“It’s not easy being green” is not just a song sung by Kermit the Frog, it’s an excuse thousands of Australians use for not being environmentally friendly. Forget the old adage of “I’m just one person, how can I make a difference?”, imagine if everyone had the same attitude.
Fix dodgy dunnies
A leaky loo can waste as much as 16,000 litres of water a year, if not more. It’s important to quickly fix any toilet which constantly runs after flushing. It’s also a good idea to invest in a toilet with dual flush. If you are lucky enough to live in the ACT, there is a government rebate for home owners who upgrade their toilet to a 4-star water efficient suite.
If it glows, off it goes!
Ahhh, the convenience of stand-by mode, you pick up the remote and with one click, your television bursts to life. You don’t even have to move from the recliner. However, did you realise that Australians waste nearly a billion dollars a year for the convenience of having their computers and TVs on stand-by mode? You could save about 10 per cent on your monthly power by remembering the little ditty “If it glows, off it goes!”
Come on, let’s compost
Transform your kitchen scraps into compost. It’s a simple way to turn your waste into a gardener’s best friend. Any grass clippings, dead leaves and vegie peelings can be thrown into the mix and, once it’s broken down, used on your garden for a fruitful harvest.
Turn off the air con
With the oppressive heat during summer it can be tough to turn off the air con, but there are other ways you can keep cool, like keeping the curtains and blinds pulled during the day. You can wear less, stock the fridge up with icy drinks and take cool showers.
Change your light bulbs
Incandescent lights have been banned across Australia, but some households still have them. Change to environmentally-friendly light bulbs which are cheaper to run and don’t generate as much heat, which can help keep your home cooler during summer.
Make your own eco-friendly cleaning products
Every pantry needs a humble bottle of apple cider vinegar. It has a myriad of uses around the home from degreasing glassware to deodorising fridges. You can even make your own cleaning products from a variety of eco-friendly ingredients.
Recycle
Most Australian households are provided with recycling receptacles, so make sure you use them. You can recycle glass bottles and jars, aluminium cans, tin cans, magazines, newspaper and plastic containers.
More info on going green
Eco-friendly appliances
The benefits of eco-fashion
Easy ways to be an eco-friendly parent
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