Let’s face it – you’re not really that interested in saving the environment are you (unless it saves you money or calories)? Now now, no need to get defensive. Read on for some handy tips on how going green can actually help you save money and calories.
1. Eat less beef
The next time you’re at McDonald’s, go for the Filet-O-Fish instead of a Big Mac. According to aJapanese study, eating beef is more destructive to the environment than driving a car. The research showed that the production of 2.2 pounds of beef resulted in greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to the same amount that would be emitted by driving a car for 250km at 80 kmph. In other words, eating a McDonald’s Quarter Pounder for one week is more damaging to the environment than driving to and back from Johor to buy cheap toilet paper.
If you’re not really into going green… then do it for your waistline. A Big Mac has 704 calories, almost double the number of calories that the Filet-O-Fish has (380 calories).
2. Eco-Tote it
Do you fold empty plastics bags into little triangles like an auntie? Or carry around your wet umbrella in a NTUC Fairprice bag? Get a recyclable bag. Now. Please.
Aside from the fact that a recyclable bag makes carrying your groceries far easier (and less unglam), using a plastic bag as a tote bag is quite possibly the biggest fashion faux pas of the decade (along with Crocs). Also, they come in a plethora of colours, styles, and materials, so what’s not to love?
If you’re not really into going green… then do it because you want to make a fashion statement (remember when everyone and their Moms started toting around those ‘I’m Not a Plastic Bag’ bags?). If you’re especially cheapo, look out for shopping deals which give you a free Eco-Tote with a purchase. Or you could always lurk outside a conference hall and try to score a free one with corporate logos printed all over. It’s okay, we won’t judge. It’s all for the good of the environment.
3. Print on both sides of the page
…and if you’re as hardcore as the admin auntie in our office, you’ll print unimportant documents on rough paper, then use it as a placemat for your nasi padang lunch. Not to sound like a righteous tree-hugger, but approximately 1 billion trees worth of paper are thrown away every year, so even if you’re not footing the paper bill (don’t lie, we know you secretly print personal things in the office okay), at least do it for Mother Earth. And the future of your children. (cue Michael Jackson’s ‘Heal the World’ song)
If you’re not really into going green… then do it to look good in front of your boss. (“Oh, I’m just really into saving the environment…and money…”)
4. Switch to online banking and billing
Because unless you’ve been living under a rock, nobody pays their bills by sending a cheque in the mail anymore. Get an online banking account to set up automatic payments and get your billing or account statements online. No more bills piling up on your desk (literally), no more paper cuts and no more licking stamps because your pesky sister used up your UHU glue stick.
If you’re not really into going green… then do it so no one will ever find the bill for your secret shopping credit card.
5. Get a dual-flush toilet
Or flush one less time per day, because flushing the toilet uses up about 4 litres of water per flush(that’s two big bottles of Pepsi – the kind you get when you order the Family Value Meal from KFC).
Dual-flush toilet systems help to conserve water because it allows you to flush different levels of water. In other words, if you’re not taking a dump, use the half-flush button so the flush will use less water to wash away your nasty bits.
However, take note that this does not mean you should avoid flushing the toilet after using it (especially if it’s a public toilet). Sure, you may be saving 4 litres of water, but the cleaning auntie sure isn’t going to appreciate your environmentally-friendly ways.
And if you’re anything like the woman from the office down the hall who doesn’t bother to flush after taking a dump (or, at all), people will start to notice and label you as a Serial Non-Flusher.
If you’re not really into going green… then do it because you’ll save a shit-load of money (no pun intended).
