Singapore’s National Environment Agency (NEA) has partnered with South East Community Development Council (CDC) to launch Eco Shop Me @ South East programme.

Collaborating with eco-shops, the programme is to create a stronger awareness of eco-friendly businesses in the South East District and encourage consumers to shop sustainably and strive towards a zero waste lifestyle.

“Eco Shop Me @ South East is an exciting new initiative as we are working with cafes, grocery stores, retail outlets, and many others, to change the shopping and eating habits of their customers,” said Maliki Osman, mayor of South East District. “These changes may not seem much, just a straw, a bag, or a container, but we hope it becomes a habit of every individual, to reduce our overall usage of plastics and recycle what we can to protect our environment, to make it last for us and our future generations,” he said.

“We believe this programme has great potential and look forward to more small and medium-sized enterprises coming on board to partner us as we do our part for climate change.”

Several partners have joined Eco Shop Me @ South East programme including health product store Two Sisters Pantry, social enterprise Enterprising Mums United and an ice cream parlour The Humble Scoop, (whose dish is pictured above). 

Interested business owners can tap into funding support under the 3R Fund or the Towards Zero Waste Grant. 

Deputy CEO (planning, corporate and technology) of NEA, Khoo Seow Poh, added: “We are heartened to see businesses coming together under The Eco Shop Me @ South East programme, where they are taking a firm stance against unnecessary waste, by for example, reducing the use of disposables where possible and thereby influencing the daily habits of residents. We hope that more businesses and consumers will be inspired to take simple steps to reduce waste and build a sustainable future for Singapore.”