Going Green

J

JacquesZA

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I’m not a tree hugger, however I am big on going green.
So im trying to contribute where I can.

I cycle to work at least once a week ( I am trying to do it more often)
Me and the wife drive low emission cars
I have small organic veg garden
Low energy lights
What else is there that I can do that won’t cost an arm and a leg?

One thing that’s a major concern for m is plastic bags… I will try to bring my own next time I shop, however what can I do on the rubbish bins?
 
Solar Geyser
also look at how you can reduce the amount of power you consume.
And look at reducing the amount of waste you produce. Buy your veggies fresh for the dish your making. or grow them.
 
My company places focus on reducing paper usage with a digital paper storage facility. We have converted a number of big companies into a almost paperless environment!
 
JacquesZA said:
One thing that’s a major concern for m is plastic bags… I will try to bring my own next time I shop, however what can I do on the rubbish bins?
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This one gets me as well, just stand at the tills and watch people loading their groceries into thousands of plastic bags that gets pushed to the car, carried to the kitchen counter then trashed, seems like such a waste... I've started using those green bags and it's also nice to see them in series and movies instead of paper or plastic...

I'd like to start recycling but there doesn't seem to be many recycling places for households in JHB
 
Can also look at grey water recycling.
Basically using your basin, bath, shower and washinmachine water to water your garden and grass.
 
wetkit said:
Can also look at grey water recycling.
Basically using your basin, bath, shower and washinmachine water to water your garden and grass.
Click to expand...

Also look at Rainwater harvesting, i just put a 250l Jojo drum under my roof, and in 1 storm collected 150l water in 20mins.
 
Solar panels will pay for themselves after four years, save you cash after that and be very green. After the next batch of eskom increases they'll pay for themselves even faster...
 
JacquesZA said:
What else is there that I can do that won’t cost an arm and a leg?
Click to expand...
Recycle plastics. Screw all the other stuff. Paper & metals will degrade given time. Plastics take thousands of years.

To be honest I don't worry too much about car emissions etc. I try to cut electricity & non-degradable waste (plastics & batteries primarily). All else I consider a fact of life.

Also, geezers on a timer work surprisingly well. I've got it set to 1-2 hrs at 3AM. Modern geezers hold heat for 24hrs+ so 3AM is fine and loads the grid on an off peak period. End result > Heat at 3 AM > Shower 6AM > Avg geezer temp reduced for entire day & hence lower cost >reheat at 3 AM again & repeat.

WW sells nice reusable bags. So does PnP.
 
We recycle paper, plastic, glass, metal, batteries, print cartridges, and CFL lighbulbs.
Insulated my geyser and try to keep the power bill down. Eventually I would like to go solar in a much bigger way. Costs are coming down nicely so hopefully in the next few years.
I drive a 1300cc car which is low on emissions. Also we use Energy saver bulbs etc. Most cooking is via the convection microwave (beats stove/oven) or the slow cooker (very efficient).
Last year I insulated my roof which cut our heating bill in half. Great decision.
Oh, and we have an organic veggie garden.

@HavocXphere:
Recycling metal saves a lot on energy in the refining process as you don't need to mine and seperate new ore if you instead recycle. Same with Paper, less trees cut down and doused in chemicals. Recycling paper is a lot easier than making new paper and is a lot softer on the environment.
 
Want to make a big difference without it costing you an arm or a leg? Reduce or (even better) eliminate animal products from your diet. Livestock agriculture is one of the biggest polluters on earth, particular in terms of greenhouse gas emissions.
 
Cius said:
@HavocXphere:
Recycling metal saves a lot on energy in the refining process as you don't need to mine and seperate new ore if you instead recycle. Same with Paper, less trees cut down and doused in chemicals. Recycling paper is a lot easier than making new paper and is a lot softer on the environment.
Click to expand...
All of which I know. Might point is simply that plastic is exponentially worse.
 
JacquesZA said:
One thing that’s a major concern for m is plastic bags…
Click to expand...

Why?

First, split organic vs inorganic/recyclable and do your own compost and drop off the recyclables at a plant (I work at one can give you details, not sure if they cater for the general public though)

Use washable bins. That way you don't worry about plastic bags.

Why worry about plastic? The earth provided us that, and the earth provided a moss that actually lives and consumes plastic as a food source. #hippie ;)
 
patrick said:
Solar panels will pay for themselves after four years, save you cash after that and be very green. After the next batch of eskom increases they'll pay for themselves even faster...
Click to expand...
If only the deep cycle batteries could be cheaper!
 
depending on where you live, most Total petrol stations in and around JHB (unsure about other areas) have recycling areas where you can drop off your paper, plastic, tin/cans and glass

don't buy bottled water

do meat free mondays (gasp, the sacrilege...lol)
 
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