MANILA, 24 August 2020 — In order to encourage the public to embrace a greener and more economical lifestyle, the Climate Change Commission (CCC) is sharing green and budget-saving tips and practices to do at home, as we continue to grapple with this pandemic and climate crisis.
 
Through this campaign, the CCC puts the spotlight on practices that cause zero waste and the least possible harm to our climate and environment. As we prioritize health and safety measures in this COVID-19 era, the CCC urged households and organizations to consider the following ways to help in leading a greener, more economical, and more sustainable lifestyle and also help in saving the planet from the global climate crisis.
 
Prepare a list when buying. It’s important to list down all items you need to buy before going to the mall or grocery, so you avoid going back and forth through the aisles or purchasing items you may still have at home. You could also try the reverse method. List down items you still have or take photos of what’s inside your refrigerator or cabinet, so you know what else you need to buy. This would lessen your time inside the mall or grocery (and reduce risk of contracting COVID-19) and also save you time, effort, and resources for not having to go back for that particular item you forgot but need. Don't forget your eco-bag!
 
Grow your essential foods. While many households have started venturing into home gardening, this might be daunting for first-timers. So start small and grow only the foods that you regularly eat or can add to your dishes. For sure, you can manage a plant or two better than taking on a big gardening project. You may even ask each family member to grow and manage their own. In this way, you also make food gardening a family hobby and bonding experience, while saving money.
 
Collect and recycle water. If you have spare drums or any water collectors at home, it is time to use them in this rainy season. You may also recycle the water you use when submerging or washing fruits and vegetables. Collected and recycled water can be used to flush your toilet, water plants, or wash vehicles, but make sure to always cover them to avoid mosquitoes from breeding inside.
 
Avoid food waste. Make sure to prepare food and dishes that you and your family can finish. Refrigerate leftover food but make sure to eat them the next day or within the next few meals to avoid spoilage. You can preserve your fruits and vegetables by storing them properly or you can add them to your salad and dishes. Food scraps can be planted or composted.
 
Conserve electricity and avoid vampire power. Switch off lights and appliances when not in use. Also, make sure to unplug to avoid standby or vampire power which could account for as much as 10% of your monthly electricity usage. Convert fluorescent and incandescent lights to LED lights, which draw less power and are more efficient in converting energy into light. When you need to use a washing machine when doing laundry, you may cut your energy consumption by lowering the temperature of the water from hot to warm (or cold), washing in bigger loads, and opting for a clothesline if you have a sunny space to hang your clothes. Also considered to designate one day a week for laundry or ironing clothes instead of using the appliances daily. If budget permits, you may also invest in solar panels and save money in the long run.
 
Declutter and repurpose items. In order to create a cleaner and more breathable atmosphere inside your home or room, remove or dispose of items that you no longer need. You may recycle plastic bottles into planters. Items that can still serve their purpose, such as furniture, books, shoes, bags or clothes, can be sold online or donated. This could also make you reassess your past purchases and inform your decisions in the future. As they say, decluttering your home can also help declutter your mind, helping improve mental health.
 
Consider best mobility options and approaches. For closer destinations and depending on safety considerations, opt to use a bicycle or travel by foot to save on fuel and reduce your carbon footprint. This can also be a form of exercise. Schedule multiple errands to the same vicinity in one go, instead of traveling to one destination and back home and then traveling to another and then back home.
 
The climate body expressed that these ways of going green provides a great opportunity to transform daily habits, which may seem harmless but are actually harmful to the planet, into a more sustainable manner. This enhances the quality of our life by cutting our carbon footprint, reducing waste, saving money, and supporting our health.