Small Things You can do at Home
Small Tips You can do at Home
An easy way for you to locate resources that relate to all fields of sustainability. Follow the links in each category for more information about each topic.
If not You, then who?
Water is precious
Water is precious – even small actions can significantly reduce our water consumption. Fitting low-flow adapters on taps and making sure your showerhead is an efficient one can make a massive difference.
Tip 1
Don’t waste a drop
Don’t waste a drop – A dripping tap can typically waste around 15 litres of water a day, or 5,500 litres per year. Fix any leaking toilets too!
Tip 2
Cut one minute off your shower time
Cut one minute off your shower time – for a typical shower with a flow of 10 litres per minute, you’ll save over 3,600 litres per year; this is equivalent to four years worth of drinking water for a single person!
Tip 3
If you like your water cold
If you like your water cold - keep a jug of tap water in the fridge – waiting for the tap to run cold can waste more than 10 litres a day!
Tip 4
Collect rainwater
Collect rainwater - in your garden to water your plants and flowers.
Tip 5
Turn off the tap
Turn off the tap - when brushing teeth or washing dishes or you will literally be able to watch money go down the drain!
Tip 6
Eat sustainably
Eat sustainably – organic food does not use pesticides and it is better for the planet and your health; if you eat meat regularly, make one day a week ‘meatless’; buy in season, and ensure fish and seafood are always sustainably sourced.
Tip 7
Get informed about embedded water
Get informed about embedded water – did you know an apple has 70 litres of embedded water, whilst a hamburger needs 2,400 litres?
Tip 8
Avoid plastic bottles
Avoid plastic bottles – take a reusable bottle with you instead, and for meetings provide filtered tap water.
Tip 9
Stretch your legs
Stretch your legs – if you can, leave the car at home and try public transport, walk or bike! More than 50% of car trips are for less than 5 kilometres.
Tip 10
Wash your clothes at cooler temperatures
Wash your clothes at cooler temperatures - and avoid dryers to save energy and money. Only run machines when you have a full load, that goes for dishwashers too!
Tip 11
Change those bulbs
Change those bulbs – do you still have incandescent bulbs in your home? Its time to catch up and ensure all your lights use energy efficient bulbs, old style bulbs are being phased out in many countries.
Tip 12
E-cycle
E-cycle – Each year we throw away more and more electronic equipment, most of which goes to landfill. It is easy to dispose of this in the proper way so it can be recycled safely.
Tip 13
Unplug
Unplug – be sure to switch off your computer and other appliances like televisions as they still cost you money when they are on standby mode.
Tip 14
Turn off the lights
Turn off the lights – When no one is in the room, think about turning off the lights and even if no one is home, turning off the lights can save you money on your energy bill.
Tip 15
If it’s yellow
If it’s yellow – flushing the toilet every time will use about 75 liters of water. Think “if it’s yellow, let it mellow.”
Tip 16
Save water while you shower
Save water while you shower – use water only to rinse and cut off the faucet while you’re lathering up.
Tip 17
Change your showerhead
Change your showerhead – to a more ecological, water saving showerhead.
Tip 18
Fix leaky faucets
Fix leaky faucets – Over 37 liters of water a day are wasted because of leaky faucets and toilets so make sure to have them regularly checked.
Tip 19
Shower vs. Bath
Shower vs. Bath – Taking a bath can use around 260 liters of water. Opt for a shower instead.
Tip 20
Wash a full load
Wash a full load – When using the dishwasher and washing machine, be sure that you only wash when you have a full load, or adjust the settings of the machine for smaller loads so as not to waste water.
Tip 21
Nearly 60% of your daily water footprint
Nearly 60% of your daily water footprint - comes from watering outdoors. Think about the weather and if you really need to water those plants just before a rainstorm.
Tip 22
Reduce meat consumption
Reduce meat consumption – If you really want to cut your water footprint, opt for local fruits and vegetables as opposed to meat. A vegan will consume 2271 gallons less a day of water than someone who eats meat. A single serving of chicken requires 360 liters of water!
Tip 23
Think twice about coffee
Think twice about coffee – One cup of coffee uses 208 liters of water to make, the bulk of this water usage goes to growing the beans.
Tip 24
Carpool to save water
Carpool to save water – It requires nearly 50 liters of water to produce four liters of gas, so if you can use public transportation, carpool or ride a bike, opt for those options.
Tip 25
Recycle paper always
Recycle paper always – Recycling one pound of paper will save 13 liters of water!
Tip 26
The water used
The water used - to create your laptop could wash nearly 70 loads in a standard machine!
Tip 27
Use the sun
Use the sun – Use the position of the sun to heat and cool your home.
Tip 28
Make your home more energy efficient
Make your home more energy efficient – check for drafts or faulty seals around windows and doors.
Tip 29
Finally, remember the three R’s
Finally, remember the three R’s: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!