Imagine asking the dustman to cart off 480 double-decker buses jam packed with stinking, rotten rubbish. Sadly, that is the problem our environment faces every day. Twenty four thousand tonnes of waste is dumped daily and that includes a staggering 15 million plastic bags, enough to fill 25 buses. Some of the waste like sewage, finds its way into the harbour, polluting the waters and killing marine life. But the damage doesn't end there. Rotting waste releases harmful gases into the air which threaten everyone's health. Something has to be done. Everyone has a part to play, including you. The following "green tips" shows how you can save the environment and save money at the same time. Try your best to follow the advice listed below and encourage your friends and family to do the same. If everyone plays their part, we can all join together to save the environment and look forward to a happier, healthier and cleaner future.

CUT YOUR ELECTRICITY BILLS
SAVE ON WATER BILLS
SAVE ON TRAVELLING COSTS
CUT DOWN ON UNNECESSARY WASTE
YOUR CHOICE WHEN SHOPPING
SEPARATION OF WASTE

CUT YOUR ELECTRICITY BILLS

1. Make sure you turn off all lights and electrical appliances like air-conditioners and heaters when you are not using them.
2. Replace, where appropriate, electrical appliances with Grade 1 or Grade 2 Energy Labels, They are cheaper in the long run.
3. Use automatic timers to control appliances to avoid wasting energy.

Lighting
4. Use the minimum number of lights. Turn off lighting if it is not needed.
5. Use sunlight as far as possible.
6. Use energy-saving bulbs which are cooler, like halogen bulbs, fluorescent tubes and energy efficient compact fluorescent (CF) bulbs rather than the conventional incandescent bulbs. The CF bulbs give off a warm, bright light but use 75% less energy and last up to ten times longer than the conventional incandescent bulbs.
7. Keep bulbs and fittings clean for maximum brightness and reflectiveness.
8. Use low-wattage bulbs in areas where bright light is not necessary.
9. Turn off lighting if it is not needed. Affix "Save Energy" stickers near the switch as a reminder.
10. Replace conventional electromagnetic ballasts of fluorescent lamps with electronic ballasts.
11. Use dimmers where possible (except for fluorescent lamps).
12. Use non-opaque, light-coloured lamp shades.
13. Choose a light coloured, high-reflectivity decoration scheme for your main living areas.

Computers
14. Set PCs to hibernation mode or standby mode where applicable.
15. Turn off the master switch of printers connected to PCs when not in use.
16. Turn off the monitor when you leave your office, even for a short meeting. "Screen saver" does not save much energy (less than 10%).

Air-conditioning
17. Avoid installing your air-conditioner in direct sunlight which could jeopardize the cooling effect.
18. Seal the gaps around doors and windows and keep them closed when air-conditioners are in use.
19. Draw curtains or blinds to keep the sunlight out.
20. Avoid blocking the input and output air vents of your air-conditioner.
21. Pre-set air-conditioner to 25.5oC which is a comfortable energy efficient temperature. For every one degree Celsius cooler you set the temperature, your power consumption will increase by 10%.
22. At night, set your air-conditioner to "low cool" and use the timer to switch it off about one hour before you wake up.
23. During summer, clean your air-conditioner at least once a month to ensure it works efficiently.
24. Apply anti-ultraviolet film to window glazing exposed to strong sunlight.
25. Use fan instead of air conditioner as far as possible.

Refrigerator
26. Select a fridge size best suited to your family's needs. For a family of three to four, 140 to 170 litres is normally suitable.
27. Ensure the door seal is completely air tight and make sure the door is not left open when not in use.
28. The food section is best kept at a constant temperature of 3oC and the freezer compartment at 0oC. Every degree lower means a 5% increase in running costs.
29. Make sure your fridge is in a cool place away from direct sunlight, an oven or other sources of heat.
30. Always keep the cooling coils at the back of the fridge clean.
31. Allow hot food to cool before placing it in the fridge.
32. Don't over-crowd your fridge's shelves, allow cool air to circulate freely.
33. Thaw frozen food by putting it in the refrigerator section the day before cooking.
34. Empty and switch off your fridge if going on a long vacation.

Heaters
35. In winter, reduce the need for heaters by making the best possible use of sunlight.
36. Ensure doors and windows are closed and gaps are properly sealed. Thick curtains reduce heat loss.
37. For savings and safety's sake, turn off all heaters about 30 minutes before going out.

Washing Machines and Tumble Dryers
38. Wait until you have a full load of washing to save electricity and water.
39. Use cold or mild water for washing and rinsing.
40. Dry your clothes in the sunshine and fresh air whenever possible.
41. Reduce dry-cleaning.

Save on Gas
42. Always maintain your gas cooking utensils. It's a good idea to get a check-up every six months to make sure everything is burning efficiently.
43. Using microwave ovens and slow cookers can cut your fuel costs by up to 70%.
44. A pressure cooker saves up to 2/3 cooking time, saves energy, and preserves the goodness in your food.
45. Use the right size of rice cooker for your family - an oversized cooker wastes energy.
46. Do not cook too far ahead of meal time - reheating/ keeping food warm simply wastes energy.

Burner
47. Adjust the flame of the burner to hit bottom of pan. Fuel is wasted if flames leap up the side of the pan. Food cooks faster if it is put nearer the burner or grill.
48. Cover pots or saucepans to retain heat when cooking. It reduces cooking time and saves fuel costs by as much as four times.
49. Use the simmer burner rather than the oven to re-heat food and casseroles.
50. Do not put more water in kettles or pans than you need.

Oven and Grill
51. Plan your menu to make full use of your oven space. For example, when roasting or baking, use the lower area for cooking rice pudding, fruit pies or sausages.
52. Use the grill to its full capacity. It is cheaper to toast several slices of toast at a time rather then separately.
53. Do not spend too long pre-heating your oven: 10 minutes is usually enough.

Electrical or Gas Water Heater
54. Take a shower instead of a bath. It can save two and a half times the amount of water and fuel.
55. When hot water is not in use, switch off the pilot light.
56. Have your water heater inspected from time to time to ensure its efficiency and safety.
57. A low-flow shower head also saves water and heating energy.
58. Choose electric storage water heater or domestic gas instantaneous water heater with energy label.
SAVE ON WATER BILLS

59. Replace or repair loose seals on your toilet and taps promptly. Ten drips per minute wastes about 3,000 litres of water a year.

Water
60. Remember to turn off the taps after use.
61. Use a container for washing, brushing your teeth or shaving than rinsing in running water. You can save up to five litres of water each time.
62. Don't wash clothes or vegetables under running taps.
63. Do not use an excessive quantity of detergent when washing clothes or household utilities as more water is needed for rinsing them off.
64. Water your plants only when necessary.
65. Change fish tank water only when necessary. Use a better filtering system to maintain water quality.
66. Water can be used again. Save your bath slops to wash the floor.
67. Be economical with your washing machine and dishwasher. Save for a bigger wash and cut down the rinse cycle.
68. Teach your children that water is not for games.
69. Install low-flow tap.
70. Install flow restrictors, self-closing taps, sensors etc.
71. By taking a shower instead of a bath, you use only one fifth of the water.

Toilet
72. Do not flush unnecessarily. Eleven litres of water are used every time you flush the toilet. A large family may waste up to 100 litres every day.
73. Adjust the flushing water of your cistern to a minimum required level.
74. Use waste water instead of drinking water to flush the toilet if there is no supply of sea water for flushing.
75. Install two-flow flushing system to your cistern to reduce water use.

SAVE ON TRAVELLING COSTS

76. Plan your transport route well before you travel either locally or overseas.
77. Avoid the rush hour or busy period.
78. Use public transport. Walk or ride a bicycle whenever you can.
79. Try to form a car pool when travelling with your friends or colleagues.
80. Keep your car properly maintained.
81. Keep your car properly tuned. An inefficient car greatly increases fuel costs and pollutes the environment.
82. Mind your driving habits. Avoid sudden acceleration as it will increase fuel consumption.
83. Use public transportation as often as possible. Drive only for trips where no public transportation is available.
84. Think before buying a car. Consider public transportation or walk to your regular destinations instead of driving.
85. Buy a car with right capacity and engine size, with energy label or lower fuel consumption and consider buying alternative fuel vehicles.
86. Use air-conditioning sparingly - Use flow-through ventilation or open the windows to reduce the use of air-conditioning.
87. Switch off when idling - Drive off as soon as possible after starting. Switch off your engine if you are idling for a long time.
88. Do not carry unnecessary articles or car fittings - The extra weight results in fuel wastage and unnecessary emissions.
89. Close windows when travelling at high speed - This will decrease aerodynamic drag.
90. Maintain correct tyre pressure - Inspect your tyres regularly and inflate them to the correct pressure as recommended by the manufacturer.

CUT DOWN ON UNNECESSARY WASTE

91. Use less paper.
92. Reduce the use of over-bleached tissue paper which may contain dioxins.
93. Use handkerchiefs rather than paper napkins.
94. Cut down on gift wrapping paper.
95. Use less plastic bags and use durable bags or baskets. Plastic bags take years to decompose.
96. Send any unwanted toys and clothing to charity groups or the needy instead of throwing them away.
97. Encourage children to keep their old exercise books for paper recycling.
98. Return coat hangers to cleaners.
99. Encourage the use of reusable dishes and utensils in fast food shops.
100. Minimize the number of document copies.
101. Use blank side of used paper to make note pads.
102. Reuse envelopes.
103. Use pencils for drafting rather than ball pens.
104. Use less glue which contains benzene and ethyl acetate. Alternatively, use clips or pins.
105. Use less correction fluids which contain the ozone depleting l.l.l-trichloroethane. Use an eraser if possible.
106. Reduce the use of fluorescent pens. You can always underline your text.
107. Bring your own mug to office. Avoid using paper cups.
108. Suitably purchase apparels to avoid waste.

YOUR CHOICE WHEN SHOPPING

109. Always prepare a shopping list before buying.
110. Introduce bulk purchases or use family-sized products as it generally reduces costs.
111. Choose the products with the least packaging. It means less garbage, less wastage of energy and resources and savings for you.
112. Cut down on take-away food which consumes more disposable packaging.
113. Buy drinks in returnable bottles.
114. Avoid plastic-coated drink boxes which cannot be recycled.
115. Use brown sugar and brown bread to replace white sugar and white bread as they are more nutritious.
116. Use durable utensils instead of disposable foam-blow plastic containers, polystyrene utensils, paper cups and disposable wooden chopsticks.
117. Use ant or roach traps, not fluorocarbon sprays.
118. Avoid using household insecticides or pesticides which are also harmful to us, especially children.
119. Make an all-purpose cleaner. A simple solution of vinegar and baking soda is very effective.
120. Minimize using products such as aerosol sprays containing CFCs, an ozone depleting substance.
121. Use cloth rather than disposable diapers.
122. Replace non-rechargeable batteries with rechargeable ones, and recycle used rechargeable batteries.
123. Consume more local products. Local food is fresh. Besides, energy can be saved and pollution minimized as long-distance transportation is not required.
124. Do not eat endangered species of animals or plants.
125. Buy organic food to lessen the harm caused by chemical pesticides and fertilizers to our health and the environment.
126. Purchase clothes that do not require bleaching because wastewatwer generated from the bleaching process affects the marine ecology.
127. Purchase clothes which are made of wrinkle-free materials.
128. Choose refrigerators, air-conditioners, washing machines and tumble dryer with Grade 1 Energy Label for replacement.

SEPARATION OF WASTE

129. Separate waste paper at home and in office for paper recycling.
130. Collect all metals for recycling, e.g. Aluminium cans, metal containers and mixed metals.
131. Collect all plastics for recycling, e.g. plastics container, clean plastic bags and mixed plastics.

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