10 Tips for Living More Sustainably

1. Buy Clothes Mindfully, Give Them Love, and Pass Them On 

Aurianne Ricquier, Circular Fashion Programme Director at environmental fashion NGO Redress shares how to extend the lifespan of your clothes. ‘The first thing is really to buy high-quality clothing you’ll wear for a long time. It’s also critical to learn about basic clothing care, and make sure that you repair or alter them as needed,’ she says. ‘Once you’ve worn them a lot, tried all the combinations in your wardrobe and really no longer want to wear them, you can try swapping them with friends. And of course, our clothing collection points are here to help you make sure that your unwanted clothing can have another life, by being sold second-hand, given to local charity partners or downcycled.’

To help with the last part, Pacific Place has launched the Recycle, Renew, Redress initiative with Redress — you’ll find a Redress collection box next to the Concierge Desk on Level L1 near Marimekko. You can also donate clothing, footwear and accessories through Zara’s programme via the collection box in store.

2. Opt for Refillable Beauty Products

More and more beauty brands are moving towards offering their products in refillable versions. Not only is this better for your wallet, it cuts down on the amount of materials made or extracted throughout the process. When this is multiplied for several of your purchases — and multiplied by everyone! — it can make a significant difference every year.

3. Eat Less Meat

Evidence shows that vegan diets tend to have far lower carbon, water and ecological footprints than those of meat or fish eaters. Whether you’re going completely meat-free or just cutting back, GREAT Food Hall has plenty of options to help you incorporate more meatless options into your diet, including meat substitutes from brands such as Beyond Meat and OmniPork.

4. Reduce Water Waste

Implement water-saving practices by fixing leaks promptly and installing low-flow taps and showerheads. Depending on your home setup, you may also be able to collect rainwater for non-potable uses like watering plants. These measures not only conserve water but also contribute to a more sustainable water management system for everyone.

5. Cut Down on Single-Use Items

Make a conscious choice to use cloth napkins and towels, reusable shopping bags and your own water bottle and coffee cup (if you don’t have a cup, you can pick one up at Starbucks). And if you’ve left your cup at home, there’s no need to buy another — simply borrow a Muuse reusable cup for free from one of several outlets within the mall and save up to HK$5 on your beverage order. Discover all the details here.

6. Unplug and Conserve

Practice mindful energy consumption by unplugging electronic devices when not in use. Many appliances continue to draw power in standby mode, contributing to energy waste. You can also utilise power strips to easily disconnect multiple devices at once and conserve even more energy.

7. Switch to LED Bulbs

If you’re still using incandescent bulbs, it’s time to replace them with energy-efficient LED versions. LEDs use significantly less energy and last longer, reducing the frequency of bulb replacements. This not only conserves resources but also cuts down on the environmental impact associated with bulb manufacturing. Used in the right way, smart lights (which are LEDs) can also help you save energy as they’re adjustable.

8. Choose Sustainable Materials

When making home improvements or purchasing new furniture, opt for eco-friendly materials, like sustainably harvested natural wood, bamboo or recycled materials. Avoid using materials that are harmful to the environment, or that can’t easily be recycled, repaired or restored, such as those that include certain plastics or toxic chemicals.

9. Get Savvy About Your Brands

When shopping for new clothes, opt for brands you know make a conscious effort to reduce their footprint. Stella McCartney is one of the industry’s trailblazers, and has been spearheading the trend of using eco-friendly materials, including through her signature vegetarian leather Falabella bag. Large fashion houses are following suit — for example, Gucci has been making improvements such as using 100 per cent renewable energy and using materials that are traceable and contribute to the circular economy.

10. Try Composting

Create a composting system for your kitchen waste, including fruit and vegetable scraps, your daily coffee grounds and eggshells. Composting not only diverts organic waste from landfills but also produces nutrient-rich compost that can be used to enrich soil and support healthier plant growth. Currently, there are community compost bins dotted around Hong Kong that use food waste for biogas. Or you can pick up a book on urban gardening from Kelly & Walsh and do some growing of your own!