If you are reading this, you are probably wondering if you can run your home or office in a more sustainable way, you may have tons of doubts. Can it be done without spending a fortune? Can it be done with out completely changing your life, organization and culture?

In a word, YES! Here are some tips…

REDUCE

The best thing that we can do for the planet is to use less of it. Here are a few questions you can ask yourself before you buy; do I really need this? Is there another product that would do the same job but that's more sustainable? Will this last a long time? Where was this made and under what circumstances? Are the materials used to make this renewable and have they been harvested in a sustainable manner?

REUSE

Because we live in “disposable societies” we are encouraged to buy a new “improved” even if the one we have can be repaired. We should maintain them and have them repaired when necessary. If we do this, many things cannot only last a lifetime, but can be passed along from generation to generation. If something is truly unusable for its original purpose, try to be creative and think of how else it might be used.

RECYCLE

Rather than throwing an item out when neither you nor anyone else can make use of it, have it recycled. And while recycling is not perfect, it requires energy and the process of changing something into something else often produces by-products, it is better than sending goods to the landfill or having them incinerated, now in Belize we have companies that recycle paper and metal.

Everyone must play a part in protecting the environment, find here some more tips…

GREEN TIPS FOR YOUR NEW HOME OR OFFICE

  • Fix any leaking faucets, toilets or water pipes. Even a small drip can add up to a lot of water over time.
  • Install water saving faucets and toilets.
  • Install occupancy and lighting controls.
  • Conserve fuel by turning down the heater at night and while you are away from your home or install a programmable thermostat.
  • Use energy saving light bulbs (They lost 10 times longer and use less than a third of the energy than a incandescent one)
  • Insulate your home.
  • Properly and periodically maintain your HVCA (A/C) systems.
  • Avoid anything battery operated (or use rechargeable or solar rechargable if batteries are unavoidable).
  • Buy locally – Not only is it good for the local economy, it will save energy because products haven’t traveled across the globe to get to you.
  • Avoid the use of aerosols.
  • Choose water based latex paints over solvent-based paints when painting your home. 
    Never use lead based paints.
  • Furnish your home with furniture made out of natural fibers, wood, metal, and glass.
  • Ensure you have good ventilation and balanced humidity in your home to prevent the growth of mold and mildew, which can be harmful to your health.

APPLIANCES

  • Keep your refrigerator at 38-42F (3-5C), the freezer at O-5F  (-27to –15C)
  • Don’t place your fridge in a warm spot near a heater or in a direct sunlight
  • For efficient operation clean the condenser coils on the back or bottom of your fridge at least once a year.
  • Check and compare energy ratings before buying large appliances. These tell you how many kilowatt-hours of energy it uses per month.

GREEN TIPS FOR EVERYDAY LIFE

  • Save water! Don’t leave taps running while you’re not using them.
    Take a short shower instead of a bath. 
    Only run the dishwasher and washing machine when they are fully loaded.
  • Save Energy! Turn on lights only when needed and turn them off when you are done to save energy.
    Avoid using cars. Walk, cycle or use public transport whenever possible.
  • Avoid waste and toxics. Think of ways to reuse things before you throw them out, like jars for food and scraps of paper for notes. Use recycled paper instead of plastic products. Buy products that use less packaging. Take a backpack with you when shopping to avoid plastic bags. Or reuse them at home.
  • Replace paper products with reusable ones.
  • Give away clothing when you’re done with it instead of throwing them away.
  • Plant a tree
  • Use and old milk carton to make a bird feeder.
  • Compost your food waste and use as nutrient rich soil for your lawn.
  • Unplug your appliance when not in use or place them in power strips that your switch off at night (so they don’t continue sapping energy in standby modes)

DID YOU KNOW?

  • For every two degrees I turn up my AC, I can save 750 pounds of carbon dioxide annually.
  • Switching from hot to cold for all loads in your washing machine save about 500 pounds of carbon per year.

Thank you for visiting our green page, comeback soon for more tips.