There are many easy things you can do in your daily life to live “green”, to live in a way in line with Mother Nature that helps and restore her versus causing her more harm. Help educate your family, friends and community members on ways they too can live green, and thus help be the change!
In Everyday Life
“Each one, reach ten!” says Pujya Swamiji. Encourage others in your household, your workplace, and your community on how they too can live in a green, eco-friendly way!
One of the most important choices we can make in life is the food we eat. The choice whether to live as a vegetarian or as a meat-eater has a critical impact on the planet, ourselves, our children, animals, our fellow brothers and sisters, and the environment. To learn more about the issues, click below.
Click here to visit our vegetarian page!
Reduce waste
Use reusable products, such as reusable plates and cups, instead of items made of non-biodegradable materials like plastic.
Recycle
Reduce, Reuse and Recycle as much household waste as possible.
Save Electricity
Turn off all lights and fans when you leave the room, and try to use them only when necessary.
Fix Leaks
Check and fix all water leakages in your home without delay, thus helping to save precious water!
Save Water
Turn of the taps whenever you are not actually using water, whether it be when you are brushing your teeth, washing vegetables or washing your car.
Plant trees!
Try to plant one tree every year in your community park/common property land, and look after its growth on the occasion of your birthday or anniversary.
Separate Your Waste
Keep two bins in the kitchen to separate food from other waste. Every day offer this food waste to the cows in your community, or learn to make compost. Don’t mix food waste with paper, plastics, or glass, as this can harm and even kill animals who eat the scraps.
Help Nature Thrive
Keep one earthen pot filled with water on your roof or verandah so that birds can drink when they are thirsty.
Use Public Transportation
Try to not use personal cars or motorcycles for at least one or two days each week. Instead, try to use public transport, ride bicycles, or walk as often as possible.
Dress ConsciouslyTry buying fewer clothes each year, and give old clothes to the needy for reuse.
Don’t wear clothes made of animal furs or leather, as the extremely toxic chemicals used to produce these materials are being dumped by the ton into Ganga and her tributaries, poisoning Her waters.
Shop Green
Use organic non-toxic household products, soaps, and other materials instead of the toxic chemical versions.
Carry your own jute bags (jhola) while going to the markets instead of accepting plastic carry bags for your purchases.
Buy Vegetables Locally
Instead of buying vegetables from the malls, which ship vegetables long distances, try to shop at local weekly bazaars in your colony or nearby markets.
Support Alternatives
If possible, invest in technologies like solar panels, greywater recycling and other technologies that will help “green” your home and be better for the environment.
Help Reduce Air Pollution
Don’t use fireworks during festivals! Fireworks create a lot of air pollution and are produced using child labor.
Respect Public Places
Don’t engrave or paint on any monuments or heritage buildings, but instead strive to keep public places clean and green!
Don’t spit on roads or public places, and educate others to not do so also!
At the Office
Reduce Paper Use
Copy and print on both sides of the paper for all purposes, and keep used paper in a folder in order to use the reverse side for scrap work.
Reuse Paper Products
At home and at work, re-use items like envelopes, folders, files, paper clips, etc.
Use Paper-Free Methods
Try to use emails instead of paper correspondences.
What To Do (Not Do) While At Ganga Or Any Water Body
Don’t throw objects from pujas or havans in the river. Instead, put biodegradable materials such as samagri or flowers in plant pots, in the ground, or in composting piles, and recycle all paper and plastics.
When placing offerings in Ganga or any river, make sure your offerings are 100% natural and biodegradable (no plastics!). If your offering is in a plastic bag, make sure to take the offering out of the bag before offering to Ganga, and recycle the plastic bag. Ganga is considered a great purifier,but plastics kills all the life in Ganga!
Don’t use Ganga or any river as a bathroom. Instead, use community toilets in your area.
If you must use Ganga or any river to do your laundry, don’t use detergents.
Do you know of more eco-friendly and green solutions?
Share them with us below!