Acts of Green

In our ever changing world global warming has become a universal concern – we need to conserve energy!

We all contribute to the state of our environment every day. Let's take responsibility for this impact on our world and make simple changes to sustain earth's energy and be green aware to better the world around us.

Going green means taking steps to help combat the effects of green house gases and save energy. There are many way in which you can help the planet. Read our list of ways that you can make a difference!

Act Number 1: Use Cloth Diapers

To all the mothers; use cloth diapers instead of disposable plastic diapers! Disposable diapers contain chemicals and once used are disposed of in landfills. These diapers don’t break down very easily and when they do they release those chemicals into the ground. Go for cloth not plastic!

Act Number 2: Carpool

One of the most obvious and common sources of global warming and a major contributor of green house gases are motor vehicles. Many people nowadays travel to work in their own cars. So for every one person there is a car emitting greenhouses gases. Why not start up a carpool with some of your co-workers? You can all contribute towards the petrol and save money and reduce the amount of emissions you contribute.

Act Number 3: Use Solar Panel Electricity

It is a known fact that power-plants require vast amounts of coal to burn and produce energy which is provided to your home. The smoke produced contributes highly to global warming. Solar panels which can be acquired quite easily can be installed at your home. If everyone uses solar panels this will reduce the demand of energy from power-plants, thereby lowering the amount of coal they need to burn.

Act Number 4: Plant A Tree

Trees are the earth’s natural way to turn harmful Carbon dioxide into fresh clean oxygen.

Act Number 5: Use Electric Lawnmowers

Stop using old petrol or diesel lawnmowers and switch to electric. It’s a simple and effective way to start reducing harmful emissions.

Act Number 6: Use LED Bulbs

Replace all your old filament bulbs with energy saving LED bulbs or CFL bulbs. These will save on your electricity bill and will last much longer.

Act Number 7: Grow Indigenous Plants

Grow plants in your garden that are indigenous to the area, they generally tend to need less watering.

Act Number 8: A Geyser Timer!

Set a timer on your geyser so that in only turns on when it is needed. Try 2 hours in the morning and 2 hours at night.

Act Number 9: Unplug Appliances, Save Energy

Unplug all unnecessary electrical appliance when not in use. Appliances such as TV’s, radios and computers can still draw power when switched off.

Act Number 10: Recycle

Separate your garbage into biodegradable, paper, plastic and glass and help to remove the harmful substances compounding the problem. By recycling we use the resources we have more efficiently and minimize waste.

Act Number 11: Purchase Sensibly

Buy products which have minimal packaging. Certain products have excess plastic or synthetic packaging which is not biodegradable and which may be harmful to the environment.

Act Number 12: Be Electricity Conscious

Switch off the lights when you are not in the room. All the energy saved by simply switching off the lights, will add up and lower your monthly energy bill by about 25%.

Act Number 13: Use Less Hot Water

Wash your dishes in cold water or use dishwashers that use less water. Put a full load into your dishwasher.

Act Number 14: Dress Warmly

In winter and turn down your heater. In summer you can open all the windows and doors and dress lighter to keep cool instead of using an air conditioner.

Act Number 15: Increase Green Awareness

Making others eco-aware is just as important as being green yourself. By spreading awareness, the impact of ‘going green’ is greatly increased.

Act Number 16: Let Your Grass Grow

Shorter grass requires more water. Let your lawn grow a little longer and lower your water consumption.

Act Number 17: Use Organic Fertilizers

Organic fertilizers provide natural nutrients to the soil and contain no harmful chemicals.

Act Number 18: Drip Dry!

Avoid using clothes dryers. Hang your clothes on a washing line and let them dry in the fresh air.

Act Number 19: Use Natural Cleaners

Use cleaners that don’t contain any chlorine or other damaging chemicals. Chlorine can seep into the ground and kill the roots of plants.

Act Number 20: Avoid VOC Paints

Try to avoid VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) paints which are no longer necessary in the production of paint. There are many low-VOC or zero-VOC paints available that are just as good.

Act Number 21: Support Green Dry Cleaners

Avoid drycleaners that use toxic solvents. The solvents have been linked to many health problems and can be replaced with eco-friendly alternatives that leave no toxic residue.

Act Number 22: Create Your Own Fertilizer

Create your own natural fertilizers from left-over food, grass cuttings and fallen leaves.

Act Number 23: Insulate Your Home

Insulate the walls and roof of your home to trap the heat in and stay warmer in winter without over using heaters.

Act Number 24: Be Toilet Flush Aware

Reduce the toilet flush volume by as much 20% and stop wasting water.

Act Number 25: Aerate Your Taps

Fit your taps with aerators to reduce the amount of water that flows from the taps.

Act Number 26: Use Higher Voltage Lights

Use fewer higher voltage lights rather than many low voltage lights which consume more power.

Act Number 27: Eat Left-Over Take Out

Eating left over take-out food is a great way to minimize waste.

Act Number 28: Save Used Paint Thinner

f the paint thinner is left to sit the clean thinners will settle at the top of the container and can be reused.

Act Number 29: Store Paint Cans Upside-Down

This will prevent any harmful chemicals/fumes from seeping through the lid and will stop the paint from drying up.

Act Number 30: Recycle Old Batteries

Hand in your old batteries so that they may be recycled and the chemicals reused.

Act Number 31: Fix Your Leaking Taps

A dripping tap can use up to 20 litres of water per day.

Act Number 32: Stop Buying Plastic Bags

Buy material bags that can be reused over and over again.

Act Number 33: Buy Organic Foods

Buy organic foods and increase the incentive to farmers to move away from genetically modified foods and to grow more organic produce.

Act Number 34: Download Music

Buy music online rather than buy CD’s. Downloading music means that less plastic is needed to produced CD’s and CD cases.

Act Number 35: Subscribe To Online Magazines

Subscribe to online publications such as newspapers and magazines. Less paper will be used and fewer trees will be cut down.

Act Number 36: Close The Tap

Don’t run the water while you brush your teeth. Fill a glass of water and use that to rinse your mouth.

Act Number 37: Unplug Your Cellphone Charge

Unplug your cellphone charger. They still draw power even when your phone is not charging.

Act Number 38: Use Blu-ray DVD’s

Use new Blu-ray DVD’s which are made partly of paper and are more eco-friendly and more biodegradable than ordinary CD’s.

Act Number 39: Avoid Buying Canned Foods

Rather eat fresh fruits and vegetables and go shopping a little more often

Act Number 40: Say No To Polystyrene

Don’t use polystyrene packaging or cups. These contain poisonous chemicals that are harmful to the environment and are not biodegradable.

Act Number 41: Get Electronic Bank Statements

Rather get your bank statements electronically. This can dramatically reduce the amount of paper you consume.

Act Number 42: Carry Your Golf Clubs

Don’t take a golf cart. Carrying your own clubs is a great way of getting that extra exercise.

Act Number 43: Use Rechargeable Batteries

Use batteries that when flat can be recharged over and over again.

Act Number 44: Use A Digital Camera

Digital cameras can store photos in their memory so there is no need for excessive printing.

Act Number 45: Cover Your Pool

By keeping your pool covered when not in use, you can reduce the amount of evaporation that occurs. So you will have to fill it less often.

Act Number 46: Take Your Car To A Car Wash

It is typically more efficient because they use less water and recycle much of the runoff.

Act Number 47: Teleconference

Why drive to others to do business. Install a teleconference phone or webcam and cut down on how much you drive.

Act Number 48: Use Inkjet Printers

Inkjets printers use 80% less energy than laser printers.

Act Number 49: Utilize Electronic Banking

Electronic banking is paperless.

Act Number 50: Buy A Hybrid Vehicle

Hybrid vehicles are eco-friendly and don’t rely so heavily on petrol or diesel.