The GreenHome Guide WESTERN AUSTRALIA EDITION GreenHomeccontactsontacts

AUSTRALIAN CONSERVATION FOUNDATION Toll Free: 1800 332 510 | www.acfonline.org.au | [email protected]

WATER GARDENS WATER CORPORATION KINGS PARK BOTANIC GARDENS WaterWise helpline 13 10 39 Ph: (08) 9480 3600 www.watercorporation.com.au www.bgpa.wa.gov.au/kingspark/ GREEN PLUMBERS GREENING AUSTRALIA WESTERN AUSTRALIA www.greenplumbers.com.au Ph: (08) 9335 8933 Toll Free:1800 133 871 http://live.greeningaustralia.org.au/GA/WA WILDFLOWER SOCIETY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA Ph: (08) 9383 7979 WASTE http://members.ozemail.com.au/~wildfl owers/ ZERO WASTE WA PERTH LOCAL PLANTS GROUP Department of Environment and Conservation www.iinet.net.au/~dragon/Bushthat.htm www.zerowastewa.com.au/communication/education/ WATERWISE GARDEN CENTRES WA – DIRECTORY WASTE MANAGEMENT BOARD www.watercorporation.com.au/W/waterwise_index.cfm www.zerowastewa.com.au/whoswho/board/ HOUSEHOLD CHEMICAL DISPOSAL TRANSPORT www.zerowastewa.com.au/disposal/community/hcw/ TRANSPERTH CEREBRAL PALSY ASSOCIATION OF WA Ph: 13 62 13 MOBILE PHONE RECYCLING PROGRAM www.transperth.wa.gov.au www.mobilephonerecyclingwa.com.au BICYCLE TRANSPORTATION ALLIANCE www.multiline.com.au/~bta RECYCLEIT, COMPUTER RECYCLING CENTRE Ph: (08) 9420 7210 www.recycleit.net.au/index.html TRAVELSMART WA www.dpi.wa.gov.au/travelsmart ENERGY SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT COALITION WA SUSTAINABLE ENERGY DEVELOPMENT OFFICE www.stcwa.org.au (GOVERNMENT OF WA) OFFICE OF ENERGY Level 9, 197 St Georges Terrace Ph: (08) 9420 5610 or (08) 9420 5667 GREEN CLEANING www1.sedo.energy.wa.gov.au ENVIRONMENT HOUSE, (ENVIRONMENTAL RETAIL OUTLET) Ph: (08) 9420 5600 61 Eighth Ave, Maylands WA 6931 Ph: (08) 9271 4488 GREEN ELECTRICITY WATCH www.environmenthouse.org.au www.greenelectrictywatch.org.au BUNBURY ECOHOME, SUSTAINABLE BUILDING PROJECT GREEN POWER www.bunburyecohome.com www.greenpower.gov.au Ph: (08) 9420 5600 GREEN SHOPPING YOUR HOME TECHNICAL MANUAL AUSTRALIAN CONSUMERS’ ASSOCIATION CHOICE www.greenhouse.gov.au/yourhome/technical/index.htm www.choice.com.au Ph: 1800 069 552 GREEN PAGES AUSTRALIA FOOD List of green businesses, organisations and products CITY FARM PERTH www.greenpagesaustralia.com.au 1 City Farm Place, East Perth 6004 (next to Claisebrook train station) Ph: (08) 9325 7229 GREEN FINANCE www.cityfarmperth.org.au CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY INDEX ORGANIC GROWERS ASSOCIATION OF WA www.corporate-responsibility.com.au DIRECTORY OF ORGANIC RETAILERS AND PRODUCERS ETHICAL INVESTMENT ASSOCIATION AUSTRALASIA www.ogawa.org.au/commercial.html www.eia.org.au Ph: (02) 8224 0314 AUSTRALIAN FARMERS’ MARKET ASSOCIATION DIRECTORY OF WEST AUSTRALIAN FARMERS’ MARKETS ETHICAL INVESTOR www.farmersmarkets.org.au/fi nder/sawa.jsp www.ethicalinvestor.com.au THE ORGANICS DIRECTORY UNITED NATIONS PRINCIPLES FOR RESPONSIBLE INVESTMENT www.unpri.org/principles/ www.theorganicsdirectory.com.au STAND UP FOR THE ENVIRONMENT CONSERVATION COUNCIL OF WA www.conservationwa.asn.au Ph: (08) 9420 7266 ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENDERS OFFICE (WA) www.edowa.org.au ContentsGGreenHomereenHome guideguide

Introduction I The Australian Conservation Foundation’s GreenHome Section One I Water Saving Page 5 Section Two I Energy Saving Page 13 Section Three I Waste Avoidance, Recycling and Compost Page 21 Section Four I Food Page 29 Section Five I Gardening Page 35 Section Six I Transport and Healthy Lifestyles Page 41 Section Seven I Green Cleaning Page 49 Section Eight I Green Shopping Page 55 Section Nine I Green Finance Page 61 Section Ten I Standing up for the Environment Page 67

ACF’s GreenHome www.acfonline.org.au/greenhome 1 he Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) is committed to inspiring Tpeople to achieve a healthy environment for all Australians. For over 40 years we have been a strong voice for the environment, promoting solutions through research, consultation, education and partnerships. We work with the community, business and government to protect, restore and sustain our environment. ACF is Australia’s leading national not-for-profi t environment organisation and is largely funded by individual membership and donations. Since 1966, we have focussed on the most important and urgent environmental problems, seeking change with lasting political, economic and social support. ACF has played a key role in increasing protection for some of Australia’s most outstanding natural assets including the Franklin River, Kakadu, the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef. Support for ACF’s conservation work will help ensure that future generations enjoy clean air and water, sustainable cities, healthy rivers and forests, unspoiled oceans, vibrant Indigenous cultures and protection for our unique places, animals and plants.

he Australian Conservation Foundation’s GreenHome is Ta program working with the community to fi nd individual and collective solutions to environment issues. From practical tips on saving energy and reducing waste, to calculating your environment footprint and choosing actions that make a difference, GreenHome makes it easier to enjoy a healthier environment and save money at the same time. GreenHome involves a series of community workshops, DIY renovator expo’s and events focusing on what people can do in their own lives to help the environment. This includes environmental actions at home and in our lifestyles, looking at how our homes and communities fi t into the bigger picture and what the solutions are at a local, state and national level. The ACF GreenHome program regularly runs workshops throughout NSW for both the general public and for workplaces. Please contact us to see if we’re in your local area. ACF would like to acknowledge the support of the NSW government to the GreenHome program through its Environmental Trust and Water for Life Education Program. We would also like to thank our local project partners for supporting this program and providing many free environmental products for our participants. To discover how to reduce your impact on the environment at home and in your lifestyle, Australian Conservation Foundation’s GreenHome is your one-stop-shop. Visit the online Challenge, swap useful tips, calculate your ecological footprint using ACF’s eco-calculator, receive quarterly newsletters and keep up to date with sustainable living by visiting www.acfonline.org.au/greenhome.

2 Australian Conservation Foundation www.acfonline.org.au GreenHomeaactionction forfor a betterbetter worldworld A betterbetter world?world? WHAT’S WRONG WITH THE ONE WE’VE GOT? Australia’s natural environment is unique. As Aussies, we are fortunate to live in such a beautiful and diverse environment, and many aspects of it are in good condition by international standards. It’s not just about national parks and beautiful places we visit on holidays or the weekend either. Four out of every fi ve Australians live within 50 kilometres of the coast, so we know fi rst-hand the importance of having healthy waterways. Without a healthy environment to provide us with clean air, water and food, our lives would be very different – and those of our children and grandchildren. But how many of us make the link between the things we value and the choices we make on a daily basis? Do we relate the importance of healthy rivers to our decision to take another plastic bag at the shops? Maintaining a healthy, diverse natural environment is valuable in itself but it is also essential to human wellbeing. Our natural life supports are under severe pressure or actively running out as we increasingly live in an era known as ‘ecological overshoot’. It has been calculated that if everyone lived as Australians do, we would need at least four more Earths to sustain our current standard of living. Indeed Australia has the sixth largest ecological footprint in the world. Never before has our planet had to sustain as large a population, nor one that consumes as much as we do. We are bracing ourselves for rapid change and face environmental, economic and social challenges unless we act now. Climate change, the effects of which we are already witnessing, requires the industrialised world to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 60-90% to have any hope of averting its worst effects.

WHY SHOULD I TAKE ACTION? Everyone can do their bit to reduce their individual impact. GreenHome is about showing people how they can help the environment, by making simple changes to the way they live. Through this guide we hope that you will identify some ways to green your home and lifestyle. By attending an ACF GreenHome workshop series or event you will also meet other members of your local community who are doing similar things. By swapping stories and ideas, you can take the GreenHome message beyond your front door. We’ll help you identify the simple things that you can do: I Save energy and fuel to help reduce air pollution and climate change. I Save water to help protect our fragile waterways. I Cut down on waste to help us stop fi lling our land with rubbish tips. I Shop wisely to reduce toxic chemicals in our homes and environment. I Create native gardens to increase local biodiversity and save water. I Create veggie gardens to grow your own healthy food. I Make your money work for you with sustainable investment. I Community actions you can take to advocate for a more sustainable world. GreenHome will help you take whichever steps are right for you, as we all take action for a better world.

ACF’s GreenHome www.acfonline.org.au/greenhome 3 PUBLISHED BY: THE AUSTRALIAN CONSERVATION FOUNDATION Second edition

MELBOURNE [HEAD OFFICE] THE AUSTRALIAN CONSERVATION FOUNDATION WEBSITE: Floor 1, 60 Leicester St, Carlton, Vic 3053 www.acfonline.org.au Phone: (03) 9345 1111 DISCLAIMER Fax: (03) 9345 1166 While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and SYDNEY completeness, no responsibility is taken, nor guarantee Suite 504, 32 York St, Sydney, NSW 2000 given, by the Australian Conservation Foundation (“ACF”) Phone: (02) 8270 9900 with respect to errors or omissions in the material contained Fax: (02) 8270 9988 in this guide. Furthermore, ACF does not accept any CANBERRA responsibility or liability in respect of your use of any PO Box 2699, Canberra City, ACT 2601 information, or advice given, in this guide. Phone: (02) 6247 2472 For feedback, please email [email protected]. Fax: (02) 6247 5779 COPYRIGHT ADELAIDE Reproduction in whole or in part may only occur with the 120 Wakefi eld St, Adelaide, SA 5000 written permission of the publisher. Phone: (08) 8232 2566 Fax: (08) 8232 2490 May 2007 CAIRNS Suite 1, Level 1, 96-98 Lake Street, Cairns, Qld. 4870 Phone: (07) 4031 5760 Fax: (07) 4031 3610 BRISBANE Contact 1800 223 669

Design, illustrations and layout by Lisa Rushbrook, Mediation Communications, Phone: (03) 9602 2992, www.mediacomms.com.au. THIS GREENHOME GUIDE IS PRINTED ON 100% RECYCLED PAPER

4 Australian Conservation Foundation www.acfonline.org.au GreenHome...ssavingaving waterwater

Saving water starts with you

“REDUCED RAINFALL FROM WATER USE IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA CLIMATE CHANGE AND A PROJECTED In 2003, the average Perth household used about 920 litres of 40 PER CENT POPULATION INCREASE water a day. That’s enough to fi ll just over 9 bathtubs right to the top. The bucket below shows you where the water is used. BY 2030 REQUIRE A CONCERTED As you can see, almost half is soaked up outdoors. EFFORT BY GOVERNMENT AND Household water use would be slightly lower for 2007 and the bucket would look slightly different during current water THE COMMUNITY TO ENSURE restrictions when garden watering is reduced. In the last six A SUSTAINABLE WATER FUTURE” years WA residents have saved 264 billion litres by cutting back on sprinkler use. To fi nd out how much water your home WA Water Resources Minister John Kobelke, is using, check out the WA Water Corporation’s Waterwise 8 May, 2007 Calculator at www.watercorporation.com.au (search for Waterwise Calculator). SO WHY ARE WE RUNNING WHY SHOULD WE SAVE WATER? Despite recent claims that the building of more desalination OUT OF WATER? plants for Perth will bring an end to the water crisis, there There is less rain and more people using more water. are no ‘magic bullet’ solutions – it isn’t feasible to just build 2007 is the driest year on record in WA and although more dams or access more aquifers because of the high a lot of work is being done to save water, supplies are costs and the environmental risks. Damming fl oods large still running low. Perth’s water is supplied by groundwater, areas of land, reduces river fl ows and degrades areas that dams and a desalination plant. The desalination plant animals and plants need to survive. It is also VERY expensive contributes 17% of Perth’s water and the other 83% needs to build and maintain dams, the pipes, treatment systems rainfall to refi ll the dams and groundwater storages. There has and drains that go along with more dams or tapping more been a 10% decrease in rainfall across Western Australia over underground reserves. Suggestions such as a second the last 25 years - even more in some areas such as the South Desalination Plant, or the proposal to pipe water from the West which has experienced a 12% drop. Less available Kimberley down to supply Perth, ignore the fi rst and easiest rain has halved the amount of water fl owing to dams and way to reduce the water crisis. groundwater. This means the supplies are running low. In May 2007, Perth’s dams were only at 20% capacity. Check The best solution is to use less water in the fi rst place, collect www.watercorporation.com.au/D/dams_storage.cfm for more rainwater and stormwater for use, and recycle the water updates of the state of Perth’s water supply. The combination that is used. of low rainfall and overuse of water is draining WA’s supplies. This can be done in homes and workplaces across WA, as well as through large-scale rainwater, stormwater, recycling and managed aquifer-recharge initiatives supported by all levels of government. We can all be part of the solution by using less water and using water wisely. Read on to see how ACF’s GreenHome can help you become water smart. 6% Basin/Bath Kitchen 8% Toilet 10% % Laundry 13 Shower 16% THE AVERAGE PERTH HOUSEHOLD USES % Outdoor 47 330,000 LITRES OF WATER A YEAR: THIS IS MORE THAN 900 LITRES PER DAY.

ACF’s GreenHome www.acfonline.org.au/greenhome 5 GreenHome Household Water Saving Log This log will help you track your water savings. Here’s an example to get you started:

when

Activity Litres How many times per week now? How many times per week after Action? How many litres do you use per week? Tick what you will change this year Tick (and celebrate!) Litres saved each week you make the change

Clothes washing Full load with top loading machine 120 3 360 Full load with front loading machine 50 2 100 Action: Change to front loader 260

Action: Only wash with a full load 

when

Activity Litres How many times per week now? How many times per week after Action? How many litres do you use per week? Tick what you will change this year Tick (and celebrate!) Litres saved each week you make the change

Shower – old style head 25 per min Long (7 minutes) 175

Short (4 minutes) 100 Shower – AAA head 7 per min Long (7 minutes) 49 Short (4 minutes) 28 Take Action: Change shower head Take Action: Take shorter showers

Toilet Full fl ush 11 Dual fl ush - Full fl ush 6 Dual fl ush - Half fl ush 3 Take Action: Change fl ush volume

Take Action: Always choose half fl ush

Hand basin & Kitchen Washing hands 9 Brushing teeth with tap running 15 Washing dishes 18 Dishwasher 15 Washing vegetables 10 per min Take Action: Install tap aerator Cut use in half

Take Action: Cup for brushing teeth > 1

Clothes washing Full load with top loading machine 120 Full load with front loading machine 50 Take Action: Change to front loader

Take Action: Only wash with a full load

Outside Washing car with hose 17 per min Watering garden with sprinkler 17 per min Take Action: Wash car with bucket Take Action: Wash car less often

Take Action: Mulch garden Cut watering by 70%

TOTAL:

6 Australian Conservation Foundation www.acfonline.org.au GreenHome’sttopop fivefive water-savingwater-saving tipstips

1. Mulch your garden and save kilo-litres!

ore than a third of household water is Mused outdoors on the garden, some gardens use much more. By spreading mulch (leaves, grass clippings, shredded garden waste, even newspaper) over your soil, you can reduce the amount of water wasted through evaporation by around 70%. Mulch protects your watered garden from evaporation by holding water in the soil. Mulching is great for lots of reasons: you will weed your garden less, add nutrients to the soil AND save water. Make mulch from leaves, grass clippings, newspapers, bark, wood, straw or just about any other organic matter. You can also buy mulch from most nurseries and garden suppliers. Just spread it over all exposed soil GREENHOME FACT: and around your plants. You will also reduce the amount of water lost Your plants don’t need drinking quality water like you do, through evaporation if you water early in the so reuse water from the laundry and the bathroom. A bucket morning or in the evening. in the shower and a hose from the washing machine is a good start, or your plumber can install a simple greywater diverter, or a more sophisticated treatment system. For more information on greywater reuse see the next section (see page 10)

2. Don’t be a drip!

dripping tap can waste over 20,000 litres Aof water a year and usually means that a washer needs replacing. This is simple to fi x – all you need is a tap spanner and a replacement washer. Just remember to turn the water off at the mains fi rst. A leaky toilet that is constantly hissing can waste up to 100,000 litres a year. To check if a toilet has a slow leak, place some drops of food dye in the cistern. If colour appears in the bowl after 15 minutes without fl ushing – you have a leak. Fixing a leaking toilet can be a bit tricky, so contact a licensed plumber if you’re not confi dent. If you want to give it a go yourself, take the parts that need replacing to your GREENHOME FACT: local hardware store or plumbing retail outlet and ask for You can save up to 100,000 litres of water assistance. Remember to repeat the food colouring test to and $125 on your water bill by fi xing a badly make sure you have fi xed the leak. leaking toilet.

ACF’s GreenHome www.acfonline.org.au/greenhome 7 GreenHome’sttopop fivefive water-savingwater-saving tipstips

3. Install dual-flush toilets and look for the stars

ater-effi cient appliances make a real Wdifference. If you don’t have a dual-fl ush toilet, now is a good time to get one. A half fl ush uses 3 litres, full fl ush just 4.5 in the latest water- effi cient models, much less than an old standard cistern which uses 11 litres. Remember, unless your toilet is plumbed into your rainwater tank or greywater system, this is treated drinking water from our dams being fl ushed down your toilet. Choose a dual fl ush toilet with at least a four-star water effi ciency rating. When you buy a washing machine or dishwasher, check the water effi ciency star rating – the more stars, the more water effi cient. An old washing machine uses two or three times GREENHOME FACT: the water – and wastes 50-100 litres every wash! Rebates are available for new machines 4-stars or better, see http:// A single-fl ush toilet uses 11 litres per fl ush portal.water.wa.gov.au/portal/page/portal/WiseWaterUse/ or 40-60,000 litres per year in the average WaterwiseRebates. (2-3 person) household. Replace this with an If you’re stuck with a single fl ush toilet, you can still save effi cient 3/4.5 litre dual-fl ush and save 28,000- water. Place two 2-litre plastic bottles fi lled with water in the 42,000 litres per year or $35-$53 from your cistern to displace water and reduce the fl ush to 7 litres, or water bill. install a fl ush regulator that stops fl ushing when you do.

4. Short, efficient showers

ake sure you have water-effi cient Mshowerheads: for as little as $20, you can save as much as $100 on your water bill. Effi cient shower heads (three-stars or better) use only 7-9 litres per minute while traditional showerheads use 20-30 litres! While you’re at it, make sure your taps have aerators fi tted. Washing your hands or rinsing veggies uses up to 20 litres a time, tap aerators will cut this to 10 litres or less. You can buy tap fl ow control aerators from hardware and plumbing shops. They simply screw on, cost as little as $5 and cut your tap fl ow in half by mixing in air to maintain pressure. By installing water effi cient shower heads and tap aerators GREENHOME FACT: you will not only save water you will also save money on your Water Saving Action in WA! By 2006, energy bill by using less hot water. almost 1 in 10 Perth households connected Remember you can still use a lot of water standing under an to mains water had a rainwater tank, 8 in 10 effi cient showerhead for 30 minutes! You can save so much had dual fl ush toilets, and 7 in 10 mulched water by limiting your shower time: try a four-minute shower. their garden to save water. That all adds up to big water savings! SAVE BUCKETLOADS OF WATER!

8 Australian Conservation Foundation www.acfonline.org.au GreenHome’sttopop fivefive water-savingwater-saving tipstips

5. Don’t waste the rain!

hile our dams aren’t catching the rain Wthere’s no reason why your home can’t: the single biggest water saver you can buy is a rainwater tank. Your roof is more effi cient than a dry dam catchment, and will collect water from the smallest rain shower. A tank for the garden will help keep things green when water restrictions stop you using mains water, but much more water can be saved by connecting the tank to the toilet, laundry and hot water systems, or the whole house. Once you have fi xed those leaks and replaced older ineffi cient appliances, you are ready to take the next step: your house can be part of our water supply system! If you connect your rainwater tank to indoor plumbing, you can harvest more water GREENHOME FACT: in a smaller tank. These days, tanks come in all shapes and sizes, fi tting along walls or under fl oors if space is tight. Prices A rainwater tank of 2000-4000 litres works well start around $700 and rebates can cut the cost of saving water for southern WA. You can save 30-40,000 litres in half. For more information on rainwater tanks see page 11. of water a year by connecting a tank to your Green Plumbers can help you install the best system for your toilet and washing machine. needs: www.greenplumbers.com.au. DID YOU KNOW? WA is under water restrictions. Residents in Perth, Mandurah, Pinjarra and along the Goldfi elds Pipeline have been allocated two days a week that they are allowed to water gardens with sprinklers, before 9am or after 6pm. See www.watercorporation.com.au, click through to ‘restrictions’ for a calculator to fi nd out which days your household can water with sprinklers. Hand held hosing is allowed any day at any time, as is watering with a watering can. This information is current at time of printing: May 2007 Check www.watercorporation.com.au for current restrictions. If you need a plumber If you need a plumber to help you make green changes to your home, check: www.watercorporation.com.au under ‘saving water’ to fi nd a Water Wise Plumber near you. Water Wise Infoline The WA Water Corporation has a hotline providing advice on how to save water in your home and garden: 13 10 39. Also check out: www.watercorporation.com.au Water Rebates The WA Government offers Waterwise Rebates when you buy the following types of water-saving products: I swimming pool covers I ‘3 star’ or 3 ‘A’ shower heads I ‘4 star’ or 4 ‘A’ washing machines I domestic rainwater tanks I domestic garden bores I Greywater re-use systems I Waterwise garden assessments Visit http://portal.water.wa.gov.au/portal/page/portal/home and click on ‘Waterwise Rebates’ or call 1300 133 646 for more details

ACF’s GreenHome www.acfonline.org.au/greenhome 9 GreenHome’sggreywaterreywater reusereuse

Reduce, reuse, recycle – greywater!

idespread capture and reuse of greywater garden. And don’t use untreated greywater directly on fruit Wcan save billions of litres of water, and vegetables you will eat raw, like lettuce or carrots. easing the strain on our water supplies and Beyond this, there are simple diverters designed to make avoiding the need for new dams on already using greywater on your garden easier. Costs range from stressed rivers or energy-thirsty desalination $60-$200. With current water restrictions, untreated greywater can be applied manually to lawns and gardens (ie: plants. Greywater is water from your washing using a bucket to collect water from the bath, sink or basin) in machine, laundry tub, shower, hand basin and WA without a permit. bath, but does not include waste water from your kitchen, toilet or bidet. (Wastewater from GREYWATER IN THE HOME the toilet is called blackwater and must be You can reuse greywater for fl ushing toilets in your home as connected to a sewer or treatment system). well. Simple diversion/storage systems collect shower and bath Greywater systems need to be well set up and water and hold it for 24 hours before discharging to the sewer. A maintained to protect the environment and small pump provides pressure to the toilet cistern. These start at around $900. your health. More sophisticated systems fi lter, treat and store greywater for a constant supply and are more fully integrated into your plumbing GREYWATER ON THE GARDEN and can be connected to supply your washing machine as The easiest way to start reusing greywater is to put a bucket well. (The most sophisticated systems can provide water quality under the shower, carry buckets from the bath, or run a hose suitable for other uses, but this is still a developing market). from your washing machine. If greywater is used immediately, These systems cost $5000 and up. it does not need to be treated. Be careful, some laundry These system types are certifi ed by NSW Health and installations detergents are high in sodium (salt) that can be bad for the require local council approval. LOOK FOR THE STARS Water effi cient products will help you save money as well as Australia’s most precious natural resource. A new Water Effi ciency Labelling and Standards (WELS) Scheme has been introduced to help you identify new water effi cient products. You will see stickers on water using products such as taps, washing machines, dishwashers, toilets, and fl ow controllers which show you how water effi cient this product is. Like the Energy Rating labels, the more stars the more water effi cient the product. Different products attract different ratings, for example the most effi cient showerheads on the market have been awarded 3 stars, while the most effi cient washing machines and taps have 5 or 6 stars. Look for the most stars when purchasing new products. For more information, and to compare products, visit www.waterrating.gov.au

10 Australian Conservation Foundation www.acfonline.org.au GreenHome’srrainwaterainwater tankstanks

Install your personal dam!

growing population and changing rainfall I Rebates: in NSW, 7000 litre tanks connected to the toilet Apatterns are bringing back an Australian or laundry attract the maximum rebate. icon – the rainwater tank. Climate change A household installation of a 5000 litre tank and a pump can appears to be shifting rain away from our major be done for $2000, including installation, but plumbing costs dam catchments, towards the coastal fringe will vary. In NSW, you can install a system, receive a rebate and recoup the remainder from reduced bills after a few years. where the most houses are. As the populations of our cities continues to grow, our dams are First fl ush diverters, leaf and insect screening are recommended. For these and other design aspects your running dry. Your roof is more effi cient than a installer can refer to Water Sensitive Urban Design Practice dry dam catchment, and will collect water from Notes 4 Rainwater Tanks from www.wsud.org.au and the smallest rain shower. A city of rainwater Rainwater Tank Design and Installation Handbook HB tanks can save billions of litres of water, 230-2006 from Standards Australia www.standards.com.au. effectively creating a ‘virtual dam’. For detailed health information see the enHealth publication Guidance on Use of Rainwater Tanks available at enhealth.nphp.gov.au/council/pubs/pdf/rainwater_tanks.pdf WATER FOR YOUR GARDEN South Australians are leading Australia with 48% of households using rainwater tanks. A reputable supplier The easiest way to use rainwater is on the garden, which can help design the best system for your needs and accounts for 25-50% of water use in the average home. If GreenPlumbers can assist with installation. A rainwater tank you have a large garden that needs watering, you can make of 2000-4000 litres works well for southern WA. You can big water savings. Using rainwater in the garden requires only save 30-40,000 litres of water a year by connecting a tank to a relatively simple system and even a small tank can make a your toilet and washing machine. contribution – this is good for topping up swimming pools and washing cars as well. Remember that larger tanks are best for outdoor use – you won’t be watering the garden when it WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS? rains and you’ll need storage capacity to carry you through Water is a necessity, so governments work to keep the price dry periods. A 5000-litre tank is good; if you have a large roof low. This makes water saving less attractive, so the WA 10,000 litres is better. Government subsidises rainwater tanks by offering rebates: I The WA Government offers a rebate for home rainwater USING RAINWATER IN YOUR HOME tanks of over 600 litres. Visit www.watercorporation.com. au and click on to ‘Waterwise Rebates’ or call 1300 133 Using rainwater indoors provides better overall water savings 646 for more details. because the capacity of the water tanks can be used much more effi ciently. You are harvesting water by keeping the tank I A 4000-litre tank on an average home in Perth will save as empty as possible, ready for the next rain, not keeping the 40,000 litres each year – or $50 from your water bill; more tank full like in the old days. Plumbing can be connected to where rainfall is higher. As the price of water rises, you’ll the toilet and laundry, hot water systems, or the whole house. save even more. Mains water is used to top up the tanks when they are low I You can keep your garden healthy during drought, even if – automatically via a fl oat valve or switch. A small pump there are water restrictions. provides pressure when using rainwater. Factors to consider when installing your rainwater tank are: I Rainwater tanks reduce the load on stormwater systems – by providing ‘on-site detention’, reducing roof runoff I Roof size: a large tank (over 5000 litres) may be wasted and protecting creeks and rivers. If you are building or on smaller roofs (less than 100m2) but larger roofs (200m2) renovating, this can save you money on detention systems can collect more water. – check your local Council regulations. I Household size: more people in the house empties the I Widespread use of rainwater defers the need for a new tank faster, so you can collect more rain and save more dam or an energy-hungry desalination plant, protecting water over the course of the year. our rivers, preventing greenhouse pollution and saving I Access: how easy is it to connect to your indoor plumbing? government funds for other things we need. I Space: room in the backyard, along a wall, under the Your home can be part of the solution, not just part of the fl oor, in-slab or in-ground? Tanks come in many materials problem. The combination of water effi ciency, rainwater in all shapes and sizes. tanks and recycling is the basis of a truly sustainable city.

ACF’s GreenHome www.acfonline.org.au/greenhome 11 GreenHome’snnoteote pagepage

12 Australian Conservation Foundation www.acfonline.org.au GreenHome...ssavingaving energyenergy

Saving energy starts at your front door

WHAT CAN WE DO? IT MAKES SENSE TO SAVE To reduce greenhouse pollution we must switch from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources like ENERGY solar and wind. We also need to waste less energy Whether it is electricity, gas or petrol, energy costs both you and and use it more wisely. Most homes could be just the earth and it’s easy to use less. In this section we’ll focus on as comfortable while using about half the amount of saving energy at home in the form of electricity and gas. But it’s energy – saving money and the environment! important to remember that energy is needed for everything we use and do: transport needs fuel and all products require energy GreenHome shows you how to do your bit: there to be produced. As a consumer, it’s worth thinking about the are heaps of easy ways to save loads of electricity electricity and gas you use at home, how you travel, and the around your home and by switching to accredited ‘hidden’ or embodied energy in all the products you buy. There GreenPower, you can be certain the energy you do are many ways we can reduce our greenhouse gases and climate use is greenhouse-friendly. change footprint.

HOUSEHOLD GREENHOUSE BUT WHAT’S THIS ABOUT GAS EMISSIONS IN AUSTRALIA: A GREENHOUSE? The Earth is wrapped in a delicately balanced ‘blanket’ of gases. Like a greenhouse in a garden, this insulating layer traps heat from the sun and sustains life. Human activities, particularly the generation of energy from fossil fuels, are adding signifi cant amounts of greenhouse pollution to the atmosphere. This pollution stays in the 2% - Cloth atmosphere for many decades. Drying & es washin Dishwashingg, Greenhouse pollution is making the Earth’s ‘blanket’ 3% - Coo unnaturally thick, which heats up the planet, otherwise known king 5% - Ligh as global warming. This heat trap is also causing many ting 5% - unusual and dangerous changes to our climate and weather Wastes 9% - Refrigeratio systems, best described as climate change. n The largest source of gas emissions is electricity generated 11% - Heating by burning coal, which emits carbon dioxide. From sweltering and coo heat to rising seas, the effects of climate change have already 15% - Elec ling begun to make dramatic changes. Higher temperatures tronic applia threaten the earth with dangerous consequences – drought, disease, fl oods, loss of biodiversity and ecosystems. 16% nces - W ater ACF has more information on climate change at heating www.acfonline.org.au/climate.

34% - Travel GREENHOUSE EMISSIONS FROM HOUSES This house graphic (left) shows the breakdown of how household activities produce greenhouse gases in Australia. This includes (Source: Department of the Environment and Heritage’s Australian transport to and from the home which is the largest contributor GreenHouse Offi ce (2006), Global Warming Cool It: A Home Guide of greenhouse gas emissions. See section six of this GreenHome to reducing energy costs and greenhouse gases, Department of the Guide for more detail on Transport. Environment and Heritage’s Australian GreenHouse Offi ce, Canberra)

ACF’s GreenHome www.acfonline.org.au/greenhome 13 S U S U S U S U S U = use S standby U S U S U After Action o Replace commonly used cient globes with energy effi bulbs lights when not in use off Turn ll the sink for a full load Only fi of dishes If you have a double sink, use the smaller one for dishes use hot tap water Don’t Boil water in unnecessarily. rst as this is a the kettle fi cient use of energy. effi more Keep showers short and cient effi wash until you have a Don’t full load hot wash to Switch from warm or cold Only heat the space you are using the thermostat down Turn you Put on a jumper before use the heater Only cool the space you are using for the weather Dress Use a fan and open windows the Air Conditioner Turn up temperature ciently Use appliances effi when not in things off Turn use If it blinks at you, switch off at the wall to avoid standby power use cient appliances Choose effi when you buy new ones Use clothes line or outdoor instead of electric dryer airer Only use dishwasher when you have a full load the electric drying Avoid cycle: open the door to air dry your dishes Reduce the wash to 40 temperature

Where will you Where ACTION? TAKE ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ S U S U S U S U S U = use S standby S U U Date: from______to______Date: from______to______Date: from______S M Tu W Th F Sa Su M Tu W Th F Sa Su U Before Action Before

cient and fl uorescent uorescent cient and fl more than one hour at a time? more Air Conditioner Gas heater Electric heater Air Conditioner Microwave TV VCR/DVD player Computer Stereo How many lights (excluding energy effi How many lights (excluding energy effi on for tubes) were left on when not being used? How many lights were used? How many sinks full of hot water were (see below for dishwashers) How many hot showers taken? How many loads of clothes washed? What was your thermostat or heater setting? How many hours was your main heater on? ■ ■ ■ What was your thermostat or cooling setting? How many hours was your cooling on? ■ (Include time switched on in standby mode) ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ How many hours did you run a clothes dryer? How many times did you use a dishwasher? How long were these appliances on and unused today? How long were GreenHome’s Energy saving log you will save energy at home where Use this log to work out and record Hot Water Hot Water Heating Cooling Appliances Lighting

14 Australian Conservation Foundation www.acfonline.org.au GreenHome’seenergy-savingnergy-saving

Home energy saving audit

ave a look at how much energy some of Hyour appliances use in the home. It’s a great way of working out how you can reduce HOW MUCH IS ELECTRICITY greenhouse emissions and save money on your energy bill. It’s also worth understanding, COSTING YOU? particularly if you are thinking of purchasing To work out how much your appliances and new appliances for your home such as energy- electrical equipment is costing you, you can guzzling plasma TVs. perform the following calculation: To work out where you can save energy, check out the Enter No. of Watts/1000 x 12 cents (average peak wattage on your appliances to get a clearer picture of what electricity tariff rate) = hourly running cost (in cents). draws a lot of power. Some appliances have the wattage Examples: printed on the appliance or noted on the packaging, but others are harder to locate. You may have to call the 100 watt light globe: manufacturer to fi nd out the wattage for some appliances 100 watts/1000 x 12 = 1.20 cents per hour such as old fridges, washing machines or dryers. Look for a 15 watt energy effi cient light globe: fi gure followed by ‘W’, watts or ‘kW’ (kilowatts) - this tells you 15 watts/1000 x 12 = 0.18 cents per hour the maximum amount of electricity the appliance consumes. Electricity consumption on your bill is measured in kilowatt 106 cm Plasma TV: hours. So 1 kWh means that you use 1 kilowatt (equivalent to 350 watts/1000 x 12 = 4.2 cents per hour 1000 watts) of electricity during one hour. 100 cm LCD TV: For instance, a 1200 watt vacuum cleaner would use 214 watts/1000 x 12 = 2.6 cents per hour 1.2 kilowatts of electricity every hour it is in use. 68 cm Conventional TV: 98 watts/1000 x 12 = 1.18 cents per hour Now estimate the hourly running costs of your appliances using the formula in the box on the right. Use your appliances less and consider switching to more energy effi cient appliances. Switching to energy effi cient lights is an easy way to save energy in your home but imagine the big savings if you use your air conditioner and heater less!

NABERS (the National Australian Built Environment Rating System) is a new rating system for existing buildings. With NABERS HOME you can: I Find how energy & water effi cient your home is compared to others. I Explore simple ways to reduce your energy and water bills and protect the environment. The Energy Explorer is available now, the Water Explorer is coming soon www.nabers.com.au/home.aspx

ACF’s GreenHome www.acfonline.org.au/greenhome 15 GreenHome’sttopop fivefive energy-savingenergy-saving tipstips

1. Switch to GreenPower

reenPower is a national accreditation program GREEN POWER Gfor the renewable energy products offered by electricity suppliers. Almost all electricity companies offer the choice of GreenPower – for more information see the end of this section (page 18).  When you purchase GreenPower, your energy supplier buys electricity from renewable sources such as wind and solar, avoiding the burning of coal and directly reducing Australia’s greenhouse pollution. There is no change in the way electricity comes to your house and no supply disruption. Switching to GreenPower is the best way to cut your greenhouse emissions in the home. 100% accredited GreenPower adds up to $5 extra a week on the average household bill, however this small extra cost can be minimised by following our other tips and becoming GREENHOME FACT: more energy effi cient. GreenPower is not only good for the Ask your energy retailer about the GreenPower products they offer environment, it helps support Australia’s - or shop around for another energy retailer. Make sure that the fl edgling renewable energy industry. GreenPower you choose is Government-accredited (bears the GreenPower logo). This indicates that your dollar will drive the creation As a result of the growing demand for of new, renewable energy, beyond that which already exists. You can GreenPower, over 265 new approved choose the percentage of GreenPower you want – we recommend renewable energy projects have been 100% GreenPower or the highest percentage you can afford. installed in Australia since 1997. Visit GreenPower for more details: www.greenpower.gov.au. It can be hard to understand which green electricity products have the best environmental credentials. Environment groups, including the Australian Conservation Foundation, have carried out an independent survey which ranks different products. Visit www.greenelectricitywatch.org.au for more information. 2. Get out of hot water

eating water uses a lot of energy. HElectric hot water systems are still the most common in Australian homes, and an average system produces up to 4 tonnes of greenhouse gases per year and accounts for nearly half of the electric bill – that’s lots of room for improvement! Turn it down: most hot water systems come with a thermostat and you can get an electrician or plumber to vary the set temperature. By reducing the water temperature by as little as 5oC, you can reduce energy consumption by between 3% and 5%. (Note that it’s recommended you don’t set the thermostat GREENHOME FACT: lower than 60oC). Switch the water heater off if you are going A gas boosted solar hot water system is away for more than a few days. Use a cold wash: Cut your bill by using only the cold cycle in the most greenhouse-friendly way to heat your clothes washing machine. Using a warm setting will save 2 your hot water. kilograms of greenhouse gas per wash while a cold wash will save 4 kilograms (compared to a hot wash). Shorter showers, insulating hot water pipes and fi xing dripping hot taps are also great ways to save energy and water. 16 Australian Conservation Foundation www.acfonline.org.au GreenHome’sttopop fivefive energy-savingenergy-saving tipstips

3. Heating and cooling efficiently

ne simple thing to remember - don’t Oover-cool or over-heat your home. A difference of just one degree can reduce energy consumption and greenhouse pollution by up to 10%. Make sure the thermostat is fi tted to an internal wall, and set the temperature as low (for heating) or high (for cooling) as you can. With whatever heating or cooling system you have, only heat or cool the rooms you are using, and don’t leave your system running when you’ve left the house. Also, dress for the weather - don’t turn the heater on if you’re wearing shorts and a t-shirt! GREENHOME FACT: Try to heat/cool your home rather than the great outdoors! Turning down the thermostat in summer Glass conducts a lot of energy so dress your windows by and up in winter can reduce heating and shading them with external vines or pergolas, especially on north and west facing windows. Add external eaves or cooling costs by 10%. internal pelmets to windows and keep windows closed if you are using an air conditioner. Also seal up drafts, close curtains and add insulation which will further reduce your energy usage. Instead of relying on energy-guzzling air conditioners, when it is cooler outside than in, turn on celing fans and utilise natural ventilation by opening up windows at night.

4. Make your fridge more efficient

he fridge uses a lot of energy and the Tolder your fridge is, the higher the probability that it will be a big polluter. But you don’t need a new, effi cient fridge to cut your emissions. There are lots of adjustments you can make - you’ll save up to half a tonne of greenhouse gases if you follow these simple steps: ■ If you have a second fridge that is mostly empty, turn it off when not in use (leave the door slightly open). ■ Fresh food compartments should be set at around 4oC to 5oC and freezers should optimally be set between -15oC and -18oC. ■ Never put hot food into the fridge – let it cool down fi rst. GREENHOME FACT: ■ Try to open the door as little as possible . The energy star rating system can help ■ Keep fridges and freezers in a cool, well ventilated spot you make a greenhouse-friendly choice (away from the oven and the sun) and you can save up to for new appliances. See page 19 for 100kg of greenhouse gases per year. more details. ■ Ensure the coils are clean and well ventilated - that will save you another 150 kg per year. ■ Fix the door and seals so that they close properly - that’s another 50 kg a year you will save. ACF’s GreenHome www.acfonline.org.au/greenhome 17 GreenHome’sttopop fivefive energy-savingenergy-saving tipstips

5. If it blinks at you, switch it off!

tandby power is the electricity Sconsumed by an appliance when it’s not being used. Around 10% of Australian household electricity use goes directly on standby power, so we are literally throwing away 10% of our electricity. When you turn appliances off with the remote or even using the On/Off switch, rather than at the wall, the appliance will go to ‘standby power’. In most households TVs, videos and DVD players, computers and stereos are on standby more than 80% of the time. Often the standby power serves no real function or operates at GREENHOME FACT: excessive levels for the background task being performed Appliances on standby use on average (such as running a clock). 750 kWh per household each year. On So when you’ve fi nished watching TV, listening to a CD or average this costs $90 in WA. You can using your computer for the day switch the unit off completely – at the wall is best. You’ll save around 115 kg of greenhouse measure the amount of standby used in gas each year by doing this, and much more if you switch your home by turning everything off (the off (at the wall) all appliances on standby. An easy way to do way it is normally turned off) and then this is to use power boards with individual switches for each appliance. Often when something is on standby, there is a reading the meter. small light that glows or blinks at you. If you see this and the appliance should be off, switch it off at the wall or plug. DID YOU KNOW? You can get money back for taking major energy saving actions Solar power rebates The Federal Government offers rebates of up to $8000 for households that install solar power to generate electricity (photovoltaic panels). Rebates are available for households, schools and community organisations. Application forms are available from the Sustainable Energy Development Offi ce at www1.sedo.energy.wa.gov.au/pages/pvrp.asp or Ph: (08) 9420 5673 The Renewable Remote Power Generation Program (RRPGP) is a Commonwealth program that provides rebates for renewable energy systems replacing diesel generation in off-grid areas. The program is administered in WA by SEDO. Visit www1.sedo.energy.wa.gov.au/pages/rrpgp.asp Solar Hot Water Rebates A Solar Water Heater Subsidy is available in WA ($500 for natural gas-boosted solar water heaters; $700 for bottled LP gas-boosted solar water heaters used in areas without reticulated gas). Householders replacing an electric hot water system or building a new home may be eligible for Renewable Energy Certifi cates of up to $900 (Australian Government). See ‘Funding and Grants’ at www1.sedo.energy.wa.gov.au for details, including directory of solar heater installers.

18 Australian Conservation Foundation www.acfonline.org.au GreenHomeeenergynergy smartsmart choiceschoices

Western Australia GreenPower options

All households and community organisations connected to WHY DO I HAVE TO PAY EXTRA FOR GREEN POWER? Western Power’s South West electricity grid have access You can choose what proportion of electricity comes from to GreenPower products, which include energy from Solar, GreenPower – if you choose to source 100% of your power from Wind, Biomass and Low Impact Hydro. Check out renewable sources, it will cost an additional amount of between www.greenpower.gov.au or Ph: 13 62 06 for a list of $2-5 extra a week. energy retailers who offer GreenPower. The total cost of GreenPower goes directly towards setting up new WHAT IS SOLAR ENERGY? wind, solar, hydro or biomass generation (depending on the product you choose). Choose carefully as there are some electricity products Solar energy is Australia’s largest energy resource: the which claim to be renewable energy but are not accredited and do not average amount of solar energy that falls on Australia is about help towards reducing Australia’s greenhouse pollution. Discover which 15,000 times the nation’s energy use. Photovoltaic cells, products make the most difference at www.greenelectricitywatch.org.au. known as PV or solar cells, convert the energy from sunlight into electricity which can be made available through the grid. CARBON NEUTRALITY If you have already reduced your energy usage and switched to WHAT IS WIND ENERGY? GreenPower for your electricity, carbon offsetting is another step Wind energy is converted to electricity by turbines – large you can take to reduce your eco-footprint. fan-like structures with three blades. The turbines need to be in places with strong, steady wind to ensure regular energy Carbon offsetting is a way for individuals and businesses to compensate production. for their own emissions by investing in emission reductions elsewhere. You can offset your entire personal footprint or choose to offset specifi c activities such as airline fl ights and car travel. Even international events WHAT IS BIOMASS? like the 2006 FIFA World Cup were committed to being carbon neutral. Biomass is the term used to describe the generation of energy from organically based sources. Types of GreenPower Like green electricity, some products are greener than others. Look biomass generation currently being used include landfi ll for carbon offsetting products that: gas, sewage gas and bagasse. There are strict policies on 1. Source their offsets from new, renewable energy or energy the type of biomass energy that can be used within the effi ciency projects. These are the most credible sources. GreenPower program. 2. Have an independent authority verify the emissions reductions to ensure they are credible and permanent. WHAT TYPES OF HYDRO POWER ARE INCLUDED WITHIN GREEN POWER? Many offset products plant trees to remove C02 from the atmosphere. Hydro electric generators that are approved for use within This method runs the risk that C02 is released back into the GreenPower are those that have minimal impact on the atmosphere in the event of fi re, disease or logging. The Australian surrounding environment. Examples include installing a Conservation Foundation suggests you only buy these offsets if you generator in a fast fl owing stream or fi tting an existing dam or cannot buy offsets from renewable energy or energy effi ciency. weir with a power generator. New dams or river diversions do This area is evolving rapidly, so check www.acfonline.org.au/climate not qualify and the Snowy Mountains Hydro Electric scheme for our latest advice and a listing of offset products. is not approved for use within the GreenPower program. LOOK FOR THE STARS Energy smart appliances will save you money and reduce your greenhouse emissions. For most new appliances (fridges, washing machines, air conditioners etc) there is an energy rating system. Stickers on the products show a star energy rating. The more stars, the more effi cient the product. See www.energyrating.gov.au for more details. You can also check out the Energy Allstars website for details of the most energy effi cient household and offi ce appliances: www.energyallstars.gov.au.

ACF’s GreenHome www.acfonline.org.au/greenhome 19 GreenHome’sssafe,afe, cleanclean energyenergy

A safe, clean energy future for Australia

DON’T REPLACE ONE PROBLEM WITH ANOTHER: In Australia, we must make big decisions concerning our future energy needs. Electricity made from burning coal is accelerating dangerous climate change. We need to change the way we generate power to reduce greenhouse pollution. Now is the time to embrace a clean energy strategy but instead of pouring resources into renewable energy the Federal Government plans to build up to 25 nuclear power plants around Australia by 2050. Nuclear power is a dirty, high-cost and high-risk energy option which raises more serious questions than it answers: ■ Would nuclear signifi cantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions? Doubling the number of nuclear reactors globally will only reduce total greenhouse gas emissions by 5%. Nuclear power also uses much more water than other power plants – Australia is the driest continent on Earth and it doesn’t make fi nancial or environmental sense to adopt nuclear power here when there are faster, cheaper, cleaner solutions available specifi c to this continent (such as geothermal and solar). ■ What about nuclear weapons? More nuclear reactors means more fi ssile materials in circulation and more ■ How will we store the waste? Every nuclear reactor chances of nuclear weapons proliferation. International creates highly dangerous and long lasting radioactive safeguards are globally under-resourced and frequently waste, and after its short use-by date has expired fail to work. must be expensively decommissioned. In the fi fty years of its existence the international nuclear industry The good news is that there are cheaper, cleaner and has found no country ready to build a disposal facility faster ways to reduce greenhouse emissions free of the for high-level waste. Already, in Australia, trying to problems associated with nuclear power. If we use our manage waste from uranium mining is a serious existing energy supply more effi ciently, we can do much environmental problem. more with what we currently have. Australia is also lucky to have a wide range of renewable energy options ■ Is it cost-effective? The global nuclear industry is including wind, water, solar and geo-thermal. These supported by massive public subsidies. The Australian renewable power sources already provide more power Government has admitted that large hand-outs would around the world than nuclear reactors (which account be needed to cover the cost of nuclear reactors here for 18% falling to 10% within 10 years). We can choose (A$2.59billion apiece), and that doesn’t include safety, to develop new power sources – and jobs – with renewable security and managing nuclear waste for 30,000 energy, and if we do Australia’s future will be as a world years. If the same support was given to renewables leader in renewable energy and not as a world loser in like geothermal, a longterm sustainable solution nuclear power. could be found instead of wasting trillions of dollars on nuclear, which can only ever be a To fi nd out more about smart solutions to climate short-term stopgap solution. Rather like Cane change visit Australia should say ‘no’ to nuclear Toads nuclear may become a plague we bequeath power, visit www.acfonline.org.au/climatechange to future generations that solves little. or www.acfonline.org.au/nuclear.

20 Australian Conservation Foundation www.acfonline.org.au GreenHome...rreducingeducing wastewaste

Reducing Waste starts at your front door

WHAT’S THE PROBLEM WHAT RUBBISH WITH WASTE? On average, an Australian household produces around 1.14 tonnes of waste per year – and that doesn’t include industrial, DO WE building and commercial waste produced outside the home. About 70% of this waste ends up in landfi ll – that’s more than 800kg of waste sent to the tip from each household. But THROW OUT? there’s a solution - we can all do our bit to cut down on waste.

WHAT CAN I DO? The graphic shows the estimated breakdown of the landfi ll RUBBISH THROWN OUT IN rubbish bin from an average Perth household. By taking a few simple actions and shopping carefully you could cut this PERTH HOUSEHOLDS waste by up to 70%. (source: ZeroWaste WA, 2007.) As you can see, some recyclable paper and containers still end up in landfi ll so it’s important to fi nd out what is recyclable and carefully separate it out. On average about one third of municipal waste is recycled and this is increasing all the time. For example, in WA there are strong cardboard and paper recycling markets. In 2005- 06, 95 000 tonnes of cardboard and paper packaging was collected and recycled. You can support these industries by buying recycled products and by putting recycleable material in the recycling. Garden waste is another component that should not go to landfi ll - put it on your garden as mulch or utilise a green waste collection if your council offers it. 9% ntainers Recyclable Co Litter is another problem that we can all do something about. By not using plastic bags and excessive packaging, and by 4% disposing of cigarette butts, dog poo and other common litter Recyclable Paper 1 items carefully, we can reduce the risk of litter ending up in our parks, rivers and beaches.

garden waste 21%

food waste 27%

29% Non recyclable Waste

ACF’s GreenHome www.acfonline.org.au/greenhome 21 rreduceedHowuce wastewaste atatot home:home:

Benefi t to the Tick if you already Tick once you Action Environment do this make this change

Reduces your waste Compost/worm farm your to landfi ll by up to 29% food scraps - that’s 331kg of waste saved per year

Reduces your waste Be a best practice recycler to landfi ll by up to 27% – recycle all paper and - that’s 308kg of waste recyclable containers saved per year

Reuse garden waste Reduce your waste by as mulch or send it to up to 29% the council green waste - that’s 331kg of waste collection saved per year

Reduce used packaging Avoid packaging when going into landfi ll or your shopping recycling bins - that’s up to 170kg per year

Take your own reusable Prevent 360 plastic bags per bag to the supermarket, year going to landfi ll or litter take-away shop or grocers

Discourage junk - mailers Use a No Junk Mail sticker and save 1000 pieces of mail per year from waste stream

Take old household goods Prevent around 100 kg of (clothes, toys, books etc) waste going to landfi ll to a second-hand or each year reuse shop

22 Australian Conservation Foundation www.acfonline.org.au GreenHome’sttopop fivefive waste-savingwaste-saving tipstips

1. Composting and Worm Farming

n average 60% of rubbish sent Oto landfi ll is food and garden waste. If this was all composted or put in a worm farm, there would be massive reductions in landfi ll and greenhouse emissions. Food and garden waste in landfi ll produces methane gas. Methane is a 23 times more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. Sending green waste to landfi ll is also a waste of good nutrients that could go on the garden or potplants to help them grow. The easiest way to deal with food waste is to set up a worm farm or a compost heap at your home. And you don’t need a big garden to do this - apartment dwellers can set up small worm farms on a balcony or a communal compost heap on the ground. GREENHOME FACT: Most food scraps (but not meat or dairy) and garden waste For every tonne of food or garden waste can be composted. You can add small amounts of paper, you stop from going to landfi ll, you save straw and other organic matter. Larger amounts of garden nearly a third of a tonne of greenhouse waste can be mulched, either at home or by the council - most councils offer a garden waste collection which gas emissions.

is composted and sold commercially.

4

)

-

COMPOSTING CAN CUT YOUR %WASTE BY 60% 3 2. Buy reusable not disposable

he best solution to waste is to avoid it Tin the fi rst place: ■ Try to only buy products that are reusable or come in reusable packaging - and actually reuse them. ■ Only purchase products that you need, and avoid items that are excessively packaged. ■ If you can’t reuse them, try to buy products that are recyclable and/or come in recyclable packaging. ■ Avoid altogether items that are designed to be used once only, such as foam, paper or plastic cups, plastic bags, plastic cutlery and plates etc. ■ Take your own bags when shopping instead of accepting GREENHOME FACT: plastic (not just to the supermarket – take-aways and The amount of petroleum used to make a convenience shops as well!). plastic bag would drive a car up to 11km. ■ Take your own cup when buying a coffee or drink. Australians use 3.92 billion plastic bags ■ Take your own containers to the deli, butcher, take away or each year. fruit shop. ■ Buy in bulk when you can – take your own containers and bags to bulk suppliers TRY TO AVOID WASTE IN THE FIRST PLACE

ACF’s GreenHome www.acfonline.org.au/greenhome 23

4

)

-

% 3 GreenHome’sttopop fivefive waste-savingwaste-saving tipstips

3. Be a best practice recycler

t’s easy to be a best practice recycler I– fi nd out what your council will recycle

and make sure you put all of these items

4)-%3 4 )

- in your recycling bin. Most councils will

% 3 recycle the following items: ■ Plastics 1, 2, 3 (and often 4, 5, 6 and 7) ■ Glass bottles and jars ■ Steel cans, aluminium and aerosol cans ■ Milk, juice and cream cartons ■ Magazines, newspapers, letters, envelopes GREENHOME FACT: and scrap paper Every tonne of paper recycled saves ■ Cardboard boxes (no waxed boxes) almost 13 trees, 2.5 barrels of oil, 4100 Plus, when you go shopping only buy packaging which is

kWh of electricity, 4 cubic metres of landfi ll recyclable.

4 )

and 31,780 litres of water. - Cars, household chemicals, motor oil, car batteries, mobile

% phones, printer cartridges, plastic bags, old clothes and 3 appliances can all be recycled too but don’t put them in your council bin. See the end of this section for where you can drop them off and be a best practice recycler (page 26).

4. Ask yourself... do you really need it?

f yes, is there an environmentally-friendly Ialternative, can you buy it second-hand, or from somewhere that supports and encourages recycling? Maybe you could borrow it from a friend – sharing resources is a great way to cut down on unnecessary waste. Shopping at places such as second-hand or op-shops, or your local tip/reuse shop you’re almost guaranteed to fi nd a bargain. This is a great way for us to recycle our household items as a community and by giving them a second life we’re reducing our impact on the environment. “DO I REALLY While it’s not possible to buy second hand food, you can still exercise environmental purchasing practices. Only buy food that you know you will eat, avoid food that is excessively packaged, take your own bag to the shops and reuse your NEED IT?” own containers.

24 Australian Conservation Foundation www.acfonline.org.au GreenHome’sttopop fivefive waste-savingwaste-saving tipstips

5. Go for No Junk Mail

y simply putting a No Junk Mail Bsticker on your letterbox you’ll reduce the amount of paper that goes to waste each year. If everyone on your street does this, the amount of paper consumed and wasted each year will be drastically reduced (perhaps a little covert operation down the street late at night ./*5.+-!), is in order!). Australians receive on average 7 billion unaddressed fl yers, leafl ets and catalogues in their letterboxes every year. If your You can stop addressed junk mail by using the Direct household said no to junk mail that could avoid almost 1000 Marketing Association’s Do Not Contact Service. pieces of unwanted junk each year! Register at www.adma.com.au

ACFssimpleim pGreenHome’sle guideguide toto recyclingrecycling

      

0%4% ($0% 6 ,$0% 00 03 /4(%2 Material What products? Is it recyclable?

Code 1 – PET soft-drink, juice bottles YES Shampoo bottles, milk, cream and juice Code 2- HDPE YES bottles Code 3 - UPVC or PPVC cordial bottles, juice bottles and detergent YES (polyvinyl chloride) YES in some areas Code 4 – LDPE ice-cream container lids (check with your council) Code 5 - PP YES in some areas ice cream containers and lunchboxes (polypropylene) (check with your council)

4 YES in some areas Code 6 - PS (polystyrene) yoghurt containers or meat trays )

- (check with your council) %

3 YES in some areas Code 7 – other acrylic and nylon (check with your council) Newspaper, offi ce paper, envelopes, letters, Paper and Cardboard YES magazines, boxes (no waxed boxes) Cartons Milk, cream and juice cartons YES (Liquid Paperboard) Aluminium, steel cans Soft drink cans, tin cans and aerosol sprays YES and aerosol cans (no foil) Bottles, jars (no broken glass, lightglobes or Glass YES panes of glass)

ACF’s GreenHome www.acfonline.org.au/greenhome 25 GreenHome’sootherther recyclingrecycling

End of life Product How to Recycle it

The Mobile Phone Industry Recycling Program has details of where in WA (both regional and in metro Perth) to take your old mobile phone. Visit www.amta.org.au/recycle/map_wa.htm The Cerebral Palsy Association of WA (CPAWA) recycles mobile phones in WA and all phones collected raise funds for CPAWA. Visit their website at www.mobilephonerecyclingwa.com.au Mobile Phones Take them to any major mobile phone retailer (Telstra, Optus, Vodafone, Virgin etc). Clean up Australia also collects and recycles mobile phones. Call 1800 282 329 or email your details to [email protected] to have a postage paid satchel mailed to you. Visit www.mobilemuster.com and enter your postcode to fi nd your nearest mobile phone recycler.

Take them to participating Australia Post, Offi ceworks, Harvey Norman, Dick Smith or Tandy stores and look for their ‘Cartridges 4 Planet Ark’ bins. Printer cartridges WA Toner Supplies recycle corporate printer cartridges. Visit www.watoner.com.au or Ph: (08) 9244 2905.

There are a number of companies and charities that resell or recycle computers. Here are a few places you can try: Computer RecycleIT Centre – recovers, recycles and reuses computer equipment – Shop 2/27 Collingwood St, Osborne Park WA; Ph: (08) 9244 9048 or visit www.recycleit.net.au/index.html Computers and Green PC is a computer refi tter and will take Pentium 2300 and above computers and printers 17 inch and above monitors. Anything outside these specifi cations, Green PC will collect and safely dispose of, for a charge of $20 per monitor and $10 per case or printer. The Mill Admin Building, 381 Phoenix Rd, Bibra Lake 6163; Ph: (08) 9434 0530, email [email protected] or visit www.greenpc.com.au Collins Recycling Depot 16 Kembla Way, Willeton WA; Ph: (08) 9457 3973. Will take all computer components, except monitors, for recycling.

Plastic supermarket Recycling bins are found in most major supermarkets (Safeway, Coles etc) but don’t bags accept thick plastic bags.

Girl Guides National Cork Recycling Program – a range of businesses collect corks on Corks behalf of the Girl Guides including The Body Shop stores. Ph: (08) 9355 4586 or visit www.guidesaus.org.au

Contact your local council to fi nd out where to take your unwanted household chemicals.

Household Chemicals Some landfi ll sites in and around Perth will dispose of household chemicals, (paints, solvents, eg: Armadale Waste Disposal Facility, Hopkinson Rd, Armadale 6111 pesticides, pool Ph: (08) 9399 3935 chemicals, gas bottles, Canning Waste Disposal Transfer Station, Ranford Rd, Canning Vale engine oil etc) Ph: (08) 9231 0670 Kalamunda Rubbish Transfer Station, Lawnbrook Rd, Bickley 6076 Ph: (08) 9257 9998 Rockingham Landfi ll Disposal Facility, Millar Rd, Baldivis 6171 Ph: (08) 9524 2053

26 Australian Conservation Foundation www.acfonline.org.au GreenHome’sootherther recyclingrecycling

End of life Product How to Recycle it

A number of car parts dealers will recycle used cars and parts – ask your local panel beater or car parts dealer. Cars and Car parts See the Auto Parts Recyclers Association of Australia (APRAA) for dealers around the country that have APRAA accreditation. Visit www.apraa.com

Visit www.oilrecycling.gov.au/directory.html to fi nd out where you can take your old Motor Oil motor oil for recycling.

Car batteries Take them to any car battery retailer or mechanic for recycling.

Take them to charity shops such as the Salvation Army or St Vincent de Paul, or to second-hand clothing, books or music shops. Furniture, Appliances, Household Goods For an extensive list of organisations that will take your donations or your unwanted items, check out the online Giving Centre. You’ll fi nd out where you can give your bikes, computers, blankets, clothing and more at www.ourcommunity.com.au/giving

Planet Ark’s Recycling Near You database. For contact details of nation-wide recyclers of the above materials see www.recyclingnearyou.com.au (search by postcode, local council or suburb). Recycling Databases Check the Green Pages directories online at www.greenpagesaustralia.com.au or order your copies of the Lifestyle and Business directories. Ph: (03) 9416 0444. Both directories have lots of info about recycling services.

Unwanted Products How to re-use them

Swapstyle is at www.whatsmineisyours.com ‘The world’s biggest fashion swap party’. Swapping clothes that are unwanted yet still in good condition has taken off as a trend Clothes with people holding local clothes-swap parties across the country. Swapstyle provides an online market you can visit to donate clothes, shoes and accessories, and to fi nd great items that others have donated. Swapstyle is global but once you create an account, you can select items from people who live near you to reduce the travel miles (and therefore greenhouse gas emissions) your new item will involve.

Freecycle – www.freecycle.org − It’s like free e-bay! Freecycle is an online forum you can use to donate your unwanted belongings and Miscellaneous fi nd a whole range of items that others who live near you have donated. The Sydney Freecycle group alone has more than 12,000 members, and there are groups across the country. Visit the website to fi nd your local Freecycle group and join up.

ACF’s GreenHome www.acfonline.org.au/greenhome 27 GreenHome’snnoteote pagepage

28 Australian Conservation Foundation www.acfonline.org.au GreenHome...ffoodood

Smart food and You

“The most political act we do HOW CAN WHAT on a daily basis is to eat, as our I EAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE? actions affect farms, landscapes The choices we make about what we eat each day can really have some major environmental consequences. and food businesses. These It’s easy to forget about the energy, water, chemicals choices matter enormously, as and effort that goes into producing everyday items like chocolate bars, soft drink or a packet of chips. Not to different production and transport mention the fuel burnt to get the things to you. Simple, unprocessed foods take much less energy and water systems have different effects on to be ready to eat. the environment.”

(Professor Jules Pretty, March 2005)

12% - Fruit 13% - Meat, poultry and game 28% - Cereal and cereal products

23% - Vegetables and legumes 24% - Milk and milk products

Australian Bureau of Statistics (1995) 4802.0 - National Nutrition Survey: Selected Highlights, Australia, 1995

The graphic above shows the breakdown of an average Australian diet. We like a lot of meat and dairy on our plates – but these are the most resource intensive foods.

ACF’s GreenHome www.acfonline.org.au/greenhome 29 GreenHome’s Smart Food Guide Tick once Tick if you you Action Benefi t to the Environment already make this do this change Reduces water use by up to 10 000 litres Reduce meat consumption by one meal per year and cut greenhouse pollution by up a week (assume 150g serve) to 300kg per year *. Reduce dairy consumption by 4 serves Reduces water use by 26 000 litres per year per week (A serve equals one cup of and cut greenhouse pollution by up to 500 milk or equivalent quantity of cheese, kg per year *. yoghurt, etc.) Reduces your food waste going to landfi ll. Avoiding food wastage will reduce wasted Only buy what you will eat – avoid food packaging, wasted food miles (and therefore wastage greenhouse gases), and wasted agricultural resources (such as soil, water, fertiliser and labour). Choose fresh, simple food over refi ned Saves energy and resources from refi ning or processed and processing. Choose locally grown fruit and Reduces greenhouse pollution from vegetables rather than imported ones transport.

Avoids greenhouse pollution from transport Buy fresh food only when it is in season and production (eg: heated greenhouses).

Avoids chemicals and pesticides going into Grow some of your own organic food the environment. Buy fresh or dry food that is Reduces used packaging going in your landfi ll unpackaged or recycling bins by up to 170kg per year. * Water and greenhouse pollution fi gures from Dr Manfred Lenzen at the University of Sydney. Visit: www.isa.org.usyd.edu.au. Think before you buy fish - At a glance

Say NO to the following fi sh species: Choose these instead: Fish Species Marketed as Better options

Black trevally, Snotty trevally, Tasmanian ■ Australian Salmon - native species Blue Warehou trevally ■ Blue Swimmer crab (blue manta crab) Broadbill Swordfi sh Swordfi sh ■ Bream Commercial Scallop Tasmanian scallop ■ Calamari, Cuttlefi sh, Octopus, Squid Eastern Gemfi sh Hake, King couta ■ Flathead Orange roughy Deep sea perch ■ King George Whiting (Black whiting, Oreo Deep sea dory South Australian whiting, spotted whiting) Redfi sh Nannygai, Red snapper ■ Leatherjacket (ocean jacket, butterfi sh) Sharks and Rays Flake ■ Mullet (blue-tail, yellow-eye) Southern bluefi n tuna Tuna Atlantic Salmon - Seacage ■ Mulloway (jewfi sh) -wildcaught Tasmanian salmon aquaculture ■ Trevally - tropical species only Silver trevally Sand trevally, White trevally ■ Western Rock Lobster - Marine Barramundi - Seacage Stewardship Council certifi ed only aquaculture ■ Whiting Mulloway - Seacage Jewfi sh ■ Yellow-tail Kingfi sh - wildcaught aquaculture ■ Abalone Ocean Trout - Seacage aquaculture ■ Blue Mussel - green mussels are imported Snapper (Pink) - Seacage from NZ aquaculture ■ Crayfi sh - aquaculture only Yellow-tail Kingfi sh - ■ Oysters - (avoid Pacifi c oysters – these Seacage aquaculture are introduced and have become a pest)

This information is based on species status, fi shing method used, species management and research, species biology and life history. Source: Australian Marine Conservation Society 30 Australian Conservation Foundation www.acfonline.org.au GreenHome’sttopop fivefive foodfood tipstips

1. Reduce animal products

on’t worry! We’re not asking you to Dgive up your favourite foods. Meat and dairy can be a part of a healthy, sustainable diet, but just don’t over-do it. Even by rich country standards, Aussies eat a lot of meat - around 110 kilograms per person each year! University of Sydney researchers have found that to produce a single 150g serve of meat can take over 200 litres of water - mainly in growing animal feed and washing abattoirs. The same steak creates 5 kilograms of greenhouse pollution, including emissions from haulage, storage and packaging. You can reduce environmental pressures by choosing pasture or grass-fed beef instead of grain-fed. Try one serve less per week When shopping for seafood make sure that you’re not unwittingly putting more pressure on already unsustainable fi sheries. It’s also best to avoid fi sh grown in fi sh farms (aquaculture) as these often require more caught fi sh (from the GREENHOME FACT: wild) to feed the fi sh than are actually produced at the farm. This If you reduce your dairy intake by just 2 is especially so for carnivorous fi sh (such as prawns, salmon, snapper, barramundi and tuna) which can take between 1kg cups of milk (or equivalent) per week, you and 12kg of fi sh meal to produce 1 kg of aquaculture fi sh. will save 13,000 litres of water and 250kg For good advice on which fi sh or shellfi sh is a better choice, of greenhouse pollution in a year. order a copy of Australia’s Sustainable Seafood guide from The Australian Marine Conservation Society. The Guide is available from www.marineconservation.org.au or freecall 1800 066 299.

2. Choose unprocessed or unrefined food

ll food carries some ‘embodied’ energy Aand water. That means the amount of energy and water that goes into producing them. The more processed or refi ned a product is, the more embodied energy it contains. Some smart lower energy choices include: ■ Fresh fruit and vegetables rather than dried or canned. ■ Dried beans that you soak and cook yourself rather than canned (tip: you can store cooked beans in the freezer so they’re on hand when you need them). ■ Unbleached fl ours rather than bleached. ■ Only buy things that you know you will use! The embodied energy of Some common foods with high embodied energy: ■ Potato chips or any snackfood with aluminium-lined products is rarely factored packaging. ■ Freeze-dried instant coffee. into their selling price ■ Any over-packaged foods such as individually wrapped lollies or biscuits.

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3. Eat what you buy, don’t waste it!

n 2004, Australians threw away a total Iof $5.3 billion of food. This shocking statistic includes: ■ $2.9 billion of fresh food ■ $630 million of uneaten take-away food ■ $876 million in leftovers ■ $596 million of unfi nished drinks and ■ $241 million of frozen food. These fi gures come from ‘Wasteful Consumption in Australia’ a report published by The Australia Institute in 2005. GREENHOME FACT: Throwing food away costs more than just the money you The cost of wasted food in Australia is paid for it, you’re also wasting all the water, energy and other resources that went in to producing the food in the fi rst place. more thani  13> times- Ê À œ v theÊ i V $386Õ ` œ millionÀ * Ê  that> V œ  was donated by Australian households to Think about what you need and use what’s in the fridge, freezer or pantry before you eat out or get take away. overseas aid agencies in 2003.

4. Choose organic where possible

rganic farming uses no synthetic Opesticides or fertilisers and focuses on the health of the soil. Organic food is also free of genetically modifi ed organisms and organic farmers treat animals with respect. Farming organically can use less fossil fuels and puts less strain on our climate. Where possible, buy Certifi ed Australian Organic – always check the label! Buying organic can be a little more expensive, but if you only buy what you need, you can keep the overall price of the family shopping bill low. The more people buy organic the more this will ultimately drive the prices down. You can grow your own organic food in your garden at home GREENHOME FACT: too. See the next section for our how-to guide (page 35). Even in a small suburban backyard you You can buy organic food at the following places in Perth: can have a rich and productive food ■ City Farm, East Perth, organic market 8am-12noon garden. You can also grow lots of food Saturdays. Visit www.cityfarmperth.org.au under ‘Markets’. in polystyrene boxes on your balcony ■ Organic Growers Association of Western or patio. Australia directory of certifi ed retailers & producers. See www.ogawa.org.au/commercial.html

32 Australian Conservation Foundation www.acfonline.org.au

i  > - Ê À œ v Ê i V Õ ` œ À * Ê  > V œ  GreenHome’sttopop fivefive foodfood tipstips

5. Bring the paddock closer to your plate

ocally produced food is the best choice Lfor the environment. œV>Ê*Àœ`ÕViÊvœÀÊ->iœV>Ê*Àœ`ÕViÊvœÀÊ->i Australian food has travelled a shorter distance and buying Australian supports our farmers and growers. Great ways you can support local produce are: ■ Check for the words ‘Product of Australia’ on the label of any packaged or tinned food. ■ Only eat what is in season. This will save you money too. ■ Shop at Farmers’ Markets. Find one near you: ■ Australian Farmers’ Market Association has a directory of West Australian farmers’ markets at www.farmersmarkers.org.au GREENHOME FACT: ■ Global Trade Watch website has a directory of West Australian farmers’ markets at According to a 2005 British study, if all www.tradewatchoz.org/localfood/#WesternAustralia food was consumed within 20km of where it was produced, costs associated with congestion and transport would be cut by 90%.

The Shopper’sddilemmailemma

Sometimes it’s hard to work out what the best environmental choice is. Shoppers may wonder: “Is it better to buy a local orange from a Farmers’ Market that might have been grown using synthetic chemicals and excessive water? Or is it better to buy an organic orange that has been transported from interstate or overseas – using more fuel to get it here?” The answer is not simple but keep these principles in mind when shopping for food: ■ Support organic or chemical-free growers where possible ■ Choose food that is in season ■ Choose food grown as close to you as possible

ACF’s GreenHome www.acfonline.org.au/greenhome 33 GreenHome’snnoteote pagepage

ORGANIC FOOD IN PERTH Several Perth companies will deliver organic food to your door. Some examples are:

Freshline Organics (home delivery to most Perth suburbs and some country areas): www.freshline.com.au An Organic Experience: www.anorganicexperience.com.au To fi nd an organic grocery store or home delivery service near you, check the following directories: Green Pages Australia (under ‘Food and Beverage’): www.greenpagesaustralia.com.au Organic Choice: www.organicchoice.com.au

34 Australian Conservation Foundation www.acfonline.org.au GreenHome...ggardeningardening

Be a green thumb in more ways than one

Maintaining our gardens ISN’T MY GARDEN under water restrictions is a ALREADY GREEN? challenge but not impossible. Australians are passionate gardeners and there is no reason why we can’t continue to enjoy our gardens without taxing This section shows you how our natural resources too much. to be a smart gardener by We need to make sure that our gardens are beautiful, productive and effi cient. This means creating a garden that is using less water, becoming well-suited to Australia’s natural cycles. Something as simple as the way we water our gardens can have a dramatic impact organic and attracting WA’s upon the health of our rivers and our broader environment. wildlife into your backyard by By taking a few simple steps to save water in our gardens Australians can take the pressure off our local rivers. planting indigenous plants. Combine that with keeping our gardens chemical free and we’re really going to make a difference. We can also grow more Australian plants to provide habitat for native animals. KEEP AN EYE ON THE SEASONS: WA’s geographic spread means that there are many different seasons happening at any given time. This information relates to the South West of WA. For information about tropical food gardening see www.abc.net.au/gardening/stories/s1345832. htm or Leonie Norrington’s fabulous book: Tropical Food Gardens: A guide to growing Fruit, Herbs and Vegetables in Tropical and Sub-tropical Climates. Planting and buying seasonal food is better for the environment because we are working with our natural systems. IN PLANT BUY THIS THESE SEEDS Spring Tomatoes, Plums, nectarines zucchini Summer Broccoli, pumpkin Cherries, peaches Autumn Rhubarb, broad Apples, beans strawberries All year Lettuce, carrots, Citrus (except in beetroot autumn) See to www.organicdownunder.com for more detailed information.

ACF’s GreenHome www.acfonline.org.au/greenhome 35 GreenHome’sttopop fivefive gardeninggardening tipstips

1. Be a water-wise gardener

f you are starting a new garden or Ilooking to revamp your existing one think carefully about the layout and how you can minimise your garden’s water needs. The average Australian garden hose delivers 1,000 litres of water an hour. There are many ways to reduce the amount of water fl owing out of our hoses while still maintaining a healthy and vibrant garden. ■ Keep an eye on daily weather forecasts and check soil so you only water plants when they really need it. WATER WISE GARDENING IN PERTH ■ Water in the morning or evening to reduce the amount of water lost to evaporation. For a directory of Water Wise Garden Centres that are accredited to be able to provide water saving information ■ Use effi cient watering devices like trigger nozzles and and training, and sell mulches, compost and water effi cient irrigation timers fi tted with a ‘rain switch’ that turn off plants, see www.watercorporation.com.au/savingwater/ automatic sprinklers when it starts raining. savingwater_waterwisegardencentres.cfm ■ Use a pool cover and reduce the amount of water a BioWise Composts and Mulches (joint venture between SITA backyard pool loses to evaporation by up to 30,000 litres Environmental Solutions and the Water Corporation of WA): a year. www.biowise.com.au ■ Install a rainwater tank and use rainwater on your garden. ■ Use water storing crystals when you are planting.

2. Plant Australian natives

ustralian gardens can play a key role in Acreating homes for native birds and insects. The more local plant species that we fi nd in a garden the better the natural balance between fl ora and fauna, and the greater the biodiversity of our environment. With more and more bushland being cleared to make way for houses, roads and shopping centres, a pocket of Australian plants in your backyard could provide a much-needed home for native wildlife. ■ Select plants that suit the soil and garden conditions. Local indigenous plants have evolved to handle local GREENHOME FACT: conditions. Many other Australian native plants have evolved to cope with very little water. Replacing exotic plants with indigenous ones will attract birds and many ■ Incorporating native plants into the garden will provide habitat and food for birds and insects, which in turn can indigenous plants need less water too. aid in pest control and pollination. ■ Include some Australian bushfoods in your garden and spice up your home cooking. Once you’ve tasted lemon myrtle in your favourite dish you won’t go back! Ask at your local nursery for suggestions.

36 Australian Conservation Foundation www.acfonline.org.au

i  > - Ê À œ v Ê i V Õ ` œ À * Ê  > V œ 

i  > - Ê À œ v Ê i V Õ ` œ À * Ê  > V œ  GreenHome’sttopop fivefive gardeninggardening tipstips

3. Plant less lawn, more plants

id you know that lawns use the most Dwater in the garden? They can drink up to 90% of all garden water depending on the plants you choose. ■ If an area is not used frequently why not create garden beds or mulch areas instead of lawn. ■ Replace lawn areas with native grasses, native drought-tolerant ground cover shrubs, pebbles or other permeable material. ■ If you can’t resist having some lawn, then choose slow growing, water effi cient lawn varieties that are best suited to your soil. They have deep roots for drought tolerance and don’t need as much mowing as other varieties. ■ Try not to cut your lawn too short. Mow lawns to 4-5 cm high to shade grass roots and soil and minimise GREENHOME FACT: evaporation. You can reduce water loss even further by Special mulching mowers cut up the grass saving your lawn clippings to use as mulch on your lawn or clippings as you mow. This fi ne mulch is garden. They’re also great to add to your compost bin. left on the grass and will act as a natural ■ Water less frequently but more deeply. Let the water get fertiliser as the cut grass breaks down. down to about 15 cm - this will encourage deep root growth and drought tolerance in your plants. ■ Water your lawns with tank rainwater or grey water from your washing machine or shower. 4. Fertilise your garden the non-toxic way

hemical fertilisers may produce a C“quick fi x” to a gardening problem but are likely to have adverse environmental impacts over time. Some of the negative impacts of chemical additives include the destruction of worms, deterioration of soil quality, and the alteration of vitamin and protein content in vegetables. Natural methods are far safer. Try some of the following methods to improve the health of your soil and control pests: ■ Feed the soil as much as possible with organic matter instead of fertilisers. Manure, compost and other organic material are great alternatives. Your garden is not the only place you can ■ Worms make your soil more productive. Worms live on cut down on chemical use. the organic matter in your garden; they process it for you by eating it and then providing worm casting to nourish See Section 7: Green Cleaning the soil. At the same time they aerate and break up the soil as they tunnel around looking for food. for information about creating a non-toxic home (page 49). ■ Create wetlands. Installing a pond in your garden will attract native frogs, birds and other wildlife. These will eat insect pests and reduce the need to use pesticides. Small fi sh or tadpoles in the pond will eat any mosquito larvae.

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œV>Ê*Àœ`ÕViÊvœÀÊ->i GreenHome’sttopop fivefive gardeninggardening tipstips

5. Use safe ways to avoid pests

ugs are part of the garden but some Bmight eat your crops or make plants sick. Synthetic pesticides contain all kinds of toxic ingredients so try some of these safe ways to keep pests to a minimum. ■ Plant many different species near each other. ■ Remove diseased parts of plants, bag small parts and put in rubbish bin. For larger pieces, seek professional advice. ■ Plant strong smelling herbs, marigolds or pyrethrum (Tanacetum cineraiifolium) around the garden. ■ Pick off (and squish) pests when you spot them. ■ Attract predators by including a pond with tadpoles or small You can fi nd more natural spray recipes at: fi sh to eat larvae, providing rocks for lizards to shelter under or planting natives to attract birds. ■ www.annettemcfarlane.com/Doityourself.htm ■ Make your own natural sprays from garlic, onion, tomato ■ www.organicdownunder.com/Friendly%20Sprays.htm leaves or pyrethrum fl owers (spray recipe on page 39). DID YOU KNOW? Community Gardens are wonderful places to grow your own food and make new friends. Some of the great things about community gardening are: ■ You and your family have access to fresh, ■ Community gardens regreen vacant lots, public nutritiousi  > food.- Ê À œ v Ê i V Õ ` œ À * Ê  > V œ  open space and other areas, making them a ■ Because it involves physical activity, useful tool for urban improvement. community gardening also promotes ■ The diversity of plant types found in community physical fi tness and health. gardens provides habitat for urban wildlife, increasing ■ Community gardens are often used for their value for improving the natural environment. community education such as waste ■ You will learn new things from other keen minimisation and the recycling of wastes through gardeners. composting and mulching. ■ You can meet other people who live in your area. There are lots of community gardens in WA, here are a couple of them: City Farm Perth Rosneath Farm Ecovillage 182 Brown St, East Perth 6004 Permaculture, co-housing, LETS, WWOOFing (next to Claisebrook train station) McLachlan Rd, Yallingup Hills (South West WA) Ph: (08) 9325 7229 Ph: 0412 318 385 www.cityfarmperth.org.au www.rosneath.com.au Visit the national community garden network website at www.communitygarden.org.au or call your local council to fi nd the location of your nearest community garden. Get involved in community gardening!

38 Australian Conservation Foundation www.acfonline.org.au GreenHome’ssstep-by-steptep-by-step guideguide

Starting an organic garden.

rowing your own organic food is great for the environment – you avoid the synthetic Gfertilisers and pesticides that are so common in conventional gardens. Gardening is good fun and fresh organic food is great for you and your family. Choose a spot that gets at least six hours of sunlight all year round. If you have a lawn, select an area 1x2 m to start off your vegetable production. If space is limited, you can grow many food plants in pots and polystyrene boxes on your balcony or patio. MAKING THE GARDEN WHAT TO GROW The easiest way to transform a patch of lawn into a food It’s great to mix your garden up rather than plant rows of the same thing. production zone is with a no-dig garden. You can put a Grow plants close together and choose plants that compliment each no-dig garden on top of just about any surface, simply other. Easy and delicious vegetables include tomatoes (plant in Spring), make sure it is reasonably level before you start. lettuce (plant all year round) and zucchini (plant in Spring). There are many great resources to help you with planning your garden. Check out: 1. Edges. Build a low border to give the garden support. You can use old logs, bricks or whatever you can get ■ www.organicdownunder.com your hands on. (Avoid treated pine) ■ ‘Backyard Self-suffi ciency’ by Jackie French ■ ‘Lawns into Lunch’ by Jill Finnane 2. Newspaper. Cover the whole area in soaking wet ■ www.fl oraforfauna.com newspaper. It should be 6mm deep and overlapping. Only use plain newspaper - avoid glossy liftouts DEALING WITH PESTS or magazines. In your organic garden, attracting benefi cial insects into your garden is the most effective way to help keep pests at bay. Herbs that are allowed 3. Layers. You will need a bale of lucerne hay and a bale to fl ower, such as dill or parsley, planted amongst the vegies will help of straw for a 1x2m garden bed. The straw and attract some of these benefi cial insects. If you need to spray to get rid lucerne both need to be wet, you can do this using a of a particular nasty, there are many natural sprays that work well. wheelbarrow full of water. Try this natural spray recipe to get rid of leaf-eating insect pests: 4 hot Cover the entire area with no gaps. The fi rst layer on chillies, 4 large onions, 2 bulbs of garlic & 2 litres of water. Combine top of the newspaper is lucerne, then keep layering: ingredients and cover with soapy water. Leave for 24 hours. Add water ■ lucerne hay and spray. It is best to spray in the evening as sunlight reduces the potency of many natural sprays. Store in a sealed container in a dark ■ 2cm of organic fertilizer such as chook manure place for up to two weeks. ■ Straw ■ 2cm organic fertilizer again It is always wise to check the effect on the plants of any homemade spray by spraying a small patch and waiting 24 hours. If the leaves show ■ 10cm compost damaged brown patches then try adding more water. Avoid spraying at ■ straw or lucerne all when summer temperatures are very high (over 35 degrees) as this will 4. Water. Water the entire area really well and rest for always cause leaf burn. a week or so. You can also buy natural, non-toxic sprays from many gardening shops. 5. Plants. Now you’re ready to plant! You need to put Visit: www.greenharvest.com.au/pestcontrol/how_to_design_pests_out_ seedlings (not seeds) in to this garden. Buy seedlings garden.html ready to go or raise seeds in a tray and transplant them when they are big enough. Make holes in the SUPPLIERS garden to put your seedlings in, add a handful of soil You can mail order organically-produced, hardy seed varieties from and plant seedlings deep into it. Plant seedlings deep several Australian companies including: into the soil so that roots develop along the stem, Eden Seeds: making the plant stronger. Remember to transplant Phone: (07) 5533 1107 www.edenseeds.com.au seedlings in the late afternoon so they don’t have the full heat of the sun to deal with. You may like to shade Green Harvest: Green Harvest also sells a range of natural pest them for a day or two after transplanting under an control products. empty pot or a leafy twig. Phone: 1800 681 014 www.greenharvest.com.au Green Patch Seeds: 6. Mulch. Once you have your seedlings in, mulch all Phone: (02) 6551 4240 www.greenpatchseeds.com.au around with straw, grass clippings or mulched green waste. This keeps weeds down and reduces the Seed Savers: Look up your nearest local group to exchange seeds and access a more extensive variety of seeds. need to water. Phone: (02) 6685 6624 www.seedsavers.net

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40 Australian Conservation Foundation www.acfonline.org.au GreenHome...ttransportransport

Active Transport starts at your front door

With average use, an THE REAL COST OF PRIVATE TRANSPORT Australian family car When you factor together the price of petrol, car insurance and maintenance, parking permits and (quite possibly) travels 15,000km a speeding tickets, the costs of owning a car adds up. And the bigger your car, the bigger the strain on your hip pocket. Not year, generating about to mention the strain on the environment. Cars and other road transport are major contributors to 5 tonnes of greenhouse greenhouse pollution. Cars, trucks, vans, motor bikes and buses contributed 12% of Australia’s total greenhouse gas pollution and costing its emissions in 2004, and a large chunk of this was from cars. And these numbers keep growing: emissions from passenger owners $13,350. cars in Australia grew by 18% between 1990 and 2004.

GREENHOME FACT: The amount of fuel consumed by cars varies considerably, with some models being much more effi cient than others. A difference in fuel consumption of one litre per 100 km will cost, or save, you almost $200 a year (assuming you travel 15,000 km per year and petrol is priced $1.30 a litre).

As well as greenhouse pollution, vehicle exhaust causes air pollution including smog (from volatile organic compounds) and particulate matter. This can have serious health and wellbeing effects in urban areas. Young people, the elderly and people with respiratory problems in particular are affected. Both cars and freight on our roads are increasing. More and SO WHAT CAN I DO? more space is being taken up to support all the extra traffi c Active Transport is the alternative to driving a private car and it’s leading to traffi c congestion and increasing loss of everywhere. It’s about walking and cycling that can be open and natural spaces. For example, in the City of Perth done alone or combined with catching public transport. around 50% of land is taken up by roads, car parks and Half an hour a day of brisk walking or cycling is a great driveways! way to get a healthy dose of exercise and help to prevent cardiovascular disease, reduce risk of obesity, adult-onset diabetes and osteoporosis, as well as helping keep you psychologically healthy.

ACF’s GreenHome www.acfonline.org.au/greenhome 41 GreenHome’sttravelravel loglog

Use this log to record your journeys for a week, decide what you can change to make your daily travel greener and record your progress. What trips have I made in the past week? How did I make this trip? (private vehicle, vehicle, public shared transport, walk, bike) Times per week How could I TAKE ACTION to make trip? this a greener Tick when you ACTION TAKE Cost saving after ACTION

42 Australian Conservation Foundation www.acfonline.org.au GreenHome’sttopop fivefive transporttransport tipstips

1. Out of the car and on yer bike!

K, so this was always going to be Oan obvious action, but deservedly so, when you consider that if every passenger vehicle owner in WA reduced their individual travel by as little as one kilometre a day, almost 100,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases would be saved each year. Cycling is pollution free transport and you might be surprised at how quick and easy it is to bike around. For trips of under 5km it’s usually quicker to ride than to drive, and if you’re travelling into the city in peak hour even a 15km ride will be quicker than a car trip. And that doesn’t include the time GREENHOME FACT: saved, because you don’t need to go to the gym. Cycling Cycling just 10 km each way to work once is free, lots of fun and parking right in front of your destination a week, instead of driving, saves about is a breeze. Next time you’re about to jump in the car to travel to the corner shop think about the real impact you’re having $926 in transport costs and 304 kilograms on the earth and your wallet and consider going for a stroll of greenhouse pollution each year. or riding your bike.

2. Take the train, get on the bus

f you can’t walk or ride to your Idestination, public transport is the next best way to cut your transport greenhouse pollution. Most areas of Perth (though not all!) are well serviced with trains and buses – call 13 62 13 or check out the fantastic website at www.transperth.wa.gov.au to see which services will meet your needs. If giving up the car altogether isn’t an option, try to reduce the numbers of trips you make. Travelling by a different mode of transport one day a week will make a big difference. Plan ahead so that short trips can be avoided and set yourself distance targets (for example: 5 km) under which you will GREENHOME FACT: not drive. With every litre of petrol you save, greenhouse pollution is reduced by 2.5 kilograms.

ACF’s GreenHome www.acfonline.org.au/greenhome 43 GreenHome’sttopop fivefive transporttransport tipstips

3. Car Pool with friends and colleagues

arpooling is a fantastic option when public Ctransport or cycling don’t fi t your needs. Carpooling gives you a chance to get to know your colleagues, friends and neighbours better, and it reduces the number of cars on the road (and hence improves air quality and reduces greenhouse emissions). It also means you get to share the load of driving – improving your quality of life too! Check out an online carpool coordination network at: www.perthcarpool.com

hare a car: Much of the environmental impact of Scars comes from the manufacturing and maintenance side of things, so it’s a good idea to try and avoid buying GREENHOME FACT: one in the fi rst place. Explore the idea of sharing a car with The NRMA estimates that the weekly a relative, partner or friend, or join a car-sharing program. operating costs of a car range from $113 for a light class car to $376 for a 4WD (that includes purchase, operating, fi nancing and depreciation costs). Think how much you would save by sharing a car.

4. Avoid air travel

ike cars, aeroplanes are major Lcontributors to the greenhouse effect, and are one of the fastest growing sources of greenhouse pollution. In particular, they emit high levels of carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and water vapour. NOx emissions from aircraft are responsible for ozone depletion in the stratosphere and also contribute to smog build-up in our cities. So where possible, you should rethink your air travel needs and discover the secrets of your own state. But if you have to take that fl ight, try to offset your emissions (see page 19 GREENHOME FACT: for more information). Avoiding one return Perth to Sydney air

trip saves almost two tonnes of CO2. That’s about three times more greenhouse gases than a train or a bus.

44 Australian Conservation Foundation www.acfonline.org.au GreenHome’sttopop fivefive transporttransport tipstips

5. Drive Efficiently

here are times when driving is the Tonly available choice but you can still minimise your impact by choosing the smallest, most effi cient car that meets your needs. When you absolutely have to drive, make a conscious effort to be an effi cient driver and keep your car in excellent working order. By simply adjusting some of your travelling methods you can improve the fuel effi ciency of your car and reduce its emissions: ■ By avoiding stop and start traffi c and driving smoothly you can save up to 30% of greenhouse pollution. GREENHOME FACT: ■ Keeping the engine of your car tuned will reduce its Switching the engine off rather than environmental impact. letting it idle (for anything longer than ■ You can save up to 100 kg of greenhouse pollution each 10 seconds) saves more fuel than is year by ensuring your tyres are kept at the maximum used when you restart. recommended pressure. ■ Reducing the amount of unnecessary weight in the car will improve its fuel effi ciency. ■ Use the air-conditioner sparingly but when you’re driving over 80 km per hour it is more effi cient to have the air conditioner on than a window open. DID YOU KNOW? The NRMA has undertaken a detailed In summary the fi ndings are as follows: study of the true costs of operating private Average Cost Average Cost Vehicle type vehicles incorporating depreciation, rego, (¢/km) ($/week) insurance, maintenance and interest as well as fuel. Light 46¢ $133 Small 57¢ $164 The results for several vehicles in each Medium 74¢ $213 category are available at: Large 89¢ $257 www.mynrma.com.au www.racv.com.au LPG 74¢ $213 You can also calculate your car’s yearly Hybrid 63¢ $182 greenhouse emissions at: People mover 92¢ $265 www.greenhouse.gov.au/fuelguide/environment.html or Compact 4WD 74¢ $213 www.epa.vic.gov.au/Air/CarEcometer/ Medium 4WD 96¢ $277 If you are buying a new car, check out its Large 4WD $1 $288 greenhouse rating and fuel consumption at: Based on 15,000 km a year average by NRMA (NSW)) www.greenvehicleguide.gov.au

ACF’s GreenHome www.acfonline.org.au/greenhome 45 Someaactivective transporttrans pGreatort optionsoptions

Walking school bus

his is a great way to reduce the many short car trips ferrying children around schools Teach day. A walking school bus is a group of primary school children who walk to and from school along a safe and enjoyable set route, accompanied by a minimum of two parent driver/supervisors per bus. One parent ‘drives’ at the front of the bus, the other parent at the rear. Additional parents may be needed depending on the local requirements. The walking bus picks up ‘passengers’ along the way at designated ‘bus stops’. Many school communities have started their own walking bus programs, which support increasing needs to change our travel choices. Each child who is part of a walking school bus is potentially one less vehicle on the road. This eases traffi c congestion, increases safety and reduces pollution. If you think a Walking School Bus might be right for your school, check out the ‘How to set up a Walking School Bus’ website: www.travelsmart.gov.au/schools/schools2.html#how

10,000 Steps

0,000 Steps is an exciting initiative that started in Queensland in 2001. The idea of 1the program is to encourage people to take at least 10,000 steps per day to improve their health. The project has successfully motivated local communities, workplaces and individuals to increase their physical activity levels across the country. Walking at least 10,000 steps per day is not only good for your health but also a great way to incorporate active transport into your life. You may like to encourage your workplace to become a registered provider. You and your workmates can join the 10,000 Steps Challenge or you may prefer to keep your own log and aim to increase your daily activity. To participate you just need a pedometer and a logbook. The 10,000 Steps website has loads of helpful tips and downloadable record sheets to get you on your way: www.10000steps.org.au

Bicycle Transportation Alliance

Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA) – focuses specifi cally on cyclists’ rights and lobbying activities. In 1995, BTA joined the Bicycle Federation of Australia. BTA established Perth’s fi rst Bicycle Users Groups (BUGs) in Victoria Park and South Perth in 1996. There are now over 18 BUGs in the city. The BTA represents over 2000 cyclists. The BTA website is www.multiline.com.au/~bta

Bicycle User Groups

UG members are ordinary people, at all levels of fi tness, who meet locally to ride a Bvariety of bicycles for transport, recreation, exercise and fun. BUGs also promote the safe use of bicycles, road safety and education and often advocate better outcomes for cyclists in their local area. For a directory of BUGs in Perth go to www.multiline.com.au/~bta For the Fremantle and Perth BUG visit www.freobug.com

46 Australian Conservation Foundation www.acfonline.org.au GreenHome’snnoteote pagepage

ACF’s GreenHome www.acfonline.org.au/greenhome 47 GreenHome’spprofile:rofile: AmeliaAmelia HodgeHodge

Simple things make a difference

participant of the Australian In the summer months, she has decided to use her car less Conservation Foundation’s by riding a bike to the shops. “I don’t use cleaning products A that contain chemicals anymore - now I prefer to use all GreenHome workshop, Amelia Hodge natural ingredients like bicarb soda” she says. believes the simple changes can make a big difference. Amelia was also a contestant for the Miss Earth Australia 2006, a pageant for environmentally conscious women. 20 year old Amelia from Castle Hill in west Sydney started Since being involved in GreenHome, Amelia has set up her greening her home by installing a water effi cient own worm farm on the balcony of her apartment and taught showerhead and energy effi cient light globes, as well as her “ungreen” boyfriend to switch electrical appliances off buying organic food. when not in use.

Amelia (far right) is saving 110,000 litres of water a year, 14 tonnes of greenhouse pollution a year and reducing her landfi ll garbage by 120 litres a week.

48 Australian Conservation Foundation www.acfonline.org.au GreenHome...ccleaningleaning

Creating a healthier home GREENHOME FACT: THE CHEMICAL COCKTAIL The average Australian spends over IN THE CUPBOARD Our homes are places we like to keep clean and healthy for 90% of their time indoors. our families. However some of the chemicals used can be damaging to our health, the air, soil and waterways. Australia still allows the use of numerous pesticides that have The hundreds of chemicals in our home come from: been banned in the US and Europe, ■ Cleaning such as Chlorpyrifos, atrazine, and ■ Renovating copper-chrome arsenate ■ Pest control (CCA) timber. ■ Food and drinks International studies have identifi ed ■ Makeup and personal care products over 300 different man-made ■ Environmental pollutants emitted by carpets, air chemicals within human blood, fatty fresheners, paints, toys, car upholstery and other plastic tissue and breast milk, to which our and vinyl surfaces we are exposed to daily. grandparents were never exposed. Increasingly, illnesses such as asthma, allergies and headaches are being linked to chemicals in the home.

CHEMICALS TO LOOK OUT FOR Some chemicals accumulate in our bodies and can remain there for many years. Some examples include mercury, Aldrin/Dieldin (organochloride pesticides that are still used for termite treatments in Australia), Diuran and furan (by-products from the creation of PVC) and HCB (a by-product of chemical manufacturing processes). There is also a class of chemicals that can cause potential harm to the reproductive systems of humans and wildlife. These are endocrine or hormone disruptors and include those used in plastics, glues, inks, vinyl fl oor tiles and anti-bacterial sprays.

IS YOUR FAMILY AT RISK? Some members of the community have a higher susceptibility to chemical exposure. Babies and children in particular are at greater risk of exposure to chemicals as they eat (proportionally to their body weight) more food, drink more DETOX YOUR HOME water and breathe more air than adults. In addition they By cleaning your home without harsh chemicals, have greater hand to mouth contact with surfaces and their avoiding household insect sprays, pesticides and bodies may not be capable of detoxifying chemicals as well choosing eco-products for renovating, you will avoid as adults. Other people who may be more susceptible to exposure to many toxic substances. You’ll also save a chemical exposure include asthmatics, people with chemical lot of money and reduce waste by not buying so many sensitivities and allergies and children with hyperactivity. expensive cleaning and household products.

ACF’s GreenHome www.acfonline.org.au/greenhome 49 GreenHome’saalternativeslternatives toto chemicalschemicals

Use this chart to fi nd out what chemicals in the home you can replace with non-toxic alternatives. For this For this Try this: Try this: product: product: Cleaning Odours 4 litres warm water with 1/4 cup vinegar Essential oils** mixed with water or Air freshener spray for wood; warm water with drop of mild alcohol in spray bottle. Floor cleaner enviro-safe washing liquid for other Air freshener bulb Lavender sachet; pot pourri. fl oors. Toiletries Add 10 drops of lavender oil to plain Spray surface Shampoo/ Natural shampoo/conditioner with soap or lemon juice diluted in water in a cleaner Conditioner essential oils. spray bottle. Soap Natural vegetable soaps. Bicarb soda on a damp cloth. Add a Abrasive surface Perfume Essential oils* (diluted in water). sprinkle of salt if a very abrasive mixture cleaner Natural-based toothpaste. Bicarb and is required Toothpaste peppermint. Window cleaning cloth or scrunched up Window Cleaner Moisturiser Pure vegetable oil with essential oil*. newspaper; vinegar and water. Plain, fresh yoghurt or 1 level tsp Part lemon juice & 2 parts olive oil or Furniture polish organic oats in 50 mls water. Leave to beeswax. Face Cleanser soak and use milk from oats and oats For deodorising: bicarb soda (sprinkle as a gentle exfoliator. on stains, then vacuum). Carpet cleaner Deodorant Aluminium free, non-aerosol or Crystal. For cleaning: hire a steam cleaner. Pesticides Dish cleaner Honey/jam mixed with Borax (NB Pure soap in water; vinegar to rinse. (in the sink) Ant, cockroach poisonous). Dishwasher Bicarb soda and white vinegar in the powder Eucalyptus oil deters ants and powder rinse section. cockroaches. Place water in a roasting tray and Mosquito coil Citronella candles. set oven on medium. Don’t let water Personal insect Oven cleaner Citronella, lavender oil. completely dry up and use a scraper repellent and scourer for fi ddly bits. Garden Warm soapy water (one small drop of Pyrethrum, neem or rotenone – but mild enviro-safe washing liquid in water) Insect spray & beware these may harm non-target Toilet cleaner or bicarb soda, washing soda granules Weed spray insects. and couple drops of eucalyptus, tea Sprinkle sawdust, shell grit, coffee tree, lemongrass or pine oil. Snail bait grounds or sand around plants. 1 cup of borax (only if stubborn), 1/2 Garlic spray, worm juice, also Tile cleaner (mould) cup of bicarb,1/4 cup wash soda Aphid spray encourage lady birds they eat 100 granules and 5 drops of Eucalyptus oil. – 150 aphids per day. Clean toilet regularly with scrubbing Renovating and Maintenance Toilet bowl brush and use eco-friendly air Use indoor plants as air purifi ers, fresheners. Plants a great way to help alleviate the air Clothes Washing pollution caused by renovating. Washing powder/ 1 cup soap fl akes, 1.5 cups washing Plant based, low and non-VOC paints Paints liquid soda and 1 cup bicarb soda.* and varnishes. Lemon juice in water. Borax in the Bleach Finishes Natural oils, and waxes. wash. Use natural materials such as plantation Spray with vinegar and pre soak in Stain remover Building materials or recycled wood, stone, clay, steel, washing soda or borax and water. brick, glass. Soak in white vinegar & water. Wash in Natural furnishings like untreated Nappy treatment Carpet Curtains soap and dry in sun. cotton, linen, canvas, hemp, wool, silk, and fabrics, Shoe polish Beeswax. rayon, feathers, down, latex rubber, Furniture Plant based inks, natural, undyed lino-leum, wood, bamboo. Clothes dyes fabrics. Children’s Toys Wooden toys, non-PVC toys. *These are high in salt and are not recommended for greywater reuse. • Always test a small amount fi rst. Use environmentally friendly liquid detergents for greywater reuse. Visit: • Although borax is a natural occuring mineral salt, it is poisonous when www.lanfaxlabs.com.au to fi nd out which ones have low sodium and low swallowed. Keep out of children’s reach and do not use on silk, woollen phosphorus content. or delicate fabrics. ** Some essential oils such as vanilla, cedarwood, frankincense, • Eucalyptus oil used in small quantities is safe and is a great degreaser, but peppermint and lemongrass should not be used when pregnant. be careful not to be heavy handed as it can be poisonous in large amounts. • Some oils cannot be used around pets. 50 Australian Conservation Foundation www.acfonline.org.au GreenHome’sttopop 5 non-toxicnon-toxic tipstips

1. Clean your home the green way

ost cleaning products you fi nd in Mthe supermarket and hardware store are extra-strength cleaners which can contain harmful solvents, acids and corrosive chemicals which can harm the environment and the health of you and your children. They also create packaging waste and cost you a lot of money. The best green cleaning approach is to try warm water and a textured or microfi bre cloth fi rst. This will work for most cleaning situations. If you need something more than water and elbow grease, try the remedies in the table on page 50. Grease build-up is particularly tricky - you might need GREENHOME FACT: to try bi-carb soda mixed with castille soap. Stains are the By ventilating the rooms of your house other challenge where you might need more than water - try you can reduce your exposure to indoor glycerine on organic stains and dab it off with warm water. air pollution from household chemicals It’s also important to regularly maintain and clean our homes and furnishings. so harsh chemicals are not needed.

2. Prevent pests

ne of the easiest ways to avoid pests Oin the home and reduce dust mites is to keep your house clean! (see above). However, there will always be insects that we want to remove from our kitchen, bedrooms or outdoor area. Here are some solutions to scare off the bugs, but not your family and friends. All the items listed here are available from supermarkets, unless noted otherwise. Before using sprays and baits work out where the pests are coming from and see if you can stop them from getting in. Always wipe down food preparation surfaces after use. ■ Grow herbs around windows or in pots in the house as insects go by smell. PREVENT PESTS WITHOUT USING ■ To deter moths and silverfi sh use lavender oil or cloves. For silverfi sh – sprinkle borax inside a piece of pipe 6 – 7 HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS. inches long: silverfi sh run through and the borax gets on Most insect sprays work on the nervous their feet and kills them. system of the insect – we can accumulate ■ To deter ants or cockroaches mix borax with honey or jam and leave it on the ant or cockroach trail. Borax is poisonous these in our own bodies through droplets so put it out of the way (eg. under the fridge). You can buy in the air. borax from most pharmacies/supermarkets. Orange oil also deters ants and bay leaves deters cockroaches. ■ Mice are repelled by peppermint oil. Block holes up where they may be getting in and grow lots of mint. ■ Possums are repelled by cayenne pepper. ■ A good personal mosquito repellent is lavender oil. To repel mosquitos in a room, burn citronella candles. ACF’s GreenHome www.acfonline.org.au/greenhome ■ Swat fl ies and other insects rather than spraying. 51 GreenHome’sttopop 5 non-toxicnon-toxic tipstips

3. Natural Beauty and Safe Toiletries

ost toiletries contain an array of Msynthetic chemical additives that can cause allergies and may cause long-term health impacts. Such products tend to be applied daily to the skin and for long periods of time, during which you could be absorbing up to 60% of these substances through your skin. To reduce the danger of absorbing such chemicals, and to reduce these chemicals going into the environment, try to avoid synthetic fragrances and artifi cial colours. Look for natural beauty products that contain plant-based GREENHOME FACT: ingredients – and better still organic ingredients - and are fragranced with essential oils. There are many brands around Over a year a woman may absorb up to which use plant-based ingredients (but check the labels or 2kg of chemicals from the toiletries and ask the company!). If you can avoid using a product in the cosmetics she uses. fi rst place, this is always the best solution – you may fi nd your skin prefers it too.

4. Buy organic or remove residues

esticide and herbicide residues are Ppresent on the majority of the fruit and vegetables we eat, so wash or peel before you eat. The government has set limits of each individual pesticide and herbicide on our food, however they do not account or measure the potential impact of them combined on our bodies. The best way to avoid this risk is to buy organic or wash and peel your fruit and vegetables before eating them. Organic foods, drinks, and health and beauty products are those that use no artifi cial fertilisers, pesticides or herbicides and no genetically-modifi ed species in them. GREENHOME FACT: The big benefi t of buying organic is that you won’t be Most of the chemical residues found in taking in the chemicals from pesticides and fertilisers nor conventional fruit and vegetables are in the hormones or antibiotics used for conventional animal the peel or skin. Strawberries and lettuce products. See sections 4 and 5 for more details about organic food and gardening have the highest level of pesticide residue. Biodynamic produce is another similar healthier option. Biodynamic farming also avoids the use of water-soluble fertilisers and chemicals – it’s also great for the environment as its primary aim is to redeem dead soils and make farms viable without the use of chemicals.

52 Australian Conservation Foundation www.acfonline.org.au GreenHome’sttopop 5 non-toxicnon-toxic tipstips

5. Non-toxic decorating and renovating

Many home furnishings, fi nishes, paints, glues, and even dry- cleaned or new clothing contain chemicals that become airborne at room temperature. These chemicals, called Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) include formaldehyde and benzene which can contribute to an unhealthy indoor environment. Tips on how you can reduce or eliminate your risk of exposure: ■ PVC is one material to avoid – it can emit VOCs for years. Lead is another highly toxic chemical that may be present within your home. The main sources of lead are paint, lead pipes, household dust and soil. Visit The Lead Advisory Group at www.lead.org.au. ■ Avoid the use of Copper Chrome Arsenate (CCA) treated pine and particleboard in all situations. ■ Choose natural furnishings such as untreated cotton, linen, canvas or untreated wood. GREENHOME FACT: ■ Build and renovate using natural materials such as Many manufacturers now produce a recycled wood, stone, clay, or glass. range of low VOC paints - ask your local ■ Finish surfaces with natural oils, waxes and plant based paints and varnishes. hardware staff for more information. DISPOSING OF CHEMICALS In some situations you may fi nd that you have leftover paints, pesticides, varnishes, batteries, pool chemicals and harsh cleaning products. Under NO circumstances should you throw these in the normal bin, down the drain or into your garden. PLEASE STORE AND TRANSPORT YOUR CHEMICALS More information: CAREFULLY Info on chemicals in the home, offi ce, in food and other ■ NEVER MIX CHEMICALS as this may produce dangerous reactions. Try to keep all chemicals in their original containers. products can be found at the Total Environment Centre’s web site: www.tec.org.au/dev/safersolutions/ ■ Ensure containers are clearly labelled and well sealed. If you or www.safersolutions.org.au do not know what is in the container, label it UNKNOWN CHEMICAL. Children’s Health Environmental Coalition also has an excellent ■ Liquid can leak during transport. Wrap containers holding website that provides practical advice on creating a healthy liquids securely in newspaper and place them into sturdy home www.checnet.org/ehouse plastic bags, then pack in plastic buckets or trays. Greenpeace’s chemical home has tested a number of ■ Keep household chemicals away from passengers, e.g. in the boot. common products and ranked them for their use of hazardous chemicals www.greenpeace.org.uk You can drop off your household chemical waste at any of these council run facilities: Teresa Rutherford, expert on living with less chemicals: Mindarie Regional Council Landfi ll, Marmion Avenue, Mindarie [email protected] Ph: (08) 9306 6300 Eastern Metropolitan Regional Council, Useful books: Toodyay Road, Red Hill Ph: (08) 9574 6235 Balcatta Waste Transfer Station Balcatta Road, Balcatta Ph: (08) 9344 1401 A-Z of Chemicals in the Home, Total Environment Centre, City of Canning Waste Transfer Station, Ranford Road, Canning Choice Books, 2003, www.choice.com.au Vale Ph: (08) 9231 0670 Henderson Landfi ll (City of Cockburn), Rockingham Road, Henderson Ph: (08) 9410 2632 Hopkinson The Green Cleaner, Barbara Lord, Crown Content, 1999. Road Landfi ll (City of Armadale), Hopkinson Road, Forrestdale Pure Living, Sally Bevan, BBC Books, 2004. Ph: (08) 9399 3935 Millar Road Landfi ll (City of Rockingham), The Chemical Maze, Bill Statham, www.possibility.com.au Millar Road, Baldivis Ph: (08) 9524 2053 If you live in the Western Metropolitan Regional Council area, How to Grow Fresh Air: 50 House Plants that Purify Your please contact your local council direct for the collection of Home or Offi ce, Dr B C Wolverton, Penguin Books , 1997 household chemicals. See www.zerowastewa.com.au/disposal/community/hcw/ for help with identifying what should and should not be separated out from your other landfi ll rubbish.

ACF’s GreenHome www.acfonline.org.au/greenhome 53 GreenHome’snnoteote pagepage

54 Australian Conservation Foundation www.acfonline.org.au GreenHome...sshoppinghopping

Shopping with the environment in mind

ENVIRONMENTAL FOOTPRINT BUY BUY BUY OF THE AVERAGE AUSTRALIAN Every week we make hundreds of HOUSEHOLD purchasing decisions – buying food, This represents the land area required to produce the goods toiletries, clothes, appliances, toys, and services we buy and consume. The biggest impacts magazines, CDs and books. All of come from the food, especially animal products, that we buy each week. (Note: land area is just one way of showing these purchases have some impact our impacts and may underestimate other issues such as on the environment because it takes greenhouse gas emissions). energy, water and materials/waste to create and supply all products.

Personal Care products – 1% Furniture and Appliances – 2% Other goods – 6% Transport – 6% Non-meat Foods (vegetable products) – 8%

Services (restaurants & Accommodation) – 8%

Other services – 10% THE GREEN Housing construction and Operation – 11% ST: Clothing - 14% SHOPPING LI e from recycled ■ Buy products mad, plastic, metal). materials (paper d d – every second han Meat and Animal products – 34% ■ Buy second han bike, table, or vase that you buy means ew one doesn’t have to that another n be made. om a friend rather ■ Borrow something fr , you will have savedill from another being than buy it or power dr GREENHOME FACT: lawnmower, car In 2004 each Australian household wasted produced. e an average of $1,226 on items they ■ Look for goods that willappliances last – good that quality ar purchased but didn’t use. We can all think clothing, furniture or e repaired are of that unused bread maker, the clothes more durable and can b onment. for the envir much better we never wear or the food we have thrown out. We can avoid this waste if we stop before we shop and ask ourselves what we really need - or don’t need - to buy.

ACF’s GreenHome www.acfonline.org.au/greenhome 55 GreenHome’sttopop fivefive tipstips forfor shoppersshoppers

1. Do I really need it? Can I cut down?

he more you consume, the more 3(/00).',)34 Timpact you are having on the environment. Sure, some things you buy will have less impact and there are some goods we just can’t do without. But there are things we  can all change. Here are some tips to guide you:  ■ Make a list when you go shopping and stick to it  - don’t be talked into things you don’t need by the  advertising or product placement. ■ Spending on services rather than physical products will generally have a lower environmental impact, for example buy someone a massage voucher, rather than GREENHOME FACT: a foot massage machine, for a gift. Research by The Australia Institute found ■ Put your money into something that benefi ts the that in 2004 Australian households wasted environment, such as plants or nature projects, a total of $10.5 billion worth of food and environmental charities or other environmental projects. goods that were never or barely used. Think back over the past year – are there any goods that you bought that you’ve not used? Most of us can think of some clothes, an appliance or perhaps old vegies in the fridge that were wasted.

2. Buy clothes (and everything) to last

lothing has a large eco-footprint Cmainly because of the environmental impact of cotton and wool (although synthetic fi bres do have some impact). The best way to reduce the environmental impact of the clothes you buy is to only purchase good quality items that you know will last a long time. And while good quality sometimes costs more, think of the savings to the planet and to you in the long term. Huge amounts of water, energy and chemicals go into making every product we buy. By buying fewer items, and ones that last a long time, GREENHOME FACT: NEW CLOTHES$1 SPENT ON we’re doing the environment a favour. Every new t-shirt requires about The amount of water used in 1.5 kilograms of chemicals materials the production and transport 0.4 tonn of clothes bought by an average (pesticides and fertilisers) (e.g. cot = greenhouse gases es Australian household each year is ton) to produce. 0.5 kg 150,000 litres. Buying second hand

of water20 use Litres clothes or repairing old clothes could of land3.4 disturbed hectares save much of this water. d

56 Australian Conservation Foundation www.acfonline.org.au GreenHome’sttopop fivefive tipstips forfor shoppersshoppers

3. Buy Australian and local

hen you purchase things that are Wproduced in Australia, rather than overseas, not only are you supporting Australian industries and jobs, but also you’re reducing the air pollution and

greenhouse gas emissions caused by 02/$5#4/&!5342!,)! transport. By choosing locally-made products less fuel will be used to transport the product from the factory to the shop. So look for products that state “Product of Australia” not just “Australian Made” on them or ask the shopkeeper where it comes from. GREENHOME FACT: The other advantage of buying a local product is that often In the UK, the ingredients of an average there is more information available about the environmental BLT - bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich standards of the company who made it – or if you’re concerned it’s probably easier to get in touch with a local - have travelled over 49,000 kilometres. company and ask them: Where does your chemical waste from making this product go? or Did you use recycled paper to make this product?

4. Can I borrow your...?

ust like cars, much of the environmental Jimpact of appliances comes from manufacturing and maintenance. So if you can borrow or rent something rather than buying it, leap at the chance. Many appliances and goods can be leased or rented and returned when you’re fi nished with them. This is perfect for those items that you use infrequently such as lawnmowers, power tools, cleaning equipment and camping gear. If you are dead set on buying something, before you go out and spend a small fortune, ask your friends and family if they would be interested in sharing it (and chipping in). That way you can all GREENHOME FACT: share the benefi ts (and also share the cost of upkeep). Share a car with a friend or family member instead of having two cars and you’ll save You don’t need a new tool around 83,000 litres of water and avoid 8 for a one-off job! tonnes of greenhouse pollution that goes into producing a mid-size car.

ACF’s GreenHome www.acfonline.org.au/greenhome 57 GreenHome’sttopop fivefive tipstips forfor shoppersshoppers

5. Buy recycled and recyclable

ver wondered where all your kerbside Erecycling ends up? It gets turned into a huge array of recycled paper, plastic, steel and aluminum products. And we can support these industries by buying their recycled products. These days you can buy almost anything in a recycled format - offi ce paper, toilet paper and paper towels, chairs, computers, tables, clothes, bags and wallets to name a few. Try to buy recycled-content products. But also look for products and packaging that you know can be recycled GREENHOME FACT: – and make sure you recycle them! Each year, for every person in Australia Buying second-hand goods is an even better sort of recycling. Next 180 tonnes of solid materials are time you plan to shop, think about whether you can get it second hand. Look on the internet (E-Bay or Trading Post), try second-hand used in total industrial and household shops or garage sales, or bulletin boards. It’s usually cheaper too. consumption. This includes materials When you’ve fi nished with something, don’t throw it out, recycle from mining, forestry, agriculture, and it! Donate your clothes to charity (or if they’re totally worn out, manufacturing (including what’s exported). use them as rags, or donate them to patchwork groups). This way the cycle continues. BUY PRODUCTS THAT ARE RECYCLED OR REUSED AND REDUCE SOLID WASTE SIGNIFICANTLY.

Environmentally friendly products and services: The Green Directory Your Home: Design for Lifestyle and the Future www.thegreendirectory.com.au Australian Greenhouse Offi ce. An online guide to Bunbury EcoHOME West Australian sustainable home design, technical manual and Sustainable Building suppliers directory consumer guide. Lists organisations who can www.bunburyecohome.com/sustainability_links_fs.htm help you make your home more environmentally friendly. Alternative Technology Association (ATA) www.greenhouse.gov.au/yourhome Ph: 03 9419 2440 www.ata.org.au Cruelty-Free Shopping ATA has a web shop offering products for a sustainable For a list of products which are not tested on animals home at http://shops.bizarsoftware.com.au/ATAShop or use animal ingredients Choose Cruelty Free Preferred Products List Environment House www.choosecrueltyfree.org.au/list.html 61 Eighth Ave, Maylands 6931 Ph: (08) 9271 4488 The Organic House Has a retail outlet stocking environmental products: Online shop selling a range of books, herbal teas www.environmenthouse.org.au/sell.html and other organic products such as for skin care, the Neco bathroom and garden. Eco-hardware store; green cleaning, pest control etc. www.theorganichouse.com.au Ph: 1300 88 26 40 www.neco.com.au Give away or pick up free household goods with Freecycle! The Perth (and surrounds, e.g. Kalamunda, Mundaring) Freecycle Networks are open to all who want to “recycle” that special something rather than throw it away. Whether it’s a chair, a fax machine, piano or an old door, feel free to offer it. You can also fi nd something for yourself. Everything offered must be free. Check out www.freecycle.org to fi nd your nearest freecycle network in WA.

58 Australian Conservation Foundation www.acfonline.org.au GreenHome’snnoteote pagepage

ACF’s GreenHome www.acfonline.org.au/greenhome 59 GreenHome’s whatwhat labellabel isis that?that?

Eco-labels can help you make environmentally-friendly purchasing decisions. These are logos on a product that show the product is certifi ed by a recognised accreditation system which has set the standard of what is or is not environmentally-friendly. Examples are organic food, fair trade coffee and energy ratings of appliances. Here are the most common eco-labels you will fi nd in Australia. Label What it means

Products carrying the Fairtrade Certifi cation Label are those that have been produced and sold ensuring that the third world producers, workers and communities, normally disadvantaged through current international trade rules, get a fair return for their products and labour. The Label is most commonly found on commodity products, such as coffee and tea. An increasing number of cafes, retail outlets and supermarkets are selling Fairtrade products in Australia. See www.fta.org.au to fi nd where you can buy Fairtrade in your community.

Organic labelled products refer to any fruit or vegetables, crops, plants or meat products that are raised on a farm certifi ed as organic – that is, they use no artifi cial fertilisers, pesticides or herbicides and no genetically-modifi ed species. www.australianorganic.com.au.

As with the label above, they use no artifi cial substances in farming. They also state that ‘humane care of animals, active soil care, pollution reduction, erosion control, shelter belts, effi cient water usage and proper food handling are all part of the ethos of the organic producer.’ Run by the National Association for Sustainable Agriculture Australia www.nasaa.com.au. Water Effi ciency Labelling and Standards (WELS) Scheme helps you identify water effi cient products. The more stars, the more water effi cient the product. Different products attract different ratings, for example, the most effi cient showerheads on the market have been awarded three stars, while the most effi cient washing machines and taps have fi ve or six stars. For more information and to compare products visit www.waterrating.gov.au. For most new appliances (fridges, washing machines, air conditioners etc) there is an energy rating system. Stickers on the products show a star energy rating. The more stars, the more effi cient the product. Remember the stars only compare similar appliances so you also need to look at the number, that’s how much energy the product will use over a year. Visit: www.energyrating.gov.au for more details. ENERGY STAR is an international standard for energy effi cient offi ce equipment including computers, printers and photocopiers, and home electronics such as TVs, audio products and DVD players. Labelled products reduce the amount of energy consumed by either automatically switching to a ‘sleep’ mode when not in use and/or reducing the amount power used when in ‘standby’ mode. (Be aware - this often needs to be activated when you buy the new equipment). www.energystar.gov.au. A national ecolabelling scheme has been developed for a range of consumer, building and industrial products. There are different standards for each product category which are based on the full environmental impacts of a product from cradle to grave. For a list of certifi ed products see and more sustainable living information visit: www.goodenvironmentalchoice.org.au.

GREEN GLOBE 21 is the global Benchmarking, Certifi cation and improvement system for sustainable Travel & Tourism. Tourism businesses with this label are required to consider the environmental impact of their business in the areas of energy, water, waste, biodiversity and noise and work to improve it. www.greenglobe21.com.

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is a global system for recognising wood from responsibly managed forests, and is supported by major environment groups. Look for the FSC trademark on products and invoices to be sure you are buying from a certifi ed source.

60 Australian Conservation Foundation www.acfonline.org.au GreenHome’sggreenreen financefinance

Green finance - not costing the earth

“Superannuation is not immune WHAT DO MY FINANCES HAVE TO to the effects of climate change, DO WITH THE ENVIRONMENT? in fact super and climate change Green fi nance is about investing responsibly, taking social, environmental and governance issues into consideration. It are inextricably connected. Both is about supporting your super fund or changing your share require action now to ensure portfolio to invest in companies involved in environmentally responsible activities like renewable energy and recycling. If quality of life in the future.” your superannuation fund, share portfolio or bank is investing your money in businesses that don’t pay much attention to (VicSuper Sustainability Report 2006) the environment, then you may unintentionally be supporting damaging activities. If you are like most Australians, your superannuation savings are one your most important fi nancial assets. Your superannuation fund invests these savings on your behalf in stocks, bonds and property, so it is worth fi nding out whether your superannuation fund is investing responsibly. Asking RESPONSIBLE INVESTMENT if they are signed up to the United Nations Principles of OUTPERFORMS: Responsible Investment is a great start. Annual returns of Australian funds (% p.a. over fi ve years to 30/09/2005, net of fees) DOES INVESTING RESPONSIBLY MEAN I’M GOING TO EARN

S&P/ASX300 11.46 LOWER RETURNS? Accumulation Index Many studies show that the more responsible companies tend to perform better over the long term. A company that is reducing its environmental impacts and developing sustainable business strategies tends to be better prepared Average retail 10.13 to take advantage of new business opportunities, better able mainstream fund to attract skilled and motivated staff, and less exposed to environmental risks and price changes. As a result, many responsible investment funds have achieved very competitive fi nancial returns. The average Average wholesale 11.51 responsible investment fund has consistently outperformed mainstream fund the S&P/ASX100 Index.

Average Responsible 14.59 Investment Fund Disclaimer: The following information concerns the environmental dimensions of investment and other fi nancial choices. It is not a substitute 03691215 for professional fi nancial advice. Individuals should consult a qualifi ed fi nancial adviser to consider their options in light of their particular [Source: Ethical Investor magazine, from data provided by circumstances. Make sure your adviser knows you Standard & Poors, available online at www.eia.org.au/fi les/ care about the environment and want to invest LBVCAA67MQ/Copy_of_Ethical_Fund_Performance_to_30_ responsibly! September_2005.xls]

ACF’s GreenHome www.acfonline.org.au/greenhome 61 GreenHome’sttopop fivefive greengreen financefinance tipstips

1. Switch your super

witch to an ethical investment fund, or Sethical option within your existing fund. Ethical investment funds use fi nancial capital to promote positive environmental and social outcomes, and to avoid unethical activities. Here are some of the ways that funds do this: ■ They screen out environmentally damaging investments like uranium mining and old-growth forestry, while targeting investment to more sustainable companies. ■ They select only the top sustainability performers in each industry sector. GREENHOME FACT: ■ They encourage companies to improve their Australian companies with high environmental performance. environmental and social responsibility Each ethical fund has its own notion of what is ethical or scores outperform those with lower scores responsible, so it is important to fi nd a fund that meets your fi nancial goals without compromising your ethical standards. by an average of 3-5% per annum over the The Ethical Investment Association has a list of ethical funds long term. and their investment criteria, available at www.eia.org.au. You might not even have to switch funds to invest ethically. Many superannuation funds have an ethical option, but unless you specifi cally direct your savings into those options, they will instead fl ow into a default fund that is not invested responsibly. Call your fund to fi nd out what ethical options they offer – and while you’re at it, ask them what they are doing to protect the environment.

DID YOU KNOW? Every investment fund in Australia is legally required to state whether they consider the environment in making investment decisions, and if so, how those issues are addressed. This information is located in the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for each fund. These are often available online, or you can request a hard copy from your fund.

62 Australian Conservation Foundation www.acfonline.org.au GreenHome’sttopop fivefive greengreen financefinance tipstips

2. Write a letter to your super fund

ven outside of dedicated ethical investment funds, ‘mainstream’ funds E Fund are becoming interested in environmental

Super and social issues as well.

In 2006, the United Nations released an important Dear international agreement, the Principles for Responsible Investment. These Principles, which have been endorsed by many of the world’s largest investors, commit signatories to incorporating social, environmental and governance issues in their investment decision-making. So far, 15 Australian superannuation funds and fund managers have signed up. If your superannuation fund has endorsed the principles, it is a good sign that they’re GREENHOME FACT: starting to think seriously about the environment. If your fund 108 investors and fund managers hasn’t signed up yet, they might need a gentle nudge from members like you. Try writing a short letter to your fund, worldwide responsible for over $6 trillion asking them to endorse the UN Principles for Responsible in assets have endorsed the UN Principles Investment. You might be surprised at how infl uential a few for Responsible Investment. letters from concerned fund members can be.

3. Make your loan a green one

f you’re thinking about moving, Irenovating, or refi nancing your home, consider a green home loan. Some lenders are starting to build positive environmental incentives – such as interest rate discounts, or rebates on sustainable home improvements and effi cient appliances – into their home loan products. These incentives can save you thousands of dollars over the lifetime of the loan. A green vehicle loan allows you to offset the greenhouse gas emissions from your vehicle, and may even give you an interest rate discount for driving a more effi cient car. GREENHOME FACT: A green mortgage could save you $20,000 in interest payments (based on a reduction from 8.5% to 8.0% in interest rates over the lifetime of a 25-year, $200,000 home loan).

ACF’s GreenHome www.acfonline.org.au/greenhome 63 GreenHome’sttopop fivefive greengreen financefinance tipstips

4. Talk to your financial advisor

any people trust a fi nancial adviser Mto help them make the right choices fi nancially. Make sure your advisor knows that you value the environment and don’t wish to invest in environmentally damaging

Finance activities. Ask them about responsible investment options. If you are looking for a fi nancial adviser who can assist you with responsible investing, check out the online register of advisers who are specifi cally interested in ethical investment GREENHOME FACT: at www.eia.org.au. 52% of the Australian general public say that commitment to environmentally responsible practices is “very important” to them in deciding whether to invest in a company – but only 21% of analysts, advisers and brokers agree.

5. Switch banks

anks can differ widely in how they Bapproach environmental issues. Some banks are reducing their direct environmental impacts, improving their lending criteria to include environmental concerns and contributing to the debate on issues such as climate change. One way to fi nd out what your bank is doing is to review its annual sustainability report, which some institutions issue to communicate their approach to sustainability issues. Consider a community banking institution such as a credit GREENHOME FACT: union or building society. Credit unions operate for the In 2006, when major investors publicly benefi t of their members, not shareholders. Many of these asked fi nancial institutions for information institutions have dramatically improved the range of services they offer in recent years, and you can be more confi dent that about their climate change policies and your money will be invested locally. performance, 21 Australian fi nancial institutions responded, but 13 refused to answer the questions or did not respond at all.

64 Australian Conservation Foundation www.acfonline.org.au GreenHome’sggreenreen financefinance

Your guide to information about green finance

Ethical/responsible Ethical Investment Association www.eia.org.au investment and Wide range of resources about ethical investing, including lists of ethical investment funds and superannuation fi nancial advisers specialising in ethical investment Ethical Investor www.ethicalinvestor.com.au Monthly periodical that includes performance details and holdings for all Australian ethical funds. Product Disclosure Statements (PDS) Every fund is required to have information about whether they take the environment into account in investment decisions. Check the website of the fund for the PDS, or request a hard copy from the fund directly. Sustaintech www.sustaintech.com.au Matches green businesses with ethical investors. UN Principles for Responsible Investment www.unpri.org Includes a list of all signatories to the UN Principles.

Environmental policies Banktrack www.banktrack.org and practices of fi nancial Independent international watchdog of environmental and human rights issues in banking. institutions, and green Carbon Disclosure Project www.cdproject.net fi nance generally Investor initiative to collect information about major company’s climate change policies and performance. Equator Principles www.equator-principles.com Set of standards for major project fi nance transactions. Westpac and ANZ Bank are the only Australian signatories. ‘False Profi ts: How Australia’s fi nance sector undervalues the environment and what we can do about it’ www.acfonline.org.au/uploads/res_false_profi ts.pdf Australian Conservation Foundation 2006 study on green fi nance in Australia. Investor Group on Climate Change Australia / New Zealand www.igcc.org.au Group of 16 Australian investors engaged on climate change issues. Includes the Australian / New Zealand local implementation of the Carbon Disclosure Project. United Nations Environment Program Finance Initiative www.unepfi .org Global initiative to promote responsible fi nancial sector initiatives.

Environmental ratings Corporate Monitor (ratings published regularly in Ethical Investor magazine) and indices for Australian www.ethicalinvestor.com.au companies Corporate Responsibility Index www.corporate-responsibility.com.au Reputex www.reputex.com.au Sustainable Asset Management www.aussi.net.au

Green home loans Bendigo Bank www.bendigobank.com.au Maleny Credit Union www.malenycu.com.au Mecu www.mecu.com.au Westpac Bank www.westpac.com.au

Green renovation and Bendigo Bank (green personal loans) www.bendigobank.com.au personal loan products Maleny Credit Union (‘Dam Buster’ loan, for fi nance of rainwater tank purchases) www.malenycu.com.au Mecu (‘ecosaver’ and ‘goGreen’ renovation and personal loan products) www.mecu.com.au

Green vehicle loans Mecu (goGreen car loan) www.mecu.com.au Savings & Loans Credit Union (Breathe Easy car loan) www.savingsloans.com.au

Green deposit products Bendigo Bank (Bendigo Oxfam Australia Cash Management Account) www.bendigobank.com.au Westpac Bank (Westpac Landcare term deposit) www.westpac.com.au

Community banking Abacus – peak industry body for credit unions and mutual building societies www.abacus.org.au Bendigo Community Banks www.bendigobank.com.au/public/community_bank/index.asp

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66 Australian Conservation Foundation www.acfonline.org.au GreenHome...sstandtand upup forfor thethe environmentenvironment

Stand up for the Environment

“IT WOULD BE MUCH EASIER TO IGNORE THESE DIFFICULT ISSUES, TO ENJOY OUR MATERIAL COMFORTS AND OUR WONDERFUL LIFESTYLE – BUT A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE IS CLEARLY A BETTER FUTURE. WORKING FOR IT IS OUR MORAL DUTY TO THE COUNTLESS MILLIONS OF OTHER SPECIES THAT WE SHARE THIS PLANET WITH, AND THE FUTURE GENERATIONS FOR WHOM WE HOLD IT IN TRUST.” Professor Ian Lowe, President of the Australian Conservation Foundation, 2006

BEING AN A COLLECTIVE MOVEMENT It is no longer only a radical few that see the need for ENVIRONMENT CHAMPION environmental action. Today we take many things for granted If you are concerned that there is more to be done to but this only came into being because people movements protect the environment beyond making individual changes made new ideas acceptable in the face of major opposition. in your lifestyle, then you’re probably ready to become an We can draw a lot of inspiration from past community environment champion. action like those who deposed slavery two hundred years ago against the advice of economists; the suffragettes The environment has traditionally struggled to be high on who demanded the vote for women a hundred years the public policy and political agenda because it does not ago; achievements just forty years ago when Indigenous have a voice. Unlike industry, local residents and farmers for Australians won the referendum to be included as Australian example, the environment cannot speak up in Parliament or the citizens; and more recently, the end of Apartheid in South media. It is up to us to be informed and promote solutions to Africa. Each of these changes happened because determined environmental challenges on behalf of our planet. people worked for a better world.

CAN WE AFFORD DEMOCRACY WORKS NOT TO TAKE ACTION? IF WE PARTICIPATE Today we are often governed by the economic bottom line, In Australia we are proud of our democratic traditions. We which is very short-term thinking. The Australian Bureau have the freedom to express our opinions, to vote and to of Statistics has reported that since 1990, all of the usual hold robust debates. Yet we need to ensure that people in economic indicators show positive trends, but almost all the power are accountable and aware of our concerns. environmental indicators are declining. To put it in economic terms, it is as if we have an ecological credit card that we are By actively engaging with the media, politicians, business borrowing against, and operating at a heavy defi cit for which leaders and our local communities, we achieve better our children will pay a big price. outcomes. Sometimes we have to stand up for what we believe in or risk it disappearing. Being an environment champion is to advocate that the environment should be as important as economic, social Australia has a long tradition of working collectively to protect and cultural considerations. At the end of the day, there is no important areas like the Franklin River in Tasmania, the Great economy if we have a dead planet. More importantly, strong Barrier Reef, Antarctica and Kakadu National Park, as well action now will be much better for the economy than inaction as supporting the international Montreal Protocol to reduce now, and alleviate the need for drastic measures to be taken in the harmful UV impact of the ozone hole. Today’s generation the future. is faced with important challenges like climate change and maintaining jobs without sacrifi cing the environment. While You can be a compelling advocate for the environment we can not always match the resources of those in power, if in many spheres of your life: as a parent, at work, in your there is a critical mass working together, we can move from local community and when you vote. All you need are a despair to action. few strategies, skills and confi dence to communicate your message, and you will add your voice to others with a passion for protecting our environment. ACF’s GreenHome www.acfonline.org.au/greenhome 67 ttopGreenHome’sop fivefive environmentalenvironmental actionaction tipstips

1. Influence decision makers

PETITION arliamentarians are obliged to Prespond to public enquiries. Who to contact depends on whether the matter concerns Federal, State/Territory or Local Government responsibilities or laws. Refer to the end of this chapter to fi nd your local representatives. ■ A signed, handwritten or typed letter is an easy and effective means of communicating with your elected politicians. It is much more effective than an email, photocopied form letter or a postcard campaign. GREENHOME FACT: Politicians are more likely to take action if you are in When gauging the mood of the electorate on their electorate, so make sure you include your name an issue, a parliamentarian will consider that and address. Be brief, refl ect why you are personally interested in the issue and commence with a clear one phone call represents roughly fi ve votes, statement of purpose, eg: “I am writing to ask you to one letter represents ten votes and a face support/oppose ...”. to face meeting represents 20 votes or the ■ Organise a face to face meeting with your membership of the organisation you represent. representative. This is the most effective way to raise your issue. Come well prepared, and have a one page summary of your concerns. Most importantly, clearly communicate what resolution you are seeking. ■ Ask your representative to take concrete action. GREENHOME TOP TIP: These demands could be policy demands, asking for Thanks are as important as criticism. So don’t a debate in Parliament, asking them to speak to their forget to contact your political representatives party leader/party room about the issues or to cross the and congratulate them when they support an fl oor and vote against a Bill even if their party supports initiative that you think is benefi cial. This way it. Always ask for the politician to give you a follow up they can also represent the number of people response to the issue you are raising. who are behind them when they are debating ■ Write a petition. Download the Environment Defenders with people opposing environmental progress. Offi ce Petition kit to ensure your petition is legally accepted: www.edo.org.au/edonsw/site/factsh/fs07_1.php.

DO YOU KNOW THE SEVEN GENERATION RULE?

The seven generation rule is used within many indigenous cultures for making a major decision. The fi rst thing considered is the lessons of the past seven generations and then thinking ahead on the impact of a decision for seven future generations. This is much smarter, longer term thinking than the annual fi nancial year or three year election cycle, which we base many of our major decisions on, and which commonly only promote temporary, band-aid solutions.

68 Australian Conservation Foundation www.acfonline.org.au ttopoGreenHome’sp fivefive environmentalenvironmental actionaction tipstips

2. Find your voice in the media

y bringing your opinion to the attention Bof the media, you can raise awareness of an issue among readers or listeners who would not otherwise know about it. Even if your letter goes unpublished, it could be instrumental in drawing the media outlet’s attention to an issue. Keep letters short (most papers have a limit of 200 words) and include your name, address and phone number. Local radio is another important avenue for refl ecting community concerns. Go one step further and approach your local independent radio station about hosting your own GREENHOME FACT: program! Politicians or their staff generally monitor Electronic media provides a highly effective way to reach the letters pages of newspapers as well as a large audience. Subscribe to list-servs or start your own talk-back radio. They will take one letter as on-line blog discussion about environmental issues and representing the views of many people in solutions. their electorate.

3. Join an environment group

nvironment groups play an important Erole in defending the environment. They monitor what decisions are being made and lobby for changes to laws and policies which affect our environment. Generally environment organisations are non-government organisations (NGOs), allowing them a bi-partisan voice and JOIN the opportunity to encourage courageous change. They also conduct important research to identify practical solutions and policies, addressing issues that may today seem insurmountable. Environment groups are only as strong as their membership. You can add your voice by joining an environment group such as the Australian Conservation Foundation (see the GREENHOME FACT: membership application on the back of this guide), and: In 2001, there were 608,900 members of ■ Infl uence what issues they address by attending their conservation or environment groups in Annual General Meeting. Australia, according to ABS statistics. ■ Volunteer your time and skills - you’d be amazed at the variety of jobs that need to be done in environment organisations! ■ Keep informed through their communications such as newsletters, e-bulletins, journals and on-line media releases. ■ Donate fi nancially to assist with their vital work or leave a bequest in your will. ACF’s GreenHome www.acfonline.org.au/greenhome 69 ttopGreenHome’sop fivefive environmentalenvironmental actionaction tipstips

4. Organise a community event

he unit of survival in the future is “Tgoing to be community. To become sustainable, the community is going to have to be very tight and involve people working together.” Dr David Suzuki, Canadian Environmentalist, 2006 Community events are a great way to meet new people and show your support for a common cause. By joining with our local community and friends we can share our knowledge and motivate each other to take actions for a better world. Often we learn best from our peers and can take the lead in our community: ■ Organise a fi lm night and discussion on a topical issue. Check out www.100hearts.com for some great People value the environment as environmentally friendly titles. part of their lives. 92% say it is ■ Hold a public forum and invite, for example, your important or very important. The local parliamentarian, someone from an environment organisation and an academic or journalist to cover a environment ranks third after topic of interest to your community. Contact your Local family and friends. Council for assistance with a venue and publicity. ■ Fundraise for something you believe in. Green Canary makes it easy to hold environmental fundraisers: www. Family 92 greencanary.com.

Friends 67 ■ Hold a dinner party for family and friends and create an inspiring menu using organic products sourced within 100 kilometres from your house. Use this opportunity to Environment 53 explain about food miles and why you prefer to shop for organic produce. Leisure time 47 ■ Organise a local festival with a message or a media Service to others 44 stunt. This is a great way to bring people together to profi le an issue and have fun too! Work 42 ■ Invite your neighbours in for an open day to showcase all the environmental measures you have made in your Religion 24 house or apartment and let them know how easy it is to be green. Politics 16 Very Important ■ Take responsibility for a local natural waterway

0 20406080100 or bush reserve by having clean up days, planting indigenous plants and clearing weeds. Percentage of respondents There are hundreds of ways to get active with your community. If you have been involved in an inspiring or Who Cares about the Environment in 2006? A innovative event, email GreenHome and we could post it on survey of NSW people’s environmental knowledge, our website. Include pictures where you can. attitudes and behaviours, DEC November 2006. NB: Contact your local council to fi nd out if you need any Reproduced with kind permission of the Department permits to hold your event and look at the WA Offi ce of of Environment and Conservation NSW. Racing, Gaming and Liquor website to apply for liquor licences or to register as a community fundraising group: www.orgl.wa.gov.au/m/index.php

70 Australian Conservation Foundation www.acfonline.org.au ttopoGreenHome’sp fivefive environmentalenvironmental actionaction tipstips

5. Vote with your wallet

hopping is politics. You vote every “Stime you spend money”. Bono, U2 frontman and campaigner Try to consume less, and consume more wisely. At fi rst glance, voting with your wallet may seem a contradiction when we consider the negative environmental impact caused by our consumerist lifestyles (see Green Shopping Section). While it’s important and rewarding to shop with a conscience, it is often diffi cult to do so with moral purity. A survey of 15, 500 consumers in 17 countries (including Australia) revealed that more than a third were actively boycotting at least one brand. Ethical consumerism, applying the principles of GreenHome, GREENHOME FACT: is a form of action that we can take each day to indicate to producers, manufacturers and retail outlets that we want In Australia, two companies - Safeway rigorous environmental standards for all products. and Coles - sell a third of all food. Ultimately we want to choose products that reduce waste and Imagine what difference it would make greenhouse gas emissions, conserve water and restore our if you lobbied your local store to supply natural ecological assets to good health. But it is not always accredited organic and fair trade products. easy to identify which products are environmentally sound, so a bit of detective work and lateral thinking may be needed. Prices would drop, it would become more ■ Buy Nothing Day: Sometimes our most ethical shopping viable for producers and much better for choice will be to buy nothing. Try doing this once a month the environment. and see what you can go without. Organise a bigger action on the International Buy Nothing Day in November – visit www.buynothingday.co.uk for creative ideas. ■ Ask the store manager to stock organic, environmentally accredited and fair trade produce, and to stop stocking environmentally damaging products, such as GOOD QUESTIONS energy-wasting incandescent light globes. ■ Avoid the Green Wash: Green wash happens when TO ASK WHEN a company claims their products or practices are environmentally friendly when they are not. Be wary YOU’RE SHOPPING: of vague labels such as: ‘Enviromentally safe’, ‘Earth friendly’, ‘Ozone friendly’, ‘Recyclable’. Inform Consumer d it? Protection if you believe a product has misleading ■ Do I really nee onmental labelling or environmental claims: www.docep.wa.gov.au ■ What pollution or other envir oducing it? ■ Support consumer campaigns like the Fair Trade harm was caused by pr movement which puts pressure on governments to ted? How far has it been transpor regulate for fair international trade. ■ have? Remember you are a citizen and not just a consumer. ■ How much packaging does it it use? Challenge the dominant culture where ‘things’ are held in ■ How much energy does more esteem than achievements, friends and community participation. ■ It is recyclable and/or biodegradable? the production? ■ Were animals harmed in What’s the wider behaviour of the ■ ts going? company? Where are the profi

ACF’s GreenHome www.acfonline.org.au/greenhome 71 GreenHome’sWWhoho toto contactcontact

Government representatives Media

FEDERAL REPRESENTATIVES NEWSPAPERS Member of House of Representatives: The West Australian: [email protected] To fi nd the name of your electorate, enter your postcode on the Australian Electoral Commission’s fi nd page: The Australian: [email protected] www.aec.gov.au/esearch/main.htm. The Australian Financial Review: [email protected] Then fi nd the listed Member for your electorate on the Federal Parliament site with a link to their contact details: www.aph.gov.au/house/members/mi-elctr.asp. Senators, Ministers and Shadow Ministers: To fi nd the names of Senators who represent your State/ RADIO Territory, or different Ministers’ or Shadow Ministers’ responsibilities, visit the Federal Parliament website: www. 720 ABC Perth: aph.gov.au/whoswho/index.htm. GPO Box 9994, Perth, WA 60001 Talkback Line: 1300 222 720 Find other members of Parliament who have an interest in SMS: 19 922 720 (cost of a local call) the matter. Members of a relevant Parliamentary Committee Fax: 9220 2727 for both the Senate and House of Representative can be Email: [email protected] found at: www.aph.gov.au/committee/index.htm. www.abc.net.au/perth WA MPs and local councillors’ For contact details for regional WA ABC stations To identify and fi nd the contact details for your state Members of see www.abc.net.au/wa/ Parliament go to: www.parliament.wa.gov.au/web/newwebparl. ABC Radio National: nsf/iframewebpages/Members+-+Current GPO Box 9994, Perth, WA, 6001 To fi nd your local council and councillors you could start by Talkback line: (02) 8333 2821 accessing all WA local government websites at Fax: (02) 8333 1366 www.walga.asn.au/about_lg/index.html Email Radio National by visiting: www.abc.net.au/rn/contact.html Another website that has useful information about local government in WA is www.councils.wa.gov.au/ 6PR (882 AM) Perth If you are not sure if your concern relates to Federal, State/ Talkback line: 9221 1882 Territory or Local laws, contact the Environment Defenders Offi ce on (02) 9262 6989 or email: [email protected]. Tips for writing a letter can be found via Electronic Frontiers Australia: www.efa.org.au/Campaigns/lobby.html#tipsletter

INFORMATION ON CONSUMING ETHICALLY Ethical consumer: Calculates companies’ ‘ethical scores’ out of 20 across a broad range of ethical categories. www.ethiscore.org Ethical Consumer Research Association: Indexes and rates the record of over 50,000 companies. www.corporatecritic.org Corporate Watch: Profi les large companies and industry sectors. www.corpwatch.org Ethical Consumer magazine www.ethicalconsumer.org

72 Australian Conservation Foundation www.acfonline.org.au GreenHome’snnoteote pagepage

ACF’s GreenHome www.acfonline.org.au/greenhome 73 GreenHome’srreferenceeference listlist

■ Marsdon, J and Pickering, P (2006) Securing Australia’s Urban Water Supplies (report to the Department of Prime Minister & Cabinet prepared by Marsdon Jacob Associates) Melbourne November 2006. WATER ■ National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS), Available from: www.nabers.com.au/home. aspx [accessed January 2007] ■ ABC Perth, July 2005, ‘Which Water Tank?’ available at ■ Savewater.com (2005) Saving water in ... , Savewater.com www.abc.net.au/perth/stories/s1426287.htm (accessed website, Melbourne. Available from: www.savewater.com. May 2007) au/default.asp [accessed January 2007] ■ Archer, J, Hodges, J, and LeHunt, R, (1993) The Water ■ Standards Australia (2006) HB 230-2006 Rainwater Tank Effi cient Garden, Random House, Milsons Point, NSW, Design and Installation Handbook, Canberra 2006 Australia ■ Water Corporation WA, 2007 ‘Water Restrictions Dos and ■ Australian Academy of Technological Science and Don’ts’ available at: www.watercorporation.com.au/R/ Engineering, (2002) ‘Perth’s Water Balance. The Way restrictions_rules.cfm (accessed May 2007) Forward’, available from www.atse.org.au/publications/ reports/wa-water.htm, (accessed December 2005) ■ Water Corporation WA, 2007 ‘2006/2007 Rates and Charges Metropolitan Residential’ available at: www. ■ Australian Bureau of Statistics (2007), ‘Domestic watercorporation.com.au/A/accounts_rates_metro_res.cfm Use of Water and Energy, WA, Oct 2006’ available (accessed May 2007) at: www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/[email protected]/Lookup/ 4652.5Main+Features1Oct%202006?OpenDocument ■ Water Services Association of Australia (2005), WSAAfacts, (accessed May 2007) Water Services Association of Australia, Australia ■ Australian Bureau of Statistics (2004) Environmental Issues ■ Western Australia Water Corporation (2006) Desalination - Peoples Views and Practices – Water, Catalogue No (paper prepared for the 2006 Australian State of the 4602.0, Canberra March 2004 Environment Committee) Department of the Environment and Heritage, Canberra. Available at http://www.deh. ■ Australian Bureau of Statistics (2004), Water Account gov.au/soe/2006/emerging/desal/index.html [accessed Australia, 2000-2001, Catalogue No 4610.0, Canberra December 2006] ■ Australian Bureau of Statistics (2006), Water Account ■ White et al (2006) Review of the Metropolitan Water Plan Australia 2004-05, Catalogue No 4610.0, Canberra - Final Report (report to NSW Government prepared by ■ Australian Government (2007), Water Effi ciency Labelling Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology and Standards (WELS) Scheme, ‘Plumbing products’ Sydney, ACIL Tasman and SMEC) Sydney, April 2006. www.waterrating.gov.au/products/index.html#showers ■ WSUD (2004) Water Sensitive Urban Design Practice [accessed January 2007] Notes 4 Rainwater Tanks, Sydney available at www.wsud. ■ Coombes, P and Kuczera, J (2003), Analysis of the org.au [accessed December 2006] Performance of Rainwater Tanks in Australian Capital ■ www.ourwaterfuture.com.au/supply/menu_consumption. Cities (28th International Hydrology and Water Resources asp [accessed November 2005] Symposium, November 2003) Institue of Engineers, Australia ■ www.ourwaterfuture.com.au/Factsheets/factsheet_ climate_change.asp (accessed November 2005) ■ Coombes, P (2007) ‘Dry Arguments from the bureaucrats of Big Water’ article in The Australian January 24, 2007 ■ Kingsley, D., (2002), ‘Perth water crisis looms’, Australian Broadcasting Corporation Science online, www.abc. net.au/science/news/stories/s659064.htm (accessed December 2005) ■ Kobelke, J., 2007, ‘State Water Plan Released’, available at www.ministers.wa.gov.au/kobelke/index. cfm?fuseaction=media.main# (accessed May )

74 Australian Conservation Foundation www.acfonline.org.au GreenHome’srreferenceeference listlist

■ Environment Protection and Heritage Council (EPHC) (2005), Nolan ITU Interim Report of Plastic Retail Carry Bag Use - 2002-2004 Consumption, available from: www.ephc. ENERGY gov.au/ephc/plastic_bags.html[accessed January 2007] ■ NSW Department of Environment and Conservation (2002), Down to Earth: All about Waste, www.epa.nsw.gov.au/ publications/html/downtoearth/allaboutwaste.htm [accessed ■ Department of the Environment and Heritage’s Australian January 2007] GreenHouse Offi ce (2006), Global Warming Cool It: A ■ Visy Recycling Frequently Asked Questions, available from: Home Guide to reducing energy costs and greenhouse gases, Department of the Environment and Heritage’s www.visy.com.au/about/about_faqs.aspx [accessed Australian GreenHouse Offi ce, Canberra January 2007] ■ Energy Australia (2006), Residential Customer ■ Waste Management Board (Western Australian Price List, Available from: www.energy. Government) (2003), ‘Summary Report of Waste to Landfi ll com.au/energy/ea.nsf/AttachmentsByTitle/ – Perth Metropolitan Region, Western Australia (1 July Residential+Customer+Price+List+Jan+07/$FILE/ 1998–30 June 2002)’: www.wastewa.com/Uploads/ poq9225res.pdf, [accessed January 2007] Images/Waste%20to%20Landfi l%20-%20Perth%20Metro politan%20Region.pdf, p21 ■ Energy Effi cient Strategies, 2005 Intrusive Residential Standby survey report (2006), Available from: www. ■ Vegetarian Network Victoria (2007), Statistics on energyrating.gov.au/library/pubs/200602-intrusive-survey. Vegetarianism’, Available from: www.vnv.org.au/Statistics.htm pdf, [accessed January 2007] [Accessed January 2007] ■ Green Power (2007), ‘What is Green Power?’ Available from: www.greenpower.gov.au/pages/About-What-Is- Green-Power.php [Accessed January 2007] ■ Reardon, C., McGee, C., Shackel, S. & Waters, S., (2005), Your Home Technical Manual 3rd Edition, Australian FOOD GreenHouse Offi ce, Canberra ■ Sustainable Energy Development Offi ce (WA Govt) http://www1.sedo.energy.wa.gov.au/ For info on energy smart homes see http://www1.sedo. ■ Australian Bureau of Statistics (1995) 4802.0 - National energy.wa.gov.au/pages/energy_smart_homes.asp Nutrition Survey: Selected Highlights, Australia, 1995 ■ Wilkenfeld, G, Associates & Energy Strategies (2002) ■ Australian Made Campaign (2005) Guidelines for Australian ‘Australia’s National Greenhouse Gas Inventory 1990 1995 Made labelling, Australian Made website. Available from: and 1999 end use allocation of emissions Vol 1’ report, www.australianmade.com.au/faq/ [accessed January 2007] Australian Greenhouse Offi ce, Canberra ■ Australian Marine Conservation Society (2006), Australia’s Sustainable Seafood Guide:A Guide to Choosing your

seafood wisely, 2nd Edition, Australian Marine Conservation

4)-%3 4 )

- Society

% 3 ■ Australian Nutrition Foundation (2005), What exactly are WASTE organic foods?, Nutrition Australia Website. Available from: www.nutritionaustralia.org/Food_Facts/FAQ/Organic_ Foods_faq.asp [accessed January 2007] ■ Australian Bureau of Statistics (2006), Australia’s Environment: ■ Hamilton, C., Denniss, R., Baker, D., (2005), Wasteful Issues and Trends, 2006, Available from: www.abs.gov.au/ Consumption in Australia, The Australia Institute, Canberra. AUSSTATS/[email protected]/Latestproducts/ 4613.0Feature%20Articl ■ Lenzen, M and Foran, B (2001), An input-output analysis of e252006?opendocument&tabname=Summary&prodno=4613. Australian water usage, Water Policy 3 (4), 321-340 0&issue=2006&num=&view= [accessed January 2007] ■ Lenzen, M and Foran, B (2001), A modifi ed ecological ■ Australian Catalogue Association Monitor (June 2006), footprint method and its application to Australia, Ecological unpublished data Economics 37 (2), 229-255. ■ Dr Anne-Marie Bremner, May 2007, Waste Data ZeroWaste ■ Rosemond et al (2000) Effect on Aquaculture of Wild Fish WA, pers comm. Production - A Review. Nature Vol 405/29 June 2000

ACF’s GreenHome www.acfonline.org.au/greenhome 75 GreenHome’srreferenceeference listlist

GARDENS GREEN CLEANING

■ Archer, J., Hodges, J., and LeHunt, R., (1993) The Water Effi cient Garden, Random House, Milsons Point, NSW, Australia. ■ Bevan, Sally (2004), ‘Pure living: how to detox your home’, BBC Worldwide Ltd, London ■ Esther Deans, Esther Deans’ Gardening Book: Growing Without Digging (Sydney: Angus & Robertson, 1990) ■ Ha, Tanya (2006), Greeniology, Melbourne University Press, Melbourne ■ French, J, (1993), Organic Control of household pests 2nd Edition, Aird Book, Melbourne ■ Lord, B., (1999), The Green Cleaner, Crown Content, Melbourne. ■ Stratham, B (2002),The Chemical Maze 2nd edition, Bill Statham, Possibility.com, Pambula, NSW TRANSPORT ■ Total Environment Centre, (2003), A-Z of Chemicals in the Home, Choice Books, Australia. ■ Total Environment Centre, ‘Safer Solutions’, Available at: www.tec.org.au/dev/safersolutions/, [accessed January 2007] ■ ABS, 2003, ‘Population, Australian States and Territories - Electronic Delivery, Dec 2003’ available at http://abs.gov. au/AUSSTATS/[email protected]/ProductsbyTopic/CA5022B213 5F162CA256CD0007BEE22?OpenDocument (Accessed May 2007) GREEN SHOPPING ■ Australian Greenhouse Offi ce (2007), Reducing Greenhouse gas emissions, Available from: www. greenhouse.gov.au/fuelguide/environment.html [Accessed January 2007] ■ Australian Conservation Foundation (2005), ‘The hidden cost of Christmas’, Available at: www.acfonline.org.au/ ■ Australian Greenhouse Offi ce (2004), ‘National Greenhouse uploads/res_Xmascost.pdf [Accessed January 2007] Gas Inventory 2004’, Available from: www.greenhouse. gov.au/inventory/2004/pubs/inventory2004.pdf [Accessed ■ The Ecologist Issue 8 vol 36 (2006), ‘BLT – The big lifestyle January 2007] tradeoff’’, The Friary Press, UK ■ CHOICE (2007), ‘Fuel consumption label’, Available ■ Environment Australia (2002) Environment Impact of End of from: www.choice.com.au/viewArticleAsOnePage. Life vehicles: An information paper, Available at: www.deh. aspx?id=101677 [Accessed January 2007] gov.au/settlements/publications/waste/elv/impact-2002/ index.html [Accessed January 2007] ■ Climate friendly (2007), Air travel calculator: www.climatefriendly.com [accessed January 2007] ■ Ha, Tanya (2006), Greeniology, Melbourne University Press, Melbourne ■ Councils WA, 2007, ‘City of Perth Council Statistics’ available at: www.council.wa.gov.au/directory/ ■ Hamilton, Clive, Richard Denniss and David Baker (2005), council+websites/perth/ (Accessed May 2007) Wasteful Consumption in Australia, Discussion Paper Number 77, The Australia Institute, Canberra. ■ NRMA (2007), ‘Operating costs of popular cars’ Available from: www.mynrma.com.au/cps/rde/xchg/mynrma/hs.xsl/ ■ Lenzen, M. and Murray, S. A. (2001), A modifi ed ecological operating_costs.htm?cpssessionid=SID-3F5768EC- footprint method and its application to Australia, Ecological 2F11D323 [Accessed January 2007] Economics 37: 229-255. ■ RACV (2007), ‘Car operating costs’, Available from: www. racv.com.au/wps/wcm/connect/Internet/Primary/my+car/ advice+%26+information/car+operating+costs/ [Accessed January 2007]

76 Australian Conservation Foundation www.acfonline.org.au GreenHome’srreferenceeference listlist

STAND UP FOR JOIN GREEN FINANCE THE ENVIRONMENT

■ AMP Capital Investors (2005), ‘Financial payback from ■ Australian Bureau of Statistics (2003), ‘4613.0 Australia’s environmental & social factors’, Available at www. Environment: Issues and Trends 2003’, Available at: ampcapital.com.au/corporatecentre/research/sriresearch. www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/[email protected]/DetailsPage/ asp [Accessed January 2007] 4613.02003?OpenDocument [Accessed January 2007] ■ CPA Australia (2005), ‘Confi dence in Corporate Reporting ■ Australian Bureau of Statistics (2004), ‘1370.0 Measuring 2005 – detailed fi ndings’, Available at www.cpaaustralia. Australia’s Progress, 2004’, Available at: www.abs.gov. com.au [Accessed January 2007] au/AUSSTATS/[email protected]/mediareleasesbyReleaseDate/ 2BFA39220B7D32E1CA256E7C008253D4?OpenDocume ■ Ethical Investment Association Australasia (2007), ‘Ethical nt [Accessed January 2007] vs Mainstream Share Funds’, Available at: www.eia.org. au/html/s02_article/article_view.asp?id=316&nav_cat_ ■ Electronic Frontiers Australia: www.efa.org.au/Campaigns/ id=282&nav_top_id=92&dsb=753 [Accessed January 2007] lobby.html ■ Investor Group on Climate Change Australia/New Zealand ■ Government of NSW, Department of Environment and (2006), ‘Carbon Disclosure Project Report 2006: Australia Conservation (2006), ‘Who cares about the environment in & New Zealand, Available at: www.climateinstitute. 2006: A survey of NSW people’s environmental knowledge, org.au/cia1/downloads/Carbon_Disclosure_Report- attitudes and behaviours’, November 2006 Australia&NZ2006.pdf [Accessed January 2007] ■ GMI Poll (2005), Media Release: ‘More than a third of all ■ United Nations (2007) ‘The Principles for Responsible consumers boycott at least one brand’, Available at: www. Investment’, Available at: www.unpri.org/principles/ gmi-mr.com/gmipoll/release.php?p=20050829 [Accessed [Accessed January 2007] January 2007] ■ Vic Super (2006), ‘A Time for Action: The Vic Super ■ Hickman, Leo (2006), ‘A Life Stripped Bare: my year trying Sustainability Report 2006’, Available at: www. to live ethically’, Eden books, UK sustainabilityreport.vicsuper.com.au/www/html/1063- ■ home.asp [Accessed January 2007] Khaneka, Pushpinder (2006), ‘Do the Right Things: a practical guide to ethical living’, New Internationalist Publications, Oxford ■ Smith, Wendy & Su, Jeff (2006), ‘Consuming Planet Earth Resource Book for Teachers’, Consumer Affairs Victoria ■ Suzuki, Dr David & Dressel, Holly (2002), ‘Good News for A Change: Hope for a Troubled Planet’, Allen & Unwin, NSW ■ Worth, Jess (ed) (2006), ‘Ethical Shopping: a magic bullet to save the world?’, New Internationalist Nov 2006

ACF’s GreenHome www.acfonline.org.au/greenhome 77 GreenHome’snnoteote pagepage

78 Australian Conservation Foundation www.acfonline.org.au YES! I WANT TO SUPPORT THE AUSTRALIAN CONSERVATION FOUNDATION’S EFFORTS TO PROTECT OUR ENVIRONMENT AND WAY OF LIFE.

The Australian Conservation Foundation has been inspiring Australians to achieve a healthy environment for more than 40 years. Today, with the support of thousands of concerned Australians like you, we are the leading voice for action against climate change in Australia, and are effecting change across all levels of government, community and business. Some of our current priorities include: I Working with the corporate sector to promote the compelling business case for early action against climate change. I Working with farmers and regional communities to help them better understand and combat the devastating effects of less rainfall. I Encouraging businesses, governments and consumers to support clean, renewable energy I Committing governments to a reduction in greenhouse pollution of 60-90% by 2050. I Keeping Australia nuclear-free. This important work can only be undertaken with support from concerned people like you. That’s why your fi nancial support is so critical at this time, in addition to the personal actions you take through GreenHome. The best way to support is to become an ACF EarthVoice, by donating as little as $10 per month. This will help give ACF the fi nancial strength and political clout to continue leading the fi ght against climate change in Australia. PLEASE CALL US ON 1800 223 669 or MAIL BACK THE FORM ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS PAGE.

ACF’s GreenHome www.acfonline.org.au/greenhome 79 One more thing you can do to help stop dangerous climate change!

he Australian Conservation Foundation is at the forefront of efforts to change the way our society and Tgovernments are responding to the threat of climate change. To continue this work, we rely on the collective support of individual Australians like you, who provide over 90% of our income and 100% of the political clout we need to make things happen. You can support our vital work by becoming an ACF EarthVoice, with a monthly donation of $10 or more. Just call us on 1800 ACF NOW or return the coupon below today. Together, our voices are stronger and together, we can achieve a better future for all Australians.

Yes! I want to support ACF’s efforts to stop dangerous climate change.

Mr/Mrs/Ms/Dr:______First Name Family Name Address:______State:______Postcode:______Tel: (work)______(home) ______Mobile: ______Email: ______

1. EarthVoice 2. One-off donation or membership

I will become an ACF EarthVoice by making a regular Here is my one-off donation or membership fee to support monthly donation of: ACF’s work. (Membership includes four issues annually of $20 $35 Habitat magazine and is not tax-deductible.)

$50 $___ my choice (min.$10)  Amount Your donation will be deducted on the 10th of each month Household member ($65/annum) (or closest working day) and can be cancelled any time. Second householder’s name: ______My preferred payment method is: (Up to two members can be registered per household.) Concessional member ($39/annum) Credit card (my credit card details are below); or Earthkids ($16.50/annum)

Direct debit from my bank account Earthkid’s name: ______(please send me a direct debit authority) (boy/girl) Date of birth ___ / ___ / ______My tax-deductible donation Credit Card details: TOTAL Amex Diners Mastercard Visa Payment Details Expires ___ /___ Please charge my credit card (details below) Cardholder’s Name: ______My cheque or money order is enclosed Credit Card details: Signature: ______Amex Diners Mastercard Visa

Expires ___ /___ Your EarthVoice gift includes $2.50/month for ACF membership. Membership entitles you to four issues Cardholder’s Name: ______annually of Habitat magazine. The rest of your gift is a fully tax deductible donation. Signature: ______

Mail or fax to: Alternatively: Australian Conservation Foundation Call 1800 332 510 or 1800 ACF NOW Floor 1, 60 Leicester Street Visit www.acfonline.org.au Carlton Vic. 3053 For information about ACF’s Privacy Policy, Fax: (03) 9345 1166 please visit our website.

80 Australian Conservation Foundation www.acfonline.org.au AAsO7 - pwn DO YOU WANT TO HELP STOP DANGEROUS CLIMATE CHANGE? HAVE YOU SEEN OR HEARD ABOUT FORMER US VICE-PRESIDENT AL GORE’S MOVIE AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH?

If the answer is yes to both questions – you need to experience a presentation from one of the people personally trained by Al Gore in Australia. The Climate Project – Australia, in partnership with the Australian Conservation Foundation, will educate your community about the science, impacts and solutions to dangerous climate change. To request a presentation and for more information visit: www.acfonline.org.au/climateproject

ACF’s GreenHome www.acfonline.org.au 59 GREENHOME SHOWS YOU HOW TO ENJOY A HEALTHIER ENVIRONMENT THAT DOESN’T COST THE EARTH. Do you dream of a home that creates minimal greenhouse pollution? Would you like a garden that uses water wisely? Reducing your impact on the environment at home and in your lifestyle has never been easier with the Australian Conservation Foundation’s GreenHome Guide. Inside, you’ll find a range of practical tips for saving water and energy, reducing waste, sustainable gardens and food, green transport, finance, shopping and cleaning. The GreenHome Guide shows how simple actions make a real difference to the health of our planet and communities, while creating more comfortable homes and saving money on our bills.

GreenHome is the Australian Conservation Foundation’s sustainable living program, helping Australians reduce their environmental footprint through workshops, events and the GreenHome website.

To measure your eco-footprint and join the GreenHome Challenge, visit www.acfonline.org.au/greenhome.

Proceeds from the sale of this guide help support the work of the Australian Conservation Foundation.

TThishis GreenHomeGreenHome GGuideuide iiss pprintedrinted wwithith soya-basedsoya-based inksinks onon 1100%00% recycledrecycled paperpaper Our environment, your call