Singapore App SusGain Rewards Users For Eco Spending While Giving Back To Local NGOs

Earlier this month, a new mobile app encouraging users to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle launched in Singapore. Called susGain, users can earn points, receive a cashback discount when spending at sustainable businesses, which is then matched with a donation of equal value to the users’ charity of choice. SusGain members can also collect points through logging sustainable activities such as using a water refill station. 

Founded this year by Carolin and Jeebaretnam Barr Kumarakulasinghe, susGain is a free mobile app now available for residents in Singapore. When making purchases at a partnered local business that has made at least one sustainable pledge, users of the app can collect points and receive a percentage of their spend back. In addition, the same cashback amount will be matched by the app and directed to a charity of the user’s choice. 

Points can also be collected on the app when users participate in eco-friendly activities across the city. In the in-app map, users can search for registered water refill stations, e-waste recycling bins or local clothing swap and volunteering events, where a QR code can be scanned to redeem points. 

On the platform, users can browse between different collaborating charities based in Singapore and choose the cause they would most like to support. Current charities on susGain include clean air organisation People’s Movement to Stop Haze (PmHaze), plant-based campaigners Centre for a Responsible Future, waste-free initiative Zero Waste SG and the Singapore Council of Women’s Organisations (SCWO), a coalition of female empowerment and rights groups. 

While shoppers – especially millennials and Gen Zs – are increasingly coupling their consumption with the environmental footprint it leaves behind, price remains one of the main obstacles to achieving widespread conscious consumerism. Studies have shown that even those who strive to achieve a more sustainable lifestyle are deterred by higher costs. 

Initiatives such as susGain therefore seek to address this issue, and help to deliver on both sustainability and accessibility, while also leaving behind a positive social impact by supporting local nonprofits. 

A number of other apps in Singapore have also emerged in order to encourage greener lifestyles. Last year, a group of university students in Singapore created Makan Rescue to alert users to free leftover food nearby that would otherwise go to waste. Users can view images of food to be “rescued”, locate its exact venue, as well as add to the database of “missions” by uploading more information all on the app. 

Meanwhile, plant-based review app abillionveg helps members find plant-based food and cruelty-free products. Users can earn credits by posting insights on vegan-friendly menu items and retail products, which turn into donations for organisations that work on animal and marine welfare. 

Lead image courtesy of susGain.