WE ARE DREAMING OF A GREEN CHRISTMAS
The epicure team shares their tips and hacks on how to go eco this festive season.
“Having been inspired by the Balinese - most supermarkets stop giving out plastics bags – I now choose to use my own cutlery instead of the disposable ones. I also try to create my own gifts using simple recyclable art craft. Every little bit for our environment helps.”
Cecilia Goh ≠ senior publisher
“O Christmas Tree, o Christmas tree. How eco are thy branches. The Christmas tree is the ultimate symbol of the festive season but is it sustainable? A real fir tree skips the manufacturing process and is 100 percent recyclable – once Christmas is over they can be turned into woodchips. But you can have a greener Christmas if you purchase from a local farmer. So, this year, instead of getting a live imported tree from Far East Flora, my family came up with a brilliant idea to string our fairy lights into the shape of a Christmas tree and stick them onto the wall. No trees were harmed in the making.”
Victoria Lim ≠ digital writer
“Carbon footprint is my biggest concern when it comes to a festive feast. Having a turkey is part of a Christmas tradition but how about celebrating with a locally grown, free-range chicken or duck? Ditch the sous-vide technique that requires plastics pouches and roast or steam the preferred protein in flavourful Balinese betutu spices. Replace the typical cranberry sauce and mashed potato with sambal matah (raw shallots and chillies sambal) and white rice. Try not to use any single-used plastic utensils for serving. It is always the small things that count.”
Eve Tedja ≠ associate editor
“Hosting regular drinks events at home, I try to maintain a light eco footprint by reducing single use plastics. I don’t buy disposable plastic cups or plates, and always make my base drinks from scratch where possible - whether it’s tea, coffee, juices or even tonic water. My parents inculcated my love for growing things, and my botanical garden is doing quite well. I’m happy to harvest fresh pandan, kaffir lime leaves, chocolate mint, Italian basil, blue pea flower, and more whenever I need.”
June Lee ≠ wine editor
“Being a mum to two young daughters means that Christmas presents are inevitable. This tradition can still be an eco-friendly exercise. Beyond using recycled wrapping paper, there are stores here that sell seeded paper and plantable gift tags. These can be planted after opening the gifts, which will then sprout into assorted shrubbery or flowers. It's the perfect way to teach the little ones about their impact on the environment and show them the potential alternatives.
Adeline Wong ≠ managing editor
“Christmas to me has always been about heartwarming gatherings, where good food is shared and merriment is abound. And there's no better way to be eco-friendly then to whip up a scrumptious feast by yourself. With more suppliers and wholesalers bringing in sustainable and ethical sourced meats, a barbecue is a fantastic way of spreading the Christmas joy in a mindful manner. Christmas takeaways can be a source of unnecessary packaging, and there's a tendency to over-order as the food mostly comes in group packages. Preparing your own food is a great way to minimise waste as you can adjust the portion sizes; if you feel like it's too much to handle, get your friends and family in to help. It makes for great bonding time, and your guests can see the effort that goes into preparing the feast.”
Destin Tay ≠ features writer
“Buy everlasting gifts like seedlings or potted plants. They are great presents that will last (if you have green fingers). For friends who are new to gardening, get them potted herbs. Not only are they easy to care for, they can also harvest their “fruits”. It is truly a gift that keeps on giving.”
Darryl Pestana ≠ senior designer
“This year, I will be doing my Christmas shopping from local stores. Even if that means giving up the convenience of online shopping and heading down to the crowded malls and standing in line to wait for payment. I can select the produce and support local businesses at the same time.”
Jack Ang ≠ senior business manager
“Turn your Christmas food waste into compost. It’s really easy. First, prepare a compost bin – grab a plastic container with a holey lid. Then start adding your waste into the bin. Keep the bin away from sunlight and mix the contents daily.”
Dewi Prasodjo ≠ regional business director
“In the spirit of going green, I have decided to collect bubble tea cups to make snow globes. All I need to do is to drink bubble tea, wash the cup, fill it with water and glitter, then seal it up. If you want to hang this on the tree, be careful not to fill it with too much water. Bonus: you can do it with your little tykes too.”
Shauna Mun ≠ marketing executive