need real angbaos at weddings and Chinese New Year.

By using less, we reduce demand for things that could potentially end up in landfills and waterways. Like mom used to say, if we don’t want to keep our toys, don’t play with them in the first place.

SHARED RESPONSIBILITY – GENECO GOES ECO

At Geneco, we are not just another power retailer. We believe in being a part of the bigger picture, taking up social causes, responding to global challenges and being proactive in bettering lives. From investing in carbon credits to solar energy to anti-waste, we are the planet’s green, mean, fighting machines.

To do our part to reduce the impact of waste, we have been side by side with Repair Kopitiam, pushing back against a buy-and-throw-away culture. We believe one way to reduce waste is to create less of it by making things work again! Although we repair only electronic appliances, we hope to inspire people to give things a second chance.

Fighting marine waste is not just about environmental protection; it is also about every individual being mature and responsible in our stewardship of the resources granted to us. Recognising we have a problem and building up the will to solve needs is the true mark of maturity, integrity and respect for life.

Congratulations on getting your new home! Being able to own a home is a dream (an expensive one) and a rite of passage for many Singaporeans; you don’t want to be haphazard about moving in and make bad decisions that you will have to live with for years to come.

Beyond providing great electricity deals, we also provide top tips for you to consider as you build your new nest!

Become a budget-hunter

Buying furniture to make your home comfortable and beautiful does not have to be an expensive affair if you know where to find good deals, coupled with some creativity, resourcefulness and adaptability. Perhaps even throw in a little bit of patience for good measure.

Plan your purchases. Some items like utensils, crockery and cloths can be bought in bulk at bundle deals, saving you some cash. To up your game, you can also form coalitions with your neighbours (especially when you are moving into a new estate) and bulk-buy everyone’s shopping list. Nowadays, joining groups on social media to meet new residents can bring about some strategic advantages. Use it to formulate supermarket and IKEA battle plans to attack hot deals for everyone’s benefit.

Remember when we mentioned earlier how a little bit of patience helps? Become a budgetary visionary – hold off purchases and scout for upcoming fairs and tradeshows where not only can you find things at cheaper prices, but you can also enjoy exclusive deals and bonuses!

Clean your apartment first

Yes, we know. Every new homeowner cannot wait for the voila moment where all that should be in the house are in their place. However, clean up your apartment when it is still empty and when all the nooks and crannies are still easily accessible. You can choose to arrange for professional cleaning services, part-time household helpers, friends or family to help, or make this a couple activity to build up some teamwork.

Book movers in advance

This is where your vacation planning skills can be put to good use. This time, instead of buying tickets early to stretch your holiday dollar, book your movers in advance.

Shifting homes can be a very stressful event, and more so at the hands of rookies. Professional movers are veterans at moving bulky items in the most efficient way possible. With well-coordinated teamwork, manpower, and loading furniture into trucks like a game of Tetris, you can spare you and your partner some mental anguish.

Do remember to book movers early before the entire island rings them up to move goods – this way, you can earn yourself preferential rates.

Set up household utilities and services

When everything about moving is vying for your attention, do not forget about water, electricity and gas. Set up all your utility services with SP Services ahead of time and get that out of the way.

After hooking up to the grid, you may want to think about how you can save on electricity.

Now that the Open Electricity Market has been rolled out nation-wide, you can shop for electricity plans and take your time to choose from a myriad of plans to suit your needs. At Geneco, we have got plans to suit every kind of usage and personal commitments. Our Get It Fixed 36 is a plan surely to put your mind at ease for the next 3 years. With rates among the lowest of all electricity plans, Get It Fixed 36 allows you to secure a competitive rate for the whole length of the plan regardless of electricity tariff movements.

On top of that, enjoy a one-time $50 rebate on your bill when you sign up for our plans using the promo code POWER50 (limited to the first 5,000 sign ups). Promo ends 31 October, so hurry!

Set up internet data and home entertainment services

In our new 4G society, having access to the internet can be a huge lifesaver. Internet entertainment like Netflix can save you from being bored to death, food delivery apps like GrabFood can rescue you from starvation and being able to pay bills online quickly spare your pockets a few holes.

As such, you want to get a broadband plan as soon as you can so that you can access the world at large in the comforts of your new home. Beyond electricity services, the local telco scene has now expanded to include a few more competitors; pick and choose your preferred broadband and TV deals to your heart’s desire.

Check your apartment for defects like how you unbox a new phone

If your new home is a brand new BTO flat or condo apartment, you are entitled to up to one year to report any defects to the HDB or property developer at zero cost to you. So, hold in your excitement and thoroughly inspect every corner for cracks, leaks or other problems.

“Chope” parking spaces

Every Singaporean should know this: any space in Singapore can be subjected to the all-powerful “chope”. If you own a car, you will want to have a permanent space reserved for you to park your car at. For residents of HDB flats, you should waste no time in applying for season parking.

For condo residents, you get to enjoy a little more luxury; parking lots are usually automatically available for up to one car per household with additional lots available for purchase. Check with your property management.

2019 is a year unlike any other – it is the warmest year on record for Singapore, and Q3 is our driest yet. This year may also one of the world’s hottest year on record. It is hard to fathom who is actually going to buy Uniqlo’s autumn 2019 collection.

Nevertheless, to help us stay cool and combat the heat, we at Geneco have not only been doing our part to go sustainable, raise awareness for sustainable energy, but also gave you some ideas how to make good use of the time spent under shelter.

In this article, we go a step further to share how you can use a little creativity, artistic flair and MacGyver-esque science to cool your house naturally.

Get The Right Curtains

Many things in the house are natural heat-trappers, such as beds, cushions and even certain floor tiles. Having the right curtains and pulling them across the windows at the right time of day can reduce heat from sunlight by 30%.

When choosing curtains, opt for:

• Blackout curtains | Made of fabric that is foam-backed, opaque and extra-woven to block out light. Ideal for the bedroom and midnight shift workers.
• Reflective curtains | Reflect sun rays back out the window instead of absorbing them. Durable and cost-effective.
• Multi-layered curtains | Layered curtains are great at blocking sunlight. The layers consist of light lace for the evening and thicker layers to block out sunlight by day.
• Light-coloured curtains | Curtains with light colour not only block out heat but are also good at reflecting heat. Colours like white, cream and peaches are great while colours like black, dark green and navy blue are not.
• Fabrics that block sunlight | Cotton is great for blocking heat out thanks to its thickness, yet porous to allow ventilation. One of the best fabrics for curtains. Velvet is thick and close-weaved, meaning it is an excellent fabric for blocking sunlight.
• Lightweight blinds | If curtains are not working out for you, blinds are excellent choices that look good and work well. Usually made of plastic, aluminium or wood, blinds are not only opaque when fully shut and allows for ventilation when slightly opened, but the materials also do not conduct heat.

Cool Shades For The Home

Most new HDB come with tinted windows that help shield us some excess sunlight. However, if yours is an older flat with no tinted windows or you want more sunlight blocking, window films are relatively cost-effective for that. Make sure to get window films that are tinted adequately and has UV ray protection to maximise your home cooling efforts.

You can double it up by using UV-deflecting glass. You will want to look for features like double-glazing, low e-coating and argon fills for the best heat- and UV-blocking power.

Go Green, Literally

We don’t just mean being more environmentally conscious. Plants are the underrated champions for being effective home cooling tools that look good! Some plants that outshine others at the cooling department include:

• Ficus benjamina | keeps air moist and cool. Choose one with a tall trunk and bushy top to act as a canopy over other plants below or around it. Grouping plants together can pleasing to look at and create a natural “home cooling system”.
• Reflective curtains | Reflect sun rays back out the window instead of absorbing them. Durable and cost-effective.
• Palm | Nothing makes air more refreshing than fresh oxygen. Palm boast of large overall leaf surface area that helps it give off more oxygen.
• Mother-in-law’s tongue | The verbal prowess of an angry mother-in-law is much dreaded. However, the mother-in-law’s tongue plant is soothing both at night and day thanks to its ability to release oxygen and provide fresh relief round the clock. The leaves are also known to act as an air filter that removes airborne toxins such as benzene and formaldehyde.

Hyperventilate, But For Your Home

When saving on electricity bill and going all natural, ventilation is key. A well-ventilated home comprises of windows or doors at each end of the apartment to form an air tunnel.

If you are looking for a new home in Singapore, look out for such features. If you have just gotten your new BTO flat (congrats!) and are drawing up your interior sketches, make sure your designs optimise airflow by keeping the passages clear – stagnant air can make your home feel stuffy.

In addition, the roomier your home is, the better for air circulation. You may want to knock down some walls and enlarge spaces like the living room, where they tend to have more heat-producing electrical appliances and people.

Ceiling fans are a must for anyone who prizes ventilation. Ceiling fans are very efficient in keeping air moving around larger rooms while using less energy than the AC or multiple standing fans.

Don’t Let Your Home Become A Sauna

Singapore’s weather is not only warm but humid too – humidity can make your home feel warmer than it reads on the thermometer. To deal with the excess moisture in the air, a dehumidifier makes the air less moist to allow sweat to evaporate faster.

Cool Off Without Burning Through Your Cash

Beyond these neat tricks to stay cool, our Get It Fixed 24 and Get It Fixed 36 plans can help take the heat off your household expenditure by offering fixed competitive rates for the next few years. So rest easy, no sweat on your brows and don’t sweat on the bills.

Today’s economies, societies and human civilisation as we know it run on fossil fuel. The dependence on coal, oil and gas has given rise to an extraordinary and critical moment for the future of all who call Earth their home.

Many signs have pointed to human activities as a key contributor to a warming climate – more frequent and powerful storms, melting glaciers, receding permafrost, longer and harsher droughts, and an increased sense of anxiety across societies as hunger and thirst drive unrest and migration as a result of the chronic burning of fossil fuels, deforestation and emission of greenhouse gases by industry, just to name a few.

As noted by the global community, the need to bring about radical transformation in energy production and consumption is now more urgent than ever.

The Great Bake Off

While there are natural contributors behind Earth’s warming, there is also strong evidence suggesting mankind’s culpability. Since the Industrial Revolution began, mean temperatures have been rising, as seen in readings across the globe.

Ongoing temperature analysis conducted by NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) indicates that the mean global temperature on Earth has increased by about 0.8°C since the late 1800s, of which the majority of Earth’s warming happened post-1975 at a rate of 0.15-0.20°C per decade.

A 1°C change in average global temperature carries a different significance than when you turn up your AC by 1°C. A single degree change is significant because it takes an enormous amount of heat to warm the whole planet with its oceans, atmosphere and land. A 5°C drop is enough to plunge us all into Ice Age.

Global warming presents a whole host of serious effects, among which include:

• Glacier retreats and melting ice sheets at the poles threaten natural habitats and cause sea levels to rise, endangering coastal societies and low-lying landmasses
• Fiercer and more frequent extreme weather like floods, droughts, heatwaves, cyclones and storms make expose societies and ecology to greater vulnerability
• Warming oceans do not trap CO2 well, becoming less effective as a heat sink; also leads to acidification of the oceans, threatening marine life such as corals.
• Droughts and floods threaten crops and livestock, endangering food supply
• Drives human migration and can create cause for social and political unrest

Time Is Running Short

According to a report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), global temperatures could reach an irreversible tipping point in just 11 years if the global community fails to significantly reduce the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere and curb its release.

The researchers found that human-caused CO2 emissions need to reduce by half of 2010 levels before 2030 to avoid the worst and permanent effects of climate change. Quick, far-reaching and radical changes in every part of society will be needed to achieve that goal.

However, despite the growing consensus, the deployment of sustainable energy technologies and infrastructure has been slow and frustrated. In many cases, they are impeded by conflicts of national, economic and social interests around renewable energy installations such as wind turbines and solar farms. An example of how even differing views and priorities on environment protection can frustrate clean energy deployment is the upstream challenges faced by hydroelectric dam constructions, in which protecting wildlife and promoting clean energy can be at logger.

Singapore Does Its Part

In Singapore, we face uphill challenges in deploying renewable energy technologies no thanks to our small landmass, lack of fast-moving bodies of water and generally gentle winds.

Despite that, Singapore manages to make its mark in transforming our energy sector to be cleaner, environmentally conscious and more self-reliant, as well as transforming its citizens’ mindset to support sustainability and use energy wisely.

As described in our previous article, Singapore has deployed various sustainable energy solutions to chip in into the fight against climate change. With solar panels installed around the island such as on HDB rooftops and lamp posts, and a floating solar farm in the works, Singapore sees a bright future ahead in solar energy.

Doing our part, our parent company YTL PowerSeraya has already jumped onto the solar bandwagon with solar photovoltaic panels installed at our Jurong Island plant. In addition, we at Geneco provide our customers the ability to offset their carbon footprint and achieve net-zero greenhouse contribution.

The liberalisation of the energy market in Singapore has also motivated energy companies to research innovative ways to supply and retail energy to maximise profits and align with Singaporean’s gradual mindset shift towards sustainability. At Geneco, our plans are examples of how we are partnering our customers to be clean and green:

• Get Sunny plan allows users to consume 100% clean energy
• Get It Green plan offsets users’ carbon footprints as a result of their energy usage with carbon credits that help fund eco-projects

Moving Towards The Right Direction

It is evident that as more people become aware of climate change, demand for green alternatives increases and so do their tolerance for the inconveniences that come from a still-maturing industry. We see how public pressure has motivated fast-food chains to ditch plastics, retailers to use recycled materials, political parties to campaign on green issues and governments to adopt environmental policies.

The race for sustainable energy is for everyone. As more people are coming to terms with the fact that their ways of life fall short in investing wisely for the future of the planet, the sense of urgency to find solutions to address climate change grows. This then creates new demands, new opportunities in the market, and new hope for the future of our climate.

2019 is on track to become one of the hottest years for Singapore and it was predicted to be so as early as March. Not only is the island baking, Earth is experiencing heatwaves sweeping across the planet too.

Singapore’s climate all year round can be so warm that we may just forget there are four seasons in a year. All we get is summer on this sunny island and while people in colder countries fly south for the winter, Singaporeans fly north to cool off. However, flying to a country with cooler climates is no cheap affair, and there is only so many vacation days you and your family can take.

We have compiled a list of wallet-friendly, fun-filled and relationship-building things you can do to keep yourselves cool without burning through your bank account:

1. All hail Netflix

Someone please nominate Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph for a Nobel Prize already, for bestowing upon mankind the power to watch (and binge-watch) our favourite shows and movie titles all in the comforts of our crib. Bonus points to you if you have got a high definition TV and surround sound to turn your home into a theatre.

A starter kit to some of the popular shows and genres:

• Educational documentary: Chasing Coral
• Childhood favourites relived: The Magic School Bus Rides Again
• Mind-blowing science fiction: Black Mirror
• Sci-fi with a little scare: Stranger Things
• Political thriller: Designated Survivor

Pssst…..An average 42″ high-definition TV uses around 80 Watts of electricity per hour, which translates into just 1 cent on our Get It Fixed 24 plan!

2. Board games to keep boredom at bay

If there is any credit to the heat, it is that it incentivises people to stay home. So, please do not let it go to waste by not seizing the opportunity to have your loved ones come around and enjoy some competitive fun!

If you have lost touch with your younger days where your clique would book a table at The Minds Café or Settlers Café, here are some board and card games ideas fun for all in the family:

• Nothing gives you constant mood swings (the fun kind) between adrenaline rush and the relief quite like Jenga. Pit your concentration skills and dexterity against one another and celebrate your opponent’s downfall.
• An all-time classic, Uno is the ultimate card game for endless fun fuelled by vengeance. In some kind of twisted way, you and your family members can build bonds by ‘sabo-ing’ each other with Draw-Two and Draw-Four cards and form temporary alliances against each other before ending them in betrayal.
• The Singaporean Dream is the perfect conversation starter and excuse of a game to ask awkward questions about one’s ambition. With character cards that depict stereotypical caricatures of different occupations assigned to players, each player must overcome other players’ political games and amass ‘dreams’ to win the game. Great way to motivate your kids to think about their dreams and talk about them!

3. Cook and bake together

Nothing unites Singaporeans more than our love for food and nothing tastes as good as home-cooked food. When everyone has a hand in preparing tonight’s dinner (literally), it gets even better.

Cooking together as a family is one of the ways family members build working relationships with one another. Go shopping for groceries together, discover and educate ingredients together, delegate roles in the kitchen and enjoy the fruits of everyone’s labour together.

Tip: It’s now possible to eat healthy and be kind to the environment, by buying organic, homegrown herbs and vegetables grown right here on the rooftops of Singapore’s high-rises. Watch our Changemakers video on ComCrop, and learn about how they are doing the planet a whole lot of good, the fresh, tasty way.

4. Spin the globe, virtually

Ok, so physically leaving the country may not be possible at this juncture, but you can still discover the world in your own home thanks to the Google Earth’s camera men.

‘Visit’ your favourite destination at a click of the finger and take ‘snapshots’ of the sights and scenery. Discover new places and things in the countries that are not on your immediate to-go list but are still worth checking out.

Just a bonus for you to kickstart your curiosity, type in 35.70407437075822, 139.5577317304603 in the Google Earth search bar and select street view.

5. Nurture the inner Picasso

While the heat is not painting a very good picture for the climate, you and your loved ones can paint masterpieces together! Revisit old favourites like Art Attack or learn a trick or two from Bob Ross on how to create artistic pieces. Let the kids explore every inch of their creative brains and unleash the Da Vinci in them.

Just a word of advice: if your kids are using paint brushes for the first time, go for watercolour – they are easier to clean in case of unbridled artistic mayhem.

Keep Cool With Our Cool Plans

While you and your family hole up at home with the AC on, your smart TV playing your favourite shows and the kitchen at full capacity for a dinner feast, we’ve got your electricity bill covered with some of the most competitive plans.

Staying home and staying cool has never been this fun and fruitful. Whether you are looking for the best plan to suit your energy needs or enjoy your home’s comforts without contributing to climate change, we are here to #powerthechange.