Reduce your Footprint

Every Green Being should look at ways to reduce their Carbon Footprint. If you haven't done so already, make sure you read our section on how to Calculate  your Footprint. Once you have established your footprint you now have something to measure your efforts against.


In this section, we provide you with our recommendations on the best ways of reducing your eco-footprint.

 

If we have left any out, please email us your tips so that we can share the best ideas with other Green Beings.

 

 

Energy Saving

Saving energy in the home can have a huge impact on reducing your carbon footprint. In this section, we discuss six main areas where major energy savings can be made at home:

Water Heating, Renewable Energy, Heating and Cooling, Appliances, Lighting, Cooking.


Water Heating

Water heating is the second largest source of domestic greenhouse gas emissions after transport. There are rebates of up to $1600 for households with an existing electric hot water system installing solar hot water system under the Australian Government's Energy Efficient Homes Package until 30 June 2012. There are also rebates of up to $1600 available as part of this package for ceiling insulation.

 

Solar hot water systems do cost more than traditional electric and gas systems to install, but as water heating accounts for up to 40% of a households energy use, it does produce long term cost savings.

 

Here are our top tips for reducing impacts associated with water heating:


  • Set the temperature gauge on your hot water system to 60° C to reduce energy consumption
  • Insulate hot water pipes, particularly on outside walls. Up to 60 percent of your water heating bill is due to heat loss from the tank and associated pipework
  • $8000 cash rebates for households, schools and community organisations that use their own solar power to genrate electricity (photovoltaic panels ) through the Australian Government’s Photovoltaic Rebate Program
  • Gas water heaters with continuous pilot lights add an extra 300 kilograms of greenhouse gas a year, so look for ones without
  • When buying a gas water heater get one that matches the size of your hot water needs
  • When using central heating turn down the thermostat by one degree

 

Renewable Energy

The Australian Government has a Mandatory Renewable Energy Target (MRET), which aims to increase the proportion of Australia’s electricity that is derived from renewable energy sources through a certificate trading scheme. If you want to install a solar water heater or a small generation unit, which could be a small photovoltaic (solar panel), wind or mini hydro-electric system, you may be eligible to create and trade renewable energy certificates. 

 

If you are thinking of buying a photovoltaic system have a look at the information and guidance provided on the Australian Business Council for Sustainable Energy website.

 

For further information on the financial assistance and rebate schemes for renewable energy projects in Australia visit the Australian Government’s Office of Renewable Energy Regulator site. 

 

You should also contact your State government and / or your local council for assistance.

 

Heating and Cooling
  • You can waste up to 40 percent of your heating and cooling bill on heat loss through the roof in winter and heat gain through the roof in summer, so if you haven’t already, install some insulation
  • Seal out draughts around windows, doors and block unnecessary vents. For detailed energy saving tips look at green electricity watch
  • Reduce heat loss through winter with thick curtains and pelmets (why not try environmentally friendly hemp?)
  • Install double glazing with ‘low emissivity’ insulating glass. This has been assessed by the Australian Window Association and further details are available at the window energy rating scheme
  • Covering internal walls, particularly those that face south, can reduce heat loss in winter. Even a large woollen wall-hanging can provide extra insulation
  • There are various passive design elements you can incorporate into your home and garden to maximize natural heating and cooling
  • The use of air conditioning should be avoided if at all possible. Insulation and ventilation should be used first
  • There are ways to reduce air conditioning energy use, including using recirculated cooled air, setting the thermostat 1 degree higher, minimizing heat coming in through the windows and restricting the area requiring heating or cool
  • When using an air conditioner only cool the rooms you are using;  and
  • When buying an air conditioner, tips for choosing the most efficient unit can be found at the energy rating site, and products can be compared by comparing the energy rating.

 

Appliances 
  • Advice to assist when choosing appliances and comparison of products in terms of energy efficiency can be done on the energy rating government website
  • Standby power can use 10 percent of your consumption so turn off fully. Most electronic goods cannot be turned off by remote control
  • To turn off an appliance completely use the power switch on the appliance itself or, better, the wall plug. Any appliance with a charger or an external power pack will still use power unless turned off at the plug (you can tell as the power packs stay warm or have a light on)
  • Unplug appliances that you only use occasionally
  • When buying appliances go for those with energy efficiency labels. To get an idea of what to look for check out our eco-labels page 
  • Fridges are one of the main energy consumers in the house. Buy the most efficient one you can afford. Check the efficiency rating of fridges and freezers. It is also important to buy the right size of fridge to suit your needs: a larger model with the same star rating as a smaller model uses more energy and generates more greenhouse gas. Avoid buying a fridge with extra features such as ice-makers
  • Locate the fridge where air can circulate around the coils at the back in a cool spot away from the oven or the sun. This can save up to 150 kilograms of greenhouse gas each year
  • Look after your fridge and freezer
  • Regularly defrosting your fridge and freezer can help them run more efficiently, saving energy and money; Make sure the fridge and freezer doors are well sealed
  • Fresh food compartments should be set at around 4°C to 5°C and freezers should optimally be set between -15°C and -18°C
  • Don’t run a second fridge
  • Regularly defrost the freezer and wait until food has cooled before freezing
  • Washing clothes at cold or cool temperatures. 30 degrees can be just as effective for a normally soiled load
  • Don’t waste detergent. Using more than the recommended amount of detergent does not make clothes cleaner
  • Only run the washing machine or dishwasher with full loads
  • Dry clothes out doors which also provides ultraviolet sterilization (good for getting rid of bed bugs), avoid tumble drying
  • If using batteries opt for rechargeable batteries which cost about twice as much as conventional ones but can be used hundreds of times.

 

Lighting 

Ordinary globes are being phased out under Australian Government’s Greenhouse Friendly™ programme. There are lighting choices which can be made to minimize the emissions associated with internal and external lighting:

  • Install energy efficient lightbulbs. Compact fluorescents do cost more, but last about 8 times longer than ordinary globes
  • Avoid using halogen lights which are one of the most energy consuming types of lighting. Currently direct energy-saving replacements at an accessible price are not yet available
  • If you have halogen lights you can avoid having them on the whole time by turning on lamps with energy efficient light bulbs instead
  • Fit lower-wattage globes
  • Low voltage lights are not necessarily low energy.

 

Cooking

There are various things you can do to increase energy efficiency by simple changes in the kitchen. Things to consider include:

  • Cover pots and pans when cooking as they will boil a lot faster, and match the size of the pot with the hob
  • Microwaves can be a greener choice because they cook food much faster and so use less energy than conventional ovens (either gas or electric)
  • Electric kettles use nearly a third of all the electricity an average household uses for cooking, so only boiling as much water as you need can help save a lot of energy
  • Some kettles have unnecessary features that use up extra electricity, like lights or ‘keep warm’ functions - avoiding these energy hungry extras will make for a greener cup of tea
  • Using a toaster rather than a grill for cooking toast
  • Buying a new cooker, kettle, fridge or freezer that saves energy
  • As a general rule, gas is a greener choice than electricity for cooking as it has lower climate change effects - the exceptions to this rule are: microwaves, as they are more energy efficient than gas or electric ovens; and electric induction hobs, which match the energy efficiency of gas hobs
  • Use fan-forced ovens instead of conventional ovens as described by green electricity watch
  • Thaw food before cooking and cook in bulk and then reheat using a microwave.

 

Water Saving

Water is scarce throughout Australia. By 2021 it is estimated that using water efficient products will help to save 610,000 megalitres which is more water than is in Sydney Harbour. Nearly half the water savings will come from more efficient washing machines, about 25 percent from showers and 22 percent from toilets.

There are a variety of devices available to save water in your home. These can be purchased through local water authorities and eco superstores such as neco and todae.

 

Efficient toilets

Toilet flushing uses as much water in a day as you drink in a whole month. There are a few options to reduce water use:

  • Install a low-flush or dual flush toilet. An old-style single-flush toilet could use up to 12 litres of water per flush. A standard dual flush toilets use only three litres on a half-flush;
  • Create your own low flush loo by filling one or more plastic bottles with water and placing them in the cistern to reduce the volume of water used per flush. The other alternative is to install a flush regulator - a cheap device you insert in the cistern which allows you to flush for as long as you press the button
  • Fix leaking toilets
  • Sydney Water currently offer a toilet replacement service to replace your single flush toilet with water efficient four star dual flush toilet.

 

Taps

Sydney Water  has calculated that a tap left running can waste up to 17 litres of water a minute and has identified the following water saving tips:

  • Install aerators on taps which use 50 percent less water than standard taps. You can buy tap aerators from hardware and plumbing shops for a few dollars. They are easy to install yourself; Just unscrew your old tap and replace it
  • Flow control valves or restructures can be purchased through your local water authority or eco superstores such as neco and todae
  • Replace washers on dripping taps.

 

Showers
  • Switch to showers. A five-minute shower can use about a third as much water as a bath
  • But avoid power showers which can use more water than a bath in less than five minutes
  • Fit a water-efficient shower head. A standard showerhead may use up to 25 litres of water per minute. A water-efficient showerhead might use as little as seven litres per minute (these should not be fitted to electric showers as this can lead to overheating of the water)
  • Limit the time in the shower to three minutes by using an egg timer or singing along to your favourite song.


Appliances

  • The amount of water consumed by dishwashers and washing machines varies considerably. A water-efficient washing machine may use only one-third the water of an inefficient model. Compare the efficiency of different models by visiting the Australian government’s water efficiency labeling website
  • All States have Government (and some council) rebates for purchasing water efficient appliances and fittings – for a full list visit the Australian Conservation Foundation’s website: www.acfonline.org.au/waterrebates
  • When buying a new washing machine go for one that uses less than 50 litres per wash. Rebates are available for washing machines with a water efficiency rating of 4-star or AAAAA water rating. Go to smart water mark   to find your local water authority or council for rebate information
  • Try looking for a dishwasher that uses less than 15 litres per wash. By using a dishwasher with a minimum 3-star/AAA rating, you'll use as little as 18 litres of water per load
  • Make sure your dishwasher or washing machine is fully loaded before you switch it on - half-load cycles use much more than half the energy and water of a full load.

 

Upgrade your plumbing
  • Fix drips - a dripping tap or overflow can waste a lot of water (just 2 drips a second adds up to about 26 litres of water a day), but a new washer costs just a few cents and can be fitted in minutes
  • A leaky toilet can waste up to 96,000 litres a year. To check for leaks put a few drops of food dye in the cistern. If colour appears in the bowl after around 15 minutes without flushing, then you know you have a leak
  • Depending on where you live putting lagging on your outside pipes will help to avoid burst pipes and leaks in winter
  • If you don’t want to do it yourself contact Green Plumbers. A national network of plumbers trained in environmentally friendly plumbing.

 

Outside your house
  • Install a rainwater tank to reduce use of drinking water. Tanks come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes and can be fit alongside your property or under decking. If the rainwater tank is plumbed into the house it can be used in the toilet and washing machine. Install an insect screen and first flush diverter to prevent leaves, particles and dirt getting in. For more information on greywater usage in the home check out the Australian Technology Association’s greywater systems pages
  • Plant native drought tolerant species
  • Using a watering can rather than a hose will make a huge difference to the amount of water you get through in your garden
  • Mulch your garden to reduce the amount of water lost through evaporation. Local councils sometimes offer free mulch
  • Install a water tank, check out which is your local water authority and contact them to obtain information on rebates for water tanks
  • Only water plants when they really need it. Check daily weather forecasts and soil condition before you water
  • Water in the morning or evening to reduce the amount of water lost to evaporation
  •  Sydney Water has detailed tips on how to save water in the garden, covering:
    • How to minimize evaporation and water loss from swimming pools
    • Use of compost and the benefits of different irrigation systems 
    • When and how to water your garden
    • Opportunities for recycling grey water (waste water from domestic processes such as washing the car) in the garden.

 

Other tips
  • Rinse fruit and vegetables, or do the washing up in a bowl rather than under a running tap
  • The cold water that comes through before a tap or shower runs hot can be collected for watering plants
  • Keep a jug of water in the fridge instead of waiting for the tap to run cold
  • Turning off the taps when you are brushing your teeth or shaving can save up to five litres a minute.

 

In the office

  • If you are leaving your desk for more than 20 minutes, turn off your computer monitor
  • Buy rewritable CDs, or use a USB flash drive rather than one-use CDs or DVDs to reduce waste
  • Ink-jet printers use less energy than laser models
  • Don’t print everything, and print double sided with two or four sheets to a page
  • Clearly mark paper recycling bins
  • Turn off computers, monitors and any chargers on leaving the study/office
  • Laptops are more efficient in terms of electricity use than destktops.

 

Travel

Maximise car transport efficiency

Individual car travel is responsible for the majority of climate change impacts from travel. If you’re buying a new car, look for the fuel efficiency label to choose a more efficient model. Other methods to reduce the impact of owning a car include:

  • Try to reduce your car use and reduce the number of short trips you make in the car. Walking, cycling, or taking the bus or train will help reduce local air pollution and the climate change effects of getting around
  • Reduce the number of cars owned by your household by sharing lifts or better still, walk or cycle the short journeys
  • Join a car pool network
  • Choose a smaller car or more efficient vehicle
  • Review the possibility of converting to compressed natural gas or LPG
  • Avoid warming up the car
  • Avoid using air conditioning
  • Maintain your vehicle and keep the engine serviced. Well maintained vehicles tend to run more efficiently. Waste from car maintenance is often hazardous, like engine oil, other fluids, batteries and tyres. Careless discarding of these items can cause pollution but council waste facilities will be able to accept them for safe disposal
  • Keep the tyres at the recommended pressure
  • Remove heavy items out of the car when not being used
  • Drive smoothly, anticipate the conditions to avoid excessive acceleration or braking
  • Avoid traveling in the peak hour
  • Use cruise control or economy settings
  • Live closer to where you work and play to reduce commuting time and environmental costs.

 

Consider ways to travel less

Can you get what you want nearer to home, or without travelling at all? For example, holidaying nearby, using local leisure facilities and shops, or sometimes working from home. Reducing your travel will reduce climate change effects and local air pollution.

 

Flights
  • Consider the need for a flight and the alternatives to taking a plane. If you do fly, you can offset your CO2. You could consider options for reducing your travel, for example taking fewer, longer breaks if possible instead of several short ones
  • Consider holidaying closer to home
  • Or traveling to holiday destinations by rail or sea (generally more feasible outside Australia)
  • To minimize business flights review opportunities for using videoconferences rather than flying to business meetings
  • Take fewer longer breaks rather several short ones
  • If flying is unavoidable offsets can be purchased to reduce the impact of your activities (check out http://www.climatefriendly.com.au/ or http://www.noco2.com.au/). This is done by paying to support a project that is reducing carbon dioxide emissions and so help to tackle climate change. Although it can help reduce the impact of your activities in the short term, offsetting is not a long-term solution to global climate change and is not a substitute for reducing emissions at their source
  • Use public transport when travelling to the airport
  • Review alternatives to flying or driving such as rail.

 

While on holiday
  • If you are hiring a car while on holiday, choosing a more efficient model such as cars with smaller engines or hybrid vehicles to help reduce emissions
  • Some gifts and foods available in some countries can be made from endangered plants or animals, for example, animal skins, ivory, orchids, caviar, or coral
  • It may be hard to tell the difference between permitted and non-permitted goods, or to find out when you buy something whether it came from an endangered source
  • Making the most of locally produced food and drink, and local activities and attractions will support people in the area you are visiting and reduce the need for further environmental impact from transport
  • Switching off any air conditioning, heating and lights when you’re not using your accommodation will help reduce climate change effects  
  • Try not to waste water – some countries suffer from water shortages and saving water can help avoid damage to natural habitats.

 

Aim to support local people
  • Try to stay in locally run hotels and eat at locally run restaurants
  • Some organisations and companies offer holidays which aim to minimise impacts on the environment - they can help find accommodation with low energy needs and activities that benefit local communities
  • There are many opportunities to volunteer and help with projects that conserve and improve habitats and nature reserves.

 

Eating and Drinking

Food is actually the biggest part of our personal eco-footprint (the land area needed to support a person’s lifestyle). Animal products make up 34 percent of our footprint - and that’s mainly red meat and dairy foods – while vegetable foods make up a further 8 percent.

Producing, transporting and consuming food is responsible for nearly a third of our climate change effects. Some foods have a much bigger impact on the environment than others. For example, food grown in heated greenhouses or transported by air uses a lot of energy. Production of meat and dairy has a much bigger effect on climate change and other environmental impacts than that of most grains, pulses and outdoor fruit and vegetables.

  • Know where it comes from.
  • Look for the labels to help you choose food that has been produced with the aim of reducing the negative impact on wildlife and the environment.
  • Check out our summary of typical eco-labels to keep your eyes peeled for labels such as the Marine Stewardship Council (which identifies that a seafood product has come from a well-managed fishery and has not contributed to the problem of over-fishing)

If you cannot find greener choices like sustainably sourced fish or recycled products, then you could ask managers in your local shops to start stocking them.

 

Buy fresh and in season
  • Buying food that has travelled less can also be a positive choice as it reduces transport emissions, particularly in comparison to produce transported by air
  • Buying food and drink when locally in season, and unprocessed or lightly processed food, is likely to mean that less energy has been used in its production
  • Buy produce from local green grocers or farmers market. Check out http://www.farmersmarkets.org.au/ for your nearest one
  • Shop locally and avoid using the car
  • Better still grow your own. Even if you live in a unit or flat you can grow some vegetables, fruits and herbs in pots and boxes in a small space. Or you could get a plot at your nearest community garden. Have a look at http://www.communityfoods.org.au/ to see if there is one nearby.

 

Go unprocessed and organic
  • Simple unprocessed foods require much less energy and water. Similarly select foods without excessive packaging
  • Select organic where possible. However, in supermarkets the organic vegetables are often heavily packaged, so avoid those and make a complaint to the manager
  • If growing your own, use fertiliser from your worm farm, or compost heap on your garden to avoid the need to add fertiliser
  • Use compost or mulch to maintain soil condition and reduce the watering requirements.

 

Reduce packaging waste

Packaging used for food can play an important part in helping preserve food and cut waste. However, it often has an environmental cost as resources and energy are used to make the packaging, and transport the finished product. Things you can do include:

  • Avoiding unnecessary, or excessive, packaging
  • Choose food packaging that is labelled as reusable, biodegradable or compostable – it will break down quickly rather than remaining in landfill sites for many years
  • If packaging is essential select packaging which can be recycled (and recycle it), or that has been produced from recycled materials  
  • Avoid bottled water. Bottled water requires about 300 times the energy of tap water for packaging and transport and requires disposal/recycling of the bottles. Reuse old water bottles and fill up from your tap.

 

Reduce your food waste
  • Think about what you are buying by taking a shopping list when you go shopping to minimise wastage and leftovers
  • Throwing less food away produces less methane and reduces other harmful environmental impacts from producing, packaging and transporting food; and 
  • Compost food waste or feed it to a worm farm.

 

Waste Management

Have a look at the pointers below for reduction, reuse or recycling, the 3’Rs’ of waste management to see ways to combat waste:

 

Reducing

Recycling can help save materials and energy, but cutting down on waste in the first place is even better. Simple ways to reduce waste production include:

  • Avoid unnecessary carrier bags
  • Putting organic waste on a compost heap or worm farm will reduce the amount of waste going to landfill
  • Avoid purchasing items with excessive packaging; and
  • Say no to junk mail in your letterbox by registering onto the Australian Direct Marketing Association’s Do Not Mail service.

 

Reuse and repair

After avoiding waste, re-using and repairing items, is the most efficient way to reduce waste. Repairing or re-using items means that they will last longer and won’t need replacing with new items so soon. Even when you have finished with something, someone else will often be able to use it – why not sell it, give it to charity or pass it on.

 

Sharing schemes such as Freecycle (http://www.freecycle.org/) or http://www.e-cycled.com/ offer opportunities to share or pass on items for re-use, and facilities such as e-bay (http://www.ebay.com.au/) provide a great opportunity to get hold of pre-loved goodies. Garage sales, the Salvation Army facilities and second hand shops provide a great way of picking up some interesting items which may otherwise find their way into a landfill.

Tips for reusing and repairing include:

  • Purchase reusable rather than disposable items for things like nappies and shopping bags etc.
  • Pass things on when you’ve finished with them
  • Aim to buy products that come in reusable packaging or avoid packaged products.

 

Recycling

Up to two thirds of the contents of or bins can be recycled (depending on which council you live in Australia). Most councils run doorstep collections for paper, glass and plastics, and sometimes more recyclable materials. Check out http://www.recyclingnearyou.com.au/ to see what you can recycle and where.

If packaging is unavoidable look for recycling symbols on containers, if it has 1, 2 or 3 it can always be recycled, and items with 4-7 (see our eco-labels page) can sometimes be recycled, check with your local council.

Things that can be recycled include:

  • Appliances - Local civic amenity sites can also accept many other materials for recycling – everything from TVs, to electrical equipment, light bulbs and fridges/freezers. Contact your local council
  • ‘e-waste’ – there are a number of recyclers who collect electronic waste or ‘e-waste’ such as computers, fax machines, photocopiers and screens. Visit http://www.recyclingnearyou.com.au/, http://www.ewaste.com.au/ or check out Clean Up Australia’s website for lists of e-waste recyclers. Also check with the manufacturer to see if they will collect or recycle old equipment
  • Mobile phones - visit http://www.mobilephonerecycling.com.au/ for details of what to do to recycle your old mobile phone, any money generated goes to charity. Mobile muster is the government’s recycling initiative. Visit http://www.mobilemuster.com.au/ to find local drop off points
  • Clothes and shoes – Charity organisations accept clothes, shoes, toys, bedding and bric-a-brac. Check out The Australian Giving Centre to identify charities accepting clothes and drop off points in your local area
  • Other - Local civic amenity sites can also accept many other materials for recycling from wood, shoes and textiles etc. Contact your local council for more information. Go to the Auto Parts Recyclers Association of Australia (APRAA), website for more information on local facilities for vehicle recycling
  • Organic waste - Separate out your organic waste and feed it to the worms in a worm farm, or put it on the compost heap. Guides for worm farming and composting are available through the NSW government’s environmental education program at  www.livingthing.net.au/RC_Guide.htm
  • Nappies – While in nappies one baby can produce nearly 2 tonnes of nappy waste! There are a variety of options now available for nappies. Check out our nappy article for information on how to minimise the impacts of using nappies. Check out the eco-nappies listed in our products section.

There are also a number of community websites such as http://www.freecycle.org.au/ and http://www.snaffleup.co.uk/ where you can post unwanted goods, or pickup preloved items to save them entering landfill. 

 

Shopping

Select products with eco-labels (preferably certified by an independent third party) which identify that the impacts of the item on the environment have been considered and reduced.

Buy recycled 

Products made from recycled goods save raw materials and complete the circle by increasing demand for recycled materials.

  • If you can’t avoid packaging select items with recycled materials in their packaging
  • Many manufacturers are now using recycled materials in their packaging too, for example plastic you’ve recycled can get used again in plastic bottles and food containers
  • The most common recycled product is paper – you can find recycled toilet rolls, kitchen rolls, envelopes and packing materials, and printer, copier and writing paper
  • Other products made of recycled materials include clothing, including fleeces made of recycled plastic, glassware, furniture, tiles and bathroom fittings. You  can buy recycled household and fashion items such as shoulder bags, plastic trays, and pencil cases; and
  • There are a few labelling schemes that can help if you’re looking for recycled materials in your shopping: The Mobilus Loop symbol indicates that a product contains a percentage of recycled contents. For further details look at our eco-labels page. 
  • When choosing paper go for high recycled content and look for the Forestry Stewardship Council label if possible.

 

Gardens

Gardening can benefit the environment - for example, by creating spaces for wildlife or producing food which hasn’t had to travel. However, some things we do in the garden are not so good for the environment. Here are a few steps you can take to make your garden greener:

  • Use compost or worm farm liquids to fertilise your garden
  • Only use pesticides as a last resort to control pests and weeds
  • Install a rainwater tank
  • Grow your own vegetables
  • Install a pond to attract birds and other wildlife to your garden, but design to minimise its attraction for mosquitos
  • Don’t use an outdoor heater, put on another layer! Outdoor heaters make a significant contribution to greenhouse gas emissions
  • Look for recycled items or look for labels on timber or wood products like sheds and garden furniture (http://www.fsc.org/)
  • If using charcoal or coal on your BBQ look for charcoal that comes from sustainably managed forests (http://www.fsc.org/).

 

Renovating and DIY

There are several things you can do to make sure your renovation minimizes impacts on the environment. Check out the Living Thing website for a guide for would be eco-renovators.  Examples of actions to reduce the environmental impacts include:

  • Careful selection of paints. Most paints contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can be harmful to humans, wildlife, plants and even building materials. When you are choosing a paint, finish or preservative, try to find the one with the lowest impact possible for the job you are doing
  • Select 'natural' or 'all natural' paints, milk paints and white washes can have a lower impact than ordinary paint
  • Try not to buy more paint than you need - a lot of paint that people buy is never used
  • Paints, finishes and preservatives need to be disposed of properly, as they can be toxic. This is particularly important if they display an orange hazard label: do not pour paint or other chemicals down the drain
  • Install insulation - nearly half the heat lost in an average home is through the roof and walls
  • Insulate your hot water tank - keeping in the heat will save energy
  • Check out the water section link for tips on how to fit water saving devices, address leaks and identify water efficient appliances
  • Consider using solar power for water features and lighting in your garden
  • Manufacturing tools uses energy and resources, but many are hardly used. The average drill is used for less than 15 minutes in its entire lifetime - consider borrowing or hiring power tools instead of buying
  • Aim to use reclaimed wood or select wood products and sustainable timber from certified schemes, such as those carrying the Forest Stewardship Council label or the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification schemes;
  • Check out the energy section link for tips on how to reduce energy use. Consider the light fittings when undertaking renovations. Downlights typically use up more energy and cannot yet be used with energy efficient light bulbs. Low-energy light bulbs (also called compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) can use five times less electricity than conventional light bulbs and work in standard fittings and lamps
  • In general, CFLs can't be used with dimmer switches, but some manufacturers are starting to make ones that can
  • Don't forget to keep low-energy lights switched off when not in use!

 

Furniture and flooring
  • Buying second-hand or vintage furniture or exchanging items for free is good for the environment, as it saves on new materials (but old foam-filled furniture may be a fire risk and should be disposed of)
  • Renovating old wooden floors can look great and add value to your home
  • Use reclaimed floorboards instead of buying new
  • If buying new, buy to last rather than replacing often; and
  • When you do decide to replace your fixtures and fittings, consider second-hand, reclaimed or renewable materials.

The Australian Conservation Foundation’s  Green Home Guide provides further information on how to reduce your impacts.  Recently launched is the ‘Who on Earth Cares’ campaign. As well as identifying things which can help to reduce your footprint, there is also a map so you can see who else in the area cares about their impacts. Have a look at whoonearthcares.