Going green in hopes to improve the environment is more than just opting to use paper straws. There is so much more that can be done in our day-to-day lives that will make a significant difference in the long run. Fine tuning our daily routines and behaviours to be environmentally conscious may just hold the answer for a better world.
1 MAKE HEALTHIER FOOD CHOICES
At least 40% of the entire agricultural output is contributed by livestock in developed nations, and 20% in developing ones. According to the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation, animal-based agriculture makes up 15% of all worldwide Green House Gas (GHG) emissions. Cattle, which are bred for both meat and milk production as well as for non-edible outputs like manure and draught power, account for around 65% of all emissions from the livestock industry.
Limiting your meat and dairy consumption will help you lower your carbon impact. This doesn’t mean you would have to go vegetarian or vegan, it means you can consider incorporating a vegetarian meal in your weekly meal planning.
2 TRAVEL GREEN
If the destination of your choice is accessible via bicycle, walking, or public transportation, you’re highly recommended to use these modes of transportation to travel.
In Malaysian cities, cars now account for the majority of road use, which results in traffic jams, noise pollution, and accidents. Private vehicles as a form of transportation are frequently a waste of resources because they are used inefficiently (they sit idle 95% of the time) and are expensive to buy. By opting to carpool or travel green, you can help reduce the carbon emissions of vehicles.
3 COMPOST
Garbage thrown every day by Malaysians in 2021 consisted of 10% of food that were still edible. To put it in a larger perspective, Malaysians threw more than 4,000 tonnes of edible food in 2021. To prevent food wastage, you can consider alternatives such as smaller meal portions, taking away foods and eating them later or if wastage does occur, composting may just be the answer.
You need a 50:50 mixture of nitrogen and carbon-rich ingredients to generate effective compost. Grass cuttings and other lush, green vegetation are sources of nitrogen. Brown materials like cardboard and woody stems are sources of carbon.
3 USE WATER RESPONSIBLY
Excessive water use increases utility costs and uses a lot of energy. You can save money and water by choosing one of a few alternatives. Rainwater that has been stored in storage drums can be used for outdoor activities that consume a lot of water, such as washing your car or watering plants. When you’ve used up the water, you can refill it when it rains. Fortunately, we live in Malaysia where it rains a lot! So nature has got you covered.
When you’re indoors, little actions like turning off the faucet while brushing your teeth or when scrubbing your face during your facial routine make a lot of change. A shorter shower time also makes a huge difference. The United States Environmental Protection Agency estimates that an average showerhead uses 9.4 liters of water per minute. If your usual shower time is 10 minutes, you’re using up approximately 94 liters of water!
5 COMMUNITY INITIATIVES
Hosting a weekly recycling programme where neighbours can drop by to drop off their recyclable items makes a huge impact on the community.
There are various financial advantages to implementing a recycling programme. Solid waste recycling can lower collection, transportation, and disposal costs while also generating employment. The selling of recyclable materials can bring in money for it. Recycling also contributes to maintaining environmental quality. It decreases air pollution, preserves resources, spares energy, and saves water. It also frees up landfill space.
6 PLAYTIME WITH RECYCLABLE ITEMS
During play time, parents can encourage their children to play with recyclable items that may look pretty ordinary at first sight. However, do not underestimate a child’s creativity to put a twist on something mundane.
Children’s imaginations can be stimulated by the usage of cardboard cylinders, egg cartons, packaging materials, and plastic bottles. It’s free and it’s fun!
7 CULTIVATE A GREEN SCHOOL
If you’re a teacher or are on a school board, try carrying out green initiatives like teaching kids how to grow their own vegetables in a school garden or encouraging them to use eco-friendly craft supplies to turn the hows and whys of going green into a lesson.
8 GO GREEN IN THE OFFICE
Management can work together with the employees to implement various green initiatives such as reducing paper usage, encouraging carpooling amongst colleagues and incentivising those who carpool.
Companies can also consider providing drinking glasses during events and meetings instead of opting for mineral bottles which contribute to a large chunk of global waste percentage.
9 OPT FOR LOCALLY GROWN PRODUCE
Vegetables that are grown locally in the community make a great food choice as they help save energy by reducing logistics costs. Eating produce that is not grown locally can be expensive with the addition of transportation costs.
Growing organic food is also labour intensive. However, the bright side is that you know where your foods are coming from and they will cost marginally lesser as compared to imported fruits and vegetables.
10 PRE-LOVED
Old is gold is the saying and there must be a reason. If you’re looking for nursery furniture, a jewellery box or even a book, why not pop by a secondhand shop? Giving new life to used items can cut their carbon footprint by half, save you lots and boast a cool story.
Plus, if you have excess clothes in your closet that you rarely use or if you’re still hanging on to a loved one’s clothes, you can breathe new life into them by selling them as preloved items or donating them.
11 TURN DOWN THE BAG
Shopaholics, it’s time to shine! While everyone’s paying extra for single-use plastic bags, show off your fancy reusable shopping bag. By investing in good-quality tote bags and mesh bags, you’ll reduce plastic usage and save money.
12 BUY ONLY WHAT YOU WILL USE
The next time you’re with a shopping cart, take some time to differentiate between the items you really need and those that you simply want. By making conscious purchases, you’ll decrease the energy used and pollution emitted in the manufacturing, transportation, and disposal processes of goods.
13 SHUT OFF LIGHTS
Shutting off unnecessary lights, such as in empty rooms, will not only save money but also lower your carbon footprint. Even better, keep the shades open during daylight hours and get yourselves some Vitamin D
14 UPCYCLE
Feeling crafty? Upcycle the things around you. Whether you’re carving out a chandelier from bicycle parts or making an aquarium from an upright piano, upcycling can reduce the greenhouse gasses required to manufacture new ones. If you’re serious about it, you can turn it into a side hustle and earn some cash too.
So you see, going green isn’t so tough to do. With a few simple product swaps and some greener habits, you’re on your way to making our home a better place. Why not begin today?
Source: The Star, United Nations Development Programme (Malaysian cities – a powerful vehicle in reducing emissions), United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation (Key facts and findings), Harvard Green, Greenmatch.UK, The Guardian, Eco-Friendly Habits
