8 Sustainable Spring Cleaning Habits for a Prosperous Chinese New Year

(📷: Iqro Rinaldi, Unsplash)

Spring cleaning has always symbolised clearing old energy to welcome abundance and prosperity.

We want a lighter living space that is free of clutter, and adorned with beautiful festive ornaments.

But this year, let us redefine what prosperity means.

Instead of simply having more, could it also mean wasting less?

1. Repair before replacing

In our rush to discard the old, we might forget that many items have life left in them.

Before you toss that wobbly chair or faded cabinet, ask yourself: Can this be fixed?

Spring cleaning can be the perfect time to:

• Tighten loose hinges
• Sew up minor tears in our clothes
• Repaint faded furniture

If it can be repaired, let us not replace.

A repaired item isn’t old, it is respected!

2. Who says new cannot be second-hand?

We all want to look polished in new suits and dresses when we go house visiting.

But who says new must be brand new?

Instead of purchasing outfits that only serve one festive occasion, consider shopping more sustainably.

We can look our best by making mindful decisions too, such as:

• Participating in clothing swap drives
• Thrifting your new year fits
• Upcycling old pieces into new functionalities

There are many ways to cop a new look, and fast fashion need not be one of them.

Sustainable choices can still come with style.

3. Reuse or swap decor with friends

What’s Chinese New Year without red ornaments around the house?

From blessing notes to red lanterns and window decals, transforming your home into an auspicious space can be meaningful when we rope in friends and family.

Go ahead and swap decor with neighbours, then have fun putting them up together.

And when the festivity is over, remember to keep them in good condition.

They deserve more than one season of celebration too!

4. Go digital

Even traditions can evolve sustainably.

Today, digital wallets and bank transfers allow us to send blessings without physical envelopes.

Opting for e-angpaos reduces paper waste, eliminates the hassle of withdrawing cash and carrying physical packets around, all while keeping the spirit of giving alive.

5. Buy with intention

Decluttering need not be a headache if we have mindful purchasing habits in the first place.

Before we buy something new, ask:

• Do I truly need this?
• Will I use this after CNY?
• Is there a reusable alternative?

Make a shopping list before festive sales entice you.

Plan reunion dinner portions to prevent excessive food waste.

Choose quality over quantity.

Let’s break hoarding habits and prevent spring cleaning headaches during Chinese New Year.

6. Donate before discarding

We’ve talked about shopping second-hand.

Now, let’s contribute to the community too!

You can:

• Donate clothes you haven’t worn in a year
• Pass on books, toys and kitchenware that are in good condition
• Share your snacks with friends and neighbours

Prosperity multiplies when it is shared!

7. Recycle red packets

Of course, red packets are not going obsolete anytime soon.

Many still treasure the physical exchange as a meaningful gesture of care and auspiciousness.

Instead of throwing those angpaos away after opening them, keep and reuse them.

You can even turn them into little decorations like lanterns or fans.

If you find yourself having too many red packets lying at home, recycle them right.

Let’s not turn our blessings into unnecessary waste.

8. Bin them right!

At the end of the day, we cannot avoid having to throw out some items.

But not everything goes into the same bin.

How we dispose them matters, so let’s sort them right.

Clothes that are clean and reusable go into CLOOP bins.

E-waste can be disposed of via white bins, or ALBA’s e-collection drives.

Paper, plastic, metals and certain glass items (in clean and dry conditions) belong in blue recycling bins.

Find it hard to locate the nearest point, or how you should prepare your items for recycling?

We are here to help.

Visit recycle.gov.sg/locations to find a nearby collection point and learn what items are accepted.

Find your bin, and know what goes in. Let’s start recycling right this festive season!