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Easy Stuff to Do.
Kitchen
Put a container in your sink, for washing vegetables and hands during cooking. Use the water in the garden.
Try to do a vegetarian meal once a week.
Only use the dishwasher when it is full.
Is it possible to have a compost bin or worm farm where you live?
Bathroom
Collect the excess shower water to use on the garden.
Keep showers short.
Don't run the tap while brushing your teeth.
Use vinegar for smells, and elbow grease and bicarbonated soda for dirt; there are many 'natural' products on the market. Investigate.
Do not use harsh poisons when cleaning.
If you wouldn't eat it, why would you clean with it?
Laundry
Only use the washing machine when it is full.
Use cold water most of the time. Only use the occasional hot water for the big dirty wash.
Use washing powders that are soft on the environment, then you can connect a hose to water the garden. You must rotate grey water around the garden for the health of the plants.
Try to dry clothes outside, or inside near the heater. Dryers use lots of energy.
Garden
Even a balcony can hold a pot of parsley, rosemary or lettuce for easy pickings.
Grow the food you can.
Compost and or worm farm if you can.
Mulch to help reduce water evaporation.
Put in plants that are hardly water savers like, indigenous plants to your area, they always perform better.
Plant a native food tree for birds and insects.
Provide water for birds during summer. Their bathing is fun to watch.
Don't plant invasive weeds in your garden that can spread to parks and waterways. Investigate the bad weeds.
Forget lawn, put in a native garden.
Shopping
Make a list when you food-shop so you don't buy more than you need, and there is no rotting fruit and veg to throw away.
Take your own bag to the shops to reduce collecting plastic bags.
Try to buy products that are not in a lot of packaging. Some fruit and veg come in elaborate plastic containers. Sure you can recycle them, but reduce the amount of plastic you bring into the house.
Meat also comes in plastic trays at supermarkets, so meet and greet a butcher, and use the paper wrapping for keeping leafy vegetables fresher in the fridge.
Try to buy free-range animal products, though the animals still die, supporting industries that are humane has got to be better.
Check out a farmers market, or an inner city market for the fun and the atmosphere.
Remember food is for nourishment and health and well being; sugary habits and greasy food will kill you.
Get real about how many clothes you need. Cheap clothes usually cost you more, because they wear out quicker, or are made of sweaty synthetic materials and you get sick of them.
Get rid of the clothes you don't use, opportunity shops are always looking for stock.
Remember you are stunning in whatever you are wearing, other people are really looking at your attitude.
When you buy 'things' for you home, try to buy good quality so they last. Buy the last couch you will ever need, or classic shapes. Don't get sucked into fashion and tricky, 'cause you may get sick of it; that would be a waste of money.
Working
Can you use public transport sometimes? It is not possible for everyone.
Take your own mug to the coffee cart / cafe.
Look at the amount of paper you use - do I need to print that?
Turn off you monitor when you are not using the computer or away from your desk.
Do the lights need to be left on when nobody is around?
Talk to others about how the workplace can reduce energy use. Many work environments have 'Champions', if not, be one.
So much of our time is spent at work, talk to your collegues about energy saving activities, it could be fun and you could learn something.
Society
Which charity would you like to donate to? There are organisations that raise money for clean drinking water in Africa, others that provide small loans to individuals to start up a business (this could be as little as $100), and there are long-term sponsorship for children. Or maybe a reading program for kids in your local area would make you and everyone else happy. All charity groups always need more assistance.
Join a group who plants trees. Ring you local Council and find out what 'Friends' groups there are in your area, and volunteer some time.
And
Mobile phones can be recycled through a program at the Melbourne Zoo.
Your local waste depot or tip can take most of the junk you have around the house. They have special chemical bins, computer bins and a lot of your junk they can resell.
Coming soon: More Easy Tips
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