Almost 8 million tonnes of waste is produced in Singapore annually, with only 61% of it being recycled. This puts a lot of stress on our resources which could be better diverted to other social and environmental issues.
Though the issue may seem huge, we’re firm believers in the power of collective effort - everyone has a part to play in alleviating the negative impact on our environment.
Our earlier what’s in my bag (part 1) article highlighted the simple ways we can switch up our habitual usage patterns - reusable tote bags instead of single-use bags, reusable bottles instead of single-use cups.
Today, we’re back to share with you more eco-friendly items you could consider part of your daily bag essentials - to become an active contributor to a zero waste society!
Reusable straws
You may think: ‘Hey, I always throw them in the recycling bin!’. Unfortunately, because plastic straws are so small and lightweight, they often slip through sorting machines at the recycling facility and end up in landfills or the sea.
Straws have become one of the most commonly found pollutants in the ocean that’s killing marine life: fish, turtles, dolphins, whales, seals and even seabirds. There’s also a high chance that these plastics have entered the food chain, when unintentionally consumed by sea animals, and later by us in the form of microplastics. Who’d have thought a small plastic tube could have such a deadly environmental impact.
That’s why it’s important to always have an eco-friendly straw on hand. Choose from stainless steel or bamboo straw options which are light and take up almost negligible space in your bag. Most sellers would also include a handy brush cleaner so you can clean on-the-go!
Reusable lunch box & utensils
Perhaps the most bulky of them all, but great for reducing the usage of single-use styrofoam boxes, plastic containers and plastic utensils when taking away food.
Using a reusable plastic container is fine - the key here is to eliminate single-use - but make sure to look for those that are labelled ‘BPA-free’. Ever heard of the old wives tale that heating food up in the microwave kills its nutrients? Studies have shown, however, that it’s actually a myth! What we should be worried about is microwaving food in plastic containers that are not Bisphenol A (BPA) free, as this can cause reproductive issues in men and women and affect the development of a babies.
Alternatively, look for containers and utensils made from glass, steel or bamboo. If it’s too heavy to keep in your bag 100% of the time, try to at least keep it in the office or have one in the home so that you are always prepared.
Menstrual Cup
Ladies have we piqued your interest? For those who’ve never heard of the menstrual or period cup, this might be a game changer for you. This is the eco-friendly alternative to tampons or pads.
Menstrual cups, which are usually made from medical-grade silicone or latex, can be inserted for up to 12 hours and can be reused throughout your period. These can last you for about 10 years and would actually save you money in the long-term as it’s relatively inexpensive at SGD $30 to $40.
Think about how many pads or tampons you use per cycle and multiply that by a year, and then the lifetime of your period. In addition to that enormous amount of waste produced, cotton production is also a water intensive process, and, non-organic versions probably contain questionable chemicals and pesticides that you don’t want anywhere near your lady parts!
A menstrual cup is thus better for the body and can prevent abrasion and irritation usually caused by pads or tampons. We’re also glad to know that it degrades back to its original state at the end of its lifespan, making it less hazardous to the environment.
What’s your next step? Where can you find these products?
As part of SaladStop!’s Bring Your Own (BYO) campaign and mission to eliminate single-use plastics, we’ve made available stainless steel straws, collapsible food containers and portable cups for purchase at our outlets. What’s more, we’ve put in place little incentives everytime you bring in anyone of these reusable items!
But we’re not alone in this journey toward sustainability. We’re happy to share a list of other F&B outlets and businesses that also offer incentives for the eco-friendly customer as part of Zero Waste SG’s Bring Your Own (BYO) Singapore movement.
We officially challenge YOU to give 1 or 2 reusable products a try and see how it works out for you.
To clarify, rabbits eat only hay and grass, food pellets, and some fruits and vegetables.
When most people think of healthy food, an image of bland salads, steamed vegetables and green smoothies is conjured up. It’s a common misconception of healthy food that turn many away.
Healthy food can taste good, and yes, it is possible to crave healthy food. It’s all about variety of flavours, ample seasoning, fresh ingredients and a little bit of cooking skill. Palettes can be trained, but we are not about force feeding you vegetables that you inherently detest (no celery please!). It’s about discovering new ingredients, flavours and food combinations, and seeing how your body responds to them.
If you’ve been hesitant about switching over to healthier eating habits, then this is the post you need to read.
For the purpose of this article, we define ‘healthy’ foods to include chemically unprocessed and unrefined foods: lean meats, seafood, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds, and healthy fats like olive or avocado oil.
It Tastes Bland
Salads are usually the victim of this kind of accusation. And, it’s true to an extent. Some vegetables are naturally lacking in flavour like lettuce or cucumber. This is where ingredient variety and use of herbs, spices and alliums come in. Seasoning is key!
Cooking techniques can also make a huge difference. Roasting/grilling vegetables is not only a great way to incorporate flavours from seasonings, this method of cooking also caramelises the natural sugars in vegetables to bring out their sweetness - changing the taste and texture of some ingredients (eg. sweet potato and capsisum) that may be less palatable raw.
For salads (which usually consist of raw ingredients), natural dressings are the solution. Drenching your salad in high-fat, artificially flavoured dressings totally defeats the purpose! At SaladStop!, we serve up tasty and healthy dressings like the Thai Turmeric and Smoked Pimento Vinaigrette which are light, but full of flavour.
It’s Boring!
Combine a whole bunch of ingredients with different flavour profiles and ‘pow!’ u get a medley of flavours in your mouth. Grain bowls with a balanced mix of lean meats, vegetables and healthy grains can easily be customised for your dietary requirements and taste preferences, and are utterly delicious and filling!
The vibrant colours from fruits and vegetables also makes eating a visual delight, while being nutritious at the same time. This is due to the phytochemicals found occurring naturally in plants which serve as powerful antioxidants, boost immune function, and reduce the risk of diseases and cancers. Hence the phrase: ‘Eat the Rainbow!’.
It’s Not Satisfying
We’re talking about satisfying your physiological hunger and daily nutritional needs.
Theoretically speaking, healthy foods provide greater food satiety as they tend to be be high in fibre, water, complex carbs, lean protein and healthy fats. A satisfying, nutrient-dense meal should include foods like fruits, vegetables, leans meats, fish, eggs, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds.
But then you may ask, ‘What if I need to satisfy my sweet tooth or emotional food cravings?’. Well, there are tons of healthier sweet or savoury options that can do this.
If you’ve ever tried a avocado chocolate mousse (which is available at SaladStop! outlets) you’d know how satisfyingly indulgent it is. Look for items that provide natural sweetness from fruits (eg. bananas and dates) or use honey and maple syrup which has a lower-GI and more minerals and nutrients than processed white sugar. On the savoury side, air-fried kale chips/brussel sprouts with a pinch of himalayan sea salt or roasted rosemary garlic chickpeas are fantastic snacks!
It Doesn't Give You Sufficient Nutrients
These days, healthy food is commonly misinterpreted as being vegan or vegetarian with a rise in the vegan movement and environmental concerns in our society. If you are indeed a vegetarian, especially a vegan, you would need to pay more attention to getting sufficient protein, iron, calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B12, and omega-3 fatty acids, usually in the form of supplementation.
In fact, vegan food can actually be unhealthy especially if you are eating deep fried vegetables and highly-processed, refined and sugar-laden foods like cakes and cookies.
This brings us back to our earlier definition of healthy foods. As long as you adopt a largely plant-based diet but still consume foods like poultry, meat, fish and some animal products like eggs you should be getting all the nutrients you need.
Just remember, focus on consuming a variety of foods and eat everything in moderation for an all rounded nutritionally balanced meal!
When living in a food mecca like Singapore, the whole experience of eating is almost akin to a religion; devoting yourself to the pursuit of good food, building connections through shared eating ‘rituals’, and using food as a means to attain happiness or a sense of well-being.
What you decide to put into your body may seem like a very individualistic and rational choice, but we often underestimate the extent to which our eating behavior is influenced by external factors such as culture, society, the media, and the environment we live in.
We might think we eat healthy - when we dine alone or are in easy access of nutritious meals - but you may well be surprised to find out the reasons why you don’t seem to be losing those extra few pounds or pesky love handles!
Eating is a Social Activity
Photo by rawpixel on Unsplash
Food and eating is ubiquitous in Singapore with every little occasion (eg. birthdays, anniversaries, promotions etc.) being an excuse to try that new hipster cafe or trendy upscale restaurant. There's just something about bonding over a spread of hearty delicious food that warms the soul and invites new conversations.
Studies have shown however, that we tend to eat more in a group setting, than if we were eating alone; perhaps due to a prolonged eating duration, lack of attention to how much you’re actually eating, and excitement to sample as many dishes as possible - #FOMO (fear of missing out).
Often, we also adapt our regular or preferred dietary choices to be congruent with that of friends or family in order to avoid judgement, fear of not ‘fitting in’, or because of peer-pressure to conform to the eating patterns of others.
Tip: We’re all for indulging in a bit of junk food once in a while - we’re only human! Just be more aware of what you are putting in your mouth, how much you’re eating, and if you are eating for your own enjoyment, or for the enjoyment of others.
Background, Culture & Ethnicity
Photo by Gor Davtyan on Unsplash
Forming the basis of our eating habits growing up, the food that we’re brought up with may subconsciously influence our food preferences as adults; from what foods we find appropriate, preferable and palatable, to how often and how much we eat.
This is also largely influenced by our culture, ethnicity and religion which uses food as a means to express identities and pass down traditions. Overtime, generations come to recognise these foods as familiar, comforting and part of everyday diet, even if those foods are high in unhealthy fat, cholesterol, and sugars.
As our eating habits are deeply entrenched, it’s no wonder why it’s so difficult to alter them later in life. Any alteration would require a long-term disciplined approach and a change in values and attitudes toward food.
Tip: Embrace your culture and heritage! If you are doing the cooking, change up recipes by reducing fat, sugar and salt, but keep the flavours distinct to the dish. You can also practice better portion control and take small steps in working toward healthier eating habits and incorporating a larger variety of nutrient-dense foods into the meal.
Conclusion
At SaladStop!, our movement to Eat Wide Awake is not just about knowing where your food comes from and how the food production cycle impacts the welfare of others and the environment. It is also about understanding how and why we eat, and the social factors which directly or indirectly influence our eating habits and patterns.
With all this information at our fingertips, we can then begin to eat and live more mindfully!
In January 2018 - we pledged our support of vegan diets - by introducing a campaign: Meatless Mondays. This was then carried onto our current campaign - Go Green Everyday.
Huh, what’s that?
At SaladStop!, ordering one of our vegan bowls/salads entitles you to an extra free topping. Beyond Me, Spring Me to Life, Go Geisha, The Earth bowl, or create-your-own - the options are endless.
What’s the fuss?
The impacts of meat consumption are dire - on climate change, water conservation, deforestation, waste, species extinction, fisheries, land use, world hunger, and many more.
From: cowspiracy.com
Did you know? In just one day of being vegan, you could save: half of your carbon footprint, 1100 gallons of water, 45lbs of grain, 30sq ft of forest, 10lbs of carbon dioxide, and one animal’s life!
We take that very seriously.
SaladStop! is more than just a brand. We are a movement that believes eating should respect not just our bodies, but also take into consideration the environment around us - the food chain and more. Recognizing the positive impact that vegans have on our environment, we understand that it is our responsibility as a food provider to do our part. We have increased vegan options in our stores - The Beyond Meat burger patty, Cauliflower Patty, and Plant Protein Patty. We believe that by pushing forward a weekly switch to vegan diets - we are feeding the mind, body, soul (and environment!) and doing our best to motivate.
We’re hopeful.
Only going vegan for a meal at SaladStop! may seem like a small effort - so why push it?
We believe that these small efforts are crucial. Big, positive change starts with small actions, it starts with everyone doing their part. Though we recognize that our community has a long way to go, we want to be one of the catalysts of positive change. So no matter how big or small the effort, to truly make an impact on the environment, our home - we hope to inspire.
Join our movement today.
Convinced yet? But feeling lost on what’s your next step? We hear you.
To put it simply, a vegan diet essentially avoids all animal products - including meat, eggs, and dairy. Though vegan diets have been proven to be healthier overall, the same rule applies: it is important to ensure that all meals are balanced. For example, though meats are largely deemed as good sources of protein, vegans should ensure they switch to plant-based sources of protein: greens, legumes, grains, vegetables, nuts and seeds.
For some general tips on going vegan:
Have a vegan mentor, research how to get the essential nutrients by going vegan
Always read the label of items and check the ingredients
Familiarise yourself with recipes
Focus on vegetables and wholegrains - they provide more fiber
Consume variety, and balance your diet in each meal
Go vegan slowly, and at your own pace
Always carry snacks with you like nuts, dried fruits or homemade treats.
So, for your health, the animals, water, wildlife, the rainforest, our entire planet, our home - do your part and switch to a vegan diet, even if it’s just for a day!
With the popular YouTube tag ‘What’s In My Bag?’ receiving thousands of views a day, we thought we’d join the club and do our own version for the sustainable consumer!
We humans have an uncountable number of products that we use and go through everyday. But we seldom stop to think about where waste goes ‘to die’ after we are done with it. Most of us are happy to assume that it just disappears and is taken care of by the ‘waste fairies’.
The reality is that almost 8 million tonnes of waste is produced in Singapore annually, with only 61% of it being recycled. This puts a lot of stress on our resources which could be better diverted to other social and environmental issues.
So, how can we help? It all starts from changing our habitual usage patterns, and where better to begin than diving right into our bags!
Consider including these eco-friendly items as part of your daily bag essentials, and become an active contributor to a zero waste society:
Tote bag / Reusable bag
This is a pretty easy one to start with. There are many lightweight, durable, reusable (and fashionable!) shopper bags or tote bags available in the market that you can easily keep in your bag. Does anyone else get that undeniably satisfying feeling from whipping out your reusable bag and rejecting that piece of plastic? Maybe it’s just us.
And, you might not even have to buy it yourself! Stores often give out tote bags for free during promotional giveaways, or in the form of a goodie bag from events, conferences and fairs. These come in super handy when grocery shopping or shopping in general.
The amount of plastic bags given out in Singapore is truly excessive, with shops or stores readily giving out plastic bags whenever an item is purchased. Plastic bags can take up to 1000 years to degrade, and in that time, countless wildlife and marine life are harmed, and unhealthy toxins released into the air. It’s time to make a change!
Reusable bottles / Coffee cups
If each of us buys 1 beverage every single day for a year, we would be throwing away 365 disposable cups/bottles in a year. Multiple this by the whole country, and you would get more than 2 billion cups sitting in a landfill!
Just think of how much waste you could reduce if you had a reusable bottle or cup. In response to a call for more sustainable products, manufactures have started to produce light, portable and even collapsible models which can easily be tucked inside your bag.
There’s absolutely no excuse for buying bottled water or beverages in plastic cups anymore. What’s more, tap water in Singapore is perfectly drinkable!
Now you may ask, where can I get these eco-friendly products?
As part of SaladStop!’s Bring Your Own (BYO) campaign and mission to eliminate single-use plastics, we’ve made available collapsible cups and drawstring bags for purchase at our outlets. What’s more, we’ve put in place little incentives everytime you bring in anyone of these reusable items!
But we’re not alone in this journey toward sustainability. We’re happy to share a list of other F&B outlets and businesses that also offer incentives for the eco-friendly customer as part of Zero Waste SG’s Bring Your Own (BYO) Singapore movement.
We officially challenge YOU to give 1 or 2 reusable products a try and see how it works out for you.
The guy who has been whipping up a storm in the SaladStop! kitchen for the past 9 years tells us how he operates in a kitchen, if he ate his vegetables growing up, and his secret late-night pleasures...
1) When did you know you wanted to be a chef?
After working at more than 10 different jobs, I found that working in the kitchen allowed me to cook and try many different foods.
2) Did you eat your vegetables growing up?
Yes, when i was a kid. We lived in a kampong, so most of the vegetables on our dinner table was from my mum's garden patch.
3) Describe a typical work day for you as the head chef of SaladStop!.
It's a never ending list. I've to do R&D for new recipes, work on the layout designs for our kitchens and outlets, arrange for kitchen equipment purchase and repairs, conduct reviews with suppliers on product purchases, manage the Central Kitchen, conduct training for existing or new recipes and do food cost calculations. And this is not just for Singapore but often for our overseas outlets as well!
4) How do you come up with so many different salad recipes?
Based on my experience working with different flavours and ingredients in a multi-cuisine kitchen, as well as listening to the customer's feedback and comments.
5) What's your inspiration?
Eating as many different foods as I can! I also try to be more imaginative and experiment with different combinations of ingredients.
6) Explain to us how quality standards are maintained in your kitchen.
It's important to design and arrange the kitchen environment & work flow processes with efficiency in mind. I also make sure to provide staff with adequate instructions, information, proper recipes, training and supervision.
7) What do you enjoy most about working at SaladStop!?
Hearing when my food is well received by customers all over the world.
8) What type of food do you like to cook at home?
Local dishes from Singapore and Malaysia such as Chilli Crab, Bak Kut Teh, and Fried Hokkien Noodles.
9) If you were a vegetable, what vegetable would you be and why?
CHILI – you either like or dislike it.
10) What do you think is the most challenging ingredient to work with?Seafood. It needs to be fully cooked through but not over done.
11) Favourite kitchen equipment or gadget and why?
The Chinese Wok is good for quick and fragrant dishes. I also like the Charcoal Grill for that smokey BBQ aroma.
12) We don't eat healthy all the time. What's your guilty pleasure?
Having a late night supper! It differs depending which country I'm in at moment; Singapore for Bak Kut Teh with rice; Hong Kong for roasted goose with beer; Korea for Korean BBQ or fried chicken with beer; Malaysia for Roti Canai (Prata); Philippines for Sisig with beer.
You might have heard that we are donating all the funds from our bio-degradable plastic bag initiative to ACRES. The funds assist in supporting the Wildlife Rescue Van Fuel.
ACRES 24-hr wildlife rescue team handles over 800 calls a month on average, and spends over 16 hours on the road tending to wildlife in distress islandwide. They rescue around 300 wild animals every month, and release over 100 animals back to the wild, while the rest may need longer time to recover and rehabilitate before release. This team is the most resource-intensive department and fuel costs for the van alone reaches slightly over $1,000 a month.
We will continue to support ACRE’s cause through our continuous effort to reduce plastic consumption.
Plastic waste is the most common form of waste found at Singapore’s incineration plants. It’s in the surrounding oceans and has even made its way into our food chain. We are committed to doing our part to change this. But reducing plastic waste is a bottom-up effort, and we’re going to need all the help we can get!
Although our current salad bowls are made of 80% recycled plastic, we know that no plastic is better than even conscious-plastic. SaladStop! are therefore jumping on the BYO train, in one of many efforts to guide us all down a more environmentally-friendly track.
As of Monday, 9th July, all of our stores will operate a ‘Bring-Your-Own-Bowl’ policy. Rewarding you with 1 free topping as thanks for your environmental stewardship. No need to worry about the shape of your container, as our team will still make your salad in our big porcelain bowls. Just make sure there’s enough space in your container to fit it all in at the end!
To save the environment, the animals, and ourselves, join us in the effort to reduce single-use-plastic consumption.
Did you know that hundreds of micro plastics are lurking in your disposable plastic water bottles? As the risk of such contamination remains unclear, we have released an alternative to your average bottle: the ’Alkaline Water Box’. On sale at all outlets, for just $2.50, these hold 500mL just like the other plastic bottles on our shelves. So, help us help you stay hydrated, healthily.
One very simple change can make a very big difference if we all make a conscious choice not to use plastic!
Straws are usually used for a few minutes then discarded. Once in the environment, the plastic never degrades but breaks into tiny particles that harms the wildlife in the ocean.
We want to further support this initiative and are piloting this project by offering metal straws which will soon be available at all outlets in hope to reduce the use of single use plastic. This is one of many initiatives that SaladStop! undertakes in making a positive change to the environment.
If you bring back your metal straw and cup we will give you a $1 OFF all our smoothies!
Living in Singapore, it is really easy to forget that we share this little island with so many animals. On the one hand, it is disheartening to know that we are often the direct cause of distress to these animals but on the other hand, however, it is inspiring to hear that organisations, such as ACRES, are trying to help.
We got the chance to spend the afternoon with the team at ACRES and help with some of the tasks on hand like putting enclosures together, planting trees and participated in the one hour class room session about animal welfare and how we can all make a difference as individuals by making small changes in our daily lives.
At the end of the day, it is education that can help change the situation for animals in Singapore and in the region.
Repackaging our degradable bags as vehicles of positive change
All proceeds from the sale of our degradable bags goes to ACRES, an environmental welfare organisation in Singapore that rescues and rehabilitates animals confiscated from the illegal wildlife trade in Singapore. A charge of 10 cents for the bags would raise awareness, deter consumption of plastic bags and help to reduce environmental costs.
We hope that this one small change can bring about a significant positive impact - by possibly reducing the number of plastic bags that are taken in our stores, by getting our customers to be more conscious about their use of plastic, and hopefully by encouraging customers to start carrying their own reusable bags. So, help us make a positive change by refusing our degradable plastic bags or by bringing your own reusable bag.
Happy Friday! Let your hair down and feast with friends! Thanks for the amazing shot @gofoodjakarta !👏 #Repost @saladstopid (@get_repost) ・・・ Regram @gofoodjakarta: Hidup sehat dimulai hari ini, jangan ditunda-tunda lagi! Kata siapa makan sehat nggak enak? Cobain dulu @saladstopid sekarang! #SaladStop #SaladStopID #GOFOODinaja #GOFOODbyGOJEK #GOFOODJakarta
Let’s AVO good time! Substitute your dressing by squishing some avocado and mixing it into your salad. Toss it with salt and pepper and enjoy! #saladstop #saladstopjp #saladstopid #saladstopspain #saladstopkorea #saladsotpph #eatwideawake #trustfoodagain #eatwideawake #farmtobowl
Would you consider becoming Vegan for a day a week your new years resolution?
Every day a vegan saves:
1,100 gallons of water
45 pounds of grain
30 sqft of forested land
One animals life!
