If you think that ecological life is expensive, you are wrong. To live ecologically, you do not have to mount a solar battery on the roof or build a windmill in the garden. To take care of the environment, as well as your own life (and wallet), it is enough to follow a few simple rules in your apartment, but also in the workplace.
Economically = ecologically
Economics is the first principle of an ecological home. First of all, you should save water and energy. Both the environment and your wallet will benefit. Have you ever thought about what you can do with water from washing vegetables and fruits? If not, then add other plants to it! A tap in the kitchen set on a cold stream. If you need hot water, pour cold into a watering can. Dishes are best washed in a bowl or sink, not under running water. If you do not have to turn off the taps every now and then, you will use less water! Also, remember to use the sieve in the kitchen sink and do not throw the garbage into the sewage system – the same at home as in the workplace. In addition, you can invest in a tap with a built-in filter and drink tap water. And choose water and energy efficient appliances.
Lower the house temperature by 33,8 °F, thanks to which you save as much as 5% of energy! Screw the temperature in the washing machine at 140 °F instead of 194 °F , and save another 40%. Turning on the TV and radio in the next room or computer in the company after working hours, has a negative impact not only on your finances, but also on the environment. The same with the light – leave the room, turn off the lamp! Always turn off anything you do not use and do not leave electrical devices connected to the socket in standby mode. Teach your family and co-workers the sustainable use of water and energy.
In the workplace, effective energy management is not only beneficial, but it also becomes an international requirement that is most easily met thanks to ISO 50001, an energy management system that aims to effectively manage energy while taking into account the company’s circumstances. And the benefits are many:
- identification and management of risks related to future energy supply,
measuring and monitoring the use of energy to identify areas for efficiency improvement, - increase overall efficiency to reduce energy consumption and reduce bills,
reduction of carbon dioxide emissions and fulfillment of statutory goals, - Prove to care for the environment to meet tender requirements.
Waste reduction and recycling
No generation of waste is impossible. However, their reduction and recycling, the most! The easiest way to see how much rubbish is made is to look at yourself and … the purchases you make and the trash buckets. What you bring home shopping is important! Do you choose an ecological bag or a one-time plastic bag? Where does this commercial travel later – in the trash, do you use it as a bag for other rubbish? What items do you buy – reusable or single-use? Look also at the packaging of purchased items. Is the cream in the jar packed in a cardboard box and wrapped in foil? All these extra packages are garbage that you want, without wanting to produce! Therefore, the best packaging is one that is not there, and when the goods have to be packed into something, choose the one whose packaging can be processed. Choose glass, not plastic, but remember that some packaging is not recyclable, e.g. cartons in which we buy juices or milk, and that metal cans absorb a lot of energy when processing, which is also not good for the environment.
Try to segregate the waste at least on glass, plastic and paper, and use special containers for specific garbage. Overdue medicines should be returned to pharmacies, furniture and equipment that are still usable, hand over to someone else or sell, and used household appliances and electronics to the store. Plastic caps, especially batteries, throw in special containers that you will find in many institutions as well as in supermarkets, schools and hospitals.
In the workplace, pay attention to the behavior of colleagues, it can not be that one person applies to the rules of waste segregation and others do not. It is a good idea to stick ecological stickers that will remind everyone to crush packaging, segregate garbage, extinguish the light and turn off the tap.
Other proven ways for an ecological life
- Shopping “second hand” for the needs of home and business.
- Not buying unnecessary things.
- Using tickets in the electronic version or application.
- Reading e-books, newspapers and magazines in an electronic version.
- The use of specially programmed plugs that cut off the power supply to the equipment at night and while we are at work.
- Walking, cycling, public transport instead of driving a car or taking a few people to a car, for example to work, school.
- Eco driving.
- Returning or replacing unnecessary things instead of throwing away. In many enterprises, collections of unused items and giving help or shelters are popular.
- Smoking in the oven only in the permitted manner.
- Self-generation of energy for own needs and for resale.
- Maximum use of natural light.
- Adaptation of light sources to the needs of employees and household members.
- Using rechargeable batteries instead of batteries.
- No airing when the radiators are turned off and the air conditioning is switched on.
- Running your own garden even in the workplace.
- Do not scratch the towels.
- And much more.
Remember about Eco-behavior in public space. This is very important! Do not litter, always turn off the lights and turn off the water in toilets, do not take paper towels “for sweat”, whenever you can use the stairs instead of the elevator and clean up your pet. Your behavior affects the behavior of people in your environment. Be an example to them!
Picture Credit: ejaugsburg