Smart Living
We always need to find smarter ways to do things in our lives, including working, eating, travelling, using energy, managing waste and water, and more. These smarter choices can have a meaningful and sustainable impact on our lives, our pocket, and the environment. By making smarter lifestyle choices, we save money and help produce a better future for all.
What does smarter living mean?
Every time you make a decision to do certain things, such as switch on a light, drive your car, run a bath, buy a specific product, etc., you make a decision that has an impact on the environment.
Our natural resources (water, oil, fresh air, coal, seafood) will run out if we use them faster than they can replenish themselves.
did you know?
It takes about 75 kg of resources (coal, oil and water) to produce one cellphone; and 1,5 kg to produce one toothbrush. By buying durable and reusable products instead of disposable items, we can start reducing the waste we create
To make sure there are enough resources for all of us, including future generations, we need to manage our resources well, and use what we already have efficiently, fairly and sustainably.
Small choices, collective change
what's new?
The
Smart Living Handbook (2025) was done internally by the City's Water and Sanitation, Urban Waste Management, Sustainable Energy Markets and Environmental Management departments. This edition takes the focus back to the four original themes: Water, Environment, Waste and Energy.
Many of us want to make good choices when it comes to managing our homes, our office, our health, our safety and our pocket, and we also want our choices to have a positive impact on the environment. By taking action in our daily lives, we can create better habits. However, it can be overwhelming to know where to start.
Our Smart Living Handbook and additional resources offer practical guidance on what you can do to:
- save money;
- protect the environment; and
- make your home and office a safer place to live in.
Together, all of our small daily decisions can make a difference.
Did you know?
The distance between where food is grown (the field) to where it's eaten (the plate) is called food miles. The shorter the distance food travels by truck, train or plane, the less fuel is used. Buying food that is grown and made locally is better for the environment than imported goods
Some examples of things you can do today, that will help make a difference:
- Switch off appliances when they’re not in use;
- Use energy-efficient light bulbs;
- Close the tap when brushing your teeth;
- Use an induction or gas stove, if you are able;
- Walk short distances instead of driving;
- Boil only the amount of water you need in your kettle;
- Set your geyser to between 55 and 60 degrees Celsius;
- Seal gaps around doors and windows to keep out the cold air;
- Find and fix any water leaks on your property;
- Collect and reuse water from the tap/shower while waiting for it to heat up or cool down;
- Recycle glass or plastic bottles, jars, containers, bags, cans, etc.;
- Start composting at home.
Fast fact
It's important to buy the right light bulb. Make sure you buy the most energy-efficient bulb and remember: If the light gets very hot, it's using more energy and costing you more money.
Where can you start?
Why not try using our Smart Living Audit Guide for Your Home? You’ll find many more tips to help you in each area of your home.
You’ll also be able to do an audit of your home, to give you a snapshot of the current situation, and give yourself points for how well you’re doing. The guide comes with some questions for you to answer, which will help compile an action plan for the changes and savings that can be made.
Smart living resources
We have a number of books, training manuals, programmes, and worksheets to help you. Whether you’re a teacher, driver, cook, homeowner, student, an office worker, etc., our resources can help you learn how to include small changes into your life to make a difference.
Advice and useful tips how to:
- live more sustainably;
- save natural resources;
- save money; and
- make your house a safer and better place to live.
Chapters:
- water;
- waste,
- environment;
- transport;
- energy; and
- heritage.
A guide to educate all City fleet drivers on:
- driving responsibly to decrease and avoid accidents;
- increasing driver safety and wellbeing;
- increasing vehicle efficiency;
- enhancing cost effectiveness by decreasing fuel usage and maintenance expenses;
- reducing vehicle carbon emissions.
These have a positive impact on the environment and public health. Monitoring drivers and their vehicles helps to compile data on carbon emissions, fuel savings, and driver safety.
Innovative concepts for:
- effective cooking techniques;
- wise cooking strategies; and
- taking the environment into consideration while cooking.
Topics covered:
- smart eating;
- alternative cooking methods;
- using an induction stove and smart cooker;
- how to make your own smart cooker and how to use it;
- choosing the right cookware; and
- food and home safety.
Provides ECDCs with skills on how to complete a smart audit and compile a resource efficiency management plan. It touches on the importance of changing habits, mindsets and decision-making processes.
It assists ECDCs with:
- managing their centres more sustainably;
- saving money; and
- having a positive environmental impact.
The audit focuses on:
- energy efficiency;
- waste reduction;
- water conservation;
- composting; and
- food gardens.
Helps home owners manage their household more sustainably. The audit focuses on:
- energy efficiency;
- waste reduction;
- water conservation;
- biodiversity protection;
- composting; and
- food gardens.
Free, online course. It includes:
- five lessons;
- five quizzes; and
- a course certificate.
It is adapted from our Smart Living Audit Guide for your home, and supported by Smart Living Handbook.
Incorporates greening of events such as meetings, exhibitions, sports events, conferences and more. It looks at socially and environmentally friendly decision making when planning and implementing an event. Event greening is critical because it reduces costs, assists with waste management, water conservation and energy use.
The workshops help teachers explain climate change through identifying the Smart Living links in the curriculum and support learning about climate change and sustainability in a fun way.
Guidance for school management on looking at ways to help them save money and make their schools more sustainable, such as:
- energy efficiency;
- water reduction;
- waste management;
- composting;
- food gardens;
- biodiversity; and
- eco-procurement.
Helps schools evaluate the food items in their tuckshops, and motivates them to buy healthy alternatives. It also inspires learners to make informed decisions regarding their food choices and healthy eating.
Helps schools to evaluate the food items in their tuckshops, and motivates them to buy healthy alternatives. It also inspires learners to make informed decision regarding their food choices and healthy eating.
Supports homestay hotel and Airbnb owners in townships to audit their homes to promote:
- water conservation;
- energy efficiency;
- waste management;
- home gardening;
- composting; and
- buying responsibly.
Videos:
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