easy & positive ways
to help your environment
Easy action we all can take on a personal level.
environmental tips
2 When shopping for your household buy environmentally-friendly products (see our consumer buying tips at Planet first 2000 consuming _wisely )
3 Before buying any new appliances for your home ask yourself "Do I need this?" "Would another appliance I have do the same job?" "Can I borrow such an appliance from friends or neighbours?"
4 When purchasing a new electrical appliance, check its energy efficiency rating. The less energy it uses the better.
5 Decrease heating and warming costs by ensuring your home is adequately insulated.
6 Save your kitchen scraps for the compost pile
7 Don't use phosphate-based laundry or dish washing detergents
8 Use warm or cold water in your laundry - it saves you money and uses less energy
9 Get into the habit of turning on your cold-water tap, rather than the hot water one whenever possible. Energy and fuels are wasted when the hot water tap is used for small jobs and uses only the beginning cold water and is then turned off before the hot water runs.
10 Check your car's tyre pressure. Correct tyre pressure prevents damage to your tyres and suspension AND importantly, saves petrol also.
11 Make sure your taps (faucets) don't drip. A dripping tap can waste water at upto 9 litres a minute. You will conserve water AND save money if you repair dripping taps or faucets.
12 Always wait for a full load of laundry before using your washing machine. This saves water, lessens the impact of laundry detergents AND saves you money.
13 Ensure your toilet has a dual flush. Half a flush for urine and a full flush for solid body wastes. In any event, most toilets hold enough water in a half-flush capacity to effectively flush most waste. If you have an older style toilet-cystern, place a brick in the cystern to decrease its holding capacity.
14 Plant a tree. Trees provide shade and filter carbon dioxide in the air. Seek information from your local gardening centre about what sort of trees are most suitable for your area and its soil type. Trees that attractive native birds are desirable.
15 Use a mug instead of disposable paper or polystyrene cups.
16 Use unleaded petrol wherever possible and keep the air clean.
17 Use environmentally-friendly cleaning products. Normal vinegar for example is an excellent disinfectant for bench tops etc. In any event check labels on cleaning products and determine if they are environmentally friendly.
18 Wherever possible use electronic mail instead of paper. This in effect saves trees and lessens the chemicals used in paper manufacturing.
19 Wherever possible use reusable items that can be cleaned and used again instead of throw-away/disposal items.
20 Clean your windows with vinegar and water instead of chemical products
21 Don't put hazardous substances down your drain or in your rubbish or trash (these include paint, bleach,thinners, turpentine, petrol/gasoline, furniture polish etc). Contact your local board, municipal or city office to find out how to safely dispose of them.
22 Don't use electrical appliances for things you can reasonably do by hand.
23 store foods in re-usable containers rather than in plastic wraps and foils.
24 Install a water-saving shower head.
25 Ensure your refrigerator is not set colder than necessary - follow the manufacturers' recommendation. If your fridge is set just 5 degrees Fahrenheit/ 2.8 Centigrade too cold, that will use 25% more electricity than necessary.
26 Switch off all unnecessary light. Use low wattage bulbs where practical.
27 In winter, turn the heat down and wear more clothing.
28 Turn off all unused appliances. Appliances on "standby" still draw down electricity.
29 Take unused items to a charity, give to a friend or sell at your local markets.
30 Save your coathangers and return them to the laundry.
31 Start a compost pile or bin in your garden for all kitchen food scraps. A covered bin is preferable to deter rodents.
32 Avoid the use of household pesticides. Use organic ones or use a fly-swat.
33 Avoid the use of polystyrene foam in your home. It is not degradable.
34 Take extra plastic plant pots back to the plant nursery or garden shop
35 Ensure all windows are tinted or use blinds or curtains to keep out the sun in summer.
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Planet first 2000 promotes environmental awareness and appropriate action however, please note that listing any linked sites is for directory purposes only and does not, in any way, imply endorsement of any of the sites, their views or policies or the accuracy of the information that they contain. We have no control over the content of these sights listed. The lists of sites are regularly updated but are by no means exhaustive.