How Seniors Can Live an Eco-Friendly Lifestyle

As an older person, one would likely have seen more changes in the climate and more extreme weather phenomena throughout their lives. It could be something really simple like the weather feeling significantly hotter throughout the year especially in tropical Singapore. Do check out this article on how to best navigate the hot and humid weather.

Other than benefits to the environment, sustainable living also brings about other benefits for seniors. Going green can help one save money by being more resource efficient, encourages an active lifestyle through physical activities like gardening and definitely helps one cultivate a sense of purpose, improving mental and emotional well-being.

When it comes to sustainable living and battling against climate change, there are many ways in which seniors can do their part. Seniors have the power to make these eco friendly lifestyle changes as a way of promoting sustainability and protecting mother Earth.

Here, we share some tips on how seniors can adopt green living, giving back to the environment one step at a time.

Purchase sustainable products on your next shopping trip

Source: Singapore Food Agency

Have you seen these green-coloured logos when you dine out? Retailers and businesses with this logo have committed to using fresher produce and supporting Singapore’s food resiliency. The Farm-to-Table (FTT) Recognition Programme was launched on 27 March 2023 to recognise food businesses in the Hotel, Restaurant and Catering (HoReCa) sector that support local produce.

Seniors can also make the conscious choice to purchase sustainable produce. Scoop Wholefoods hailing from Australia has expanded rapidly in Singapore with the increased demand for sustainably sourced food. Products they sell have been carefully selected for both its environmental and health benefits. Furthermore, the packaging is either biodegradable or made from recyclable materials and can be reused time and time again to refill in-store.

Gardening for sustainable eating

Source: National Parks

Have you always wanted to plant your own produce but unable to do so because of spatial and resource constraints? Allotment gardens are pretty much the solution – these gardens are common green spaces where gardeners can lease gardening plots to hone their skills and grow their own greens. These accessible gardens can be found in various parks, heartlands and private estates. 

Alternatively, seniors can check out community gardens which are edible gardens where the community grows a wide variety of edible plant species for either self-consumption or sharing with the community. This is a great opportunity for seniors as a form of social activity and bonding with fellow like minded individuals. Do check out this article if you’re keen on starting on gardening!

Invest in energy efficient appliances

Source: Style Degree

Start thinking about sustainable living in your homes – there are many ways to reduce electricity consumption at home whilst building a more sustainable built environment. These are easy ways that anyone, especially for seniors who can easily start inculcating these habits into daily life.

Here are some sustainable living swaps:

• Upgrade to energy efficient LED lights to reduce electricity consumption
• Reduce air conditioning usage by using fans to circulate cool air
• Install smart power strips that automatically cut off power to devices in standby mode, eliminating phantom energy drain
• Get into the habit of turning off lights and appliances when you leave a room

Reducing waste

Source: Octo Clean

In order to reduce the amount of waste that we generate, we need to start making conscious choices and realise that it is not something that can be easily changed overnight. By being more mindful of our consumption habits, we need to start avoiding single-use plastic, buying products with minimal packaging and even learning how to properly recycle.

Repurposing your old clothing is a way to reduce waste by turning your old clothes into pillow cases, floor mats and blankets etc. This is a platform for seniors to showcase creativity and relive some good memories while in the process.

Conclusion

When it comes to living an eco-friendly lifestyle, no effort is too minute. Every effort, no matter how small, would go a long way in promoting sustainability. Furthermore, this is an amazing way for future generations to learn from and carry on these sustainable practices.