We can start by checking  for leaks.  A good way to go about this is to turn off all the water. Then, go to the water meter and write down the number. After an hour or so, return and check the figure, if there was no use of water during this time, the meter should read the same amount. If it has changed, then it is time to start checking all sinks and toilets to find the leak(s).

The next thing we can do is to stop leaving the water running when brushing our teeth, shaving and showering.

• When brushing your teeth simply wet your toothbrush and fill a glass with water for rinsing.
• When shaving, fill the sink with ten centimetres or so of warm water to rinse your shaver, it will clean your shaver as good as placing it under running water.
• When showering, reduce consumption by turning off the water while you soap up, turning it back on when you are ready to rinse off. Also we should try to take shorter showers and avoid taking baths.

Other things we can do include, not to run the dishwasher and clothes washer unless we are doing full loads and avoid using the toilet as a waste bin or ashtray, flushing material you could otherwise place in the waste bin or recycle is a waste of several litres of water per flush.  

In addition, if you have a garden, try to plant only drought resistance lawns, shrubs and plants. Add organic material to the soil, to help increase its absorption and water retention. Water only when needed using efficient watering systems whenever possible; soaker hoses, water catchment systems, drip-irrigation, variable spray nozzle. In addition, we should check hoses for leaks and use a broom to clean driveways and sidewalks instead of  hosing them down.

photo by: Justyna Furmanczyk

Let’s start with one of the easiest initiatives you can do. This is a great way to combine energy savings with money savings and takes almost no effort. All you need to do is switch your traditional light bulbs for the more efficient, longer lasting CFL (compact fluorescent light) bulbs. You can save about 75% in energy  consumption for your lighting needs just by doing this one thing. Top it off with simple energy saving habits such as turning off the lights when you are not in the room and unplugging electronics when not in use and you will notice a nice decrease in your electric bill. 

Photo by Gary Scott
www.garyslens.ca

Let’s take a few steps back. Before you can recycle anything you have to purchase it, right? Well here is where the first of the skipped steps comes in. This step is to reduce. Reducing is finding ways to minimize waste to begin with.  There are several things you can do. One way is by questioning if a purchase is truly necessary to begin with, if you can live without it or if you can purchase an alternative that produces less waste.  For instance, when possible, buy in bulk and not single serving containers and avoid over packaged products.

The next thing is to reuse. Now this could mean several things. At the moment of purchase, you can look for items that can be reused. For instance, choosing cloth towels over paper towels, cloth napkins over paper napkins and things as such.  But there are also other methods of reusing like bringing your own bags to the supermarket instead of taking new ones every time.

After you have gone through the above methods you should recycle the remaining waste.  Remember to always check that the packaging and materials you purchase can be recycled. Organic material like vegetable kitchen scraps and green waste can be use for composting, another way to recycle.

Here is a video summary of the event: