Environmental problems are largely caused by unsustainable practices fuelled by wasteful runaway consumerism. By making small changes to our lifestyle and consumption habits, each individual can make a worthy contribution to conservation.
1# Shop wisely and use wisely
Look for food and merchandise that are produced in environment-friendly ways products made using timber harvested in sustainable managed forest, for example. By using wisely, we can reduce our use of limited natural resources like water and energy and reduce our direct impact on the environment. Buying items without excessive packaging and taking them home in reusable rather than disposable shopping bags.
2# Making a difference daily
In the home, turn off lights when you are not using them, and use energy saving bulbs. Drive less or car pool, walk rather than drive short distances and use public transport more often. Switch off the car engine when you are waiting for someone for more than 5 minutes. Don't leave your water taps running. Whenit comes to disposing waste, use biodegradable bags. Plastic is not eco-friendly. It does not break down even when buried.
3# Buy reusable products
Sturdy, washable utensils, tableware, cloths napkins and dish cloths can be used many times. When you buy furniture, sports equipment, toys and tools, choose durable products that will stand the test of time. Choose products that have been made from, or are packaged in, recycled material. The latter includes bottles, cans, cereals boxes and cartons. Reuse items you intend to discard by selling or donating them if they are still usable. Some of the environmental impact of littering eventually finds its way into storm drains, from there into rivers and thence into the sea.
4# Tetra Pak - environment friendly
Tetra Pak cartons are widely found in Malaysia containing beverages like UHT milk, soya milk, juice or tea. If a product is using a Tetra Pak carton, the packaging will carry the Tetra Pak "Protects What's Good" logo on the side or bottom. Tetra Pak encourages recycling of used cartons. This process recycles carton fibres into paper rolls which can be used to make cardboard boxes, office stationary, tissues and egg trays.
5# Throw it away - intelligently
Disposing of our waste in an environment-friendly manner. The most effective ways of making a positive impact on the environment is to prevent waste at source. Preventing waste before it is generated means less of a waste disposal problems. Understand the 3R concept of reduce, reuse and recycle. Separate your waste between items that can be recycled and those that can't.
Don't mix plastics, tin, aluminium cans and papers with non recyclables like kitchen waste. Send your recyclables to the nearest recycling centre or drop it into the three coloured recycling bins. Don't carelessly discard things that contain chemicals or poisons like batteries, aerosols, handphones and explosives. These items can cause fires at landfills if they react with landfills gas. Find out where to take your old car batteries, antifreeze and motor oil.
Don't indiscriminately throw out old or bulky items such as mattresses, cupboards, electrical items and tyres. Ask authorities where you can take them. When you throw out garden waste, cut the branches into small pieces before putting them in a biodegradable bag. Don't mix wet with dry waste, and strain excessive liquids before discarding kitchen waste. This help to reduce leachate, the contaminated runoff which occurs when rain gets into garbage or landfill sites.
6# Use electrical eco-friendly
Buy affordable air-conditioners that are durable, energy-saving and user-friendly. They provide inverter technology which helps to maintain the right cooling temperature for longer, thereby avoiding wastage of energy while drawing power more efficiently than conventional technology. Use electrical models with 5-Star energy efficiency rating.
Let's Love Our Earth More!
Support Go Green Campaign and Earth Hour.
Readest Digest, August 2009
Life Well Shared (ISSN 0034-0383)