How to reduce your carbon footprint during the MCO period

We are entrusted with the responsibility of looking after the world we live in by leading a more environmentally-sustainable lifestyle.

On Earth Day today, we take a look at what the effects of Covid-19 and the MCO are having on the environment. Here's how we can continue to help the planet heal while staying at home.

Also read: Blue skies, less waste: Covid-19 and the MCO's effects on the environment

Shopping

• Bring along your own reuseable bags when you go to buy groceries or other essentials.
• Buy food and condiments in bulk to reduce packaging and trips to the store. It’s also cheaper. If you have extra, do contactless barter trading with your neighbours.

Food

• Cook your own food rather than ordering delivery to minimise packaging.
• If you take away meals, bring your own reusable containers – whether it is for food, drinks or soup – so that you can minimise single use disposables.
• Drink more filtered water rather than packet, bottled or canned drinks – it’s healthier too.
• Avoid junk food and prepare healthy snacks that don’t have packaging.
• Use cloth towels instead of paper kitchen towels (or toilet paper!) when cleaning kitchen surfaces or drying tableware.
• Use airtight sealable containers Instead of plastic wrap when you store leftover food.
• Avoid single-use cutlery and containers.
• Turn non-animal food scraps into compost.

Home

• Use LED light bulbs at home. They consume less electricity and are also cooler.
• Set a timer for the air-conditioning or if you can stand the heat, use the fan instead.
• Climb stairs instead of taking the lifts if you live in a high-rise. It’s good exercise too.
• Use natural daylight rather than artificial light where possible to save on your electricity bill. For example, place your desk near the window.
• Turn off all electronics and lights when not using to conserve energy and save on your electricity bill.
• Start a garden project in your balcony during the MCO period.

Working from home

• If you’re working from home, set your laptop to standby instead of using screen savers which consume a lot of energy.
• Digitise – save paper and don’t print out everything.
• Use refillable instead of single-use pens.