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When you leave a room, even if for a little while, turn of the lights, computers, fan and other electrical appliances.
Unplug seldom used devices
Turn off the tap while you brush to save about 4 litres off water
Take a bucket bath instead of a shower, just once a week
Collect rainwater from your shed or roof or contact your local Resident Welfare Association to figure out how you can collectively save water
To prepare a hot drink, heat only as much water as needed. You can save enough energy in a week to light a house for a day (‘Sustainable Development’, Scottish Government, 2008)
Check and fix any leaks
Don’t wash dishes with running water. You can soap them all and then wash them one by one.
Wash your vehicle with a bucket of water and use a hose pipe sparingly
Do not dump waste directly down drains
Buy items without several layers of packaging
Buy products that you can reuse
Reuse items like bags and containers, whenever possible
Buy rechargeable batteries for frequently used appliances
Shop with a canvas or cloth bag instead of a paper or plastic bag
Old newspapers and magazines make great packing or gift-wrapping material
Use more bio-degradable materials and separate harmful materials like chemicals, batteries, paint and electronics to take them to local waste depots
Donate, reuse and recycle (with your local kabadi vala) before throwing items into trash
Dig a pit, at least one-foot deep (located not to close to your or your neighbour’s house)
Place fallen dried leaves and grass at the bottom
Add the next layer of kitchen waste like fruits and vegetable peels, skins, seeds, leaves and egg shells. Do not put dairy products or animal protein (chicken), human waste, diseased or pesticide-treated weeds and plants or charcoal ashes in the pit.
Place some top soil or mud on top
Spray some water over it to keep it moist
After one week, microorganisms would begin breaking down each of the components. Using garden tools like a shovel or a rake mix everything in the pit.
In 2-3 days, you can expect your manure to be ready and you can add this to the soil nutrients in your garden or in your neighbourhood.
Buy energy-efficient products and appliances, such as:
Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) bulbs because they last about 10 times more, use 2/3rd less energy and give off 70% less heat and give you more natural-looking light
Vehicles that give good fuel mileage
Match the size of your pan to the size of your burner for greater efficiency in use of cooking fuel
Burn some calories and improve your health by walking or cycling, whenever possible
Try to combine errands and make fewer trips
Join a carpool or use public transport for your daily commute
Try to leave your vehicle at home at least once a month and then maybe progress to once a week
From now on, try not to take the car out when you go to the local market – you need the exercise and parking is always a hassle at the local market
Plant a tree
Give some plants in your neighbourhood a little water
Plants make great gifts instead of cut flowers- share something vibrant and beautiful with those you love!
Choose natural and non-toxic products that do not contain Chlorofluorocarbons
Try cleaning agents by mixing ingredients from your kitchen- vinegar, baking soda and water
‘Waste not-Want not’- Try to buy only what you need
Take stock of what you have in store and plan meals around it, rather than buying new items all the time
Try to always print on both sides of a paper
Use cloth napkins instead of paper napkins and reusable mugs or washable glasses instead of paper cups
Reuse items like enveloped, folders and paper clips
