BYO - Bring Your Own Singapore

The environmental movement in Singapore is picking up pace, but after so many years of debate and discussion, we still don't have a plastic bag tax, or a plastic bag ban. For the past 10 years or more, NTUC Fairprice, our local supermarket, gives us 10 cents off our grocery bill if you bring your own shopping bag, but realistically speaking this doesn't incentivise people to stop using plastic bags.

I have a few friends who have decided to take things in to their own hands. We have the community group, Plastic Lite, and BYO Singapore, a campaign organised by Zero Waste Singapore to reduce plastic disposables. The campaign will get retailers to offer incentives for customers who bring their own reusable containers, bottles or bags. 

Plastics is a Worldwide Problem

It's not just in Singapore! It may be very convenient to get a disposable straw, plastic cutlery or plates, but the fact of the matter is they are made from non-renewable fossil fuels, and they don't biodegrade. If they end up in our waterways and they're not breaking down, they pose a threat to marine life and birds. Isn't it time to reduce and even better, stop the use of plastics?

Bring Your Own - BYO Singapore

I decided to stitch the logo of the campaign as a gift to my friend. The logo comprised mostly of lettering and an image of a box, tumbler and bag.  I ended up with using a teal coloured scrap of jersey on which I layered a darker colour of cotton thread.  It wasn't filled up entirely as I thought it was a good idea to give the logo some depth.  On hindsight, I should not have settled on a woven piece of fabric because the jersey was so difficult to stitch (due to it's stretchy nature).

The text and images were sewn on before the excess fabric were removed using a pair of small scissors. I adopted this method rather than applique because I felt the look was more organic.

Support the Campaign

During the month of September:

1.  Post a picture of yourself using a reusable container, bag or bottle/cup

2.  Post a creative photo of yourself taking a pledge to use reusable containers when ordering takeaway or to carry a water bottle instead of buying bottled water for a week, etc.

3. Tag 1 (or more) people to take the BYO pledge after you!