| WED-World Environment Day is about taking | | | | - If you have no other choice than to drive to |
| action to be a part of the solution. And the Daily | | | | work, look for the most fuel- efficient car model |
| do something Tips are a great start. | | | | for your next purchase and keep your tyres |
| We can all do our part to protect the planet by | | | | inflated to the correct pressure. |
| using less and acting more. Going green is not as | | | | - If you're one of the lucky few blessed with |
| difficult as you might think. Here we walk you | | | | clear stretches of road on your way to work, |
| through 30 easy ways to green your daily | | | | use cruise control, as it saves fuel and also helps |
| routine, from the moment you hit snooze on your | | | | you maintain a constant speed. |
| solar-powered alarm clock to the point when you | | | | - If you're among the majority of drivers who |
| crawl into your eco-washed, organic cotton | | | | spend their mornings stuck in traffic, consider |
| sheets. | | | | turning your engine off if you will be idling for long |
| Make your WED commitment today. But don't | | | | periods of time. And plant a tree. |
| stop at today and don't stop here. Try to | | | | - For those who suffer from road rage, |
| incorporate all of these into your life as a matter | | | | remember that aggressive driving lowers your |
| of routine. Get others to do so the same. And | | | | mileage, so if you want to save on fuel and save |
| get involved! | | | | the planet while you're at it, accelerate |
| IN GENERAL: | | | | gradually– something to keep that in mind the |
| - Plant a tree! Help achieve UNEP's Billion Tree | | | | next time that bad driver cuts you off! Just count |
| Campaign target of planting seven billion trees | | | | to 10 and say the planet needs me! |
| – one for every person on the planet – | | | | AT WORK: |
| by the end of this year! Three billion are planted. | | | | - Do you have a morning hot drink routine? Using |
| Five billion are pledged. On every continent in the | | | | a washable mug is an environmentally-friendly |
| world trees can be planted in June, so start your | | | | alternative to non-biodegradable styrofoam or |
| efforts on WED. | | | | plastic cups. |
| - Find needy homes or charitable organizations for | | | | - Leave a cup and reusable bottle for water at |
| things that you no longer need or want rather | | | | work to eliminate buying drinks, which get served |
| than throwing it away. | | | | in plastic cups, or bottled water. 80% of plastic |
| DAILY ROUTINE: | | | | bottles are recyclable but only 20% are actually |
| AT HOME… | | | | recycled. |
| - It would seem to go without saying, but many | | | | - When you need a pad for lists and messages, |
| of us forget that we can save water in simple | | | | turn over an old document and write on the back |
| ways like not letting the tap run while shaving, | | | | of that instead. |
| washing your face, or brushing your teeth. | | | | - If there isn't an office recycling system, start |
| - Insulating your water heater will help save | | | | one yourself! Recycling our trash actually |
| valuable energy, and you can go the extra mile | | | | contributes to reducing global warming emissions. |
| by installing showerheads with a low flow in your | | | | And it is estimated that 75% of what is thrown in |
| bathrooms for bathing purposes to help save | | | | the trash could actually be recycled, though |
| water. You can also put a timer on your heaters | | | | currently only 25% is. |
| to save power. | | | | - When you must have a paper copy, make sure |
| - Using an electric razor or hand razor with | | | | you default your printer option to use both sides. |
| replaceable blades instead of disposable razors | | | | This is an easy tree-saver! |
| goes a long way to cutting back on waste. And | | | | - Most computer accessories like ink cartridges |
| plant a tree. | | | | and CDs and DVDs are made of materials that |
| - Use towels for drying your face and hands | | | | could be reused. Computer cords and speakers |
| instead of tissues that are used and thrown | | | | are fairly standardized, meaning they can be used |
| away. Also, hang your towels to dry so that they | | | | for a variety of computer models and makes. |
| can be reused several times. You are after all | | | | - Lower your office's carbon footprint by seeing |
| clean when you use them! | | | | computers, monitors, printers, copiers, speakers |
| - Juice or yoghurt lovers can do their bit by | | | | and other business equipment to their energy |
| buying juice in concentrates and yoghurt in | | | | saving feature and turning them off at the end of |
| reusable containers instead of single serving | | | | the day. And plant a tree! |
| packages. | | | | - Turning off all unnecessary lights, especially in |
| - Many of us like to leaf through the paper as we | | | | unused offices and conference rooms is an easy |
| munch on breakfast, but consider reading the | | | | way to save energy. |
| dailies in communal spaces like the office or | | | | - If you're in search of something to personalize |
| coffee shops. However, if you prefer to have | | | | your workspace, look no further than the humble |
| your own copy, make sure you recycle! | | | | houseplant. Houseplants are good for the |
| - When packing your lunch, opt for reusable | | | | environment because they remove quantities of |
| containers for food storage instead of wrapping | | | | pollutants present in the air. |
| the food with aluminum foil or plastic wrap. | | | | AFTER A LONG DAY: |
| - When deciding what you're going to eat for the | | | | - In the summer/warmer months, consider using |
| day, go vegan once a week. Many people may | | | | an interior fan in conjunction with your window |
| not know this, but raising animals for food | | | | air-conditioner to spread the cooled air more |
| generates a considerable amount of greenhouse | | | | effectively through your home. While you're at it, |
| gases! | | | | in winter, lower your thermostat and put on a |
| - As you leave the house, don't forget to switch | | | | jumper. In summer, increase it and wear lighter |
| off all the lights and appliances at the wall unit (if | | | | clothes, you will also save money! |
| you have this feature) and unplug chargers as | | | | - Don't place lamps or TV sets near your |
| they continue to consume even if they are not | | | | air-conditioning thermostat as it senses heat from |
| charging; saving energy helps reduce air pollution. | | | | these appliances, which can cause the |
| GETTING TO WORK: | | | | air-conditioner to run longer than necessary. |
| - Don't go anywhere without your cloth bag so | | | | - When cooking dinner, match the size of the pan |
| you can just say no to plastic whenever you | | | | to the size of the heating element to lower |
| shop. | | | | energy wastage. |
| - Radical as it may seem, in today's "the easier | | | | - When you are feeling at your laziest, don't |
| the better" society, the easiest way to reduce | | | | throw clean clothes in the hamper to avoid |
| your carbon footprint is by avoiding driving | | | | hanging them up! Wear jeans more than once… |
| altogether. Power down and Instead try biking, | | | | - When you wash, use only eco-friendly products |
| walking, carpooling, public transport or an | | | | in your home. It's best for you and the |
| occasional telecommute. | | | | environment! And did we mention plant a tree! |