Sustainability is simply defined as being able to meet the needs of present and future generations by the responsible use of natural resources.

To measure your ‘footprint rating’, try out the sustainability quiz [PDF 188 KB]

Here are some tips on how to be more sustainable:

Conserving water

• Don’t let a tap run unnecessarily (e.g. when brushing your teeth).
• Take short showers instead of bathing.
• Re-use bath/washing-up water for the garden (grey water).
• Fix dripping taps (replace washers) and pipe leaks.
• Check if your toilet is leaking by adding a few drops of food colouring in the cistern, wait 30 minutes and check the bowl for any signs of coloured water.
• Fill a 2-litre cool drink bottle with water or sand and place in the toilet cistern to reduce the amount of water per flush.
• Wash cars with a bucket instead of a hosepipe or use a nozzle on a hosepipe to control water use.
• Wait for a full load of washing or dishes before switching on the washing machine or dishwasher.

Conserving energy

• Save electricity (see Energy saving tips).
• Walk, cycle, lift-share or travel by public transport to work to offset your ‘carbon footprint’.
• If purchasing a motor vehicle, select a model with very economical fuel consumption (5-6 litres/100km) and do not drive with a ‘heavy foot’ on the accelerator.

Conserving biodiversity

• Plant indigenous trees and shrubs in your garden.
• Remove or refrain from planting alien/non-indigenous plants.
• Do not pick flowers or disturb animals in protected nature areas and always keep on the footpath.
• Join a ‘Friends’ group and volunteer your services to help with conserving an area (e.g. clearing of invasive alien plants).
• Stick to the legal size and quantity limits for collecting marine animals like crayfish.
• Use chemical-free products or buy ‘environmentally friendly’ organic-based products such as detergents or pesticides that do not contain toxic or harmful chemicals.

Minimising waste

• Reduce your amount of waste by buying goods with little or no packaging or packaging that can be recycled.
• Re-use glass and plastic containers as well as plastic carrier bags.
• Recycle glass, tin cans, paper, plastic and car oil.
• Make compost from vegetable matter (e.g. potato peels) and garden waste (e.g. leaves/grass cuttings).

Supporting communities

• Purchase products and services from local manufacturers or communities as they create jobs, stimulate the local economy and contribute to improved social conditions.
• Support Local Agenda 21 projects and clean-up campaigns in your area.
• Lobby local councillors to express your community’s needs.

Please consider the environment before printing this web page.

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