Going for Green

World Environment Day, celebrated last month, is observed by the United Nations as a day that stimulates awareness of the environment and enhances political attention and public action. There’s a lot we can do to help save the environment, and like charity, we can begin at home. Here are some tips on how to save time, energy and the planet within your household.

Laundry lifeline

Switch to cold water when running your washing machine. A lot of energy used to wash clothes is used to heat the water. You can save money and energy by washing clothes in warm or cold water, instead of hot. Also, instead of using detergents, fabric softeners and bleaches which are harmful for the environment, switch to eco-friendlier cleaners with less-toxic ingredients or non-chlorine bleaches.

Solar savings

Drying your clothes in the sun on a laundry line in the backyard or even on a balcony will lead to significant savings. Clothes dryers utilise large amounts of energy, and should only be used on rainy days. But when the sun’s in the sky, use its free power to dry your clothes. It’s cost-effective, traditional and great for the environment.

Thermostat tip

Simply lowering the temperature on your thermostat by a single degree in winter can lead to big savings. Similarly, raising the thermostat by a degree in summer will help reduce air conditioning bills. Regular maintenance and a tune up every two or three years will keep your heating, ventilation and air-con systems operating efficiently, thus saving energy and money.

Switch off and save

You may not use the electric kettle through the day, after that first refreshing morning cup of tea. In that case, simply switch it off at the plug point. Many home appliances use electricity even when they’re not in use, like toasters and TVs, and the energy they use is significant amount of electricity even when they’re turned off. It’s called a phantom load, or vampire electricity, and as much as 75 percent of the electricity used by home electronics and small appliances is used while they’re turned off. The simple solution is to unplug small appliances and electronics when you aren’t using them. Or, plug them into a power strip and turn the power strip off when you aren’t using those items.

Say ‘no’ to junk mail

Each year, 100 million trees are sacrificed to the god of junk mail. Refusing letterbox drops of brochures, leaflets and flyers for services that you don’t need are damaging the eco-system and creating more pollution. Put a sticker on your mailbox requesting no junk mail, and if you really need to know which properties in your area have been sold, use the internet instead. You’ll get the right information instead of advertising spiel.

Clue into cooking

Try not to preheat the oven if you are broiling, roasting or baking a dish that will cook for an hour or more. You don’t even need to preheat for more than 10 minutes for breads and cakes. When roasting meats or baking casseroles, turn off the oven 10 to 15 minutes before cooking time runs out; food will continue to cook without using the extra electricity. Microwaves are more energy efficient than traditional electric ovens. So cooking and reheating with a microwave is faster and more efficient than a stovetop or oven.

Wise up to water

Don’t let the tap run on while you brush your teeth and you could save litres of water each day. Also, make sure your taps, showerheads, hose nozzles are all fitted with flow-control options, now easily available. If you have recycled water, use this for all those outdoor water-related chores like watering the plants and lawn, hosing down driveways and washing cars. In fact, parking the car on the lawn when washing it will take care of two jobs at the same time. Run your dishwasher full and don’t pre-rinse if your dishwasher can deal with it. Conserving water is an important part of our environmental heritage.

Petrol’s at a premium

Try and walk to school and the shops at least twice a week. Apart from offering you the advantage of exercise, you will use less petrol. When driving, ease up on the accelerator and brake pedals, make sure your tyres are inflated and the engine runs smoothly. Don’t leave the car idle for too long, and remember that extra weight like tools, sports equipment, bikes, etc., puts a strain on your car and in consequence, it uses more petrol. A fuel-efficient car may be a big investment currently, but it will save you megabucks in the future and do its bit for the environment.

Energy Star efficiency

If you have major appliances that are more than 10 years old, consider replacing them with newer, more energy efficient models. New fridges, dishwashers, dryers and washing machines have the advantage of modern energyeffective technology and can save you significant money on your electricity bill. Look for the ‘energy star’ sticker when buying these appliances, as this indicates exactly how efficient the appliance is in saving energy.

Donate, don’t discard

If you’ve indulged in a whole suite of new furniture and don’t quite know what to do with the perfectly serviceable old one, call Salvos, St Vincent de Paul or any other leading op shop. Donate clothes, toys, books, household items, furniture, and remember that one man’s trash is another man’s bargain! And if you have unwanted goods or gifts, contact your friends and acquaintances and freecycle. So you simply give something away for free to someone who will use it, instead of throwing it away. There will always be someone who thinks the hideous lamp your aunt gave you as a birthday present, is the most beautiful thing they’ve ever come across.

It’s small tips that make a difference to the environment, and we should all try to do our bit, no matter how miniscule, to reduce wastage in any form. We should remember that our children will inherit the legacy we leave behind – so let’s make sure their future is greener and cleaner.