Through January and February, on our Facebook page, we published a one-day advice for a more sustainable 2014. If you want to view and / or download the presentation you can do it -> here.
1. BUY LESS
Most of the things we buy on a daily basis come from packagings that eventually we throw away, and often consist of hard-to-break materials. Many of the consumable items and devices also end up in the garbage at the end of the usage cycle. Moreover, every time we enter a supermarket or mall we are seeing a bunch of things that will sooner or later end up in the trash. We need to wonder if we need these things really. As consumers, we are part of the responsibility for the resulting waste. Less we buy, less garbage.
2. RE-USE
Re-use things that you would otherwise throw away, such as glass jars, plastic containers for food, cans, wooden crates. You can overlay old clothes, and put a new glow on the set of furniture. The internet is full of ideas and tips. Be creative!
3. RECYCLES
Find out about are the possibilities of recycling and sorting waste into your own place! Take away glass, plastic and paper and place them in appropriate containers. Old clothes can be handed in exchange for discounts in many chains like H & M. They will be recycled. Medicines that have expired with should be handed over to the pharmacy, and batteries at the mechanic. Electronic waste disposal is free and you can order them by phone or soon via mobile app Recycle! Worth to try, is nit ot?
4. WHEN PACKAGING LUNCH, DO IT WITH AN ECO FRIENDLY WRAPPING
Instead of aluminum foil for dressing food and plastic, dishes and disposable items for disposable food, choose those from the so-called “healthy plastic” or stainless steel that you can use every day.
5. USE COTTON PAMPERS
Production and transportation of disposable diapers causes large industrial pollution, the dental napkins are 10% non-destructive waste. By contrast, the use of cotton diapers represents the health benefits for the baby, but also contributes greatly to the preservation of the environment, which can give every family who decides on ecologically acceptable reversing. If the baby is wraped in natural materials, the waist ends up in the sewage system, and each child, compared to 5,000-6,000 disposable diapers, needs only 20-25 cotton diapers that can be used more children. Additionally, the decision to move towards natural materials to each family is a saving about € 1000 per child.
6. USE CLOTH/COTTON BAGS
Less than 1% of plastic bags are recycled due to high costs – one bag is more expensive to recycle than to make a new one. You must think that nylon is good for throwing away, but remember that you throw hundreds of pounds a year in trash. Also, paper bags are not a better alternative, so always have a towel bag with you in the event of a sudden purchase. Today, they can be found at every corner, in different colors, patterns and sizes. Carrying such a bags is a reflection of an ecological attitude.
7. USE ENERGY-SAVING LIGHT BULBS
Though they are initially more expensive than ordinary bulbs, saving lamps because of lower energy consumption actually save money. Namely, the energy-saving bulbs spend 5 times less energy than similar ordinary bulbs. After the expiry date, make sure that they are disposed off properly – at a nearby recycling yard or at an authorized EE waste collector. You also should turn off the light when you do not need it. In order to prevent the necessity of leaving lights on, for example, in basements and garages, it is best to set an automatic stop which will shut off the lamp after a while.
8. USE ECOLOGICAL CLEANING MATERIALS
Common chemical cleaning agents, besides being expensive, are very bad for health and the environment. You can easily produce your own, ecologically and healthily acceptable means by using a few cheap ingredients: lemon, vinegar, bicarbonate, salt and essential oils.
Find out more in Rosamund Richardson’s book “Organic Home” at Alternative-a-Vas.com or ask your grandma how they used to clean in her “age”.
9. USE ECOLOGICAL MEDIUM FOR WASHING AND BODY CARE
Replace common washing and care products such as shampoos, shower gels, lotions, creams, make-ups, deodorants for those certified organic non-damaging preservatives, synthetic oils (emollients) and artificial dyes and odors. You will make your skin great service, and the result will be seen from a plane.
10. USE LESS PLASTICS
Most of the commercial plastics contain a very harmful component BPA (Bisphenol-A) which gives them properties of strength and transparency, and its composition is a hormone that mimics estrogen in the human body and causes various diseases (breast cancer, liver problems, obesity, heart disease, premature puberty, etc.). Just think of the amount of plastic that surrounds you daily and try to replace it with a healthy alternative: glass, ceramics and so on. – bioplastics. Take care to dispose of the plastic in appropriate containers. In any case, less plastic is better for both you and the environment.
11. BE WISE WITH GIFTS FOR YOUR LOVED ONES
Give your family members and friends memories they will happily remember, unlike things they most likely do not need and will quickly fall into oblivion. Such values teach the youth the meaning of love. Also, try making homemade gifts that can be turned into a real family party!
12. EAT LESS MEAT
Conventional cattle breeding is one of the biggest causes of pollution. A large amount of pesticides and chemical lubricants are used for fodder production. Fertilizer nitrogen is stored in groundwater in such an amount that some mineral water no longer meets the drinking water criteria. All wastes and extrudates during the breeding and processing end up in water. Massive cattle breeding caused about 50% of pollution in Europe. In addition, it takes about 15,000 liters of water to get 1 kg of meat.
Animal feces pollute air and soil – to produce 1 kg of pork, 13 kg of feces are produced. Also, animals are given hormones and additives that ultimately end up into our body. As for ethical dimension, judge yourself.
13. SAVE WATER
Close the tap while you wash your hands or teeth. Swop bathing for showering. Do a large amount of laundry at once,buy a refrigerator that has an air cooling system, not water. Collect a garden rain water. Rinse the food into the bowl of water instead of under the string. You can also use water used to rinse food of a plate for watering plants. There are many ways to preserve water. Step by step, drop by drop!
14. COMPOSTING
Composting is the oldest and most natural way of recycling waste, and compost is made using organic waste from the kitchen and garden (eg egg shells, fruit and vegetable choices, old bread etc.). Compost is a neatly complex bunch of organic material that passes through the decomposition process to simple compounds under considerable human control. These compounds are later converted to humus by other processes. Instead of throwing organic waste into the trash you can turn it into a natural fertilizer with abundant minerals for roasting and enriching the soil in your garden or balcony. Cultivating your own food or even spice is no longer baffling, with composting you feed your own food!
15. GROW YOUR OWN FOOD
If you have a garden and a place, next spring plant your own vegetables. Working in the garden positively affects health and reduces stress, not to mention the benefits of using domestic-grown food. The food we buy at the mall often travels hundreds, even thousands of miles to us, where we spend a lot of resources and deny it a natural ripening on the stem. By eating locally grow food, we save resources and eat better. Gardening can be fun and instructive for children. If you do not have a garden, use a balcony or a terrace. It is possible to install a vertical garden on a wall that reaches the sun. Plants find a way to grow, find one yourself!
16. HELP THE CHILDREN TO EMRACE GREEN HABBITS
The world remains to children. We are here to teach them about the environment. They can learn everything about green habits and sustainable living with ease, through the games and interactive workshops.
17. USE E-ACCOUNTING AND NET-BANKING
Cancel receiving a paper version of your account and use digital ones instead. This saves large amounts of paper, and many operators offer discount on the monthly amount of the account keeping in the e-version, pay via net banking in the comfort of your home.
18. BUY LOCAL
Supports local food producers and the local economy. Natural and organically grown foods are often expensive if you buy them in a store. But if you buy them directly from the market maker, this means the absence of brokers and freight costs, refrigerators and a like, and the purchased food is more favorable, but also better. Food is naturally matured in a mild climate where it can naturally succeed in the season that is suitable for her.
19. USE BOTTLES THAT CAN BE USED MULTIPLE TIMES OVER
Remove harmful plastic bottles from use once and for ever. Get a quality stainless steel bottle or glass bottle. There are beautifully designed bottles on the market that you will certainly have to pay attention to. It’s a new bottle for you investment because you no longer buy a bottle of water in the store every time you are thirsty. Also, this is an ideas for a smart gift!
20. UNPLUG YOUR HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCEs
Did you know that household appliances and electronic devices spend small amounts of electricity even when turned off? To prevent leakage, disconnect them from the socket when they are not needed.
21. PLAN YOUR MEALS AND THROW AWAY LESS FOOD
Planing meals on a weekly basis saves you time and money. Protect your body with enough nutrition over the week and avoid the possibility of “getting out” in the fast food restaurant. There is a saying not to go hungry shopping. In this way, you acquire the habit of buying those quantities that you really need.
22. PROPER DISPOSAL OF EE WASTE
Our households are full of electronic gadgets and so-called. smart devices. Every few years we are buying better and faster models without thinking about where they end up. Be careful that you take care of them properly. You can order the service free of charge by a licensed collector under the law and at a nearby recycling yard.
23. NEWSLETTER INSTEAD OF A FYLER
In your mailbox, you indicate that you do not want to receive promotional leaflets and newsletters. Most of them do not care about you anyway. You can subscribe to the newsletter about the actions and discounts you really are interested in.
24. CARPOOL
Apart from city and intercity transportation, you can share a ride with one or more people traveling to the same destination. Also, people collect travel costs together and thus save money and fuel. You can offer or request your transportation at many forums and groups on Facebook.
25. SUPPORT LOCAL ECO INITIATIVES
There are groups of people out there that care about the environment and often organize promotional and educational actions related to ecology, sustainable development, organic food production, urban gardening etc. Support them with your participation and donation and join them by creating a better, more sustainable environment for life. Be the change you want to see!