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3 Easy Ways to Live a Minimal Waste Lifestyle

Photo: Aldo Delara on Unsplash

According to the National Environment Agency (NEA), Singapore threw away a total of 7.70 million tonnes of solid waste in 2018. And they all went to our sole landfill, Semakau Landfill which is located 8km south of our sunny island. 

The bad news: It is estimated that by 2035, there will be no space left to contain our refuse in the Semakau Landfill. This means it’s important for all of us to start thinking about how much waste we produce every day, how we can minimise our waste, and work towards a zero-waste Singapore. 

More companies are doing their part too. FairPrice, for example, has recently rolled out a pay-per-use for plastic bags at selected stores. McDonald’s has also vowed to cut down its single-use plastics at selected outlets.

So, if you’re keen in tweaking your lifestyle habits to go green, consider the following ways that I’ve personally tried (trust me, it’s not that difficult). 

Photo: Hayden Ng

1. Carrying a reusable food container in my bag

I’ll admit it — I don’t always remember to bring my container out with me. When I do, I’ll use it to pack takeaway meals such as the lunch I bought at Wheat Baumkuchen last week (pictured).

Bonus: The Marina One branch that I frequent offers a free topping for customers who bring their own containers for takeaways.

Photo: Hayden Ng

2. Bringing a shopping bag when I’m out

My friend gave me this foldable Baby Baggu bag and since then, I’ve always brought it with me when I’m out and about. Besides using it to hold my groceries and other purchases, I also use it as my lunch bag.

You can get yours from eco-friendly online store Rally Rally here.

Photo: Hayden Ng

3. Keeping a reusable cup in my office

When I’m buying my Teh Si Kosong in the morning, I’ll try to make sure that I bring my reusable cup with me. By doing so, I can help to reduce single use plastics that are often given out at the coffee shops.

The one that I’m using now is from KeepCup and you can get yours here. Psst, it’s on sale now so be quick!

#keepcup #keep cup #baggu #recycle #zero waste #singapore #plastic #plastic free

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What to Do in Bangkok (Besides Eating & Shopping)

Photo: Hayden Ng 

Bangkok has recently taken over Paris and London to become the world’s most popular city according to Channel NewsAsia. Yasss! After all, the Thai capital is undoubtedly every shopaholic and foodie’s paradise. I mean, just look at the legions of shopping malls, cafes, night markets, street food stalls... it’s no wonder travellers from all around the world keep going back to Bangkok for more.

Admittedly, I did lots of eating and shopping during my recent trip to Bangkok. But I also squeezed in time for some other activities. If you’re keen to find out what else you can do in (and outside of) Bangkok, keep reading!

1. Go for a workout in Bangkok 🥊

I know what you’re thinking, “Exercise while you’re holidaying? Crazy!” But trust me, all the eating in Bangkok will cause lots of stress on your waist (and weighing scale). To avoid that, consider spending some time at the gym. 

When I was in Bangkok, I climbed out of bed at 8am one morning (better than nothing right), took a Grab and headed to the Virgin Active gym at Siam Discovery. Checking in was a breeze; I just had to show the staff my membership card, complete my registration and I was ready to change into my workout gear. And since it’s located within a mall, the reward after the sweat sesh was... an afternoon of shopping — hooray!

Photo: Instagram/@classpassth

Don’t have a gym membership? Don’t worry. Just sign up for ClassPass and check out the studios around your hotel. From spinning to boxing, you’ll be spoilt for choices when you’re on the ClassPass app. Some of the studios that are on ClassPass include Absolute You, Pilates Plus, Tribe and more.

To check out ClassPass, click here. Psst, they’re offering a complimentary 7-day membership for first-timers so be quick!

Virgin Active Siam Discovery is at สยาม ดิสคัฟเวอรี่ 989 ศูนย์การค้า Rama I Rd, Khwaeng Pathum Wan, Khet Pathum Wan, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10330, Thailand. For Google Maps location, click here.

Facebook — @virginactivethailand Instagram — @virginactivethailand

2. Enjoy Japanese style onsens ♨️

Photo: Panpuri Wellness

After a long day of shopping, I’m sure your body and soles are aching. The solution? Head to Panpuri Wellness at Gaysorn Tower for a dip in their onsens. The luxurious spa has five onsens for you to enjoy; other facilities include a wellness bar, wellness studio (for classes such as tai chi, yoga and HIIT), relaxation lounge and private onsen rooms. 

I’m especially impressed by its clean facilities and welcoming staff. Upon registration, you’ll be given a Panpuri tote bag which has towels and a set of clothes to change into if you wish to head to the lounge later. Amenities like combs, hair dryers, deodorants, hair gels and skincare products are also available for visitors to use at the changing area.  

💡 Learn more about onsen etiquette here.

Before heading off, don’t forget to check out Panpuri’s range of beauty products including hair treatment masks, facial serums, body balms and more. Fans of clean beauty will be glad to learn that Panpuri’s products are free of harmful ingredients (a whopping 2,300 questionable nasties are out of their products’ ingredients lists).

Photo: Facebook/@panpuriofficial

The onsen pass is priced at THB 750 but you can get it at a cheaper rate (SGD 27) by using Klook. I’ve used the Klook app for some of my travel bookings and I must say that it’s very user-friendly and confirmations are almost instantaneous. They definitely deserve a thumbs up! 👍 

Panpuri Wellness is at 12th Floor, Gaysorn Urban Retreat, Gaysorn Village Ploenchit Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330 Thailand. It opens from 10am to 11pm daily. For Google Maps location, click here.

Facebook — @panpuriofficial Instagram — @panpuriofficial 

3. Book a day tour  🚌

Photo: Hayden Ng

My friend recommended me to check out the historic city of Ayutthaya, a UNESCO World Heritage site. As one of Thailand’s oldest cities, Ayutthaya promises a visual and education treat with its abundance of temples, sacred statues and rich history. 

I booked a day tour using Klook and it costed me SGD 40.45. The best part about Klook is that it gives credits to users when they complete their purchased activity; these credits can then be used to offset your next booking with Klook. 

Oh, and if you leave a review, you’ll get to earn extra credits. So if you haven’t tried Klook before, check it out here. PS: This is not a paid endorsement, okay. I genuinely like using it. 

#bangkok #thailand #panpuri #spa #onsen #virgin active #workout #exercise #travel #ayutthaya

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Shopping at Siam Discovery in Bangkok, Thailand 🇹🇭

Photo: Hayden Ng

Siam Discovery is one of my favourite shopping malls in Bangkok, Thailand. I like it for its wide selection of mens- and womenswear, lifestyle and beauty brands including Club 21, Converse, Stella McCartney, Marni and many more.

Above all, I love that Siam Discovery has a floor dedicated to eco-friendly products. Called Ecotopia, the space houses over 1,000 products from more than 100 brands. If you’re a fellow environmentally conscious shopper, read on!

One of the most interesting brands at Ecotopia is Sackitem by Thai designer First Thanarak Worarithanont. His creations, consisting of backpacks, wallets, totes and more, are made using recycled concrete bags. So if you're looking for uniquely designed bags, wallets and pouches, Sackitem is your go-to!

Photo: Siam Discovery

What I Bought

I had lots of fun checking out lifestyle and food items there. Here are two items that I bought from Siam Discovery’s Ecotopia during my recent Bangkok trip.

1. A pulse point roller ball by Thai beauty brand, About Herbs

Whenever I need a quick pick-me-up during the day, I’ll reach for this Water Balm blend and rub it on my wrists. It has a strong herbal aroma which frankly, isn’t for everybody. But I love it because it helps to calm my nerves and fend off any bad stench in the office, train or wherever I go.

Check out About Herbs here.

Photo: Hayden Ng

2. A rice bag tote (which I suspect is made from recycled rice bag) by unknown

Its bright and bold colours caught my attention at first and when I picked it up, I was surprised to find how durable it looked despite its lightweight material. I’ve been using it for work for a while now and although I love it for its eye-catching design, I have to say that the ink runs and causes stains on my hands whenever I rest them on the bag for awhile. 

Still, it makes a great Insta-worthy recycling bag. 

Photo: Hayden Ng

Going Green for the Future

I also like that the shopping centre encourages shoppers to adopt a green lifestyle (very important because climate change is real). Below is a recent No Bag For Good campaign by Siam Discovery.

Photo: Siam Discovery

That’s not all; Siam Discovery holds regular pop-ups and currently, there’s a section dedicated to Oregon born label, Hydro Flask. Check out the brightly lit bottles below! Bonus: The brand uses BPA-free and recyclable materials to produce its line of double-wall vacuum flasks, keeping your beverages safe for drinking as well as hot or cold for hours. 

Photo: Facebook/@siamdiscovery

If you’re travelling to Bangkok this month, don’t miss the art exhibition titled ‘In The House’ by Japanese illustrator, Hikaru Matsubara. If you’re not, check out his Tumblr here.

Photo: Instagram/@sandomistudio

Siam Discovery is at 989 Rama I Rd, Khwaeng Pathum Wan, Khet Pathum Wan, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10330, Thailand. It opens from 10am to 10pm daily. For Google Maps location, click here. 

Facebook — @siamdiscovery Instagram — @siamdiscovery

#bangkok #thailand #travel #siam discovery #hydro flask #shopping