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Green Tip of the Moment

DISHWASHING TIP! Did you know that dishwashing by hand uses 15 to 20 Litres of water per sinkful? Instead of rinsing off the suds before placing them on the drying holder, invest in biodegradable liquid detergent. Skip the rinsing step - let your items air naturally. And the next time you use your plates, cups etc you know that you're not consuming any chemical 'nasties' as well as saving water! ECOSTORE's Dishwashing range are fantastic. A gentle, effective formulation combining simple mineral salts with plant based ingredients derived from coconut. Citrus oil provides extra grease cutting strength as well as a fresh clean fragrance. The natural blend of ingredients and mild pH are gentle on the hands as well as the environment. Economically concentrated - more than 60 washes per 500ml. To find a stockist or order online, visit their website: www.ecostore.co.nz

Reduce your CO2, for me and you!

19 May 2009, Author: ~Karen~

Everyone knows how long it takes to get from Point A (your place of residence) to Point B (your place of employment). For some it is longer than others, but have you ever thought of alternative methods of transport for your peak hour travels twice a day, 5 days a week?

Did you know....

By driving just 10km less each week you'll save 260kg of CO2 a year - that\'s enough to fill 5,200 balloons or 547 wheelie bins.
Short car trips are actually the most polluting as the car runs least efficiently.

The good news - always lots of options:

If you live close to your place of employment, change your habits and choose alternative methods. Help your wallet out as well as the environment!

1) Ride your bicycle. FACT: Producing a bike requires just 1% of the energy needed to make a car! The other good news is: tone up your legs at the same time ;) If you don\'t have a bike, shop around for a good quality second-hand one, or take an hour out of your weekend to have a look at some bike shops.

2) Walk - find your 30 minutes of daily exercise walking there and back. This way, when you do get home from work, you don't need to worry about getting on the treadmill because you've already filled your daily recommended quota! To save you from backing out of walking in the morning, always pack your bag and organise your clothes the night before so it's all ready for you. Saves running late and making 'those' excuses.

3) Catch a bus/ferry/train - use the shared transportation methods around you. Take your iPod, listen to your favourite tunes - zone out. Read a book. Take the stress out of the mornings and afternoons. All the while, you're saving money on car costs AND helping the environment!

4) Car Pool with staff members - make a roster. Take turns weekly. Save money on fuel, car ware-and-tear. In your workplace there are bound to be staff members that live in and around your residential area. Car Pooling is fast becoming the new trend. Go on, give it a try! Start by sending an email to all staff - asking for the areas they live in, get people involved and make it happen. Another idea is to put up a flyer in the staff room. Be active. Surprise yourself!