Every Little Bit Helps

Sometimes the idea of saving the planet, being “green” and always doing the right thing for the environment canseem overwhelming. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be an all or nothing equation and every little bit helps; even the small changes you make in your home and office can make a big difference. Here are some helpful tips for living a greener life:

Recycle

Paper, plastic and metal products can be recycled. Look for the internationally-recognized symbol used to designate recyclable materials. Most housing estates in Singapore now have a recycling program, and there are recycling bins dotted all over Singapore. If you’re not sure about how to start or where the bins are located, please check with your local council or environmental agency.

 Turn Off Appliances

Turn off and power-down televisions, stereos, toasters, microwaves, washers, dryers and computers when they are not in use. It’s best to switch off at the power point because most of our electronic appliances are still consuming power even after being turned off.  Don’t worry, you won’t need to reset the internal clocks as most modern appliances now have enough power in store to maintain their internal time clocks for well over a week.  You’ll be surprised how quickly you can develop the habit of switching off at the source. Also, don’t forget to turn off chargers when not in use.

Turn Off the Tap

Do not let the tap run while brushing your teeth. This was a tough one for me to get used to at first, but now I don’t think twice about it and always leave the water off while brushing my pearly whites.

Switch to Energy Saving Light Bulbs

Energy saving light bulbs are readily available in stores all across Singapore. There’s really no excuse to not make the switch.

Hang to Dry

Traditional clothes dryers are energy intensive. When possible, dry your clothes on a clothes line outside in the fresh air, or indoors on a drying rack if you are an apartment dweller. I hang dresses and shirts from the shower rod in my bathroom to dry. If you absolutely must use a dryer then please make sure it is an energy efficient model.

Turn it Down

If you are like me, you probably find most shopping malls, office buildings and cinemas in Singapore unacceptably and unnecessarily cold. If you need to wear a sweater indoors, something’s not right. Talk to the management about setting the thermostat to a comfortable 25 degrees.  At home, try to use the air-conditioner less frequently and never leave it on when you go out. It took some time at first but now my husband and I hardly use our air conditioners, preferring instead to use a ceiling fan.

Going green is a lot easier than you might think, and don’t forget every little bit helps.