Yvonne Qiu – Page 2 – Singapore Green Guardians Blog

Close the Loop for Fashion for Good

In this interview, Yinling, the co-founder of Cloop, shared her journey to circular fashion and the origin story of Cloop, a circular fashion enterprise focused on reducing fashion overconsumption and helping consumers close the textile loop with solutions for unwanted textiles and sustainable shopping alternatives.

Close the Loop for Fashion for Good

—An Exclusive Interview with Yinling Tan

Featuring Singapore’s environmental advocacy and innovation, Singapore Green Guardians (SGG) had the privilege of having an insightful conversation with Yinling Tan, the co-founder of Cloop. In this interview, Yinling shared her journey to circular fashion and the origin story of Cloop, a circular fashion enterprise focused on reducing fashion overconsumption and helping consumers close the textile loop with solutions for unwanted textiles and sustainable shopping alternatives.

SGG: How did it all start for you, Yinling?

Yinling: During my time studying in the UK, I found myself ensnared in the world of online shopping, accumulating a room full of unworn clothes I didn’t need.

In 2019, upon completing my degree in Environmental Science and returning to Singapore, I enrolled in a two-month zero-waste boot camp run by Secondsguru. Our final project, coincidentally, delved into the waste produced by the clothing industry, and the findings were shocking:

The fashion industry consumes a staggering 93 million litres of water. For perspective, the water used to produce a simple pair of jeans (3,781 litres) could sustain an individual for five and a half years.
The industry also contributes to 8% of the global carbon emissions every year, which is almost as much as all the international flights and shipping combined.
Fabric manufacturing accounts for 20% of worldwide wastewater.
87% of the total fibre used to make clothes ends up incinerated or in landfills. (Quantis, 2018)

These eye-opening facts led me to reflect on my shopping habits, sparking a personal redemption arc and a commitment to champion sustainable fashion.

SGG: What did you do?

Yinling: I started to run swap events and eco-conscious campaigns. In 2020, I met my now business partner Jasmine Tuan, and we founded Cloop. Our mission is to close the loop for fashion for good. Yet, we soon realised clothes swapping had limitations—80% of donated clothes we received couldn’t be resold or swapped. Since Singapore doesn’t have its own textile recycling facility, it is difficult to track the actual textile recycling rate.

To address this, in March 2022, we collaborated with Life Line Clothing, a Malaysia-based textile recycler. Their facility collects, sorts, upcycles, and downcycles textile materials, providing a second life for textile waste.

Photo: Life Line Clothing

In July 2022, the first textile recycling bin in Singapore was launched, and a year later, we have more than 370 bins citywide and counting.

Locate Cloop Life Line Recycling Bin Near You

SGG: How much textile waste do you collect?

Yinling: Weekly, we collect up to 50 tonnes of textile waste, yet this represents only 1% of the total waste generated. Our goal is to install 600 bins across Singapore, doubling our textile waste recycling capacity.

SGG: What other initiatives does Cloop have?

Yinling: Recognizing recycling as a last resort, we stress the importance of rethinking clothing purchases, advocating for waste reduction through swapping, second-hand shopping, and upcycling old textiles.

To foster awareness and behavioural change, we conduct upcycling workshops and deliver talks to corporates and schools. With six pop-up thrift stores and regular swap events, we provide avenues for those aiming to embrace sustainable fashion. To stay updated on our events, you can follow us @cloop.sg on Instagram.

Photo: Cloop

SGG: What’s the next step for Cloop?

Yinling: Another initiative is to assist corporates in reducing textile waste through Life Line Clothing’s Upcycle4Better programme. By upcycling old textiles like company uniforms and bed linens into new products—tote bags, pouches, and cleaning cloths—we aim to help organizations achieve their sustainability goals while creating community-based job opportunities for designers and sewers.

Photo: Cloop

Celebrating the Winners of the Earthshot Prize 2023

On Tuesday (November 7th), The Earthshot Prize held its 2023 annual award at Mediacorp Theatre in Singapore. It is an initiative launched by Britain’s Prince William in 2020 to address critical environmental challenges. The award celebrated the achievements of five outstanding projects under five categories — building a waste-free world, cleaning our air, fixing our climate, reviving our oceans, and protecting and restoring nature.

Here are the five winners and their projects.

1. Protect and Restore Nature

Winner: ACCIÓN ANDINA

The Project:

Acción Andina brings together local and indigenous communities in the high Andes to collaborate on the protection and restoration of native forests and ecosystems. The initiative provides essential resources such as salary support, project and financial management, and technical training.

Impact:

Since 2018, the project has planted nearly 10 million native trees across five countries, restoring over 4,000 hectares of Andean forests and safeguarding more than 11,000 hectares of native forests from destruction.

Future Plans:

The goal by 2045 is to protect and restore one million hectares of high Andean native forest ecosystems across seven countries.

2. Revive Our Oceans

Winner: WildAid Marine Programme

The Project:

WildAid ensures marine protected areas (MPAs) worldwide continue to fulfill their conservation promises, create sustainable fishery zones, and combat overfishing threats.

Impact:

Operating in 96 MPAs across 16 countries, WildAid has improved protection for over 8,500 marine species.

Future Plans:

With a focus on expanding to 250 MPAs and coastal fishery zones in the next five years, WildAid is determined to strengthen the global efforts to conserve our oceans.

3. Clean Our Air

Winner: GRST

The Project:

GRST pioneers cleaner battery production by eliminating toxic adhesives in lithium-ion batteries and reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

Impact:

GRST’s technologies enable a 35% reduction in energy consumption, a 40% decrease in greenhouse gas emissions, and production of batteries that last 10% longer.

Future Plans:

Expanding to international markets, GRST plans to set up a manufacturing facility in Singapore.

4. Fix Our Climate

Winner: Boomitra

The Project:

Collaborating with 150,000 farmers worldwide, Boomitra focuses on improving agricultural practices to enhance soil health, increase crop yields, and sequester carbon dioxide.

Impact:

Since 2018, Boomitra has removed 15 million tonnes of CO2, with plans to provide at least US$200 million to farmers and ranchers by 2025.

Future Plans:

Boomitra is scaling their solutions internationally to help farmers improve soil health and increase crop yields. It also aims to store one gigaton of CO2 in the soil by 2030.

5. Build a Waste-free World

Winner: S4S Technologies

The Project:

S4S Technologies aids small-holder farmers in India by providing solar-powered dryers and food processing equipment, preventing unsold produce from going to waste and supporting women entrepreneurs.

Impact:

Over 100,000 farmers and 2,500 female entrepreneurs have experienced increased profits and doubled or tripled incomes since 2020.

Future Plans:

S4S aims to expand its network to one million small-holder farmers, help 10,000 entrepreneurs, and save half a million tonnes of food from waste in the next three years.

Photos: The Earthshot Prize

October Events in Singapore

October events in Singapore that help you raise awareness, take action, connect with nature, be a part of the environmental movement, and meet like-minded people.

1. The Conscious Festival 2023

Time: 12:00 p.m. Friday, October 13^th – 7 p.m., Sunday, October 15^th

Place: South Beach Tower, 38 Beach Road, Singapore, 189767

Organiser: Green is the New Black

Description:

The Conscious Festival 2023 is an experiential event that focuses on the future of humanity in relation to climate, technology, and environmental consciousness. Through music, art, talks, workshops, and community building, it aims to raise awareness and help people adopt a more sustainable lifestyle.

Find more details about the festival here.

2. East Coast Beach Plan Cleanups

Time: 9:00 a.m., Friday, October 13^th; 9:00 a.m., Friday, October 20^th; 9:00 a.m., Friday, October 27^th

Place: East Coast Park

Organiser: @eastcoastbeachplan

Description:

The East Coast Beach Plan is a ground-up initiative for anyone interested to join or self-organise clean-ups to do their part to reduce plastic pollution from entering the ocean. Note that all sessions are ad-hoc and self-organised by interested individuals, nothing is really centrally organised. Do participate safely and at your own discretion and risk.

Read this document before you go!

3. Learning Forest Tour

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m., Sunday, October 14^th

Place: Singapore Botanic Gardens, Visitor Services at Tyersall Gate

Organiser: National Parks

Description:

The Learning Forest Tour features a network of boardwalks and elevated walkways that allow visitors to explore habitats ranging from a freshwater forest wetland to a lowland rainforest. Visitors can learn about freshwater forest wetland ecosystems at the Keppel Discovery Wetlands and walk amongst a collection of some of the tallest tree species in Southeast Asia at the SPH Walk of Giants.

The Learning Forest Tour is free. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the session. Limited slots are available on a first-come-first-serve basis.

3. Welcome Waders!

Time: 9:30 a.m. – 13:00 p.m., Saturday, October 14^th

Place: Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Visitor Centre

Organiser: National Parks

Description:

Every year, millions of migratory shorebirds make an extraordinary journey from their breeding grounds in the Arctic to this part of the world. The journey is a difficult one, and many of them fall prey to hunters, predators, and storms. However, a greater threat than all these is the loss of their ancestral rest stops to development, as populations plummet in the face of starvation.

For the shorebirds that arrive at Sungei Buloh, the reserve is a constant sanctuary in a coastline that is changing everywhere. For some, this is a chance to rest and refuel before their next stop in

Australia. For others, the reserve is precious home until April comes by, and they are readied for the long flight north.

Welcome Waders! is held in conjunction with World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD), which falls on 14 October this year. WMBD is a biannual awareness-raising campaign that highlights the need for the conservation of migratory birds and their habitats.

4. Four Conversations 2023: The Clean Shift

Time: 11:00 a.m., Saturday, October 14^th – 4:30 p.m., Sunday, October 15^th

Place: The Pod, Level 16, National Library Building, 100 Victoria Street, Singapore, 188064

Organiser: National Library Board

Description:

Four Conversations is an annual signature programme by the National Library where thought leaders share new possibilities for the future while inspiring lifelong learning and the creation of new knowledge.

Embrace a paradigm shift towards sustainability and make a positive impact on our lives and society. Be empowered by our local and international speakers

and explore new possibilities in the areas of employment, finance, human behaviour, and consumerism.

Click here to register now!

5. Zero • Market

Time: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Sunday, October 15^th; 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Sunday, October 21^st

Place: Tzu Chi Humanistic Youth Centre, 30A Yishun Central 1, Singapore 768796

Organiser: Tzu Chi Humanistic Youth Centre 慈济人文青年中心

Description:

The Zero • Market is a sustainable lifestyle market, where fresh produce and sustainable goods are available! We are working towards Zero Waste, starting with Zero Meat and Zero Plastic (except for unavoidable plastic packaging). It takes place every 1st and 3rd Weekend (Saturday and Sunday) of the month unless otherwise stated. Visit the Zero • Market and don’t forget to bring your own bag!

6. Ubin Mangrove Kayaking – OCBC Park

Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Sunday, October 20^th

Place: OCBC Mangrove Park

Organiser: Sea Angel

Description:

In support of the Restore Ubin Mangroves Initiative, Sea Angel is offering a limited run of community kayaking trips! From this immersive experience, community members will develop positive thoughts and feelings toward the mangroves and come up with questions and ideas for consideration by park designers and regulators.

The community rate for the kayaking trip is $30/pax including a guided tour, kayak equipment, a lifejacket, and bottled water.

The public feedback window is open till October 20^th. To register for the event, please click here or contact 96775467 via WhatsApp.

7. Cloop 3rd Year Anniversary Party

Time: 10 a.m., Saturday, October 21st – 6 p.m., Sunday, October 22nd

Place: City Sprouts Sustainability Centre 102 Henderson Road, Singapore, 159562

Organiser: Cloop

Description:

Cloop celebrates 3 years of closing the loop for fashion for good, and would like you to join the festivities! This party has a big programme lineup including swaps and a bunch of earth-friendly activities.

Learn more about the event and purchase your ticket here.

8. Lifestyle Market

Time: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., Saturday, October 28^th

Place: Jurong Lake Gardens, Gardenhouse

Organiser: National Parks

Description:

Hang out at BIG’s lifestyle market to discover and support local brands that offer a variety of green products. From plants to crafts, homewares to pets, there’s something for everyone!

9. Repair Event

Time: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Sunday, October 29^th

Place: at various locations near you (check the website for details).

Organiser: Repair Kopitiam

Description:

Join the upcoming repair event to revitalise your belongings with ease. Repair Kopitiam is here to rejuvenate what you cherish, from electricals to clothes needing a fix, even those broken household items. Its experts will mend your things, reducing waste, and promoting sustainability.

Click here to reserve a slot (Booking starts at 12 p.m., October 13^th). Remember to check the sign-up conditions for your chosen time slot before coming.

Survey Reveals Southeast Asian Perspectives on Climate Change

In a recent survey published by the Climate Change in Southeast Asia Programme at ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute, 2,225 respondents from ten ASEAN member states shared their views on climate change. The findings shed light on prevailing attitudes towards climate action in the region.

1. Governments’ Efforts in Addressing Climate Change

A significant majority of respondents believe that their national governments are aware of climate threats but lack sufficient resources to combat them (35.7%). Around a quarter feel that their government isn’t prioritizing climate change adequately. However, a notable group (24.8%) believes their government recognizes the urgency and has allocated ample resources.

2. Stakeholders’ Role in Climate Action

National governments are seen as bearing the greatest responsibility for climate action and financing, followed by businesses and industries. However, there’s a perception that businesses are lagging behind in taking meaningful climate steps. Civil society is viewed as the most active stakeholder, highlighting a need for increased private sector involvement.

3. Climate Change Urgency

The proportion of respondents expressing the highest level of urgency regarding climate change has declined from 68.6% in 2021 to 49.4% in 2023. Meanwhile, 41.9% believe monitoring climate change is crucial. This lowered sense of urgency is particularly interesting as it raises questions about what other immediate concerns people have.

4. Accelerating Clean Energy Transition

Respondents regard the development of regional energy infrastructure (72.2%) as the top priority for ASEAN to expedite the transition to clean energy. This is followed by the adoption of a regional renewable energy agreement (51.9%) and the establishment of a common ASEAN clean energy fund (46.0%).

5. Fossil Fuel Subsidies

Approximately half of the respondents (51.1%) believe that fossil fuel subsidies should be reduced in their respective countries, while 31.8% are uncertain, and 17.1% disagree.

6. Concerns About Climate Impacts on Food Security

Floods, droughts, and heat waves were identified as the most pressing climate impacts on agriculture in Southeast Asia. Respondents expressed a desire for increased focus on climate-adaptive farming methods, investment in agriculture and food technology, and boosted domestic production to enhance food resilience.

7. Leadership in Climate Innovation and Assistance

Japan is viewed as the most influential international partner in leading global climate innovation (23.7%) and sharing climate expertise, practical ability, and technical know-how (25.8%). The European Union and China followed closely in second and third place for both roles.

8. Top Transition Concerns

Rising energy prices and the cost of living (54.2%) emerged as the most significant concerns related to the energy transition, followed by energy shortages (21.7%). Singapore, in paritcular, expressed the highest worry about rising energy prices.

To sum up, the survey offers valuable insights into the climate attitudes of people in Southeast Asia and highlights areas where collective action can drive progress in combating climate change in the region. Click here to read the full report.

Singapore to Increase Water Prices in 2024

Singapore will implement a phased revision of water prices, starting on 1 April 2024.

Singapore, 27 September 2023 — In response to escalating production and supply costs, Singapore will implement a phased revision of water prices, commencing on 1 April 2024 and followed by another adjustment on 1 April 2025.

Currently priced at $2.74 per cubic metre, the potable water rate will incrementally rise by 50 cents per cubic metre over two phases. The initial increase of 20 cents per cubic metre will be effective from 1 April 2024, followed by a subsequent rise of 30 cents per cubic metre from 1 April 2025.

In light of the full price revision set for April 2025, approximately 75% of households can expect a monthly increase of less than $10, before government support. Similarly, 75% of businesses, including small and medium enterprises, will see an increase of less than $25 in their monthly water bills.

Reasons for the Price Increase

Water, a critical resource for Singapore’s sustainability, has been a focal point of long-term planning and investment in critical infrastructure. This commitment has culminated in the establishment of the Four National Taps, ensuring a secure and dependable water supply to meet the nation’s growing demands.

Despite active cost mitigation measures, PUB and associated contractors have faced substantial cost increases since the last revision in 2017. Contributing factors include a 37% surge in average electricity market tariffs, increased expenses for essential chemicals and maintenance, and a 35% rise in construction costs.

Anticipating nearly double the water demand by 2065, Singapore acknowledges the pressing need for sustained investments in water infrastructure. The threat of climate change further underscores the necessity of weather-resilient water sources, such as NEWater and desalinated water, albeit at a higher energy and production cost.

Supports for a Smooth Transition

To cushion the impact of the water price hike, especially for lower- and middle-income households, the government will provide additional financial support, with details to be disclosed by the Ministry of Finance shortly. PUB will collaborate with the Ministry of Trade and Industry and relevant authorities to discourage profiteering.

Furthermore, the Climate Friendly Households (CFH) Programme will extend e-vouchers to all 1-, 2-, and 3-room households for water-efficient shower fittings. This program will be expanded in the coming year to encompass additional water fittings, yielding savings of approximately $50 to $150 per household annually.

Businesses, too, can tap into PUB’s augmented Water Efficiency Fund to implement water recycling and efficiency projects, thereby reducing their water demand and achieving sustainable cost savings.

As Singapore navigates these revisions, a comprehensive approach combining conservation efforts and financial support aims to ensure the continued availability and accessibility of this vital resource for all its citizens.

Crossword on Sustainable Food Consumption

Our food choices affect the size of our carbon footprint. To reduce our carbon footprint, we can eat less meat and animal-based foods and more protein-rich plant-based alternatives. Do this crossword on food consumption and the environment with your students.

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Crossword on Chinook Salmon

Being a keystone species, Chinook salmon are vital to the biodiversity of their ecosystems. Test your students’ knowledge about salmon with this crossword puzzle.

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