As the haze returns, consumers are being urged not to support firms whose products are made using irresponsible methods of clearing land that might cause forest fires.

And with more products being certified eco-friendly under the Singapore Green Labelling Scheme (SGLS), consumers have a greater range of green choices.

“Since the haze episode last year, we have seen an increase of 90 new companies coming on board the SGLS with 10 per cent more products in the paper, pulp and wood category,” said Mr Chong Khai Sin, lead environmental engineer and head of eco-certifications at the Singapore Environment Council (SEC). In a joint statement on Tuesday, the SEC and the Consumers Association of Singapore (Case) repeated their call for consumers – both individuals and businesses – to buy sustainably produced products.

“We are disappointed that the haze problem has returned again this year,” said the organisations. “This haze represents the growing demand for both paper as well as palm oil products.”

In its daily haze advisory yesterday, the National Environment Agency noted that air quality was in the Good to Moderate range but “slightly hazy conditions” can be expected over the weekend if fires emerge in Sumatra and the situation deteriorates.

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The SEC and Case called for businesses to boycott products produced through slash-and-burn methods, and for consumers to buy paper and palm oil products only from sustainable sources.

Consumer products on the “white list” carry a Green Label.

Overall, the Green Labelling Scheme represents more than 3,000 products from 500 companies. These include paper products from established brands, such as Scott toilet paper, FairPrice tissue paper, and printing paper from PaperOne.

There are also products from smaller local firms, such as Gooodlife toilet roll from Tipex and Prefer tissue paper from Scanpap (Asia Pacific). The full list can be found on the Green Label website.

In April, the SEC announced a new “SGLS Plus” category, which focuses on pulp and paper manufacturers and mill operators. This category will look at additional aspects such as a firm’s fire mitigation and management practices, management of peatlands, commitment to zero burning, and site surveillance. More details on SGLS Plus will be announced at a later stage, said the SEC.

Singapore Paper Merchants Association vice-president Chua Kee Teang noted that many firms – including his own, Mukim Fine Papers – are committed to the scheme and have Green Label-certified products.

But for smaller firms, the cost of certification could be a barrier, he said. Per product, a new Green Label application costs $1,500 and each annual renewal costs $1,000.

This article was first published on September 1, 2016.
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Ms Norashikin Baharul Hisham is keeping all the windows in her flat shut, even though it gets stuffy.

The 31-year-old housewife, who is five months pregnant, is afraid of letting in mosquitoes which carry the Zika virus.

The Ministry of Health said yesterday a pregnant woman living in the cluster around Sims Drive and Aljunied Crescent had been infected. But expectant mothers everywhere are fretting, even those who do not live near the affected areas.

Zika is associated with microcephaly in unborn babies, a birth defect in which they are born with abnormally small heads.

Ms Norashikin, who lives in a Bukit Batok rental flat, tries not to go out in the day and keeps her windows shut against the Aedes mosquito, which spreads the virus.

“I cannot sleep at night because I am so worried,” she said.

Housewife Alice Seo, who is 21 weeks pregnant, left Singapore for San Francisco to see friends and family a few days before the outbreak. The 36-year-old is now wondering whether to stay abroad for a while longer or even give birth in the United States.

Locally-transmitted Zika in Singapore

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“My husband and I are still thinking about it, and trying to weigh the pros and cons,” said the American who is based here.

“But (the latest news) sways me more towards staying in the States a little longer until the Zika situation gets under control.”

Some mothers-to-be are choosing to go out less, avoiding open areas and checking their homes for stagnant water. Administration executive Elin Tay, 39, who is seven weeks pregnant, said: “I used to go to the mall, but now I only go to work and to the hospital.”

What is the Zika virus?

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Joo Chiat resident Koh YL, who is 37 weeks pregnant, said she and her husband discussed moving to her mother’s place in Lucky Heights. They had even joked about having her labour induced early, although they later decided not to explore that option, said the 37-year-old editorial consultant.

Dr Wee Horng Yen, an obstetrician and gynaecologist at O & G Care Clinic, said inducing labour was not advisable.

“Instead, women near term can exercise strict precautions of avoiding being bitten and abstinence from sexual intercourse,” he said.

Allied educator Juliana Jamal, 29, who is expecting her third child any day now, said: “I just pray this baby comes out quickly before anything can happen.”

– Additional reporting by Linette Lai

This article was first published on Sep 01, 2016.
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