Understanding Sustainable Shopping

Sustainable shopping involves purchasing decisions that minimise environmental impact across a product’s lifecycle. The article illustrates several key challenges:

1. Supply Chain Opacity: The author discovered that supposedly sustainable products may have hidden environmental costs, such as shipping from Spain.
2. Disconnect Between Values and Policies: Brands marketing sustainability while implementing wasteful practices (requiring product destruction for returns).
3. Research Burden: The significant time investment needed to verify truly sustainable options.
4. Economic Constraints: The author’s $240 purchase represented a significant investment for someone early in their career.

Ethical Consumption Framework

Ethical consumption extends beyond environmental concerns to include:

1. Labour Practices: Fair wages and safe working conditions.
2. Animal Welfare: Humane treatment throughout production.
3. Material Sourcing: Responsibly harvested or created materials.
4. Waste Management: End-of-Life Considerations for Products.

The article references “The Good Place” to highlight the moral complexity of modern consumption—how buying even a simple tomato involves numerous ethical considerations most consumers never see.

Singapore-Specific Context

Singapore faces unique sustainability challenges:

1. Import Dependency: With limited natural resources, Singapore imports most consumer goods, creating an inherent carbon footprint.
2. Urban Density: Limited space means fewer local production opportunities, but excellent public transportation.
3. Climate Vulnerability: As a low-lying island nation, Singapore faces disproportionate risks from climate change.
4. High Consumption Culture: Shopping is deeply embedded in Singaporean culture, with numerous malls and online shopping platforms.

The author’s solution of focusing on locally available products (either made in Singapore or already imported) represents a practical adaptation to these constraints.

Practical Approaches for Singaporean Consumers

Building on the author’s experiences, sustainable shopping in Singapore can include:

1. Buy Local – Support Singapore-based designers and manufacturers to reduce shipping impacts.
2. Regional Focus – When local options aren’t available, prioritise Southeast Asian brands to minimise shipping distances.
3. Second-hand Markets – Utilise Singapore’s robust second-hand ecosystem (physical thrift stores and online platforms).
4. Quality Over Quantity – Invest in durable items that won’t need frequent replacement.
5. Digital Detox – Remove shopping apps and unsubscribe from marketing emails to reduce the likelihood of impulse purchases.

Recommended Ethical Retailers in Singapore

Local Fashion Brands:

• Matter Prints: Ethically made, artisanal textiles with traditional prints
• Esse: Minimalist clothing using sustainable materials
• Source Collections: Basic essentials made with organic materials
• The Eco Project: Upcycled and eco-friendly fashion items

Second-hand Platforms:

• Carousell: Singapore’s leading peer-to-peer marketplace
• Style Tribute: Curated second-hand luxury items
• Refash: Quality pre-loved fashion
• Retykle: Second-hand children’s clothing

Sustainable Lifestyle Stores:

• The Social Space: Multi-concept store with eco-friendly products
• Unpackt: Singapore’s first zero-waste grocery store
• Scoop Wholefoods: Package-free bulk food store
• The Green Collective: Multi-brand marketplace for sustainable products

Local Artisans:

• Chinatown traditional tailors (as mentioned in the article)
• Marine Parade wet market jewellers
• Golden Mile Complex for traditional Thai crafts

Moving Beyond Individual Actions

The article touches on an important point: individual actions alone can’t solve the climate crisis. Sustainable shopping is just one aspect of a much larger system requiring policy changes and corporate accountability.

For Singaporeans, this might mean:

1. Supporting government initiatives like the Singapore Green Plan 2030
2. Engaging with community sustainability groups
3. Providing feedback to businesses about sustainability practices
4. Advocating for stronger environmental regulations

The author’s journey illustrates that sustainable consumption isn’t about perfection but about making increasingly informed choices within our personal constraints. In Singapore’s context, this means striking a balance between practicality and principle while working toward broader systemic change.

Sustainable Living Guide for Singapore

Sustainable Retail Options

Fashion & Apparel

1. Zerrin – Multi-brand platform focusing on ethical fashion with transparent supply chains
2. Style Theory – Fashion rental subscription service reducing the need for ownership
3. Sowing Room – Clothing repair and upcycling studio teaching garment care skills
4. Bamboo Straw Girl – Sustainable lifestyle products, particularly zero-waste alternatives
5. Whispers & Anarchy – Handcrafted accessories using reclaimed materials

Home & Lifestyle

1. The Sustainability Project – Curated eco-friendly products for everyday use
2. Sigi Skin – Clean beauty brand with sustainable packaging
3. The Fragment Room – Recycles broken items into art pieces
4. Neis Haus – Eco-friendly home goods and plastic alternatives
5. Trove of Gaia – Handcrafted natural skincare and household products

Sustainable Food Options

Grocery & Produce

1. Unpackt – Singapore’s pioneer zero-waste grocery store
2. Scoop Wholefoods – Bulk food store with package-free shopping
3. Little Farms – Ethically sourced produce and speciality foods
4. Quan Fa Organic Farm – Local organic vegetable farm with delivery
5. Citizen Farm – Urban farm using closed-loop farming systems
6. Just Dabao – App connecting consumers with unsold food at discounted prices
7. Treatsure – Platform to rescue surplus food from hotels and restaurants

Community Supported Agriculture

1. Edible Garden City – Urban farming initiative with produce subscription
2. Citiponics – Vertical urban farm at HDB carpark rooftops
3. Bollywood Veggies – Farm-to-table concept with educational tours

Sustainable Dining

Farm-to-Table Restaurants

1. Open Farm Community – Restaurant with on-site garden
2. Poison Ivy Bistro – Located within the Bollywood Veggies farm
3. The Summerhouse – Collaborates with local and regional farmers
4. Scaled by Ah Hua Kelong – Seafood from local kelongs (fishing farms)

Zero-Waste Dining

1. Silo – First zero-waste restaurant concept in Singapore
2. Grain Traders – Focus on responsible sourcing and composting
3. Afterglow – Plant-based restaurant minimising food waste

Plant-Based Options

1. VeganBurg – Plant-based fast food concept
2. Whole Earth – Peranakan-Thai vegetarian cuisine
3. nomVnom – Vegan burger cafe with biodegradable packaging

Sustainable Crafts & DIY

Workshops & Classes

1. Repair Kopitiam – Community-based repair workshops.
2. The Handmade Movement – Artisanal craft workshops using sustainable materials
3. Soilboy – Composting workshops and kits
4. Terra SG – Upcycling workshops and environmental education
5. Aesthe – Natural dyeing workshops using food waste

Craft Supplies

1. The General Co – Sustainable crafting materials and tools
2. Paper Carpenter – Cardboard furniture and décor kits
3. Sew Into It – Rescued fabric remnants for crafting
4. Materium – Recycled materials for artistic projects
5. The Art Faculty – Art supplies made from sustainable sources

Upcycled Craft Communities

1. Retaso – Filipino community creating products from textile waste
2. Sustainable Living Lab – Maker space focusing on circular design
3. Blessings in a Bag – Craft activities using donated materials

Unique Singapore-Specific Sustainable Shopping

1. HDB Rooftop Urban Farms – Community gardens selling produce directly
2. Kampung Kampus – Permaculture site with regular eco-markets
3. Singapore Really Really Free Market – Monthly gift economy event (no money exchanges)
4. Sungei Road Green Market – Pop-up second-hand market
5. SG Food Rescue – Volunteer group redistributing “ugly” produce

Integrating Sustainable Practices

1. Start Small – Begin with accessible changes like bringing reusable bags
2. Community Engagement – Join local sustainability groups like Green Drinks Singapore
3. Repair Culture – Utilise neighbourhood repair services instead of replacing items
4. Digital Resources – Use apps like Carousell for second-hand purchases and SusGain to locate sustainable businesses
5. Knowledge Sharing – Participate in sustainability workshops at community centres

The beauty of sustainable living in Singapore lies in its ability to connect with traditional practices, such as wet market shopping with reusable containers, while embracing innovation. By supporting these businesses and initiatives, consumers can help create demand for more sustainable options throughout the island.

Sustainability at the National Library Board: A Model for Resource Sharing

The Sustainability Impact of NLB’s Borrowing System

The National Library Board (NLB) of Singapore represents one of the most accessible and impactful sustainability systems in the country, though it’s rarely framed in environmental terms. Let me analyse why borrowing from NLB embodies sustainability principles:

Resource Efficiency & Sharing Economy

1. Maximised Usage Ratio: A single book can be read by hundreds of people over its lifetime, dramatically reducing the per-person resource footprint compared to individual ownership.
2. Extended Product Lifespan: Library books are constructed with more durable bindings and materials than many consumer editions, and the library system includes repair infrastructure to maintain them for a more extended period.
3. Reduced Storage Demands: In land-scarce Singapore, libraries offer an alternative to home storage, thereby reducing the need for larger homes and furniture to accommodate personal collections.

Reduced Environmental Impact

1. Paper Conservation: While a single book requires paper production, distributing that environmental cost across hundreds of readers significantly minimises the impact.
2. Reduced Carbon Footprint: Centralised distribution reduces the carbon emissions associated with individual shipping of purchased books.
3. Digital Resources: NLB’s extensive eBook and audiobook collections, accessible through platforms like Libby and Overdrive, eliminate the need for physical materials entirely.

Accessibility & Social Sustainability

1. Economic Accessibility: Free borrowing promotes equal access to knowledge regardless of financial means.
2. Digital Inclusion: The NLB Mobile app and eResources make sustainable reading accessible even to those who can’t physically visit libraries.
3. Knowledge Preservation: Libraries preserve materials that might otherwise go out of print, enhancing cultural sustainability.

System-Level Efficiency

1. Strategic Resource Allocation: NLB’s data-driven acquisition decisions ensure resources are directed toward materials with the highest demand.
2. Continuous Circulation: Materials are rarely idle, resulting in near-continuous usage rates that private ownership can’t match.
3. End-of-Life Management: When books reach the end of their library lifetime, NLB has established recycling channels and book donation programs.

Recommendations for Books on Sustainable Living Available at NLB

Singapore-Specific Titles

1. “Eating Chilli Crab in the Anthropocene”, edited by Matthew Schneider-Mayerson
   Examines environmental challenges specifically within Singapore’s context
2. “Sustainable Singapore Blueprint”
   Government publication outlining Singapore’s environmental goals and initiatives
3. “Living with the Oceans: The People of Singapore and the Sea” by Kwa Chong Guan
   Explores Singapore’s relationship with marine resources and conservation

Practical Sustainability Guides

1. “Zero Waste Home” by Bea Johnson
   The definitive guide to reducing household waste, with many strategies applicable to Singapore’s urban environment
2. “Sustainable Home” by Christine Liu
   Room-by-room guide to creating an environmentally friendly HDB or condo
3. “Simply Living Well” by Julia Watkins
   Natural recipes and DIY solutions for cleaning, personal care, and home

Climate & Environmental Understanding

1. “How to Avoid a Climate Disaster” by Bill Gates
   Practical solutions and technologies for addressing climate change
2. “The Sixth Extinction” by Elizabeth Kolbert
   Pulitzer Prize-winning exploration of humanity’s impact on biodiversity
3. “The Hidden Life of Trees” by Peter Wohlleben
   Fascinating insights into forest ecosystems and their importance

Food Sustainability

1. “Waste Not: Make a Big Difference by Throwing Away Less” by Erin Rhoads
   Practical strategies to reduce food waste in daily life
2. “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle” by Barbara Kingsolver
   Chronicles a family’s year of local eating with applicable lessons for Singapore’s import-dependent food system
3. “The Omnivore’s Dilemma” by Michael Pollan
   Explores the food systems that sustain us and their environmental impacts

Social Sustainability & Minimalism

1. “Goodbye, Things” by Fumio Sasaki
   Japanese minimalism with practical applications for Singapore’s space constraints
2. “The Day the World Stops Shopping” by J.B. MacKinnon
   Examines consumer culture and alternatives to consumption-driven economies
3. “Doughnut Economics” by Kate Raworth
   Reimagines economic models to balance human needs with planetary boundaries

Enhancing Your NLB Sustainability Experience

Digital-First Approach

• Use the NLB Mobile app to browse, reserve, and renew books
• Explore NLB’s extensive eBook collection through Libby/Overdrive
• Access digital magazines through PressReader

Sustainable Library Visits

• Combine library visits with other errands to reduce transportation emissions.
• Use public transportation or walk to reach your local library
• Bring your own bag for carrying borrowed items

Community Engagement

• Join NLB’s reading groups focused on environmental topics
• Participate in sustainability workshops frequently hosted at library branches
• Utilise library spaces for community sustainability meetings

By fully leveraging NLB’s resources, Singaporeans can access a wealth of sustainability knowledge while practicing resource sharing—one of the most fundamental sustainability principles. The library system itself serves as a model for what sustainability looks like: shared resources, extended product lifespans, and equitable access.

Sustainable Living Practices for Singapore Homes

Smart Water Management

Conservation Techniques

1. Five-Minute Showers: Install a shower timer and challenge yourself to finish within 5 minutes
2. Thimble Tap Aerators: Inexpensive devices that reduce water flow while maintaining pressure
3. Shower Buckets: Collect cold water while waiting for hot water to use for plants or cleaning

Water Recycling

1. Simple Greywater Systems: Redirect washing machine rinse water to toilet cisterns
2. Rain Barrels: Install at HDB downspouts (with proper permissions) for plant watering
3. Dishwater Reuse: Collect final rinse water for initial cleaning of the next batch of dishes

Energy Efficiency

Cooling Strategies

1. Strategic Fan Placement: Position fans to create cross-ventilation rather than relying solely on air conditioning
2. Window Films: Apply heat-reducing films that block UV rays while allowing light
3. Blackout Curtains: Install during peak sunshine hours to reduce heat gain
4. Air Conditioner Maintenance: Clean filters monthly and set timers to turn off automatically

Appliance Management

1. Smart Power Strips: Eliminate phantom power usage from devices on standby
2. Refrigerator Settings: Keep at 4°C (refrigerator) and -18°C (freezer) for optimal efficiency
3. Full Loads Only: Run washing machines and dishwashers only when full
4. Air-Drying: Use natural ventilation or drying racks instead of clothes dryers
5. LED Lighting: Replace all bulbs with energy-efficient LEDS

Waste Reduction

Kitchen Practices

1. Composting Options:
   • Bokashi systems for HDB apartments
   • Indoor vermicomposting for food scraps
   • Community garden composting partnerships
2. Food Storage Optimisation:
   • Silicone food covers instead of plastic wrap
   • Glass containers for leftovers
   • Proper produce storage techniques to extend freshness
3. Zero-Waste Cooking:
   • Create vegetable stock from scraps
   • Use citrus peels for cleaning solutions
   • Regrow vegetables from kitchen scraps

Household Waste Management

1. Systematic Recycling: Set up clearly labelled bins for paper, plastic, metal, and glass
2. E-waste Collection: Utilise NEA e-waste recycling points at community centres
3. Textile Recycling: Donate to Movement of the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore (MINDS) or the H&M recycling program
4. Creative Reuse: Transform glass jars into storage containers and old t-shirts into cleaning rags

Sustainable Consumption

Mindful Shopping

1. Shopping Lists: Plan purchases carefully to avoid impulse buying
2. Bulk Buying: Purchase staples in larger quantities to reduce packaging
3. Package-Free Shopping: Bring containers to wet markets and bulk stores
4. Digital Detox: Delete shopping apps and unsubscribe from promotional emails

Sustainable Home Products

1. Natural Cleaning Solutions:
   • White vinegar and baking soda for most cleaning needs
   • Citrus-infused vinegar for more challenging jobs
   • Coconut coir scrubbers instead of plastic sponges
2. Plastic-Free Alternatives:
   • Bamboo toothbrushes and compostable floss
   • Beeswax wraps instead of plastic wrap
   • Solid soap bars and shampoo bars in cardboard packaging

Space Optimization

Multi-functional Design

1. Vertical Gardens: Utilise wall space for herbs and small vegetables
2. Furniture with Storage: Choose beds, coffee tables, and ottomans with hidden storage
3. Foldable Furniture: Items that can be tucked away when not in use

Home Organization

1. Regular Decluttering: Schedule quarterly sessions to identify unused items
2. One-In-One-Out Rule: For every new item that enters your home, donate or recycle one item
3. Borrowing Network: Create a system with neighbours to share rarely-used items

Community Engagement

Neighborhood Initiatives

1. Repair Cafés: Host or attend community repair events
2. Lending Libraries: Set up book exchanges or tool-sharing programs in your block
3. Shared Gardens: Participate in community garden initiatives on HDB rooftops

Digital Community

1. Local Buy-Nothing Groups: Join Facebook groups for giving away and receiving free items
2. SG Food Rescue: Connect with food rescue initiatives to reduce waste
3. Sustainable Living Meetups: Participate in skill-sharing workshops

Singaporean Context Adaptations

Working with HDB Constraints

1. Balcony Gardens: Utilise railing planters and vertical systems
2. Corridor Plants: Create small gardens in HDB corridors (following town council guidelines)
3. Light Shelves: Install reflective shelves below windows to direct sunlight deeper into rooms

Dealing with Climate

1. Natural Ventilation: Strategically open windows during cooler hours
2. Humidity Management: Use calcium chloride dehumidifiers instead of electric models
3. Solar-Powered Options: Small solar chargers for mobile devices

Measuring Progress

Tracking Systems

1. Utility Monitoring: Record monthly electricity, water, and gas usage
2. Waste Audit: Conduct quarterly assessments of what you’re throwing away
3. Carbon Footprint Calculators: Use SP Group’s app to track your household emissions

Setting Goals

1. Incremental Changes: Focus on one area at a time rather than overhauling everything
2. Family Challenges: Create friendly competitions to reduce waste or energy use
3. Visual Indicators: Keep charts or graphs showing progress in visible locations

By implementing even a handful of these practices, Singapore households can significantly reduce their environmental impact while often saving money and creating healthier living spaces. The key is to start with changes that feel manageable and build sustainable habits over time.

Zero-Waste Dinner Recipes for Singapore Homes

These recipes are designed to minimise food waste by using whole ingredients and repurposing scraps that would typically be discarded. Each recipe includes tips for utilising typically wasted parts of ingredients.

1. Root-to-Stem Vegetable Curry

Makes use of vegetable parts typically discarded

Ingredients:

• 1 bunch of carrots with tops
• 2 broccoli stalks with leaves
• 1 cauliflower with leaves and stem
• 2 potatoes with peels
• 1 onion with skin (for stock)
• 3 cloves of garlic with skins (for stock)
• 2 tablespoons curry powder
• 1 can of coconut milk
• Salt to taste

Preparation:

1. Separate carrot tops, broccoli leaves, and cauliflower leaves. Wash thoroughly.
2. Make a quick vegetable stock: Simmer onion skins, garlic skins, and tough vegetable trimmings in 2 cups of water for 20 minutes, then strain.
3. Chop all vegetables, including stems and leaves.
4. Sauté chopped vegetables in a pot with a bit of oil.
5. Add curry powder and stir to coat the vegetables.
6. Pour in coconut milk and 1 cup of your fresh vegetable stock.
7. Simmer until vegetables are tender.
8. Finely chop carrot tops and tender cauliflower leaves, and stir in at the end.

Zero-waste notes:

• Carrot tops become a herb-like garnish
• Broccoli stems are peeled and diced for the curry
• Onion and garlic skins flavour the stock
• Potato peels add texture and nutrition

2. Whole Chicken Rice with Soup

A Singapore classic with a zero-waste approach

Ingredients:

• 1 whole chicken
• 2 cups rice
• Ginger (with skin)
• Garlic (with skin)
• Green onions (entire stalk)
• 1 bunch leafy greens (like bok choy or kangkong)
• Cilantro stems and leaves
• Salt and white pepper

Preparation:

1. Remove the giblets from the chicken (set them aside for stock).
2. Stuff the chicken cavity with half the ginger (unpeeled, sliced) and green onion tops.
3. Poach whole chicken in water with remaining ginger until cooked through, about 45 minutes.
4. Remove chicken, save poaching liquid.
5. Cook rice in some of the poaching liquid.
6. Shred chicken meat for serving with rice.
7. Make soup: Return chicken bones and skin to the poaching liquid.
8. Add chicken giblets, vegetable scraps, and cilantro stems.
9. Simmer for 30 minutes, strain.
10. Add leafy greens to the soup just before serving.
11. Serve the chicken with a ginger-scallion sauce made from the remaining scraps.

Zero-waste notes:

• Chicken bones and skin create rich stock
• Giblets add flavour to soup
• Cilantro stems are used in stock
• Poaching liquid becomes both rice flavouring and soup base
• Ginger skin adds flavour and then composts

3. Frittata with Vegetable Stems and Bread Crusts

Perfect for using leftovers

Ingredients:

• 6 eggs
• 1 cup chopped vegetable stems (broccoli, cauliflower, kale)
• 1 cup stale bread crusts, cubed
• 1/4 cup cheese rinds, grated
• 1 onion, including papery layers
• 2 tablespoons oil
• Salt and pepper

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 180°C.
2. Soak the bread crusts in a bit of water, then squeeze them dry.
3. Heat oil in an oven-safe pan.
4. Sauté the onion, including some of the papery layers, until soft.
5. Add chopped vegetable stems, cook until tender.
6. Beat eggs with salt and pepper.
7. Add soaked bread and grated cheese rinds to eggs.
8. Pour the egg mixture over the vegetables in the pan.
9. Bake for 15-20 minutes until set.

Zero-waste notes:

• Vegetable stems become the star ingredient
• Bread crusts act as a binder and add texture
• Cheese rinds melt into the eggs for flavour
• Onion’s papery layers add sweetness

4. Banana Leaf Fish with Citrus Peel Seasoning

Using fruit peels as aromatics

Ingredients:

• 2 whole fish (like sea bass or tilapia)
• 2 banana leaves (often discarded from fruits)
• 2 lemons or limes, zested then juiced
• Ginger scraps from other cooking
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon honey
• Vegetable scraps (carrot tops, celery leaves)

Preparation:

1. Clean the fish, but keep the head and tail intact.
2. Mix citrus zest, juice, ginger scraps, soy sauce, and honey.
3. Stuff the fish cavity with vegetable scraps.
4. Wrap fish in banana leaves.
5. Steam for 15-20 minutes until the fish flakes easily.
6. Remove vegetable scraps before serving.
7. Serve with rice.

Zero-waste notes:

• Banana leaves that would usually be discarded become serving vessels
• Citrus peels provide intense flavour before composting
• Fish head and tail create a complete presentation
• Vegetable scraps infuse flavour during cooking

5. Watermelon Rind Stir-Fry

Transforming a commonly discarded food

Ingredients:

• Rinds from 1/4 watermelon, green skin removed, white part diced
• 1 tablespoon fermented bean paste or soy sauce
• 2 cloves garlic with skins (remove skins before cooking, use for stock)
• 1 thumb ginger with skin (peeled, use skin for stock)
• 1 tablespoon oil
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• Chilli flakes to taste
• 1 stalk green onion, entire plant

Preparation:

1. Remove the tough green skin from the watermelon rind, keeping the white part intact.
2. Dice the white rind into small cubes.
3. Heat oil in a wok.
4. Stir-fry garlic and ginger until fragrant.
5. Add watermelon rind cubes, stir-fry for 3-4 minutes.
6. Add bean paste/soy sauce, sugar, and chilli flakes.
7. Cook until rinds are tender but still crisp, about 5 minutes.
8. Garnish with chopped green onion.

Zero-waste notes:

• Watermelon rinds become the main ingredient
• Garlic and ginger skins go into the stock collection
• The entire green onion is used

6. Pasta with Wilted Greens Pesto

Rescuing slightly past-prime vegetables

Ingredients:

• 250g pasta
• 2 cups slightly wilted greens (spinach, basil, kale, or a mix)
• 1/4 cup nut or seed pieces (broken bits from the bottom of the container)
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice (from squeezed lemons)
• Hard cheese rinds (for flavouring pasta water)
• Salt and pepper

Preparation:

1. Boil pasta in water with added cheese rinds.
2. Meanwhile, blend wilted greens, nuts or seeds, garlic, oil, and lemon juice.
3. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
4. Toss hot pasta with pesto and a splash of pasta water.
5. Season with salt and pepper.

Zero-waste notes:

• Wilted greens become a flavorful sauce
• Broken nuts/seeds get repurposed
• Cheese rinds flavour the pasta water
• Pasta water helps the sauce adhere to the pasta

7. Coconut Husk Nasi Lemak

Using every part of the coconut

Ingredients:

• 2 cups jasmine rice
• 1 whole coconut
• 2 pandan leaves (reserve stems for steaming)
• 1 cucumber, including seeds and ends
• 2 eggs
• Sambal (can be made with leftover chilli stems)
• Peanuts with skins
• Dried anchovies (ikan bilis)

Preparation:

1. Extract coconut milk from fresh coconut.
2. Keep coconut water separate for drinking.
3. Cook rice with coconut milk, pandan leaves, and a pinch of salt.
4. Clean the coconut husk, and use it as a serving bowl.
5. Slice the cucumber, including the skin and seeds.
6. Boil eggs (use the water for watering plants after it has cooled).
7. Toast peanuts with skins intact.
8. Serve rice in a coconut husk with accompaniments.

Zero-waste notes:

• The entire coconut is used
• Coconut husk becomes a biodegradable serving vessel
• Pandan stems add aroma during steaming
• Cucumber seeds and ends are included
• Egg cooking water becomes plant fertiliser

Kitchen Scrap Collection Tips

To further enhance your zero-waste cooking:

1. Freezer Stock Bag: Keep a bag in your freezer for vegetable scraps, herb stems, and bones.
2. Citrus Vinegar: Soak citrus peels in white vinegar for two weeks to create a cleaning solution.
3. Herb Stem Oil: Blend tough herb stems with oil to create flavorful cooking oil.
4. Bread Crumb Collection: Keep a container for stale bread to make breadcrumbs.
5. Vegetable Regrowth Station: Set up a small container to regrow scallions, lettuce, and celery from root ends.

Remember that truly zero-waste cooking is an ongoing practice. Begin with one recipe and gradually incorporate additional techniques as you become more comfortable with this sustainable approach to cooking.

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