The expectation of sustainability is everywhere these days, and more than being just a marketing buzzword, it signals a shift in consumption habits and the collective realisation of our responsibility towards our environment and our fellow Earth dwellers, as well as a growing demand for products that align with our shifting values.
But adopting a sustainable lifestyle doesn’t have to cause a seismic change to the way you live your life. By making successive considered choices, it’s possible — and even easy — to live responsibly without sacrificing creature comforts or conveniences.
And a retail destination such as Raffles City Singapore makes it a breeze to get the best of both worlds. Here’s a guide to living your best sustainable life.
Coffee as a force for good with Nespresso
Fixing coffee may be more impactful on the environment than you realise. If you’ve ever felt conflicted about the amount of trash generated in the process of preparing coffee, you’ll be glad to know that not all coffee systems are made equal.
Coffee capsules by Nespresso are made from aluminium, which is infinitely recyclable, so they not only protect the freshness, quality, and taste of the coffee, but also help reduce the environmental impact associated with mining.
Nespresso has also invested in a local recycling program — One Pod At A Time — where used coffee grounds are then given a second life at local farms as compost to grow organic vegetables.
The newly launched Vertuo Next range by Nespresso also plays a part in cutting resource use. The machines are made from more than 50 per cent recycled plastics, and its recyclable packaging is made out of 99.5 per cent recycled material. And the two-minute auto shutoff and 30-second heat-up time work together to reduce energy use — just icing on the sustainability cake.
Reduce plastic and glass wastage while keeping your complexion fresh and clean
Skincare offers a world of opportunity for living in an environmentally responsible way. Besides choosing products that are ethically sourced, organic or of natural origin, you could opt for products with packaging that doesn’t wind up in landfills.
Packaging recycling is the name of the game at Aesop, which has launched a partnership with Sembcorp — the Rinse and Return initiative. Customers can return empty, clean glass or plastic containers and aluminium tubing to Aesop stores, where they’ll be collected and transferred for recycling.
Each Aesop container collected results in a $1 donation to support Zero Waste SG, which advocates for the circular economy.
To facilitate recycling, Aesop designs its products with packaging sustainability in mind. Glass and aluminium containers are preferred, while products intended for use while travelling or in wet environments are housed in recycled PET plastic containers. Bottles are manufactured with at least 97 per cent recycled material.
Care for the environment while tucking into a wholesome brunch
Industrial-style agriculture is one of the largest contributors to changing the landscape, so our eating habits could have a subtle but cumulatively profound effect on the environment. Having the option to make responsible food choices makes living sustainably just that much easier.
Dining establishments that source premium ingredients from ethical and sustainable providers ensure that top food quality and being environmentally responsible aren’t mutually exclusive: Sustainably farmed or fished seafood, free-range chicken, ethically farmed eggs and grass-fed beef can easily be found on the menu at the newly launched The Providore. What’s more, 60 per cent of its menu dishes are vegetarian or can be made vegetarian, and plant-based or vegan options are offered as much as possible.
Even the water served is in on the sustainability game. Raffles City Singapore’s The Providore outlet features the restaurant network’s latest sustainability initiative, Nordaq Water, which replaces the exisiting sparkling or still water options. In an effort to reduce reliance on single-use glass bottles, the restaurant uses the Nordaq water filtration system to provide filtered still or sparkling water for just a flat fee of $2 per diner. Even better, $1 of that fee is channelled towards funding and planting The Providore Forest as a means of reducing the company’s overall carbon emissions, and also in aiding reforestation efforts in Borneo and Sumatra.
Reduce carbon emissions while zipping around town in style
Electric vehicles have come a long way, both in terms of the technology that powers them and their aesthetic appeal. You can have it both ways with a ride like the Tesla Model 3, which can now be found at the brand’s first showroom in Singapore, located in Raffles City Singapore.
The 143-sq-m space within One Assembly, a retail collaboration between CapitaLand and BHG Singapore, proudly displays the four-door sedan, the world’s first mass-market electric vehicle and the only Tesla model currently available for sale in Singapore. Make a powerful statement on the road with a car that demonstrates uncompromised safety and superb performance while signalling you’re part of the world’s transition to sustainable energy and a zero-emission future.
This article is part of a 12-part series on style, art and culture, published in collaboration with Raffles City.
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