Live an enviromentally conscious life!

I. Energy efficiency:

• Insulate your home properly! Poorly insulated walls, roofs, and floors can allow up to 50% of heat to escape.
Insulation investments might pay off in 2-4 years, depending on the construction of the building.
• Turn down the heating! If you reduce the heating by just 1 degree, you can cut your heating bill by up to a tenth and save your household up to 300 kilograms of CO2 each year. Place heat reflectors behind the radiators! This can reduce your gas bill by up to 5-10 %.
• Switch off the lights in every room which you don’t use!
This will extend the life of the light bulbs, and your wallet will appreciate your attention. Use LED lights, which have three times the lifespan and release a third less CO2 than traditional energy-saving light bulbs.
• Never leave your electrical appliances on standby!
• Select the most energy-efficient household appliances!
In the case of freezers, an A+++ appliance uses half as much energy as an A+ appliance.
• Walk, cycle or use public transport!

 

 

II. Shopping, housekeeping

1. Shopping

• Before shopping make a list! It’s easy to be tempted by appealing deals in supermarkets, but sticking to the list can save you from overspending.
• Choose locally grown seasonal products! It is best to buy from the producers on the market. If you happen to have a garden, you can produce some of the basic vegetables and fruits, even in “organic quality”.
• Buy only as much groceries, as you can consume! Let’s look inside the fridge before making a major buy!
• Look for products with recyclable packaging! Like glass and paper. Aluminium is nearly 100% recyclable but its ecological footprint is much bigger.
• Use all of the products you buy! For example, don’t throw out a half-empty pot of cream merely because a new miracle product has debuted.
• Buy multipurpose products! There are universal cleaning products (possibly environmentally friendly), whereby you can clean the bathroom, toilet, and the floor.
• Look for cosmetics made from natural ingredients! Even after being washed off these products do not harm the environment.
• Bring a colourful, cool, reusable shopping bag instead of a plastic or paper bag when you go shopping!

2. Household chemicals

• In order to keep our household clean, the use of aggressive chemicals is unnecessary. Two or three varieties are plenty with careful selection, and if you use ecologically friendly products, they will not place unnecessary strain on the environment. The so-called “clean smell” is simply chemical inhalation; true cleanliness has no smell.
• Dishwashing detergent: select one that is effective and has an environmentally friendly emblem!
• Detergent: locally produced, refillable liquid is the best. You can help the environment even more by combining washing powder with washing soda.
• Instead of descalcifier and bathroom cleaner, use vinegar!

III. Tips to save water

1.In the household:

• Taking a shower uses one-third the amount of water than taking a bath does.
• Turn off the tap when brushing and shaving! With this we save 5-10 litres of water by each minute.
• When washing the dishes, don’t run the water while scrubbing, simply open it to rinse, and use a double-bowl sink if possible!
• Reduce the usable volume of the toilet tank to save water by adding large, clean stones or a sealed bottle filled with water. An average tank draws 6-9 litres of water per flush.
• As quickly as possible, stop dripping faucets and leaky toilet tanks by replacing the sealing ring! A tub of water is wasted each month due to constant dripping.
• Drink tap water instead of bottled water! Almost everywhere in Hungary, drinking water is of high quality. Place a water jug on the table for business meetings and negotiations.

2. Daily water quality protection

• We contribute less waste water by using fewer water softeners, rinsing agents, detergents, chemicals, soaps and other cosmetics.
• Do not use the toilet as a garbage can! In addition to clogging, improper materials (chemicals, used oil, pads, and so on) can cause a sewage treatment plant failure.

3. Minimizing our water footprint in terms of indirect water use

• Reduce your consumption of meat! This does not imply becoming a vegetarian, but it is worth noting that it takes around 15,500 litres of water to produce 1 kg of beef, depending on the technique of rearing and the environment. This value is 3,900 litres for poultry meat. From a conservation standpoint, it is preferable to consume locally raised animals that have been raised in as natural a manner as possible such as indigenous grey cattle.
• Buy only what you need and use sturdy materials for a longer amount of time! For example, don’t replace your phone too frequently just because a newer model has arrived while the old one is still in fine working order. The industrial enterprises that create electrical gadgets utilize a lot of water and release considerably more wastewater into waterways. The same is true for items such as clothing, particularly in fast fashion sector; if possible, buy second-hand or choose local, sustainable brands!

IV. Waste management:

1. Prevention:

• Don’t throw away things that are no longer needed: what we consider trash may be a treasure to someone else. Try to sell or swap products that are no longer in use to generate some sort of profit. There are currently multiple platforms for this, ranging from internet marketplaces to donation and gift shops.
• Let’s post a notice on our mailbox stating we don’t want any promotional magazines!
• Reduce the amount of “hazardous waste” you generate! Many household products are harmful to the environment when they wind up in the trash. Medicines, dry batteries, batteries, ink cartridges, electronic and electrical equipment should all be disposed of properly.
• Use paper wisely! Don’t print everything if you don’t have to! If you must print, use both sides of the paper and recycle the document when it is no longer needed!
• Choose packaging supplies for the holidays that can be repurposed, such gift bags!
• You don’t have to toss away something you use if it breaks. Only dispose of something when it is actually unusable; otherwise, call a mechanic.
• We should visit the library. You simply need to pay once for a membership, and in exchange, you get unlimited access to all of your favourite books and publications. It’s advantageous for the environment as well as your cash. In fact, you may subscribe to online editions of newspapers and periodicals on a wide variety of internet platforms today.

2. Processing of generated waste:

• Separate your garbage! Collect paper, plastic, glass, and metal separately. Before recycling plastic bottles, milk or soft drink cartons, clean them out.
• Organic household waste should be composted! You will not only have less waste, but you will also be able to supply your plants with healthy organic fertilizer. If you don’t have a garden, you can locate indoor composting solutions online, but you can also find communal composters or search online for someone near you who needs compost material so you can share what you have.

V. Eco-driving tips

1. Before leaving:

• Let’s get rid of the extra weight, unload all the unwanted weight from the car! The heavier the vehicle, the more petrol it consumes.
• Plan a route! You waste fuel if you get lost or take long detours to get to your destination.
• Check the tire pressure! Improperly inflated tires roll harder and consume up to 6% more fuel.
• Check the air filters! A clogged air filter results in not enough air entering the engine, reducing performance and consuming 10% more fuel.

2. On the way:

• Careful acceleration, such as sandwiching an egg between your shoe and the accelerator, can save up to 15% on fuel.
• Switch as soon as possible! If you drive at the incorrect speed, your car will consume more fuel.
• Use the air conditioner only when absolutely necessary.
• Make use of cruise control! By maintaining a constant pace, cruise control can help you save up to 7% on flat terrain. However, it is advisable to turn it off on uphill, where the car would require more power to maintain the same speed.
• Idle the engine as little as possible! If you have to stop at a barrier, for example, you should turn off the engine. Idling a vehicle can waste up to two litres of fuel each hour.
• When refuelling, pull the gasoline cap firmly! Some fuel will evaporate if the fuel tank is not properly sealed. According to the Car Care Council, around 555 million litres of petrol evaporate from cars each day.

3. During maintenance:

• Always have your car serviced on schedule and properly! A well-maintained car will use less petrol and have a longer lifespan. An engine that is not properly maintained can consume up to 50% more fuel and emit up to 50% more pollutants.

VI. In the nature

• Let us learn about the natural values of our near surroundings, special protected areas, and common plant and animal species! The more we learn about them, the more committed we are to protecting them, and the more we enjoy them.
• When visiting protected sites, botanical collections, caverns, etc., whether at home or abroad, don’t be afraid to pay fees for entrance, parking, or local services! This is yet another opportunity to contribute to the preservation and protection of the land. At the same time, avoid purchasing items that are manufactured by harming local wildlife!
• Use only designated routes in protected regions and avoid using motorized vehicles, which cause noise and pollution and can directly harm wildlife.

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