Going green is the in-thing these days. Biodegradable bags, ‘No plastic bag’ days and recycling bins pop up everywhere like mushrooms.
If our little island called Earth is heavily polluted and runs out of resources, we’ll have nowhere to go but to live with the destruction that we’ve impounded on ourselves.
1. Say no to plastic or paper bags
One way to start is to follow the government’s initiative by using reusable bags when we go out to shop. Some of you might wonder where will you get the plastic bags to line your garbage bin then. Well, the idea here is to reduce the number of plastic bags that clog our rivers. If you really need some bags, you can get just enough until your next grocery shopping while using a recyclable bag for the rest of your shopping. Some plastic bags are biodegradable but it doesn’t mean that we can still continue using plastic bags as though it does not affect the earth at all. Some people might think that the solution is to change from plastic to paper but the ugly truth is, paper bags causes as much harm to Mother Nature as plastic bags.
2. e-billing
Another way to go green is to switch your monthly bills to e-billing. Even if you print the bills out, it reduces the carbon footprint and paper usage (imagine all those envelopes and stamps). Another advantage to e-billing is that we can practically pay our bills anywhere as long as we are able to access the Internet and make full use of our e-banking accounts.
3. Don’t throw away just about everything
Before throwing anything away, ask yourself whether it is possible to recycle or reuse it. Most of us throw things away when they are torn or stop working but what we don’t realize is that throwing things away adds more garbage to our already choked landfills. Old clothes that are still wearable can be donated to orphanages or can be sold in garage sales for charity, whereas batteries and old newspapers can be recycled. Remember that one man’s trash can be another man’s treasure.
4. Recycle
It is advisable for us to recycle anything and everything that we can. Paper, plastic, steel, aluminium cans and batteries are some of the things that you can recycle. You might think it is troublesome to drive all the way to a recycling centre with your car trunk full of items but that is just a little part that you can play as an occupant of Mother Earth.
5. Compost
For those of us who have a garden at home, we can start composting our own fertiliser using organic waste like cut fruits, vegetables or even dried leaves. Composting is not as disgusting as it sounds and it actually saves you money and time since you won’t need to go out to buy fertiliser as long as your compost bin is still filled. The compost will be more nutritious for the plants if you add some earth worms into the compost bin, which speeds up the process as well.
6. Gray water system
Most of us know that water is very precious and that we should turn off the taps when not in use, but is that actually enough to maintain the resources? For those who really care about the scarcity of clean water, it’s best if a gray water system is installed in your home. Gray water is water from our house that has been used but does not contain waste (human or animal alike). Recycling gray water like laundry water or water from the sink helps us to reuse water and reduce the need to filter water. The Japanese have systems which reuse the water from the sinks to flush toilet bowls. Their ingenious idea helps to reduce water usage as well as keep the toilets clean.
7. Say no to VOCs
The next time you paint your house, you might want to consider paint that does not contain volatile organic compounds, also known as VOCs. VOCs are hazardous to our health and the environment. These compounds can cause health deterioration in the long run as well as cause soil and groundwater damages. It also causes air pollution and global warming.
8. Use less electricity
Some people might think that electrical kettles save more energy than their stove-top counterparts but it is actually the other way around if we don’t turn off our stove as soon as the water has boiled. There is a lesser loss of energy when an electric kettle is used to boil water but what we don’t know is that there is actually a loss of energy when electricity is generated and sent along its way to our homes. We are still relying on fossil fuels to get majority of our electricity, which is no different from using our gas stoves at home except for the fact that most of the heat energy produced is successfully transferred to the kettle, resulting in lesser loss of energy.
9. Get energy saving appliances
If you’re planning to replace old appliances with new ones any time soon, you might want to consider those with the most efficient energy star models. Appliances with energy stars are considered energy saving and consume lesser electricity than the regular one. Lesser electricity consumed translates into lower electricity bills!
10. Collect rain water
For those of us who still want to find ways to save as much water as we possibly can, on top of the suggestions given, try collecting rain water to water your plants or clean your yard with. An ordinary pail will do the trick but you might want to consider a barrel if you want to collect as much rain water as you can.
11. Walk
Instead of driving to the sundry shop a few blocks away, try walking instead. Walking is a mild form of exercise that does not cause major impact on your knees nor your heart. If your destination is less than 30 minutes on foot, try walking there. It saves petrol and gives you the amount of exercise needed without having to go to the gym.
12. Carpool
Instead of driving to work every day, consider taking public transport. If your work place is not accessible by public transport, you might want to consider carpooling. Taking the public transport reduces the amount of exhaust emitted as well as decreases traffic jam. Carpooling enables you to save money on petrol and maintenance as well as have companions to chat with when stuck in a jam.
13. Public transport
If you can live without a car, public transport is the way to go since you won’t need to worry about car insurance, payments, maintenance as well as fork out copious money for petrol, parking and toll. With traffic jams that can last as long as three hours, you might want to consider squeezing into that packed train instead of killing your legs stepping on the brakes while burning a hole in your pocket.
14. Travel during non-peak hours
If you really must drive or take a cab, consider travelling during off-peak hours to reduce your travelling time as well as saving yourself from the frustration of being caught in the jam. Leaving early to beat the jam and arriving early is way better than leaving on the dot to get stuck in traffic and arriving late.
15. Hybrid or electric car
If and when you are planning to buy a car, do consider hybrid or electric cars. Although electric cars are not that easy to run since you will need a socket to charge the batteries, those who live in landed properties wouldn’t have a problem. If you’re worried that you won’t be able to charge your car, consider a hybrid instead since it switches to running on gasoline once the battery runs out of juice.
16. Ride a bicycle
If you’re not travelling long distances to get to work or to do your daily chores, consider getting a bicycle. There are states that have implemented bicycle lanes for daily commuters to ride safely to their destination. While everybody gets stuck in traffic, you get to whizz by them and reach home much earlier than driving. Cycling is also a form of exercise but you must remember to always take safety precautions.
17. Be a vegan for a day
As much as we love meat, the livestock industry is a huge greenhouse gas emitter. Cows especially produce the most greenhouse gas as well as consume a lot of feed compared to other livestock. Try going vegetarian once a week. With our busy schedules, most of us don’t get enough fibre as we would like to admit, causing constipation and other health complications. Eating only vegetables one day of the week helps us to get the nutrients as well as the fibre that we need but lack from our daily meals. It also helps us to reduce our dependency on meat to obtain the energy needed throughout the day.
18. Consider organic food
It might not be nutritionally superior and cost more too but eating organic food is a lot better for Mother Nature. Organic food does not contain pesticides or other harmful chemicals used to make our food less susceptible to diseases and insects. These chemicals harm us in the long run and will pollute groundwater, tainting the water source and rendering the water unsafe for human consumption.
19. Reduce excessive packaging
We should avoid buying food that are packaged excessively. We usually see fruits and vegetables wrapped in layers and layers of film wraps or plastic bags just to keep them fresh and clean. These wrappings do not do much good at all and instead, causes the food to be stored at lower temperature, subsequently increasing the usage of electricity, causing more wastage and increasing usage of plastic bags.
20. Speak up
Sometimes companies pack their goods excessively to reduce damage and maximise their profits. If you’re annoyed by it, do write to the grocer or manufacturer and let them have a piece of your mind.
21. Grow-it-yourself
For those who have green fingers and a garden to exercise those fingers, growing your own fruits and vegetables is a great way to a healthier life. It also helps the planet since there will be less transportation of the goods and there will be lesser or no pesticides at all. Just the thought of eating pesticides can send a shiver down our spines. As for the rest of us who do not have a garden, we can always grow our very own herbs in pots. Just think of how cool Jamie Oliver was when he plucked herbs off his window sill and popped them right into the cooking pot. Since herbs can be costly, having fresh herbs home-grown reduces the need for us to spend more money. Growing our own produce is always better than buying them off the shelf.
22. Think sustainable fibres
The next time you buy a shirt, you might want to consider organic cotton, bamboo, hemp and other sustainable, natural fibres as well as recycled fabrics. The clothes made of organic cotton and bamboo are usually hypoallergenic, making it more favourable for those who suffer from allergies from exposure to the chemicals in the fabric.
23. All-natural cosmetic
The next time you buy cosmetics, try switching to all natural cosmetics. All-natural cosmetics are less harmful to your skin as well as to the environment. If you’re wondering how to differentiate between all-natural cosmetics and regular cosmetics, look at the ingredients. If it looks like a lesson in chemistry, steer clear from it but if it’s in Latin, you’re most likely looking at the names of plants.
24. Say no to toluene, DBP and formaldehyde
For all of you who like to use nail polish, try switching to a nail polish brand that is made without toluene, DBP and formaldehyde. These chemicals are harmful to the environment as well as to your health especially when you eat with your hands or bite your fingers. Toluene evaporates from both water and soil when exposed to air and can cause membrane damages to plants. It also has moderate toxicity to aquatic life in the short and long term.
25. Preloved items
Before hitting the mall or your favourite boutique, try shopping at second-hand and charity shops. You can usually find some great deals for something that catches your eyes and if you got it from the charity shop, you’re also doing a good deed in the process. Buying at second-hand and charity shops reduces the need to waste more fabric and thus lessening your carbon footprint.
