It’d be rather far-fetched to call myself an environmentalist. I mean, I try to do my part as a citizen of Planet Earth, I think about my future offspring and I hope that when I’m finally reduced to dust that they’ll still be able to live and breathe normally, just like how I am now. Sometimes when my parents talk about the days gone by, how the weather used to be so predictable and so much cooler, I wish I could go back in time and experience how it was like.
I believe those days will come back again. All it takes is for everyone to make a few tiny lifestyle changes and the world could slowly and eventually heal itself. Idealistic? Maybe, maybe not.
When I was in UK, I had the opportunity to visit a Tip, a sort of waste and recycling centre where people could dispose stuff like boxes, plastic, electronic & electrical items, garden shrubs and many more. People came in droves, the centre was constantly busy with cars, vans and station wagons filled with junk in the boot. I have to say, I really admire their spirit of disposing unwanted things properly and responsibly. The most surprising thing of all, nobody gets paid for their trips.
An example of a Tip. Picture from Geograph.
I think Malaysians in general are not new to the idea of recycling. It’s just that we’re so pre-occupied with selling our junk that we’ve lost sense of the true meaning of recycling. To some people, the Paper Lama guy is just the fella that gives some extra money in exchange for old newspapers. What happened to the old papers after that is a none-issue. I’ve been guilty of it too, when I was younger I would get really excited at my KL Tower of old newspapers and would get pissed off if the poor man gave me less money than I believed my tower deserved. These days, I’m just grateful if there’s someone who is willing to take the old papers to the recycling centre.
Recycle newspaper because it’s the right thing to do.
When I was living in Singapore, every time after I’d bought something, I’d be asked by the cashier whether I’d need a carrier bag. I think it’s a great practice, especially when you’re buying only small items. I wish all shops in Malaysia would do the same as it’s a good way to remind the consumers that they have hands, hehe. Of course, we as the consumers should be aware of it too. It’s good to remind the cashier that you don’t need a plastic bag when they’re scanning your shopping goods.
Limit the use of plastic bags.
My boyfriend’s mom carries 3 reusable bags in her car, we have never used a single plastic bag while out shopping with her. I’ve been trying to follow her footsteps but that said, I still forget sometimes. But it’s okay, as long as we’re all constantly trying innit? Bad habits are hard to break but they can be broken.
There are many more things that you can do for the benefit of our environment, such as:
1. Getting a hybrid or electronic car. Here’s a kickass electronic one that’s faster than a Ferrari if you’ve got tonnes of money.
2. Carpooling.
3. Fixing your leaking taps.
4. Saving the water you used to rinse food for watering plants.
5. Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth.
6. Don’t litter indiscriminately.
7. Shop from environmentally conscious corporations.
8. Use public transportation.
9. Bring your own Tupperware when you’re having takeaway food.
10. Use the fan instead of air-conditioning.
11. Have your blog, computer screensaver and wallpaper in dark colours as darker colours consume less energy to display. For example, this blog :)
12. Try composting. It works even in a humid country like ours too, as have been demonstrated by fellow blogger, Julian Hopkins.
Feel free to leave comments on how to make the environment better :)
