QUIZ: How To Be Green Within Your Means

How much do you know about what it means to be sustainable?

Being sustainable can sometimes sound intimidating, especially with the myriad of buzzwords like circular economy, zero-waste or ethical shopping floating around. There are probably still many misconceptions about how to be more eco-friendly, including the idea that going green is difficult. However, we can all take small steps towards being more sustainable, one thing at a time.

With Earth Hour approaching on Saturday, 27 March, we thought it would be timely to put your knowledge of sustainability to the test. Take this (challenging) quiz to see how much you know about sustainability, and along the way, check against what you’ve been doing. 

ANSWER

The Ceramic Tea Pot, Styrofoam Cup, and Disposable Wooden Chopstick are not recyclable. Ceramics which are still usable can be donated, and did you know that there are actually no glass recycling plants in Singapore?  Glass waste is usually sorted and exported overseas for recycling, so wherever possible, try to reuse your glass bottles. The National Environment Agency has an extensive list of items of what can and cannot be recycled. 

ANSWER

a. Medium-Sized Car (running on petrol)

c. Long-Haul Flights

e. Bus

b. Ferry (foot passengers only, no cars)

d. International Trains

Unexpected? This does vary according to factors like your destination, and how many people are on board. To dig deeper, some resources can be found here and here.

ANSWER

Sorry, this was a trick question! All the materials here have actually been made into fabric. To find out more about some of the materials listed, head here. Next time you shop, keep an eye out for these materials to ensure that what you’re buying is friendly to the environment.

ANSWER

e. Cheese

c. Chocolate

a. Coffee

g. Prawns (farmed)

d. Pork

f. Olive Oil

b. Nuts

Most of us know that beef is one of the biggest contributors of greenhouse gas emissions, but some of our other favourite foods are at the top of the list too. Find out more about the factors that contribute to the carbon footprint of foods here, and consider working a plant-based (and cheese-free) diet into your week.

ANSWER

(b) is actually false—heavy items should go in the boot, and you should avoid placing items on the roof of your car to reduce drag, which would slow the car down. Here are more tips to be a bit more eco-friendly if you do need to drive. 

ANSWER

The ideal temperature range is 25ºC–27ºC. In fact, according to Clean & Green Singapore, you could save up to $25 a year for every degree you raise, and over $800 a year if you switch to a fan instead.

ANSWER

We haven’t gotten round to creating biodegradable glass just yet, but you can check out these reusable makeup remover pads, reusable sanitary pads, and even this sustainable search engine—the profit from every search goes towards planting trees where they are needed the most. 

ANSWER

Only nail clippings, old wine, pizza crusts, dry dog food, and potato skins are recommended for your compost bin. Composting is not only good for your fledgling greens, but also benefits the environment by recycling organic resources while conserving landfill space. Check out our guide to composting to get started.

Did you ace the quiz, or flunk out? Even if you didn’t do so well, don’t worry—there’s so much that we’re still learning about sustainability every day. What matters most is keeping an open mind, and taking steps to do what’s actually doable for you.

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