> Environmental and Health Concerns > Recycling

Be an Eco-Hero
by author Rob Klettke

When I think about changing the way I live in order to help save the planet, I wonder, “What more can I do?” I already live in the dark, shivering, tripping over piles of recyclables. But after a little research, I realize that there are so many simple things I can do.

Green Gardens

Whether you live in the city or country, it’s possible to grow your own. The best part of gardening is the rewards…beautiful flowers, fruits, and veggies that are all natural, and all due to your hard work. Start small with a square-foot garden where you can plant a mixture of flowers, vegetables, and herbs. These pint-sized patches can be easily managed in less than 10 minutes a day.

When planning your garden, remember to choose drought-tolerant and pest-resistant plants and seeds. If you do have pests, consider planting rosemary or lavender to ward off slugs, snails, and parasitic worms, or organic pest-control methods such as spraying garlic water or soapy water. Ants and other crawling insects can be discouraged with lemon, talcum powder, chalk, bone meal, charcoal dust, and cayenne pepper. Or just line trees and flower beds with sticky paper.

Let your grass grow a little longer. This will encourage longer roots that shade the soil, reduce soil evaporation, and discourage weed growth. You can recycle your garden waste (grass clippings, leaves, and needles) by mulching. This simpler, slower form of composting mimics the natural decomposition process and produces rich organic material.

Composting is the best way to turn organic waste into rich organic material. If you have the room, you can build yourself an elaborate three-step processor, or you may be able to purchase a low-cost composter from your municipality. For those with limited space, such as condo or apartment dwellers, a worm composter is an excellent option.

Home, Green, Home

There are many easy changes you can make in your home to reduce energy and fuel consumption. Try lowering your thermostat by 1 degree C in the winter. Then try further lowering your thermostat when you go to bed at night. It’s also a good idea to change the furnace filter monthly in the winter when your furnace works harder. A dirty filter will make it much less efficient.

In the summer you can save fuel and energy if you raise your air conditioning setting by 1 degree C. It’s also a good idea to shade your air conditioner. It won’t have to work as hard if the unit is in a cool place.

Another easy adjustment is lowering the setting on your water heater to 130 F (54 C). This is hot enough to kill bacteria and still save energy.

In the laundry room, wash your clothes with pure soap and washing soda. Both have proved for years to be effective and safe. If you need a fabric softener, add 1/2 cup (125 mL) of baking soda to the wash when you add your regular detergent. Also try washing your clothes in cold or warm water. You’ll save energy and you won’t notice a difference in your clothes. To save even more energy, hang your clothes (outside) to dry. Sunlight is a natural whitener.

Other eco-friendly cleaning choices include using vinegar as a mild disinfectant. It is a natural and nontoxic grease cutter and effectively cleans glass, deodorizes, and removes calcium deposits, stains, and wax buildup. Cornstarch can be used to clean carpets and greasy stains. Baking soda is a good abrasive that also deodorizes, removes stains, and polishes.

You can make a big impact if you change your water use habits. Turn off the water when brushing your teeth or lathering up. You can reduce the amount of water used by 50 percent. You can further reduce energy use by installing low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators, or install a toilet dam or a plastic container filled with water in your toilet tank. You’ll use less water with each flush. If you’re renovating, consider a low-flow toilet to save even more water.

Rob Klettke, a Vancouver writer, now trips over his recyclables—which are stacked neatly in his decluttered house—in the dark, shivering and shoeless, so the kids can play basketball.

Source: alive #303, January 2008