Environmental Tips!

Environmental Tips

• Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Repurpose.  Cut down on what you throw away.  Follow the “Four R’s” to conserve natural resources and landfill space. 

• Share items like vehicles, appliances, power tools and yard equipment with others.  You not only help the environment; you get to know your neighbours better.

• Shop wisely.  Buy less stuff, especially less plastic, and use your reusable shopping bags.  Buy used whenever possible.

• Think efficiency!  Through the Canadian EnerGuide labeling system, find the most efficient product in each class – from major household appliances to heating and cooling products.  EnerGuide labels can tell you how much energy a product uses and how it compares to other models, before you purchase.  Use long-lasting light bulbs.  Energy efficient light bulbs reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  Always flip the light switch off when you leave a room.

• Volunteer – for cleanups in your community.  St James sponsors Adopt-A-Highway clean ups twice yearly.  Or you can organize your own one time clean up through the Great NS Pick-Me-Up program.  You can also get involved in protecting our watershed through NS’s Marine Debris Clean-up Program or Scotian Shores.

• Choose sustainability.  Eat seasonally and locally.  Grow your own food if possible.  This is easy if you have a green thumb and some space.  If not, support your local farmers’ market.  Learn how to make smart seafood choices using Canada’s Seafood Guide from the Living Oceans Society.

• Conserve water – the less water you use, the less runoff and wastewater that will eventually end up in the ocean.

• Speak up – Don’t hesitate to voice your opinion – environmental degradation often happens because people are too intimidated or afraid to speak up.  

• Push for less packaging.  Avoid buying products with excessive packaging and plastic.  Complain when you see excessive packaging – if stores don’t know that people genuinely care about this issue, they’ll continue the practice.

• Plant a tree.  Trees provide food and oxygen.  They help save energy, clean the air, and combat climate change.  Consider planting a tree as a memorial, a celebration or a thoughtful gift.  alivingtribute.ca

• Reduce chemical use.  Don’t send chemicals into our waterways.  Choose non-toxic chemicals at home and at work.  Clean most things with baking soda and vinegar.

• Use Active Transportation whenever possible.  Walk or bike when weather permits, use public transit if available, (Antigonish Community Transit Society), and try to carpool with others.  Walking or cycling drastically reduces your greenhouse gas emissions.

• Stop unnecessary idling.  Don’t run your engine when you don’t absolutely have to. 

• Recycle paper when possible.  Don’t use gift wraps with metallic finishes – these can’t be recycled.  Consider making your own environmentally friendly gift cards and wrap.

• Pre-plan – consider a green burial!