5 tips to be sustainable, every day
We cannot believe that we are celebrating our two year anniversary this month. Where has the time gone? We honestly could not have done it without you. The journey of getting here has been one heck of a ride and your loyalty means so much to us, so thank you.
When our co-founder Carla started CHOMP, she was motivated to create a notable difference in our relationship with food surplus and sustainability. It is with this passion that has laid the foundation for the app. Hence, it has become our priority to push the mission further and extend beyond just focusing on food waste. And this week we are bringing you just that. Sustainability is one of our three core pillars and we want to highlight ways to be more responsible in our daily lives.
If you are looking for a cheatsheet on how to be sustainable in a city where being green can be at times challenging, then look no further. We have gathered our favourite eco-warrior tips that are easy to incorporate in your day to day.
Bring your own tumbler or water bottle
Tumbler/mug: There are more and more spots around Hong Kong that offer financial incentives and compensation when you bring your own tumbler or mug. So if you are an avid coffee drinker like us, you are not just eliminating single-use coffee cups but are also saving a couple of dollars too! Alternatively, if you find carrying a tumbler to be too bulky then you can also opt for renting a tumbler for the day (or longer if you wish) and return it. Check out vendors that have partnered with Muuse or Circular City that can offer such solutions.
Water bottle: Alright, now that we have settled that coffee is important, so is staying hydrated with water. Buying plastic water bottles is one of the most polluting habit to have. In fact, over 7 million plastic water bottles are thrown away everyday. The best way to fight this is by carrying your own reusable water bottle. And don't you fret, there are actually plenty of refilling stations around Hong Kong. Simply download the app Water For Free and check out Urban Spring to locate where you can stay hydrated at all times. Additionally, there are numerous MTR stations across the city that offer water refilling stations.
Opt for or prioritise public transport
Whilst the convenience of taxis is undeniable, Hong Kong has one of the most efficient public transportation system in the world. So why not take advantage of it and save money simultaneously? Apps like Moovit or CityMapper allow you to plan ahead and follow bus and train timetables to make sure you get from point A to B on time. The simple tip here is to plan ahead of schedule - sounds daunting we know but it is so worth it. Alternatively, you can always get friendly with your neighbours and carpool to work!
Visit your local wet market and shop for fresh, seasonal produce
Buying fresh, seasonal produce just means you are guaranteed to have tastier meals and you are being kinder to our planet by avoiding imports with high food miles. There's also something about walking down the market to inspire your weekly menus. Between the colours and aromas, a true sensory overload to encourage you to cook up a storm. Don't forget to read our previous Tuesday Tips on seasonal fruits and vegetables to learn more. An additional bonus to shopping your fruits and vegetables loose is that you are reducing plastic packaging that often seem excessive at supermarkets.
Save energy and resources
A very simple hack to reducing your impact on our planet is by switching off your lights or aircon/fan when you leave a room. Also think about turning off your water tap instead of letting it run when you are washing your dishes or brushing your teeth. You can also limit your showers by reducing the duration or by collecting the water in a bucket whilst you are waiting for the water to warm up and use it to water your plants. The list is endless, there are so many more ways to save our valuable finite resources.
Use CHOMP
Last but not least (and of course a little bit bias here), in honour of our second year anniversary, it's only fair that we encourage you to use our food saving app! With over 140 vendors signed and more to come, saving food surplus has been made easy and accessible. So there really is no excuse, plus you you get to save money by buying your weeknight meal or morning breakfast for the next day.
