Start Now with Just a Few Tips and Tricks

In a city like Hong Kong where everything is about the bottom line, green issues are often overlooked because of perceived additional costs. Living in a big city might also mean having lost our connection with nature, but that doesn't have to be the case. The key is to start taking responsibility for our own actions and start engaging people to take an initiative. Now is the time to start living green and making a difference even if it's on an individual level.

Let's start with the basics and look at "Reduce" first of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle since it is the first critical step of waste prevention. When you avoid producing garbage in the first place, you don't have to dispose of waste and recycle it later. All you have to do is change your habits and think about ways to reduce waste when you shop, work and play.

Here are some tips to get started:

1. Simplify

In a city like Hong Kong being constantly bombarded by consumerism a lot of us are always tempted to buy. But how much do you really need? Simplify your life and you will feel a huge weight lifted off your shoulders, not to mention less credit card bills and debt.

Keep only the belongings you use and enjoy on a regular basis and donate the rest to those less fortunate. Or swap the things you no longer need or want with friends, relatives and neighbours. By making the effort to reduce belongings, you will naturally purchase less and create less waste in the future. Isn't it better to create space and live in a clutter-free home?

2. Buy Less

Do some serious thinking before you buy any product - do you really need it? Is it an impulse buy? How did the production of this product impact the environment? Is there an impact with the disposal of the product and its packaging materials.

Try the 30-Day Rule to eliminate impulse buying - wait 30 days after you decide you want the product to really make your decision.

Ask these questions before you buy to protect your investment and to prevent wasting time and money.

• Is it reliable? Do some research, ask the people or organizations who have tested or repaired the product. Evaluate the repair history of that product.
• Check the warranty. A longer warranty probably suggests the manufacturer feels confident that it will last longer.
• How long do you need it? Is the product less reliable because it's inexpensive? Do you want to invest in something you rarely use? Consider renting or borrowing instead.
• What does it really cost? The purchase price is not the same as the cost to use and maintain a product. The longer you own something, the less it costs over time.
• Can I repair or upgrade it? Buying products that are easy to repair or improve will make your initial investment last longer.

3. Go Trashless

Avoid creating trash wherever possible. Those paper cups, plastic bottles and Styrofoam containers all add up. Carry a mug with you wherever you go for takeout beverages. Stop buying bottled water and carry your own water bottle. When ordering food, avoid taking and receiving unnecessary utensils, straws and chopsticks.

Buy products with the least amount of packaging and avoid products that are packaged for single use. Instead, buy in bulk and transfer the products to your own reusable containers and pack your own lunch and snacks.

When shopping, skip the plastic shopping bag if you buy a few products. Always remember to bring your own and carry a reusable shopping bag.

Check out the video The Story of Stuff for a great overview and a better understanding on how raw materials and products move around the world, how they affect our lives and the connections between a huge number of environmental and social issues.

Reducing waste is dead easy and there are many ways to do it. All you have to do is be mindful and you can save yourself some money and be good to the Earth at the same time. Every effort however small does add up and make a difference. Stay tuned for more environmentally friendly tips and pointers with our Going Green series.

Esther Ng