How To Make A Trash Bag Using Newspaper ( No Glue, No Scissors )

Singapore uses at least 1.76 billion plastic items a year - or almost one plastic item per person per day - but less than 20 per cent is recycled, according to survey results announced by the Singapore Environment Council (SEC).

In a survey of more than 1,000 people online, the non-governmental organisation found that people in Singapore take 820 million plastic bags yearly from supermarkets.

Only 2 per cent of these supermarket plastic bags were recycled by consumers. Two-thirds were used for the disposal of waste. The average Singaporean uses an unconscionable 13 plastic bags a day.

Here's what we can do :
- making trash bins out of newspapers to reduce the use of plastic bags

- opt for eco-friendly and reusable mesh nylon bags for vegetables and fruits at the market. Shop on Qoo10.

- choose reusable microfiber pads for makeup removal to reduce the use of cotton pads. Shop on Qoo10.

- keep a reusable bag in your backpack to store your purchases and refuse their store paper bags and plastic bags.

More tips on how to reduce, reuse and recycle at the comfort of your own home.

Easy DIY Ways To Reuse and Upcycle Your Empty Perfume Bottles

Binning those pretty perfume bottles seem like such a waste when they can be upcycle to be something more useful. Put on your creativity cap and lets get going!

1. Keep old perfume bottles for decoration

• Stuff your bottle with glitter to make it a desktop-worthy decoration. Achieve the effect through glitter, glue and water as shown by Pinterest user Anina Tardif-Douglin. Hmm, that kinda reminded me of the DIY Christmas snow globe which I have done 4 years ago. 
• Floral perfume bottle is another alternative. Just insert fake flowers and gold flakes as shown here. 
• How about using it as a mini flower bud vase and placing it on your office table, with just hot glue gun and fake flowers? Check out the pretty illustration here and here.

2. DIY Reed Diffuser

• Awww..how brilliant! You can topped off with fragrance refills or create your own using a blend of essential oils mixed in sweet almond oil. Get your inspiration from here

Source : Bureka

REUSE YOUR CHRISTMAS GREETING CARDS

1) Christmas Tags - Cut those pretty pictures from your old greeting cards and recycled them into gift tags.Write your wishes on them and tag it to your Christmas gifts

2) Make new greeting cards out of the old ones - Cut the picture or scene from a used greeting card. Glue the picture onto the front of the folded piece of construction paper and write a verse inside.

3) Make a great bookmark - Cut a strip from the posterboard or thin cardboard and glue the picture from an old Christmas card onto the strip. Write a Christmas message on your strip.

4) Use it as a postcard - Cut the front picture off the used greeting card and use it as a postcard. Draw a line down the blank back, write a message on the left-hand side, and address it on the right-hand side.

5) Christmas Card Wreath - For this project you will need an embroidery hoop, a glue gun with glue sticks and at least a dozen Christmas cards. Cut the backs off the Christmas cards and lay out the cards on the embroidery hoop in a fan pattern, circling all around the hoop. Once you have found a design that you like, glue them to the embroidery hoop. Glue gun a small piece of ribbon on the back of the hoop as a hook to hang the wreath.

6) Coasters - You will need some plain wooden coasters, decoupage glue for outdoor projects and foam brushes. Cut your Christmas cards to show the designs and patterns you like the best, measuring so they fit on the coasters. Glue them down using the decoupage glue, with the foam brushes. The outdoor decoupage glue is stronger and will help protect it from liquid.

7) Christmas Tree Ornaments - You will need white glue, scissors, hole punch and ribbon. Match Christmas cards up so you have pairs of cards that you like. Decide on a shape to cut them in - stars, hearts or even just leaving them as rectangles. Glue the cards together and allow the glue to set. Once the glue has set, cut the desired shape. Punch a hole at the top of the ornament and put a ribbon through to hang it on the tree.

REDUCE, REUSE & RECYCLE AT THE COMFORT OF YOUR HOME

Reduce :

Purchase things with less packaging.
Bring a shopping bag while shopping instead of requesting for plastic or paper bags.
Use cloth instead of paper tissue for cleaning.
Minimise the use of disposable items such as disposable crockery, non-rechargeable batteries etc.
Switch off lights and electronic appliances when not in use.
Close the refrigerator door immediately after taking out necessary food, fruits or drinks etc.
Use the fan instead of air-conditioning if possible.
Turn off the water tap promptly.
Use a tumbler of water when you brush your teeth.

Reuse :

Use unwanted plastic bags to bag garbage.
Use old clothing as rags for cleaning.
Convert scrap paper into memo pads.
Pass old textbooks, story books, and toys to others.
Pass smaller size but good quality clothing to others.
Donate good quality but unwanted items to old folks' homes, charitable organisations etc.

Recycle :

Participate in recycling programme/s and deposit recyclable items into designated recycling bins.
Purchase recycled products.

Upcycle : No Crochet Braided T-Shirt Rug

Get tips from these talented crafters...on using old T-shirts to braid into an useful rug.

Source : Sewbliss713

Source : Mypoppet

Upcycle : Sew Denim Rosette Brooch

Stumbled upon Craftpassion while I was searching for some upcycling projects.

Savaged from a denim dress

Materials:

1. Hem (Double roll type) from denim clothing.
2. Strong thread (closest color to the denim)
3. Strong needle for hand sewing
4. Brooch pin

Tools:
1. Scissors

You can refer to the website above for the full pictures.

Step 1 : Cut the seam of the sleeve. We don’t need that thick seam, you can throw away or keep it for other purpose.

Step 2 : Cut along the hem line of the sleeve. Retain the sleeve, don’t throw.

Step 3 : Roll 2 rounds on the hem to make the center of the denim rosette.

Step 4 : Make a few stitches at the bottom to secure it. Use leather scrap and pliers if you find it is difficult to push and pull the needle through.

Step 5 : To make the “petals” of the rosette, simply pull the “fold” edge of the hem down to the bottom by making a stitch on it.

Step 6 : Keep pulling and stitching to create more petals as you roll the hem. Make sure you also make some stitches to the inner round of the rosette to secure all the rollings. Loosen the gripping tension of the hem a little as the denim rosette gets bigger so that the petals at the outer layer look bigger too. Continue rolling and stitching until you reach about 1″ from the end.

Step 7 : Bend the hem end away from the denim rosette and under it, sew at the bottom.

Step 8 : To make the denim rosette into a brooch, you need 2 denim leafs and a brooch pin.

Step 9 : Draw and cut 2 leafs from the balance denim fabric of the sleeve. Overlap the leafs and sew the brooch pin on them

Step 10 : Place the leafs+pin combo on the back of the rosette, stitch them to the denim rosette. Only sew on the circumference of the leaf.

Check out another upcycling project like
- DIY Fabric Storage Box using A4 print paper boxes

No Sew T-Shirt Pillow

Here's a creative yet simple way on upcycling your cushion covers without spending a dime!

Alternatively, this website explains more with pictures and text. Enjoy!

Recycle & Reuse Your Empty Toilet Paper Rolls

Storage Car Container

Desk Organiser

Organiser Cords

Seed Starter

Source : Shareably

Recycle Your Bra at Wacoal : Now till 6th Feb 17

Do you have bras that are worn out or don’t fit anymore? Well, here is a bit of good news - the Wacoal Bra recycling campaign is back! Starting from today until 6 February 2017, we’re collecting your old bras for the sole purpose of recycling them. Contribute to the well-being of the environment and recycle your old bras. How to recycle? Easy! Simply head down to any Wacoal store to drop off your old bras. Plus, receive 5 Wacoal membership points (equivalent to $5) when you do so!

Any brand of bras are accepted.

Check out the Wacoal outlets here.

Donate Clothes, Books, Accessories at ECO Bank Drive : 5th Jan to 26th Jan 17

Be a zero-waste hero by donating clean and great condition
- clothes
- accessories
- toys
- books
...to raise funds for disadvantaged children.

From January 5 to 26, drop off your preloved items at these collection points: 

- City House, Lobby
- Fuji Xerox Tower, Customer service counter level 1
- Central Mall Office, Tower Lobby
- Manulife Centre, Lift lobby level 1
- B1 Quayside Isle Management Office
- Republic Plasa, Outside restaurant Chef Icon, #01-13A
- City Square Mall, Fountain Square

Coca-Cola Recycle Happiness Machine : 24th/ 25th Dec 16 at Raffles City Shopping Mall

I thought this was a pretty awesome movement from Coca-Cola, hope other beverage companies will also embark on this campaign too.

24th - 25th Dec 16 : Raffles City Shopping Center

Note : only Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) bottles can be recycled in this machine, no matter where they came from.

Check out their facebook page to find out more.

Can This Be Recycled in the recycling bins?

Here's an article by ZeroWasteSG

Yes to Paper/Plastics/Metal/Glass

No to Styrofoam/Soft Toys/Mirror/Batteries

Refer to the list for the pictures.

Zero Waste Journey in Singapore

I have always advocate lesser use of paper bags and plastic bags from supermarkets and shopping malls and has been bringing around my trusty eco-friendly bag for weekday lunch and weekends. Friends and colleagues have marveled at my BYOB but still, it doesn't change their perceptive towards plastics.

After joining the facebook group of Zero Waste Journey, it has opened up my eyes to so much more of what we can do, as a beginner.

Reuse Your Christmas Greeting Cards

1) Christmas Tags - Cut those pretty pictures from your old greeting cards and recycled them into gift tags.Write your wishes on them and tag it to your Christmas gifts

2) Make new greeting cards out of the old ones - Cut the picture or scene from a used greeting card. Glue the picture onto the front of the folded piece of construction paper and write a verse inside.

3) Make a great bookmark - Cut a strip from the posterboard or thin cardboard and glue the picture from an old Christmas card onto the strip. Write a Christmas message on your strip.

4) Use it as a postcard - Cut the front picture off the used greeting card and use it as a postcard. Draw a line down the blank back, write a message on the left-hand side, and address it on the right-hand side.

5) Christmas Card Wreath - For this project you will need an embroidery hoop, a glue gun with glue sticks and at least a dozen Christmas cards. Cut the backs off the Christmas cards and lay out the cards on the embroidery hoop in a fan pattern, circling all around the hoop. Once you have found a design that you like, glue them to the embroidery hoop. Glue gun a small piece of ribbon on the back of the hoop as a hook to hang the wreath.

6) Coasters - You will need some plain wooden coasters, decoupage glue for outdoor projects and foam brushes. Cut your Christmas cards to show the designs and patterns you like the best, measuring so they fit on the coasters. Glue them down using the decoupage glue, with the foam brushes. The outdoor decoupage glue is stronger and will help protect it from liquid.

7) Christmas Tree Ornaments - You will need white glue, scissors, hole punch and ribbon. Match Christmas cards up so you have pairs of cards that you like. Decide on a shape to cut them in - stars, hearts or even just leaving them as rectangles. Glue the cards together and allow the glue to set. Once the glue has set, cut the desired shape. Punch a hole at the top of the ornament and put a ribbon through to hang it on the tree.

Reduce, Reuse and Recycle In The Comfort Of Your Own Home

Reduce :

Purchase things with less packaging.
Bring a shopping bag while shopping instead of requesting for plastic or paper bags.
Use cloth instead of paper tissue for cleaning.
Minimise the use of disposable items such as disposable crockery, non-rechargeable batteries etc.
Switch off lights and electronic appliances when not in use.
Close the refrigerator door immediately after taking out necessary food, fruits or drinks etc.
Use the fan instead of air-conditioning if possible.
Turn off the water tap promptly.
Use a tumbler of water when you brush your teeth.

Reuse :

Use unwanted plastic bags to bag garbage.
Use old clothing as rags for cleaning.
Convert scrap paper into memo pads.
Pass old textbooks, story books, and toys to others.
Pass smaller size but good quality clothing to others.
Donate good quality but unwanted items to old folks' homes, charitable organisations etc.

Recycle :

Participate in recycling programme/s and deposit recyclable items into designated recycling bins.
Purchase recycled products.

Upcycling Projects

Pillowcase Garment Bags
- Add slits to old pillowcases to turn them into garment bags

Tee Bags
- With a few cuts, you can upcycle a T-shirt into a casual tote. Its the perfect accessory for grocery shopping or going to the gym

Book Page Garlands
- Make garlands out of book pages to use in parties or weddings

Denim Baskets
- Create baskets out of old denim

Scented Sweater Satchel
- Upcycle them into hand-sewn scented heart satchels or filled it up with fragrant potpourri

For more cool ideas, check here. 

Washi Tape Usage

Decorate your polariods with Washi Tape. Read more about it here.

OR decorate it as part of the wrapping paper.

Read more about it here.

DIY : FOSSIL Sterling Necklace

Picture above from Fossil.

Remaking it in DIY fashion from PS I Made This

If you have keys that you do not need anymore, now you know what to do....

Uses for Your Glasses Case

General Item Container

They are the right size and build to hold loose change, spare keys, lost screws and nails. They are also the perfect size to create mini first aid kits. Sewing kits can also be contained by putting a few small spools of thread, a couple of needles, thimble, small pair of scissors, a few pins, and a very small pin cushion. Because they are small and portable, you can create many of them and stash them in different places where you may need them, such as the glove box of a car, the bathroom, the shed or the garage

Beauty and Feminine Item Containers

Hard glasses cases are suitable makeup holders. You can separate the type of makeup that you have and stash them in your purse for easy access. A mini manicure set can also be created by putting a file, nail clipper and even a mini bottle of polish inside. Cotton swabs are also useful in these containers. Glasses cases can be used as tampon or pad holders, even if they are soft glasses cases. Travel-size items like shampoo, conditioner, soap and lotion can be housed within a glasses case as well.

Kid's Items

Glasses cases are suitable for crayons. A travel crayon set can be created using a hard or soft case. Other kids' toys can be housed by a glasses case like mini figurines, marbles, small rubber balls or even portable game system cartridges. Kids can have fun customizing their case with fabric, paint, markers or stickers

Source : Ehow

Fashion Business with a Cause

Rag trade businesses that go to the aid of single mothers, abused women and also against child trafficking.

(1) Mother and Child Project
Founder : Anna Tsang, 51
Since : March 2006
Sell : Jewellery pieces, casual shirts, pants and up-market silk dresses
Price range : $29 to $150
Where : Dinky Doodles, 33 Bali Lane (2nd floor) between 1pm to 8pm
Mother and Child Project shop, Simei Care Center, 10 Simei Street 3
St Andrew's Cathedral, every first Sunday of the month
Support : Women with low education, minimal family support and children below age of 7

(2) Big Is Gorgeous
Founder : Sharmilah Begum, 34
Since : January 2006
Sell : Plus-sized pieces from XL to 8XLs, special orders for larger sizes that 8XLs
Price range : $30 to $280
Where : Big Is Gorgeous, 03-00, 20 Peak Seah Street
Support : Plus sized women

(3) Bloom Enterprise
Founder : Diana Saw, 37
Since : September 2006
Sell : Eco-friendly bags handsewn out of recycled rice bags
Price range : $9.90 to $79.90
Where : Order online on Bloom Enterprise, riverkids project or contact Marie (pansies@gmail.com)
Support : Single mothers

(4) The Singapore Shawl
Founder : Shelley Siu, 64
Since : 2004
Sell : Hand-sewn shawls and scarves
Price range : $12.90 to $1500
Where : #01-07 Singapore Flyer
Gift Shops at Ritz Carlton, Goodwood Park Hotel, Fullerton Hotel
Discover Singapore at Changi Airport Terminal 1 & 2 Departure Halls
Robinsons The Centerpoint
Robinsons Raffles City
Support : Single, retired, divorcees and retrenched women