Go Green
Making your Daily Life Environmentally Friendly
We do not have to make much effort to lead environmentally friendly lives. Some of us already take the environment into consideration. However, in order to make a significant difference, there should be a united effort towards safeguarding the environment. Here are a few pointers for you to practice in your daily life:
Don’t waste water
- Turn off the tap when you are brushing your teeth and soaping the dishes etc.
- Collect rain water and use it to water your plants and wash your vehicle
- If you see a road tap or pipe leaking inform the relevant authorities
Public property belongs to you! You will have to pay for these services one way or the other
Don’t waste electricity
- Switch off fans and lights when you leave the room
- Don’t leave the radio or television playing unnecessarily in the background
- Use energy saving CFL bulbs
- Expose those who tap into sources of electricity illegally
The Police are the custodians of public property. If you have any complaints or inquiries contact them
Be aware of the noise you make
- Don’t use the car horn unnecessarily
- Be cautious of the level of noise made by your television/ radio etc
Constant exposure to high levels of noise can cause permanent damage to your hearing. It is not only a health hazard but also a public nuisance
Keep your vehicular emissions to a minimum
- Service and tune your vehicle regularly
- Check for exhaust fumes
- Submit your vehicle for emission testing yearly
You are not excluded from breathing what your car emits. These emissions lead to respiratory problems, contribute to Ozone depletion and air pollution
Protect the trees
- Condone deforestation. If you see it report it
- Prune the branches, don’t cut the whole tree
- Plant new trees – especially valuable ones
- Tress will protect soil from erosion
Every tree is a part of an intricate living cycle. If you protect your trees, it will protect your water, your soil and your life. Inform the necessary authorities if you witness the unnecessary destruction of forests
Recycle: Make recycling a part of your daily activities. This is the only method in which we can overcome the ‘garbage’ problem. Take responsibility for the waste you generate daily in your household. It is your duty to separate the waste and give it to the collectors. Your garbage is Your responsibility. Do not impose it on others.
The 3 R’s concept
How to recycle:
Compost your organic waste in your backyard – put away organic waste (cooked food, vegetable pieces etc.) in separate plastic container – empty it into compost bin or pit at the end of each day. Compost bins can be purchased from the Central Environmental Authority or Arpico Supermarket outlets. How to compost at home – easy tips to doing it on your own.
Separate other materials, paper, glass, plastic, metals. Tip: Hang 4 medium size gunny sacks/ hard polythene bags in an area easily accessible to the kitchen. Put away your waste accordingly in the sacks/ bags.
Don’t throw garbage on to the streets or burn it – Give the separated garbage to the collectors. If you really want to make a change – take it to your nearest collection centre established by the Municipal Council/ CEA. Sort and recycle whenever possible
Sorted waste can be handed over to the Colombo Municipal Council’s collection points located conveniently. Where to drop off your sorted waste
Paper is collected from your home and recycled by Abans Environmental Services Limited (071-8133108) and Neptune Paper Collectors (2533235-8)
Burning of polythene and plastics emits harmful gases-dioxins, cyanides and chlorine etc. that is harmful to your health and the environment
- According to the Waste Management Authority, 10% of all garbage in the Western province are paper based
- Did you know that by recycling 1 ton of paper you save 17 full grown trees?
Refuse polythene bags, lunch sheets, styrofoam packing, and plastics as much as possible
Use a cloth bags, paper bags and cardboard cartons to carry groceries etc.
- Reuse plastic containers, glass bottles and polythene bags as much as possible
- Mobilize your neighbourhood, office or school to clean and maintain the surrounding environment
- Inform friends, family, colleagues and neighbours of the importance in preserving the natural environment
Garbage is not the sole responsibility of the local government authorities. You generate it, you take responsibility for it. Support the authorities by sorting/ composting and reusing
