100+ways to make a difference

Even if you only pick 1 you will still make a difference :-)

Follow some of these simple green living tips to help reduce the environmental footprint and live a healthier life.

1. Turn the lights off when not in use.

2. Avoid buying drinks in plastic bottles.

3.  Limit your meat intake to twice a week

4. Don’t use disposable coffee cups, get yourself a reusable coffee cup.

5. Say no to plastic bags and use your own reusable bags

6. Buy fruits and veggies that are in season.

7. Reuse old newspapers…they make great window cleaners.

8. Vinegar is great for cleaning windows and glass.

9. To clean marks of suede gently rub a very fine sandpaper.

10. Don’t buy bottled water.

11. Put your food scraps in a compost bin. Some suburbs have community gardens you can take your compost to.

12. Put a lid on a saucepan to make it boil faster, it saves energy.

13. Grow your own vegetables

14. Get your bills delivered via email by going online and requesting no paper based bills.

15. Place a plant next to your computer to reduce the toxins you breathe in. Plants also help boost energy levels in a workspace.

16. Install solar power and save on energy bills.

17. Shop less. One of the easiest ways to reduce your environmental impact is to buy less. Next time you shop think carefully about whether you really need it.

18. Use cloth napkins

19. Buy recycled paper.

20. Buy organic or free range meats.

21. Some scientists believe that the accumulation of chemicals in our bodies is causing an increase in allergies such as asthma and eczema. Check additives with Chemeleon

22. Hang your clothes outside and try to use the clothes dryer less.

23. Donate old clothes to charity or sell them online. Or use them as cleaning rags or get crafty and make a quilt!

24. Walk short distances instead of using the car.

25. Avoid using aerosol cans (specially for things like deodorants).

26. If you’re worried that your childrens toys contain lead, you can purchase a lead-testing kit from most paint stores.

27. Try to use eco friendly cleaning products.

28. Try to remove as much plastic from your home. It’s toxic to your body and the earth. 

29. Buy sulphate free hair products.

30. Install energy saving light bulbs in your house – It saves energy and money!

31. Recycle & upcycle.

32. Did you know that most computers aren’t optimized for energy efficiency? Use the ‘sleep’ and hibernate settings on your computer, or turn them off if you know you wont be using them for a while.

33. Make an effort to buy groceries with the least amount of packaging.

34. Eat healthy and make your meals from scratch.

35. Reuse some of your empty glass bottles and jars to store leftovers.

36. Use reusable containers for lunches instead of cling wrap or plastic bags

37. Teach kids to care for the world. It’s never too early!

38. Dry-cleaning is expensive and damaging to the environment. Many garments sent ot the dry-cleaner can be hand washed. Some clothing manufacturers label their garments ‘dry-clean only’ so they are not liable for damage.

39. Watch the story of stuff by Annie Leonard.

40. Teach kids why it’s important to save water.

41. Get a worm farm and recycle all your organic waste.

42. Use bio friendly laundry detergents.

43. Get a bore water pump installed.

44. Next time you buy a car make it a hybrid.

45. Don’t litter.

46. Get a plant for the office.

47. Spend tax rebates wisely, don’t just splurge.

48. Avoid upgrading your mobile phone every time a new comes out.

49. Start a herb garden in your balcony or your backyard.

50. If you have large garden buy some chickens and you’ll have fresh eggs everyday.Their poop is great fertilizer.

51. Switch to gas. It’s the most effective method of heating.

52. Open those blinds and curtains and let in some light instead of turning on the lights.

53. Use crayons to repair scratches on marble and Caesar stone bench tops. Match the colour and rub into the area that needs repair until the area is filled.

54. Save fuel by making sure your tires are inflated properly.

55. Don’t throw away your unwanted goods, have a garage sale or give it to goodwill.

56. Shop at second hand stores once in a while.

57. Install a water tank.

58. Read newspapers and magazines online.

59. Buy movies and music online - saves packaging, reduces carbon footprint and de-clutters your home.

60. Use solar powered lighting in outdoor areas.

61. Get insulation in your house.

62. Open the windows and turn off the air conditioner.

63. Don’t set your air con to less than 23 degrees.

64. Buy organic products from your local farmers markets. Organic is best for your body and the earth.

65. Take out your mobile phone charger from the wall even if you have turned the power outlet off it is still charging using. unnecessary energy but being plugged in.

66. Get rid of old energy draining appliances such as second fridge or old microwave.

67. Check energy and water ratings prior to purchasing new appliances for your home or office.

68. Support eco-friendly organisations.

69. Cruise control saves you fuel.

70. Fuel is cheaper during certain days of the week, fill up on those days and save money.

71. Buy double glazing for your home to keep your place cool.

72. Turn off and unplug electronics when not in use (it will save you money as well).

73. Shorten your showers and use low-flow showerheads.

74. Limit the amount of paper used & print only when you really need to.

75. Stop junkmail to your home.

76. Don’t throw something if you can give it away or sell it. Have a garage sale or ebay it!

77. Be thrifty and buy used items

78. Front loaders use 40% less water by cycling clothes through water at the bottom of the drum. Front loaders also remove more water in the spin cycle which reduces drying time.

79. Eucalyptus oil is great for removing sticky labels.

80. To neutralize onion and garlic smells use lemon juice.

81. If you add a teaspoon of sugar to a vase of cut flowers they will last longer.

82. Rinse your glass jars and bottles before you recycle.

83. Learn about seasonal fruit and vegetables.

84. Take public transport when ever possible.

85. Try to carpool if possible.

86. Keep your car in shape with regular maintenance checks. Your car will run better and be more economical with fuel consumption.

87. Walk or ride a bike when you can.

88. Make homemade jam & preserves and use your old glass jars. 

89. If you have fruit that’s not looking too fresh, make a pie! apple pie, pear pie, banana tart.

90. Watch inspiring documentaries like…Who killed the electric car, That Sugar film.

91. Use rechargeable batteries.

92. Install or upgrade to a dual flush toilet.

93. Insulate your home; keep heat out in the summer and warmth in during the winter.

94. Capture rain water and install a rainwater tank.

95. Start reading ebooks and buy less paper books or go to a library!

96. Participate in Earth hour.

97. Say no to plastic bags, and carry your own bag.

98. Buy or subscribe to digital music instead of buying CD’s. Reduces clutter and saves on manufacturing.

99. Get an energy audit.

100. Suggest incorporating carbon neutral status for your workplace or business.

101. Get some indoor plants- house plants improve your indoor air quality.

102. Only buy BPA Free plastic kitchen containers.

103. Use all natural cleaning products.

104. Use only natural skincare and makeup products.

105. Recycle, reduce and reuse.

106. Buy locally.

107. Calculate your carbon footprint.

108. Know your plastics & understand which are not recyclable.
109. Check your cosmetics for toxic ingredients, there are guides online to help you.  
110. Install solar power panels on your roof
111. Use a perpetual calendar and save on having to buy one every year.
112. Be an environmentally conscious gardener and find out what kinds of garden plants are most suitable for the area that you live in. Ask your local garden center.
113. Place windows and doors by buying seals to stop drafts or use snakes against your door
114. Purchase a tap flow to place all the taps in your house/apartment reduce wasting our most valuable resource – water
115. Buy organic food and wine there are loads of websites available online
116. Before turning the heater on in winter, put on some extra clothes and bring out the blankets
117. Join the library for the latest books – saves you buying them only to store them in your cupboard once you have read them
118. Become a vegetarian for a month, start by reading Kathy Freston’s books.
119. If you are not keen to change your lifestyle try skipping meat a few nights a week and notice the difference.
120.  If the steam jets in your iron become clogged, fill the iron with equal parts of white vinegar and water, let it stand for 1hr and empty it out, rinse with clean water and let it steam.

121. Buy biodegradable doggie bags for your pet
122. Recycle your greeting cards and use online cards instead
123. Only boil the amount of water you need in your kettle
124. Give your unwanted books to friends or sell them at a second hand book store
125. Purchase new items as necessary; avoid upgrading your furniture and cars all the time. If you purchase quality from the beginning there is less of need to continually upgrade
126. Purchase glassware instead of plastic home wares as dangerous chemicals exist in certain plastic items
127. Check your labels on the food purchased from supermarkets. Check out Aus only grocery website
128. If some of your furniture is looking worn out give it new look with paint or decoupage or create a mosaic of old chipped dishes on a worn out table.
129. Make your own paper. Don’t throw away paper, collect it and when you have a bucket full make your own paper. Its great for greeting cards.
130. Ask a friendly neighbor for some cuttings and grow them instead of buying from a nursery.
131. Plant seedlings in old egg and milk cartons
132. Grow your own lettuce in a pot
133. Don’t ditch the shirt over a lost button. Remove the button you’re least likely to see and use it as the replacement. Or buy different buttons for a brand new look.
134. Breathe new life into old footwear at the shoe repair shop; replace heels or soles, repair linings or just get them shined up.
135. Patch it (iron-ons are easy!). If it’s no longer suitable for the office, wear it for cleaning, painting or gardening.
136. Host a clothing swap party. Invite all your friends to bring their unwanted clothes and trade!
137. Tear T-shirts into rags for washing windows, waxing the car or paint clean-ups.
138. Repurpose old socks by cutting them into strips and clamping them to a mop handle with a clamp apparatus. (Use wool for dusting, cotton for wet-mopping.)
139. Worn-out knees on your jeans? Make cut-offs.
140.One of the easiest ways to save money is to take your own lunch to work. Left overs are great, just reheat them in the microwave.
141. Cut the sleeves off a team T-shirt, then sew the waist closed for a reusable shopping bag with personality. Make this reusable shopping bag! 
142. Put together a kids’ clothing exchange at your church, neighborhood association or scouting troop. Then let the kids show off their wardrobe-swap favorites at a fashion show.
143. Turn the top half of jeans into a durable, retro bag by sewing the leg holes closed and attaching a belt for a shoulder strap. Make this jeans purse! 
144. Newspaper is a good deodorizer. Just place a crumpled sheet inside smelly shoes and leave overnight. Can also be placed in smelly plastic containers to remove yucky odours.
145. Avoid frozen dinners and reduce the amount of take away meals you eat
146. If you can’t afford to buy organic fruit and vegetables grow your own or learn which are the fruits and veggies highest in pesticide residue so you can reduce your intake. 
1.Peach, 2. apple, 3. bell pepper, 4. celery, 5. Nectarine, 6. Strawberries, 7. Cherries, 8. kale, 9. Lettuce, 10. grapes (imported), 11. Carrot, 12. Pear (find out more here)
147. Use old newspapers to make papier-mâché. Make pigs or masks by blowing up a balloon and covering it with strips of newspaper that has been moistened in a mixture of flour, salt and water.
148. Are the possums nibbling at your veggie patch? Rub vicks vaporub under a few rocks. Possums don’t like camphorated oils.
149. If you are after non-mainstream Australian seeds to plant? visit www.diggers.com.au.
150. The best way to remove weeds is by hand. You can burn up to 200 calories in 1hour and you’ll avoid using toxic weed killers.
151. Don’t through away the carcass of last nights roast chicken, put all the left overs in a pot of boiling water and simmer for a couple of hours to make a wholesome chicken stock. 

152. Garlic is a great to keep snails, slugs, aphids and flying insects away from your veggies. Simply crush 3 garlic cloves into a 1 litre spray bottle, let it sit overnight and then spray over the plants that need protection!

153. Buy FSC certified products and decrease the trade of exotic wood from endangered forests.

154. Spiders hate lemons. Add lemon oil to your broom bristles and sweep webs away. The lemon oil will keep spiders away for up to 3 months.

155. The next time you make scrambled eggs, blow them out and decorate them. To blow the eggshells, pierce the top and bottom of an egg with a darning needle. Hold the egg firmly and blow slowly through one of the holes. Rinse the egg shells by using the egg like a straw and sucking the water from a bow of clean water and blowing it out again until its all clean. If you have little kids that are likely to break them, you can then fill them up with warm jelly place in the fried to set and get creative!

156. Eggshells are high in calcium and are a great substitute for shell grit. Simply mix with birdseed or add to your garden.

157. Cucumber slices are great for removing dark circles around the eyes. Cucumbers bring blood to the surface of the skin and are good for soothing skin irritations and sunburn and reduce swelling.

158. Form a tree-planting group with family and friends and commit to planting and maintaining these trees together. Or participate in National Tree Day

159. Coffee grounds keep slugs and snails away from your garden. Simply mix equal parts of sand and ash and sprinkle around the border of your garden.

160. Coffee grounds are a great fertilizer.

161. Coffee grounds can be added to your compost.

162. Don’t throw away stale bread, just pop it in a food processor to make breadcrumbs.

163. Most vegetable oils can be reused. Just strain into a glass jar and store it away until the next time you need it.

164. Encourage your children to use handkerchiefs and not tissues.

165. Small beetroot leaves can be added to a mixed leaf salad.

166. Take old appliance boxes to your local pre-school or daycare center. They make great cubby houses.

167. You can reuse the biscuit trays to store kids crayons and other craft items.

168. Use your egg cartons to make alligators, monsters, trains, bees or even caterpillars!

169. Make paint pots out of egg cartons.

170. Don’t run the water when brushing your teeth. You will save as much as 11 litres every time. Did you know that only 2.5% of the world’s water is drinkable.



171. Give memberships to an environmental organization or seedlings as birthday gifts.

172. Egg cartons make great seedling pots.

There are a lot of things you can do to live a greener life. Why not start by selecting 1 a week and tell your friends and family about the good you’re doing. Who knows you might inspire them too!