Going green is not very expensive or hard. Here are few simple tips which you can follow to reduce waste and save the precious environment. In the long run, you may even end up saving more money!

Cooking tips:

• Do not use plastics in microwave.

• Reduce pre packaged foods.

• Do not use inexpensive non stick pans which could be toxic.

• Be conscious while buying packed items, try and choose items with optimal packaging.

Disposing waste:

• In order to reduce waste thrown from your homes, recycle newspapers and other items as possible.

• Try using reusable bags for shopping.

• Donate items which are reusable instead of throwing them to the bin.

• Decide what you can buy as a second hand in order to promote reusing.

• Dispose toxic items like batteries and aerosol products safely.

• Use reusable or rechargeable batteries instead of the disposable ones.

Using gadgets and utilities:

• When you are not using electronic items, unplug them and save power.

• Install solar panels for heating and try capturing solar power as far as possible.

• Use energy saving light bulbs like compact fluorescent bulbs.

• Do not run your dishwasher and washing machine until they are full.

• Turn down your thermostat during winter.

• For home insulation, use caulk and weather stripping.

• Use environmental friendly products for cleaning and maintenance of the house rather than chemical products.

• Try and replace power consuming gadgets like dish washer, electric furnace, air conditioner and water heater with energy efficient products.

• Avoid leaving the hot water taps running.

• Use shower to reduce water consumption.

Using automobiles:

• Try and use bicycles for short distances.

• Walk to nearby shops instead of taking your car if there are limited number of items to buy.

• Combine trips to places if you can club a few errands together.

• Try and buy a high end car with low mileage in order to reduce fuel consumption.

• Try to avoid peak hours as waiting in signals would consume your time and also your fuel.

• Encourage car pooling for daily commutes like office transport to reduce the use of cars.

Organic foods:

• Try and buy organic foods from shops.

• Reduce buying fast foods as they create a lot of waste.

• Create your own garden in your backyard and grow some vegetables which require very less maintenance.

• Create compost with organic waste and avoid pesticides and fertilizers as they contain harmful chemicals. This would also create rich soil and yield fresh juicy vegetables.

• Consider harvesting rain water to reduce water consumption for your garden.

Kitchen items:

• Use pressure cooker while cooking to save on gas.

• Defrost freezers and fridges regularly.

• Keep saucepan lids on so that you can turn down the heat.

In short, lead a less materialistic life and buy only what is required for your house on a daily basis. Take this opportunity to build a healthy relationship with your neighbours and share things that are not used on a daily basis like garden tools.

Jason Ladock

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