Do It Now: 3 Ways to Live a Greener Indoor Lifestyle
Not rinsing non-flushable items or letting leaky taps drip, small steps can make a big difference
With the first week of spring in the Capital Region and Earth Day just around the corner, now is the perfect time to consider some simple but meaningful steps to make life easier on Earth.
After all, the actions we take every day affect our environment, whether it’s flushing “unflushables” or allowing water to flow unnecessarily down the drain.
“Each of us plays an important role in protect our natural environmentand by paying attention to how our actions affect our waterways, ecosystems and reservoirs, you will help protect and preserve one of our most important resources: water,” said Glenn Harris, Senior Manager, Environmental Conservation.
How can you live green around your home? Here are some easy fixes!
- Think twice before flushing – It all boils down to the easy-to-remember “3 Ps”: pee, poo, and toilet paper. Anything else is non-flushable waste that clogs and damages sanitary sewer systems and can affect local waterways. Think wipes—even “flushable” wipes—cotton swabs, dental floss, feminine hygiene products, hair, and more. After all, it is a toilet, not a trash can.
Chemicals and drugs must also be kept out of drains as they can cause safety concerns in addition to environmental concerns.
Remember to “live green” and dispose of all these items responsibly – use eco-friendly cleaning products to protect the good bacteria in your septic system and check out our Clean Green Recipes As an alternative to harsh chemicals.
- Don’t put water down the drain— It may come as no surprise that bathrooms account for 65 per cent of household water use, but did you know that reducing shower time to five minutes can save up to 10,000 liters of water a year? ! Other simple ways to reduce water waste include turning off the tap when lathering, brushing your teeth or shaving.
- Choose efficient fixtures for your bathroom – Shortening your shower time is an important step toward green living, but you can easily build on it by improving the efficiency of your fixtures. Leaky toilets, taps and showerheads can account for 14 per cent of water used indoors, and older, outdated models will consume more water than their modern counterparts. Replacing these water-wasting fixtures with efficient ones will not only benefit the environment – you’ll save energy and money while also contributing to the sustainability of our water supply.
To learn more about how to live green at home, visit www.crd.bc.ca/livegreen
CRD Green Living
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