Things that you can do around your house

Youíve all got some ideas of what living green might mean at home: recycling, composting, and saving energy and water. If you want more ideas, here are a few tips as well as some places to go for even more pointers.

More relevant information is contained in the Campaigns section, under Boycotting and Handy Hints. There are also plenty of books on how to live sustainably; so check some of the ideas in the Information Resources section and have a look in the local libraries if you would like to follow this up.

Refuse, Reduce, Re-use and Recycle

Contact the Department of Urban Services for recycling-collection days in your suburb. Recycling is more than putting out your recyclables for collection. It also includes making an effort to buy recycled products and packaging. Reduce the amount of disposable products you use; if possible, buy items like refillable instead of disposable deodorants. Avoid excess packaging, and refuse or re-use plastic bags. If your plastic bag collection is becoming mountainous, take it to a return centre, such as the return bins in Woolworths. Even better than plastic, buy re-useable string and calico bags to do your shopping in.

Conserve water

Fresh water is a finite resource and so should be conserved where possible. Ways to waste less water include: buying water efficient shower heads; puting half a brick in the toilet cistern to reduce the excess water used in each flush; watering plants in the early morning or in the evening when it is cool so the water does not instantly evaporate; fixing leaking taps; staying in the shower only as long as you need to; washing the dishes once a day; washing your car on the lawn, and using a biodegradable detergent; only washing your clothes when there is a full load; not flushing unwanted rubbish, pets, tissues or sanitary products down the toilet; and not runing taps when it is not necessary.

Save electricity

Ways to reduce electricity use include: turning off unnecessary lights (though, turning off and on the light a couple of times wastes nearly as much electricity as keeping it on for a few minutes); using fluoro light bulbs which are designed to last longer and use less electricity; and using rechargeable batteries rather than throwing batteries out after they are dead.

ACTEW, our local electricity provider, offers customers a "Green Choice" option to use electricity produced by sustainable means, including hydroelectricity (from ACT, NSW, and Victoria), solar panels, and landfill gas from Canberraís tip. You can change your electricity type so that it is 50% produced by sustainable means or wholly by sustainable means, costing an extra 1.5 cents or 3 cents per kilowatt (from 8.3 cents to 9.8 cents or 11.3 cents), with the price capped at a maximum 8000 kilowatts per year (from $664 a year, to either $784 or $904). For more information, contact Green Choice on 1800 447 336 or visit their web site at http://www.actew.com.au/greenchoice.

Other Miscellaneous Household Hints

Use environmentally friendly shampoo, conditioner, detergents and cleaners. The Environment Centre Shop (see entry in the ROCKS section) sells all these in bulk. The Body Shop provides recycling bins for its containers, and some products can be bought in bulk. Even better, clean with bicarbonate soda, Epsom salts, eucalyptus oil, ammonia, borax, mentholated spirits, washing soda, salt, and lemon. Ask for information on using these effectively at the Environment Centre Library, or try searching on the internet.

Use bug sprays such as pyrethrum, which are made from daisies and can be safely used on vegetables and herbs.

Use both sides of your paper, and grab an ANU Environment Department recycled lecture pad.

Get a "No Junk Mail" sticker for your letter box.

When building or renovating, use green products and companies.

Use alternative (or complementary) medicine ó such as acupuncture, aromatherapy, homoeopathy, massage, reflexology etc. ó contact Linda from the Natural Health Society (NHS) on 6286 4222.

Computer printers: Most inkjet print cartridges can be refilled, without having to buy a new cartridge. This is much cheaper and more earth friendly. Simply go to your nearest computer shop, and ask for refill ink for your particular model of printer. You will probably need a syringe and needle, which can be obtained at most veterinarian surgeries. Dot-matrix printer ribbons can also be reinked ó just ask the helpful person at the computer shop.

Comments, Queries or suggestions email enviro.collective@student.anu.edu.au