10 Ways To Go Green

Stasha had 10 Things Green as a prompt last week for Monday Listicles, which I didn't do. So, I thought I'd do a different take on the green theme this week. I'm recycling an old post I did before on Helping Your Family Go Green. So, here's 10 ways that you and your family can lead a greener, eco-friendlier life...

1. Recycle

Paper, plastic, aluminium cans, tetra paks (milk cartons, packet drinks), cardboard, tin cans and bottles. Get the whole family into recycling mode, especially your kids. I even recycle price tags which most people overlook. They're made of paper aren't they? Throw them in the paper recycling bin.

2. Reduce waste

Do you know that if you cut your toothpaste tube in half, after you've tried squeezing every bit out of it, there's still enough inside there to last you a few more days? Learnt this tip from a recycling talk I attended many years back and have been practising it since.

3. Use products that are packaged in recyclable material.

Instead of buying refillable packs (which aren't recyclable), get the product in it's original tin can or glass bottle. Yes, it costs a little bit more but if you can afford it why not? At the end of the day you can still sell your recyclables to get back that little bit more you spent.

4. Save energy

Switch to energy-saving bulbs, switch off the lights, fan or TV when not in use, bathe cold water if you can.

5. Compost your kitchen/garden wastes
Here's a site on how to start composting in your home.

6. Think Before You Throw

Seriously, get into this habit of thinking before you throw and you'd find that there are more things you can recycle than throw away.

7. Use reusable bags for shopping.

And remember to bring it along when you go out shopping. Keep some handy in the car or keep a super lightweight one in your handbag all the time.

8. Go plant a tree!

Haven't done that. Would love to one day.

9. Go paperless whenever possible.
Instead of sending a card, why not send an e-card or an e-mail with a nice message for someone's special occasion. If you ask me, I'd much prefer that. All the cards that I've received before have mostly ended up being recycled in the end anyway.

10. Pee in the shower.

Hey the Brazilians are doing it, why not us?

Green Tip #4 - Drop Those Small Items In Your Bag

When we go out, I carry a bag big enough to carry an elephant in. It's been this way since the kiddos came. How else can I store diapers, wet wipes, toys, diaper cream, a small towel, 2 water bottles, snacks, a small camera, my wallet and everything else that needs to come along with us when we go out? Amazingly, there's still enough space for small little items I get drawn to buy when we're out shopping like make-up, jewellery and even clothes for the kids. THAT's how BIG my bag is. So, if you're like me and you carry a bag BIG enough to carry an elephant in, make it a habit to drop those small little things you buy into your bag; instead of having them put it in a plastic bag. That's my green tip for the day! Happy green weekend!

Green Tip #3 - Send E-cards

I still remember when I was in university, my hubby (boyfriend then) and I used to send each other letters and cards. I can't remember if they had e-mails then (yes, I'm that old!) but it was nice to get a letter in the mail (the real mail, as in the post box?......that red box-like thing on your gate?.....nevermind) once in a while. Times have certainly changed and I don't think my kids will grow up sending letters to their friends, besides the electronic kind. But, does it really matter when we are trying to go paper-less in an effort to go green? Many people are still sending cards for special occasions but I feel that, that special occasion would still be meaningful even with an e-mail, e-card or sms greeting. Don't you think so? Where do your cards normally end up? In the trash? Recycling bin? Kept in the drawer for years until the day you declutter and throw them away or recycle them? So, the way I see it, why not send e-cards and have your recipient archive them instead? The trees would be real happy!

By the way, have a Blessed Hoppy Easter!

Happy Earth Day Everyone!

My boy went to school wearing green today in conjunction with Earth Day. For some people, wearing green is as close to going green as they'll ever be. It's sad to know that environmental awareness is still lacking in our country. I still see people throwing empty drink packets out of their cars on the highway, like the whole world is a trash can - I don't know how some people can do that. Behind my parents' house is a big drain where I often see plastic bags of garbage floating by. I also often see heaps of rubbish piled up at the very spot where a 'denda' (fine) sign for throwing rubbish is. A very common sight in fact.

I've started educating my kids on green awareness and recycling because they will be the next generation of green crusaders. Simple things like recycling and how to throw rubbish in the proper place can be easily taught to kids. If you'd like to know more about how to help your family go green, do read my posts on some of the things I'm doing with my family under the label Going Green. Mother Earth needs your help, celebrate Earth Day by going green (not just by what you wear) and by pledging to be a greener family!

My little green monster!

Green Tip #2 - Remember Your Reusable Bags

We Malaysians are way behind in terms of using reusable or recyclable bags for shopping. Jusco in Ipoh, my hometown, has only recently implemented their no-plastic-bag day not too long ago. Frankly, I feel they should implement no-plastic-bag day everyday. With just one day a week, it's difficult to get into a habit of taking your reusable bags along when you shop. So, tell yourself that everyday is no-plastic-bag day, everywhere. I have a super lightweight one in my bag ALL the time so that whenever I'm out and need to buy something, my reusable bag comes in handy. Also, have one in the car just in case. So, remember to remember your reusable bags!

Green Tip #1 - Recycle And Sort Your Paper

Recycle your paper and sort them into these categories:

1. Mixed paper/Books/Comics (Mixed paper include all the advertising junkmail you receive)
2. Black and White (A4)
3. Computer Paper (those with the holes on the sides)
4. Cardboard

The reasons for sorting are, firstly, it'll make life easier for volunteers at the recycling centres and secondly, recycling centres pay different rates for the different categories. As a reference, check out Alam Flora's rates. It's really not about the rates but about helping to ease the work of the volunteers. I take my recyclables to the centre in Damansara Jaya which is run by a group of really dedicated volunteers who are members of the Residents Association there. The least you can do is sort them on your end before sending the things there. It does take a while to get used to sorting but once you've sorted out how to sort them, sorting will sorta be like second nature!

Help Your Family Go Green

It's cool to be green. It's also being socially responsible to the environment we live in and to fellow human beings we live with. Want to reduce your carbon footprint? Look no further than your own home. These are some of the ways my family's trying to reduce our carbon footprint.

1. Recycle
Paper, plastic, aluminium cans, tetra paks (milk cartons, packet drinks), cardboard, tin cans and bottles. Get the whole family into recycling mode, especially your kids.  Read my post Teaching Kids To Recycle. I even recycle price tags which most people overlook. They're made of paper aren't they? Throw them in the paper recycling bin.

2. Reduce waste
Do you know that if you cut your toothpaste tube in half, after you've tried squeezing every bit out of it, there's still enough inside there to last you a few more days? Learnt this tip from a recycling talk I attended many years back and have been practising it since.

3. Use products that are packaged in recyclable material.

Instead of buying refillable packs (which aren't recyclable), get the product in it's original tin can or glass bottle. Yes, it costs a little bit more but if you can afford it why not? At the end of the day you can still sell your recyclables to get back that little bit more you spent.

4. Save energy

Switch to energy-saving bulbs, switch off the lights, fan or TV when not in use, bathe cold water if you can.

5. Save Water

Pee in the shower. Hey, the Brazilians are doing it why not us? Malaysia Boleh!

6. Think Before You Throw
This is another way to keep your mind alert and ward off Alzheimer's. Seriously, get into this habit of thinking before you throw and you'd find that there are more things you can recycle than throw away.

7. Go plant a tree!
Haven't done that. Would love to one day.

* I hope to start a series of posts called "Green Tips". Stay tuned.

Teaching Kids To Recycle

Recycling can be a FUN activity for the kiddos. My 4-year-old son loves to be my little helper when it comes to recycling. A few months back, I made him labeled bins out of A4 paper boxes which I asked some dear friends of mine to get from their office. I have to give credit to my sister-in-law again for giving me the idea of using these boxes. They are easily available and just the right size for the kids. I think all kids will be curious enough to want to know about recycling. It would be lost opportunity if parents don't take the effort to teach them at this young age. Here's how to teach your child to recycle


1. Explain the recycling concept to your child.
Tell him in easy kid language like "used paper can be made into new paper again". It's good to also teach them the 3Rs- Reuse (eg. reusing gift wrappers), Reduce (eg. using reusable shopping bags to reduce the use of plastic bags) and Recycle (eg. aluminium cans can be melted down again to make new aluminium cans). Of course, always start slow and gradually introduce these concepts along the way or he might just get confused.

2. Get those boxes.
Or any suitable containers for that matter. I collected 4 boxes for these categories - 'paper', 'aluminium cans', 'tetra paks' and 'plastic'. I am sure you can easily get these boxes from photocopy shops around your neighbourhood.

3. Make this into a fun craft activity for your kids.
I drew (you can print) the recycling logo on sheets of used A4 paper and had my son colour them. While he did that, I made the respective labels with simple sketched pictures of the recyclables and their names (see, you can encourage your child to learn to read the labels - what educational fun!)

4. Glue the labels on the boxes and start recycling.
Start with things he can already recognise - I find paper a good thing to start with.

5. Inculcate "think before you throw" habit.
I have to remind my son to do that at the beginning but now he does it on his own - after finishing a cup of yogurt or a packet (tetra pak) of drink, he'd say "Can this be recycled?! Yeeesss....", and off he goes to the bins.

Dear parents, recycling is good, wholesome fun for your kids. Do encourage them at home and you'll find that the future would truly be a better place. Happy recycling kiddos!

If you're wondering where to send your recyclables, here's a link to Alam Flora's list. http://www.alamflora.com.my/V3/ListOfCommunityRecyclingCentre.htm

Also, a list of things you can recycle, by Alam Flora
http://www.alamflora.com.my/V3/recycling6.html