Own Correspondent
“It’s our turn to lead.” The theme for this year’s Earth Day calls on all citizens around the globe to unite and show support for the protection of a beautiful and green environment. The Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa (IWMSA) encourages all South Africans to take this challenge head on by reducing consumption at home.
Earth Day is celebrated annually on April 22. Earth Day is now in its 45th year.
“To reduce personal consumption is not always an easy task, but there are a few doable steps you can follow throughout the year to help protect our environment,” says Dr Suzan Oelofse, president of the IWMSA.
Here are five easy steps to reduce consumption:
l Sort your cupboards and closets first before hitting the shops: “With winter approaching, sorting your cupboards will help you to focus on the things you really need,” says Oelofse. Sort clothes that are too big, too small or are simply not you any more and donate to the less-privileged. Donations are a form of re-use
.
l Plan your shopping trip: “Impulsive purchases are often left unused and eventually end up in the dustbin,” says Oelofse. “Rather draw up a shopping list of the things you need beforehand. This is especially important when purchasing perishable food as it usually gets spoilt. The challenge to this step is to stick to the shopping list!”
l Set up a meal planner: When cooking food, try to use the oldest ingredients first before their shelf life expires. Oelofse says you should regularly rotate or sort cupboards according to shelf life as it will help you to access your oldest stock quicker and easier. “Prepare just enough food for the amount of people that will be enjoying the meal. If there is food left over, use it for a delicious soup or start your own home composting system.”
l Challenge yourself to see how little you can get by with: “Rather than spending money on the latest and newest products, challenge yourself to see how little you can get along with. A little really goes a long way,” says Oelofse. This will not only save you money, but save the environment’s valuable resources.
lBuy eco products: Melissa Baird, editor of Green Home magazine, says: “We are seeing more eco products making their way on to shopping shelves that are good for the environment and great for your home as they don’t contain harsh chemicals. Consumers should shop around and find out what works for them when making new choices.”
For those who are unsure where to start, visit The Green Home Fair at Brooklyn Mall from June 27 to 28.
The fair forms part of the annual Sustainability Week and consumers will be treated to the latest in-home and decor products.
With these easy steps, everyone can make every day Earth Day.
“Protecting our earth through reduced consumerism saves you money! It is a win-win situation,” says Oelofse.
lFor more info on the IWMSA, visit www.iwmsa. co.za. The IWMSA is also on Twitter (https://twitter.com/ IWMSA) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ iwmsa).
Sustainability Week is taking place from June 23 to 28. For more info on Sustainability Week and the Green Home Fair, visit www.sustainabilityweek.co.za
http://www.earthday.org/ node/68