How to be green at a party?

Ever planned a BBQ outing for your friends? I guess you might have experienced the hassle of getting one party going on. While you prepare for one, you could also spend a moment to think of a simple argument: to 'convenient' oneself or to be 'environmental friendly'.

I am sure all of us have faced this question before:
"Should I buy 50 or 100 set of plastic utensils?"

But shouldn't we also consider
"Should I buy the plastic utensils or ask around for donations or if anyone has extras unused utensils"

I strongly believe our current consumption patterns have reach the point that most of us consider question two as non-existent and rather pointless. After all, what is 1.90 SGD for 50 plastic spoons/ forks? Its peanuts to us right? Does 50 plastic spoons/ forks really help the environment? Everyone else harms the environment too, better ensure that the party looks presentable and goes smooth. Hence no point to cut down on such expenses.

Doesn't this sound all too familiar?

But did you ever realized, its the principles behind such acts? The practice of such habits to reconsider being green over convenience is critical to keeping a sustainable future for our kids. Reducing the consumption of plastics will protect the environment, one of the 3 'R's concept of reduce, reuse and recycling.

Such acts to reduce the need of purchasing small items can go along way. Others will probably be puzzled by your decisions or actions but it challenges them to think twice. The collective effort of an individual act among occasions and between people, can amount to a large reduction of harm to the environment. Furthermore, it can begin with a BBQ today, tomorrow a birthday, then a wedding. I am sure which every party you go to or organize, there are chances for you to be green, other then reducing the total number of plastics being used.

Well just one more way we can be green at parties: to reduce unnecessary wastage.

Ever wonder what happen to unfinished food at a party, unfinished spices and sauces that where used to flavor our foods or utensils that were not utilized during a party? Well most of us have been guilty of throwing them away right? So they go into the bin and then the rubbish dumps... isn't that a bit too wasteful?

So think again. Bring those unfinished food stuff home! Some hungry family member would mind having leftover food from parties and you could even use it to prepare dishes for your loved ones. The seasoning sauces could be brought home and kept in the kitchen, ready for use at the next party. And you could consolidate all unused utensils or washable utensils such as 'tongs' and containers, put them in a box, label it 'party equipment' and bring it to the next party to help out your organizing host!

Common, consider the waste you create at the parties! I am sure you can understand why we need more dumping grounds in the future, so do your part to reduce the increasing waste levels around us!

CNY parties and paper of all sorts

Happy Chinese New Year to all. And may your festive season be one of happiness and 'greeness' as well.

The Magic Box

Above is a simple reminder how we can do our part to recycle and help keep the earth green. Waste paper comes in abundant from our households. Our daily lives include the usage of paper. Wonder what happens to waste paper after we are done of it? If we do not sort them out, they probably won't be recycled and dumped into incinerators.

So if you do wish that your waste paper is recycled, Please sort them out! Well, you can also prolong the 'life' of paper by introducing methods to extent their usage. Just like above, newspapers can be used to cover table tops and replace the need to buy plastic covers. You can store some of your used magazines and make 'magic boxes' so you can dump 'waste' into them while enjoying your meals! I am sure there are many other ways. I think I would post more of such innovative ways in the future.