These days, everywhere we go, we seem to be inundated with labels that say “eco-friendly”, “bio-degradable” and “green”.
It’s all about “Going Green”. But, how green can you go and how true are all these claims? Are “eco-friendly” products really good for the environment and our family? Or, is it just a lot of hype?
Here are five tips to help you and your family go green:
Tip 1: Be energy efficient
Light up your life
Save electricity by switching from incandescent light bulbs, which waste energy through heat, to the more environmentally-friendly compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs. The CFL bulbs are brighter, save up to 25% electricity and last up to 10 times longer. The brighter light makes it easier for your children to read and will not cause them to strain their eyes.
While using CFL bulbs is great, disposing of them is still a pressing issue in Malaysia.
Most people are not aware that throwing them into garbage bins will actually pollute the environment, endanger the lives of pregnant mothers and their unborn babies.
This is because CFL bulbs contain mercury and polychlorinated biphenyls (PB) which are toxic. Research by Stanford University in the United States has found that a single light bulb can contaminate 23,000 litres of water, causing it to be deemed undrinkable.
Currently, the problem of disposal arises because neither the manufacturer nor the domestic waste concessionaires are willing to bear the cost of the disposal. Even the Department of Environment (DOE) says that household hazardous wastes are not under its jurisdiction.
Until there are proper guidelines and legislation on the disposal of CFL bulbs, the best thing to do is store them safely. This should not be a big problem as each household usually replaces only one or two light bulbs per year.
To hybrid or not to hybrid?
A hybrid vehicle combines a conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) with an electric motor for adequate power; low emissions (a decrease of up to 97%); and fuel efficiency. It does not need to be plugged into an outlet to be charged; instead, it is charged with the energy lost during braking and coasting. It can also be charged using the combustion engine of the car.
A hybrid has higher mileage on city roads compared to the highway. It relies more on the battery when driving in the city compared to the highway. As such, it is suitable for urbanites who usually travel to work or send children to and from school.
It’s safe to say that the hybrid vehicle is a good choice when it comes to saving the environment. It will hurt your pocket a little in the beginning, due to the higher price of the car and the higher maintenance cost, but in the long run, you’ll save more on petrol, while contributing to making the world greener.
Tip 2: Use recycled paper products
Use recycled paper products or substitute them with more environmentally-friendly alternatives, such as paper made from agricultural waste. Many other alternatives have been used to make paper, such as cotton linters, rice straws, wheat straws, bagasse (sugar cane waste) and others. These are residual products from agricultural and industrial activities which will reduce the need to cut down trees to produce paper. We should opt for recycled paper and not virgin paper, whenever possible.
Always use both sides of the paper. Instead of using tissue paper and serviettes, try using the good old handkerchief which can be washed and reused over and over again.
Avoid using paper, if you can. Don't print out electronic communication or information from websites. Try e-mailing Hari Raya wishes to your friends and family this year, instead of writing letters or sending cards. Keep soft copies of data and pictures of family holidays and celebrations, instead of printing them out on paper. This not only saves space and cost, but also contributes a lot in saving the environment.
Tip 3: Switch to eco-friendly products
For a ‘cleaner’ world
Switch to eco-friendly household cleaning products, such as washing detergents, soap, shampoo, etc. These are generally products with less chemical ingredients. This means, they have no additives such as perfumes, colourings and brightening agents. In addition, because these products are less toxic, they are safer to be used in your home, especially if you have small children playing near or on the floor all day.
These natural cleaning products do not contain Volatile Organic Compounds, VOCs, which can cause skin irritation and respiratory problems to your family.
In case you're not sure what to look out for when shopping, either look for the “recycle” mark on the packaging. Alternatively, these are some keywords that would be found on eco-friendly products:
- Biodegradable
- Phosphate-free
- Chlorine-free
- Bleach-free
- Scents are derived from natural plants or essential oils
- Non-toxic
The use of eco-friendly detergents with minimal packaging will go a long way in saving the environment. Apart from that, natural cleansers, which are free of chemicals, pose less health dangers to children and the environment.
Get products in 100% recyclable containers and avoid aerosols which contain chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) which depletes the ozone layer. You can also try using common household items such as baking soda and vinegar to clean stains, rather than relying on harsh detergents.
Green cleansers sound too good to be true? Well, here’s the bitter truth. The switch from conventional cleansers to eco-friendly cleansers will cost you a “little”. Products which are environmentally-friendly usually cost more than conventional ones, but in the long run you would be helping environment and your children's general health.
Take cloth bags when shopping
Reducing the use of plastic bags or replacing them with biodegradable plastic bags is another major concern when it comes to being an environmentally-friendly family.
The best way to overcome the plastic bag problem is to bring your own cloth shopping bags or containers when purchasing items. Teach your kids and make it a habit for them to say “No” to plastic bags.
How about bags for the disposal of garbage?
As it is almost impossible to stop using plastic bags to dispose of our rubbish, all we can do is reduce our waste generation. This reduces the amount of rubbish, thus lowering the number of plastic bags used to pack our rubbish.
When there is no other choice, it would still be better to use biodegradable plastic bags than conventional plastic bags even though there are still side effects from the production and degradation process of bio-degradable plastics.
Tip 4: Composting
While composting seems like a new trend, it actually dates back to the Roman era. It is a process where organic materials such as food scraps, egg shells, fruits peelings and garden wastes are decomposed via aerobic decomposition. The product of composting would be nutrient rich humus or compost which can be used as a natural fertiliser and pesticide in your gardens or vegetable patch.
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