|
Eco Tips – Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.
Reduce
- Plan a shopping list to prevent purchasing on impulse.
- Purchase products that will not go out of fashion quickly.
- Purchase things with less packaging.
- Purchase things in bulk quantities ex. one large box of breakfast cereal instead of two small boxes.
- Purchase durable items that will last you a long time ex. rechargeable battery.
- Purchase refillable items ex. dish washing liquid.
- Borrow, share and/or hire things that you only need occasionally.
- Bring a shopping bag while shopping instead of requesting for plastic or paper bags.
- Use cloth instead of paper tissue for cleaning.
- Minimize the use of disposable items such as disposable crockery, non-rechargeable batteries etc.
- Store perishable food ex. bread, fruits in refrigerator.
- Cook just sufficient food for meals.
- Pack breakfast or lunch in washable container instead of a one-time container.
- Write to the respective organization/s if a few members of the family receive the same reading materials/information.
- Call the respective organization/s to remove your address from their mailing list to prevent junk mail.
- Switch off lights and electronic appliances when not in use.
- Close the refrigerator door immediately after taking out necessary food, fruits or drinks etc.
- Use one strong bulb instead of a few low-wattage ones.
- Use the fan instead of air-conditioning if possible.
- Turn off the water tap promptly.
- Check for dripping taps and inspect taps and pipes to prevent water leakage.
- Take a shower instead of a bath.
- Wash only with full loads of laundry.
- Wash the floor with a mop instead of water hose.
- Wash the car with a pail of water instead of using the water hose.
- Use a tumbler of water when you brush your teeth.
Reuse
- Reuse used glass and plastic containers as receptacles.
- Reuse your old mouse pad as an insulator for placing hot containers that have just been removed from stove or oven.
- Use unwanted plastic bags to bag garbage.
- Use old clothing as rags for cleaning.
- Convert scrap paper into memo pads.
- Pass old textbooks, story books, and toys to others.
- Pass smaller size but good quality clothing to others.
- Donate good quality but unwanted items to old folks' homes, charitable organizations etc.
- Delete old files from diskette to save new files.
- Repair and recondition faulty electronic appliances to extend their useful lives.
- Clean and reuse ornaments for the next festive celebration.
- Clean and reuse washable cutlery and crockery for the next party.
Recycle
- Make recycled paper at home and decorate it for use as a greeting card or wrapping paper.
- Segregate recyclable items for collection by waste collectors.
- Participate in recycling program/s and deposit recyclable items into designated recycling bins.
- Purchase recycled products.
- Purchase green labeled products.
Reduce
- Purchase more durable devices and items ex. plastic folders instead of paper folders.
- Purchase refillable items ex. mechanical pencils and refillable pens.
- Pin notices on notice boards instead of making copies to distribute.
- Cater sufficient drinks and food for school activities and events.
- Use refillable soap and drinks dispensers instead of providing individual packets.
- Switch off light, fan and electronic appliances when not in use.
Reuse
- Use both sides of paper for writing, calculations and problem solving etc.
- Pass unwanted textbooks and assessment books to others.
- Donate old story books to the school library.
- Delete old files from diskette to store new documents.
- Compost organic waste into soil conditioners or fertilizers for planting in the school's garden.
- Reuse plastic and glass containers as pots for planting.
Recycle
- Set up a recycling program in school.
- Participate in your school's recycling program.
- Purchase and use recycled product.
Reduce
- Use less disposable items ex. polystyrene and paper cups and plates.
- Bring your own cutlery and coffee mug.
- Do not ask for a plastic bag if you can take the packet of food back to the office yourself.
- Make a few copies of a document to share instead of making one copy for each individual.
- Circulate written or printed memos.
- Use electronic mail to communicate or to send messages.
- Subscribe to electronic mailing whenever possible.
- Proofread documents on screen before printing.
- Instead of using sticker labels, print addresses directly onto envelopes or use window envelopes to reduce duplicate printing of address.
- Print on both sides of paper.
- Order just adequate drinks and food for meeting, seminars, conference and events etc.
- Switch on light and electronic devices only when necessary.
- Buy longer-lasting & useful items as corporate gifts.
Reuse
- Reuse used envelopes for sending internal mail.
- Remove old documents and reuse files for filing again.
- Use the other side of used paper for drafting, printing and taking notes etc.
- Re-format or delete old files from diskettes so that they can be used to store new documents.
Recycle
- Set up a recycling program in the office.
- Participate in recycling program/s.
- Segregate recyclable items for recycling.
* These Eco Tips were provided by National Environment Agency - www.nea.gov.sg
Click here to download a PDF version of the Eco Tips.
|
