19 easy ways to be a greener parent

We all want to protect the planet. After all, our children's future is at stake, as well as our own. But for many parents, fitting a wind turbine or installing solar panels isn't an option. The good news is, even small changes to our lifestyle can make a big difference. Try these tips to shrink your carbon footprint and reduce your family's impact on the environment.You'll also be modelling positive, environmentally-friendly behaviour for your young children.

Green parenting in your home

Stop standby waste

Light up right
Traditional light bulbs waste a lot of energy because they turn it into heat rather than light. Energy-saving light bulbs only use a quarter of the electricity of ordinary bulbs to generate the same amount of light and last up to 12 times longer.

Flush water waste
As climate change alters weather patterns, water use is becoming an issue as well as carbon. According to the the UK's Environment Agency, a whopping 30 per cent of a home's water is flushed down the toilet. Installing a short-flush or a low-capacity cistern can cut the amount of water your household uses by half. For a low-tech alternative, put a brick or plastic milk container filled with pebbles in the tank. You'll save litres with each flush!

Down the plughole
Incredibly, a dripping tap can waste up to 75 litres of water a day - enough to fill half a bath, so make sure you fix any leaks. And, while showering has traditionally been considered more eco-friendly than running a bath, modern power showers can use more water than a bath in less than five minutes, so keep it short and sweet! Other water-saving tips: don't keep the water running when you're brushing your teeth.

Cool customers
Did you know that washing clothes at cooler temperatures helps them last longer? Washing clothes at 30 degrees C is also an easy energy saver - using around 40 per cent less electricity. Modern washing powders and detergents are formulated to work just as effectively at lower temperatures, so unless clothes are heavily soiled, select a warm or even a cold wash. Always wash a full load or, if not, choose a half-load or economy programme.

Peg it out
The best clothes drier is still a washing line - if you have the space, be kind to the planet and hang your washing out to dry.


Saving the planet when out and about

Leave the car at home
It's not always practical to leave your car at home, and biking around the city can be downright dangerous. Public transport, too, can be unreliable. However, you can reduce car emissions by choosing to take advantage of facilities and shops near home, and walking there occasionally. Bank with a local branch, buy from the nearest pasar tani or family grocer, and get supper from the nearest mamak. You'll save on time and petrol. Your health, bank balance and the environment will benefit!

Be an eco-driver
Driving your car more efficiently means your car will produce less carbon dioxide, the main gas contributing to climate change. "Eco-driving" includes avoiding short journeys (a cold engine uses almost twice as much fuel, and catalytic converters can take 5 miles to become effective), turning off the engine in traffic jams, and driving at the most efficient speed – typically 55mph to 65mph. Faster speeds guzzle gas!

Plan your trip
For the times when you do hop into the car, plan your journey so you hit all your stops along the most efficient route. Shutting windows and removing accessories such as roof racks and bike carriers when not in use can reduce 'drag' and increase fuel efficiency.

Pump up tyres
If your car has under-inflated tyres it needs up to 3 per cent more fuel to maintain the same speed. Not only that, but over- and under-inflated tyres need replacing more often, adding to the environmental impact, so make sure they're pumped up to the recommended pressure. It'll help save the planet and make the air cleaner to breathe.

Greener holidays
Malaysians love holidays broad. Your choice about where you go on holiday and how you get there can make a big difference to your impact on climate change. For example, think about holidaying nearer home. And, instead of flying or driving to your destination, go by train -- guaranteed to be a popular choice with toddlers and preschoolers.

Trim your bin

Disposable nappies
According to the Women's Environmental Network (WEN), using 24 washable cotton nappies and laundering them in an A-rated, energy-efficient washing machine at 60 degrees C, parents can cut their global warming impact by 24 per cent.

Breast is best

Every bottle of formula milk affects the environment - from switching on the kettle to boil the water to the tinplate, paper and plastic used to package the milk powder. Not only that, but cattle farming needs large areas of pasture and significantly contributes to the problem of acid rain. Besides the major health benefits to you and your baby, breastfeeding will also delay the return of your periods, which would help you save on paper-based sanitary products!

Rethink the baby wipes
Most baby wipes take several hundred years to break down. Considering the total number of wipes used over a baby's life has been estimated at about 5,000, that's a lot of landfill. Cut down on the number of wipes you use and try alternatives whenever you can - for example, a damp flannel in a plastic bag is handy for quick face wipes when you're out and about with your baby or toddler.

Bring your own bag
Plastic bags are convenient, but this convenience comes at a high environmental cost. You can make a difference by getting into the habit of using canvas bags or 'bags for life' when you shop. If possible, recycle your old plastic bags or reuse them for dirty nappies, sports kits, bike seat covers – your imagination's the limit!

Break the bottle habit
Manufacturing and even recycling plastic water bottles uses energy. A less expensive and more earth-friendly alternative to buying bottled water is to fill reusable aluminium or stainless steel bottles with tap water, then chill in the fridge before drinking. Cheers!

Compost it!
It is estimated that up to a third of all the rubbish we throw away each year could be turned into valuable compost for our gardens – drastically reducing the amount we send to landfill. Compost your uncooked kitchen waste - such as fruit scraps and vegetable peelings, egg shells, teabags and coffee grounds (but not animal or dairy products). After a few months, this waste could turn into a crumbly, rich fertiliser for your flower beds, vegetable plots and hanging baskets.

Don't throw it away
To trim your bin, compost your kitchen waste, avoid products wrapped in excess packaging, and recycle as much waste paper, glass, metal and plastic as you can.

Involve your family

Grow a garden
Gardening is a great way for young children to interact with nature in a meaningful and rewarding way. Even city kids with no garden of their own will enjoy growing other easy-care varieties from seed in flowerpots on a windowsill. Read more about your child's safety in the garden.

Read the Bahasa version: 19 cara mudah menjadi ibu bapa hijau

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