Green Living Column Dec 2014: Making Possessions Last Longer (Part 1)

PENCINTA ALAM DECEMBER 2014

GREEN LIVING COLUMN

 

Making Possessions Last Longer (Part 1)

 

(By Wong Ee Lynn, wongeelynn@yahoo.com / gl.mnselangor@yahoo.com)

Volunteers and staff who work for organisations that collect reusable items for charity often complain that people tend to donate old, stained and ruined items in very poor condition. Not only is this habit rude, inconsiderate and insensitive, it is also wasteful. Many people mistakenly believe that they are 'doing a good deed' by 'donating' unwanted items to 'charity'. In reality, however, volunteers and staff waste many hours sifting through items that will most likely end up in landfills. Most of the time, only 5 - 10% of items are fit to be redirected to beneficiaries such as welfare homes and homeless individuals. Another 10 - 20% could be recovered for recycling. The rest of the 'donations' end up being thrown out as rubbish.

What then, most people ask, can they do with 'all that stuff' that you can't use or do not want anymore? Green Living recommends reducing the amount of consumer goods you purchase, acquire and dispose of in the first place. Say no to unnecessary purchases. Reduce the amount of stuff you give out as door gifts, in goodie bags, as prizes and as gifts. Simplify your life by not accumulating clutter in the first place.

One of the reasons why so many households and individuals end up disposing of, or trying to 'donate', items that were at one point valuable and valued is because they do not know the proper way to care for things, or keep things clean and serviceable. The longer you are able to make a possession last, the less money you have to spend on replacements, and the lower your impact on the environment. Here are some basic methods of caring for common items in order to make them last longer.

1. Clothes

- Wash dark and light-coloured items separately to prevent staining, fading and colour runs. Turn clothes inside out prior to washing to protect the outer surfaces. Pull zippers up fully to prevent the rough edges of open zippers from damaging clothes in the washing machine. Put delicate clothes in mesh laundry bags to prevent stretching and damage. Wash in cold water whenever possible (rub soap or detergent on stains first), as clothes last longer when subjected to less heat. This will save energy, too!

- Don't hang up clothes that can stretch out of shape, such as sweaters. Fold them instead. Don't pull on t-shirt or sweater collars when putting them on hangers, otherwise they will stretch out of shape. Similarly, don't fold clothes that need ironing or they will become even more creased. Using higher heat on clothes (for ironing) will make the fibres break down faster and waste energy.

- Avoid soaking clothes for more than a few minutes, or using bleach, as both can break down fibres in clothing.

- Patch or mend tears in fabric (esp jeans) as early as possible to prevent the holes from becoming larger.

- Frequent laundering and washing will wear clothes out. To reduce laundry loads, keep categories of clothes separate -- office, housework, exercise and bedtime. Don't wear your nicest or newest clothes for housework or exercise. Wear older clothing as exercise, housework or gardening clothes, rather than buy different sets of clothes. Hang up clothes that you can wear again for the same purpose without washing. Hang up pyjamas every morning to let them air out, rather than wear them while doing housework and having to change into another set of pyjamas every night.

- Wear clothes for as long as possible. Stained, torn or faded clothing should be used as cleaning rags, floor mats or pet bedding, instead of donated to charity. Only donate clothing that are in good condition. For example, if you have too many t-shirts, put aside the free t-shirts you get from events and product purchases immediately and donate them to the needy while they are still new.

2. Shoes

- Clean and polish work/leather shoes frequently to prevent dirt from entering into the cracks and making the cracks permanent. Polishing also prevents leather from becoming dry and cracked.

- Don't wear dress/office shoes for driving. The back heel of shoes can become damaged and discoloured from rubbing against the car floor mats. Have a pair of spare shoes in the car for driving instead.

- Washing sneakers/trainers will make them look newer, and prevent dried-up dirt from wearing down the soles.

- Rotate your shoes to give the insides time to air out. Stuff sheets of rolled up newspaper into damp shoes to help them dry out faster.

- Wear socks or stockings to prevent shoes from becoming damp or smelly. Sprinkle baking soda in shoes to deodorise them.

- Have your shoes repaired by a cobbler. Get soles stitched back on or have the shoes resoled.

- Store shoes neatly to keep them clean and help them retain their shape. Don't stack shoes on top of one another unless they are in boxes.

- Rubber clogs (e.g Crocs) are easy to repair. Straps can be reattached using cable tie, shoelace bits or ribbon, and worn-out and smooth soles can be given traction again if you use a penknife to carefully retrace the lines on the soles. Don't cut too deep or you might punch a hole in them.

 

3. Backpacks, handbags and bags

- Try to keep backpacks and bags dry and out of the rain. Use leather protector spray (from the shoe shop) to protect handbags, briefcases and leather bags.

- Clean your hands before rummaging in your bags. The fewer cleaning products you use on your bags, the longer they will last.

- Don't put your bags on the floor. Keep them clean and away from hot, wet, dirty or rough surfaces.

- Don't hang your handbag from the back of chairs or from hooks, as this can damage the strap over time and cause the handbag to go out of shape. Use a handbag caddy (or make your own) to keep the insides of your handbag tidy, clean and protected from sharp objects such as keys and pens.

- Don't leave bags in hot cars, as fabrics and fibres break down more rapidly when exposed to heat. This is especially so for the plastic and non-woven cloth shopping carrier bags. Keep reusable shopping bags in the trunk, glove compartment or under the car seat instead, or better still, at home by the door, ready for your next grocery shopping trip.

- Don't hang up heavy backpacks or the straps and fabric will start to tear. Designate a chair or other sturdy surface to put them on instead. Don't overload backpacks and travel bags. Carry some items in your hand (e.g. with a book strap) on in a separate bag. Not only will this help backpacks last, it will also protect your back from injury. If you overstuff backpacks, you will often find that the zipper will break. Don't do the sitcom act of sitting on suitcases either. Pack wisely and ensure suitcases can close easily.

- Have backpack zippers repaired by tailors or at jeans and leather repair shops. Mend tears and rips with adhesive patches (available at camping stores), as sewing and stitching can often introduce holes in fabric where there was none before.

 

4. Mattresses and pillows

- The main reason mattresses and pillows are 'donated' is because they are stained, wet or damaged. This is impolite and insensitive. If you are not willing to sleep on such a mattress anymore, chances are, homeless folks and residents of welfare homes are not, either. Donate only items that are still usable but not suitable for your purposes anymore, for example, it is the wrong size for your new bedframe. Stained, wet and damaged mattresses belong in a landfill. As such, try to keep your mattresses out of landfills by taking better care of them.

- Do not jump or stand on mattresses as this will put unnecessary strain on them. Do not put heavy items, e.g. packed suitcases, on mattresses either. Avoid sitting on the edges of spring mattresses.

- Each time you change the bedsheets, flip the mattress over and/or rotate it 180 degrees so that you sleep on all sides. This will help it retain its shape longer.

- To stop mattresses from getting dirty or worn out, use a mattress protector or topper. Even slipping an old fitted sheet over the mattress before putting the outer sheet or duvet on will help. If you have a young child or pet that inadvertently wets the bed, cover the mattress with a rubber or plastic sheet, or with puppy housebreaking pads available from vets or pet stores. Clean up stains immediately with disinfectant and/or deodorisers (e.g. baking soda) and air the mattress out if possible.

- To keep pillows clean, slip on an old pillowcase under the existing pillowcase. Try not to cry into pillows, but wash and dry them out if you do. Do not eat or exercise in bed, or use pillows and cushions for pillow fights. Get pillows and bolsters of the right size for your needs so you would not keep folding or bending them in two. Fluff them up and air them out to help them retain their shapes. Wash and dry your pillows as needed, if they are made of washable materials. Put your pillows, mattress and duvets under the sun to deodorise and air out. Restuff old pillows and cushions with cotton and other stuffing, and repair tears and rips with cloth before the stuffing falls out.

 

 

(Next month's tips: Making Possessions Last Longer (Part 2): Electronic devices and appliances, books, toys and furniture)

Letter to the Editor: Inappropriate to misrepresent sale of sharks as ecotourism

There is nothing ecologically responsible in your recent article on 'ecotourism' in Kuala Sepetang (Oct 14, The Star). The picture of the business owner, Tiong Kawi, holding what looks like a baby blacktip reef shark or spot-tail shark for sale, in an article which is ostensibly about ecotourism, is misleading and harmful, as it creates the impression that the sale and consumption of wildlife constitutes ecotourism. 

The consumption of wildlife, even those that are not critically endangered, is incompatible with the principles of ecotourism. Ecotourism, by its definition, is responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and sustains the well-being of local people. When implemented properly, ecotourism can encourage local guardianship of natural resources, habitats, and wildlife. Ecotourism should inculcate concern about the plight of wild animals and the environment, not promote the consumption of wildlife. 

Very often, instances of abuse and exploitation of wildlife are passed off by irresponsible tour operators as ecotourism. Tourists often consent to sampling bushmeat, sharks' fin soup and other wildlife products in order to have their “money’s worth” from the holiday package. There are insufficient regulations on what businesses may use the label of ecotourism, despite the existence of a National Ecotourism Plan and a relatively sophisticated legal framework where wildlife and the environment are concerned. 

Blacktip reef sharks and spot-tail sharks are listed as near-threatened on the IUCN Red List. Sharks play a vital role in the oceans. As top predators at the pinnacle of the marine food pyramid, sharks directly or indirectly regulate the natural balance of these ecosystems. As they usually hunt old, weak or sick prey, they help to keep the prey population healthy and strong, enabling these more naturally fit animals to reproduce and pass on their genes. The effects of removing sharks from ocean ecosystems, although complex and rather unpredictable, are very likely to be ecologically and economically damaging. Sharks regulate the behaviour of prey species, and prevent them from over-grazing vital habitats. 

From a human health point of view, heavy metals and other environmental toxins accumulate in plant and animal tissues through the well-documented process of bioaccumulation. Sharks are prone to bioaccumulation through diet, as they incorporate metals very efficiently and eliminate them slowly. Eating shark meat exposes the consumer to these potentially dangerous toxins, in particular, high levels of the methyl mercury. While a certain amount of mercury in the environment is natural, growing worldwide pollution of our oceans is increasing the risk of high mercury levels in the fish we eat, particularly fish at the top of the food chain like sharks. Consuming sharks will increase the level of mercury one ingests, which will in turn increase one's risk of neurological disorders, autism, infertility, coronary heart disease or even death. 

Despite being portrayed in popular culture as merciless killers, sharks are an incredibly fragile 'keystone species', partly due to the fact that sharks are slow growing animals that mature late, live long, and have a low reproduction rate. The depletion of shark populations may cause the entire marine food web to collapse, resulting in the loss of commercially important fish and shellfish species as well. 

As a reader concerned with fair and accurate reporting, I urge The Star to refrain from using terms such as 'ecotourism' and 'eco-friendly' loosely. A travel destination is not made environmentally responsible merely by virtue of being near natural spaces. Consumers should be mindful of what actually constitutes 'ecotourism' or sustainable nature tourism before paying for services and experiences that may in fact harm animal populations, the natural environment and the local community. 

As a basic guide, the following activities cannot constitute ecotourism: The consumption and harvesting of wildlife, the feeding of wild birds, marine animals and wildlife, driving off-track to harass animals, rides on elephants and other wildlife, animal performances such as snake charmer shows and dancing bears, and photo opportunities with wildlife, especially restrained wildlife such as chained tigers and bears. 

True ecotourism will take into account natural resource and waste management, provide empowerment and economic opportunities to indigenous and local communities, minimise environmental impact, and foster environmental awareness and respect for the environment, local population and animals. Good ecotourism practices may include activities such as beach and reef cleanups, tree-planting, data collection work and other hands-on activities that enable holidaymakers to make a positive difference to the ecologically sensitive site they are visiting. 

We urge all travellers and netizens to avoid engaging in practices such as consuming wildlife and endangered species, whether or not marketed as part of an ecotourism activity. The trade in and consumption of wildlife should be reported to WWF Malaysia, the Department of Wildlife and National Parks or the Malaysian Conservation Alliance for Tigers (MYCAT) Hotline. Cruelty to and mistreatment of wildlife should be reported to the Department of Wildlife and National Parks and the state SPCA, which can then assist in investigations and lodge an official report with the Department of Veterinary Services. Any offence involving marine life should be reported to the Department of Fisheries and Marine Parks. We should be responsible, considerate and mindful enough to appreciate nature and the animal world without having to eat, own, destroy, harass, control or exploit them. 

WONG EE LYNN 

COORDINATOR, 

GREEN LIVING SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP 

MALAYSIAN NATURE SOCIETY (MNS)

Green Living Household Tips

Pencinta Alam Newsletter October 2014

Green Living Column

Green Living Household Tips

Compiled and edited from http://www.dailydanny.com/

1. The ultraviolet radiation from the sun can be a natural and effective way to deodorize and kill smelly bacteria in hard-to-wash household items.  On a sunny day, bring items like rugs, yoga and workout mats and throw pillows outside.  Place them on a clean tarp away from animals and cars emitting fumes into the air.  Allow them to absorb the sun’s rays for several hours to fully deodorise before bringing them back inside the house. 

2. If rust has encrusted gardening equipment such as trowels, shovels and shears, brew a pot of strong black tea (about 4 teabags) and allow the tea to cool. Pour the tea into a bucket and fill it with cold water.  Soak the tools for about 1-8 hours, depending on how rusty they are. As the rusty tools soak, the tannic acid in the tea is gently attacking the rust and making them easy to scrub clean. Remove the tools and scour with a coarse brush or sponge and dry off with a soft towel. 

3. If wearing perfumes triggers headaches or makes you feel ill, there are two options for you.  One is to look for USDA certified organic scents, which use food-grade natural oils free of any synthetic chemicals. But if you can’t find an organic scent you like, consider wearing single note scents or absolutes.  Traditional perfumes use about 200 chemicals to create their complicated scents; a single note —like Mint, Sandalwood or Lavender — uses significantly less and may be a calmer alternative to help you smell delicious and fresh. 

4. One way to conserve water when watering your garden is to water early in the morning or at night when the sun’s rays are not at their hottest and won’t quickly evaporate the water droplets. 

5. Donating used items to charity is a great way to find a new home for your old things and help a worthwhile nonprofit raise funds.  However, not everything can be donated to charities, so it’s best to ask before you drop off. Mattresses and boxsprings, for example, are difficult to give, due to sanitary concerns. Used electronics have become very difficult to donate, since prices have come down and functionality is constantly evolving at a rapid pace. It’s best to bring old electronics to recycling centres to be stripped for recycling and materials recovery instead. 

6. Many people are juicing fresh fruits and vegetables at home to create delicious and healthy beverages. But what can you do with all the dry pulp from all that juicing?  One idea is to semi-compost it in your potted plants.  Simply rake the top of the soil of your plants and sprinkle the dry mixture into the soil.  Rake again until it is fully incorporated into the soil.  Very quickly, the organic mixture will break down and become beneficial mulch for your plants.  They’ll thrive and you’ll find a way to deliver great nutrition to your plants via juicing, too.

  

7. A simple way to keep your stainless steel appliances at home looking clean, shiny, streak-free and almost new is to use olive oil. If you have stubborn stains, watermarks, and fingerprints that just won’t go away, grab olive oil and a microfiber towel. Pour a few drops of oil onto your microfiber towel and buff away. It will help shine the stainless steel all while removing grease and dirt.  The microfiber towel has millions of microscopic fibers that grip onto the surface and absorb grime. Olive oil works as a lubricant that will not leave surfaces greasy.

8. Each rechargeable battery inside a smart phone can be recharged about 1,000 times before it needs to be replaced.  One way of extending the life of these batteries is to do just a few easy things that help to preserve the lifespan of the battery. One easy tip is to never put your phone’s ringtone on “vibrate” mode. The buzzing motion actually uses more power than ring tones. Silent mode is, of course, the most energy efficient.  Also, disable any screensavers that are animated. A still image uses far less energy than one that moves and can also help extend the life of the rechargeable battery. 

9. You’ve heard of staycations, but have you heard of traincations?  When traveling for work or play, choosing a train instead of driving or flying is the greenest way to go. The carbon emissions savings by using a train instead of a car is about 50%; instead of flying saves a whopping 68%.  Plus, not to mention the ease of train travel: most major cities have train stations in the heart of the city, unlike airports that are often far away.    In addition, instead of the stress of driving in bumper-to-bumper traffic, you have views from a comfortable seat where you can also plug in personal electronics.  Remember, half the fun is getting there, so why not try a traincation?

10. Going camping for the first time?  Are you a white water rafting virgin?  Instead of buying all new gear and spending on equipment you may or may not use again, think second-hand instead.  Trawl local flea markets such as Secondhand Suq for bargains. Look in online sites like craigslist.org to find lower prices on lightly used gear such as backpacks, life jackets, tents and other things you need for your first adventure in the Great Outdoors, or ask around in hiking & camping forums and environmental organisations' social media groups.

Simple Household Greywater Systems

PENCINTA ALAM OCT 2014

GREEN LIVING COLUMN

SIMPLE HOUSEHOLD GREYWATER SYSTEMS

By Wong Ee Lynn

<wongeelynn@yahoo.com / gl.mnselangor@yahoo.com>

The call for water conservation and wise use and management of water is now more urgent than ever, especially taking into consideration the recurring water crisis in Selangor. In the past, homeowners were often urged to collect and harvest rainwater for household use. However, deforestation has led to reduced rainfall and we are not able to collect rainwater as frequently as we used to.

Many MNS members have expressed an interest in installing greywater systems and reusing greywater. 

Greywater is water from non-plumbing systems such as hand basins, showers, baths and washing machines. It is safe for use in the garden and for flushing toilets with. It should never include water from toilets, kitchen sinks or washing diapers, as these often harbour pathogens. Greywater should never be used on fruits, vegetables and anything you plan to eat.

Most homeowners and building occupants are deterred by the high cost involved in installing greywater systems. The greywater tank system in the picture below, for example, involves quite sophisticated plumbing and pipes and takes up a significant amount of space. 

A greywater tank at the Eats, Shoots and Roots edible garden premises. 

Even simple retrofit systems such as the Toilet Lid Sink in the picture below are not easily available in Malaysia or within the economic means of the people who need it the most to keep their utility bills down.

A toilet lid sink, by SinkPositive

(Image credits: http://realgoods.com/sinkpositive-toilet-sink)

What can you do to collect and reuse greywater, if you are renting, living in a small space, living in shared accommodation or simply not inclined to install a complex plumbing system or purchase expensive equipment? Here are some tried and tested tips which may seem inconvenient in the beginning when you first implement it, but will soon become second nature, just like sorting your recyclables and taking your reusable shopping bag with you when you leave the house:

SIMPLE WAYS TO COLLECT GREYWATER:

1. Use phosphate-free and biodegradable soap, shampoo, detergents and household cleaning solutions whenever possible. White vinegar is an excellent cleaning agent for glass surfaces and mirrors, for example. This is to ensure that the water collected will pose less harm to the environment and to human and animal health when used.

2. If you have a wide and sturdy tub, you can stand in it while showering and let the water collect. The advantage of this is that there is usually a very short distance between the shower and the toilet, so the greywater collected can then conveniently be used for flushing the toilet with. 

3. For general household cleaning tasks such as cleaning the windows, mopping the floor and wiping down tables and furniture surfaces, let the water from cleaning and rinsing collect in a basin and then pour it into a bucket or pail that can then be put in the bathroom or outdoor areas for reuse. You can also collect water directly into a bucket or pail by washing and rinsing directly from a standing tap or hose. To filter out hair, lint and other dirt, you might want to put a piece of fine wire mesh, mosquito screen or an old piece of muslin, cheesecloth or light bedsheet over the opening of the bucket. Use pegs or clips to hold the cloth or screen in place over the opening of the bucket. This way, the piece of screen or cloth acts as a sieve to filter out dirt from the greywater.

4. Some items such as delicate items of clothing, shoes and rugs may need to be handwashed. Pour away the water used for soaking these items, as the water in the earliest stage is likely to be dirty and contaminated. Collect the water from the subsequent rounds of washing and rinsing for reuse in the bathroom or garden. 

REUSING GREYWATER:

1. It is safe to use greywater on trees, ornamental plants and non-edible plants. There is some degree of risk to watering vegetables and herbs with greywater that comes from the bathroom and kitchen. If you do insist on using greywater on edible plants, pour the water into the soil / at the plants' roots, and not all over the leaves and edible parts of the plants. 

2. The average person flushes the toilet 5 times a day. Toilets make up 31% of household water consumption. If you were to place a greywater bucket and scoop by the toilet and encourage those who use the toilet to flush using greywater, you can potentially save over 70 litres of water per person per day. Ensure that the greywater is free of grease, lint and dirt that may clog up the plumbing. The last person to use the toilet that night should flush it with the water in the cistern to 'rinse' the toilet and therefore prevent dirt and stains from building up in the toilet. 

3. If you have pets, you can use greywater to wash cat litter trays, or to flush away animal waste. Use clean water from the tap only for rinsing after soaping and scrubbing the litter trays. 

4. Use greywater to flush or wash the driveway or other outdoor areas. Use clean water from a tap or hose only for the final rinse to ensure that the floor does not end up slippery, stained or dirty when dry. 

Do you have any ideas to share or feedback to provide on greywater collection and reuse? If so, please email us at gl.mnselangor@yahoo.com!

Eco Kids Column: Keeping Cool In The Heatwave

Eco Kids Column, Pencinta Alam Sept 2014

Keeping Cool In The Heatwave

By Wong Ee Lynn

<wongeelynn@yahoo.com / gl.mnselangor@yahoo.com>

The recurring hot and dry season can be a source of discomfort and frustration for many. Some people complain that they are unable to sleep at night without an air-conditioning unit in their bedrooms. If you are one of those people, you may want to consider these tips to help you keep cool:

If you do not have an air-conditioned bedroom:

1. Keep the house shut tight during the day. Don't let in unwanted heat and humidity. Open up the windows to ventilate at night either naturally or with fans. 

2. Install awnings on windows to provide shade.

3. Plant trees for shade around the house, especially as ‘sun-breakers’ outside windows.

4. Install window shades or mini-blinds. Mini-blinds can reduce solar heat gain by 40-50%.  

5. Have a cold shower or a cold drink before bed to help bring your temperature down.

If you do have an air-conditioning unit in your home:

1. We hope it is a high-efficiency air conditioner with Energy Star ratings!

2. Do not use a dehumidifier at the same time your air conditioner is operating. The dehumidifier will increase the cooling load and force the air conditioner to work harder. 

3. To reduce energy wastage, seal all air conditioner ducts.

4. Keep the thermostat set at 23 degrees Celsius or higher if using ceiling fans. Don't air-condition unused rooms.

5. Maintain your air conditioners properly to maximise efficiency. Clean the filters every month if you use it frequently. Normal dust build-up can reduce airflow by 1% per week.

6. Provide shade for your room air conditioner, or the outside half of your central air conditioner if at all possible. This will increase the unit's efficiency by 5 - 10%.

7. Consider sharing an air-conditioned sleeping space with your parents or siblings to reduce the need to use an air-conditioner in more than one room. 

8. Use the timer to switch your air-conditioner off after 1-2 hours, when the room is sufficiently cool and you are already asleep. Keep your fan on to ventilate the room. The room should be able to remain cool until morning. 

9. Switch on the air-conditioner only after you have entered the room. Don't keep an air-conditioner running if there is no-one in the room. Always switch it off when the room is sufficiently cool, and do not keep it running longer than is necessary. 

Here is a DIY Project called a 'Poor Man's Air-Conditioning Unit', which has proven popular with students and renters! The best thing is that it uses items you already have, or items that would otherwise be recycled or discarded. 

You need:

1. 2 or more beverage bottles. Fill with water and freeze. 

2. A table or standing fan.

3. Boxes, step stools or books to bring the bottles to the same height as the fan blades.

4. Trays or plastic takeout containers.

Instructions:

1. Freeze the bottles of water way ahead of time. The bigger the bottle of water, the longer the cooling effect will last. The trouble, however, is that not many people have the room to fit 2 large 1.5 litre soda bottles in their freezer! The cooling effect of 0.5 litre bottles like the ones in the picture will last at least for an hour.

2. Use the boxes, books or stepping stools to bring the bottles up to the height of the fan blades. Place the bottles upright in front of the fan so that the wind will blow through the column of frozen water bottles.

3. Put the bottles standing upright in the trays or takeout containers to capture the condensation and stop the water from damaging books and furniture.

4. Switch the fan on and allow the wind to blow through the column of frozen water bottles and at you. In the morning, remember to put the bottles back into the freezer so that they will have time to freeze and you will be able to use them again the following night.

Stay cool, use energy and resources wisely and tread gently on the good Earth!

Collaborative Consumption and an introduction to the Green Living Little Free Library

Green Living Column for Pencinta Alam Sept 2014

COLLABORATIVE CONSUMPTION AND AN INTRODUCTION TO THE GREEN LIVING LITTLE FREE LIBRARY

By Wong Ee Lynn

<wongeelynn@yahoo.com/ gl.mnselangor@yahoo.com>

As individuals concerned about the environment, many of us are aware of the adverse environmental impact of excessive consumerism. At the same time, we also realise that increased economic prosperity since the middle of the 20th century means that we are often surrounded by an abundance of assets. Many of us acquire or possess items that are infrequently used -- such as electric drills, power washers, holiday homes, books that are read only once and toys and bicycles that are outgrown. 

As communities become more aware of this abundance of assets, many initiatives have been set up around the world by organisations and individuals to share such assets. The advantages of a sharing economy, also known as collaborative consumption or a collaborative economy, are that it reduces the impact of consumerism on the environment (i.e. reduced need for materials extraction, production, consumption and disposal), saves money and resources, and connects individuals and communities. 

Examples of collaborative consumption include the following:

1. Community edible gardens where residents and volunteers grow fruits, herbs and vegetables in a public space and enjoy the harvest together;

2. Community co-operatives, secondhand sales, and jumble sales; 

3. Peer-lending programmes and borrowing shops, such as this one in Berlin;

4. Car-sharing and bike-sharing programmes

5. Couchsurfing and vacation rental initiatives such as AirBnB;

6. Homeschooling cooperatives and childcare services such as daycare and preschool cooperatives run by parents;

7. Little Free Libraries that do away with traditional membership and book return rules.

The Green Living SIG recently set up a Little Free Library outside the Malaysian Nature Society Headquarters at JKR 641, Jalan Kelantan, Federal Hill to advance the cause of collaborative consumption and also to share reading materials. It is located in the porch, outside the front door, right by the mailbox.

The rules of the Little Free Library are as follows:

1. No due dates, deadlines, recording system or membership system.

2. No opening hours or closing times. Just drop by the porch, pick a book or two, and leave other books for others to enjoy. The night watchman will be around to ensure that people don't hog all the books or clear the entire bookcase! (P/S: A coffee or a kind word for the night watchman would be nice)

3. Feel free to donate any books or magazines, and spread the word.

4. You can decide to return the book you took, donate another book in its stead, donate the book you took to a worthy cause, or keep it if you really love it. This is a non-profit collaborative consumption initiative, so please don't destroy, discard or sell the books from the Little Free Library!

We wish you many happy hours of reading and hope you will drop by to take and exchange books. We also welcome suggestions for future collaborative consumption ideas (e.g. A community edible garden outside the MNS HQ? A Facebook Collaborative Consumption group offering pre-loved assets for sale/rental/barter/borrowing?), so please email us at gl.mnselangor@yahoo.com or leave a post on the MNS Green Living Facebook group with your fantastic ideas, and we promise you we will try to discuss and consider each one!

                

Green Living Visit-and-Volunteer Session at the 'Eats, Shoots and Roots' Edible Garden

PENCINTA ALAM AUGUST 2014 

GREEN LIVING COLUMN 

Activity Report: Green Living Visit-and-Volunteer Session at the 'Eats, Shoots and Roots' Edible Garden. 

By Wong Ee Lynn 

wongeelynn@yahoo.com/gl.mnselangor@yahoo.com 

Our physical health is interconnected with that of our environment and immediate community. This explains, in part, the rising popularity of edible gardens and community gardens. Gardening benefits our physical and mental health; growing our own food even more so. Edible gardening teaches us self-sufficiency, brings us satisfaction, helps us reconnect with the Earth, and puts food on the table that isn't laden with chemicals, heavily packaged, transported across miles or produced by agricultural giants and biotech companies. Community gardening enables us to learn from one another and affords us the companionship of like-minded persons. 

MNS Green Living members and supporters paid a visit to the 'Eats, Shoots and Roots' ('ESR') Edible Garden in Petaling Jaya to learn more about edible gardening for urban households and to contribute our time and energy as volunteer gardeners on Sunday, 6th July 2014. 

ESR is a social enterprise based in Petaling Jaya with the objective of empowering urban communities and individuals with the skills and tools to grow their own food, and to develop a sense of resilience in the city. It was one of the 6 recipients of the Arthur Guinness Fund and British Council Social Enterprise 'Entrepreneurs for Good' Award in 2013. In the course of our 2.5-hour session at the ESR garden in a residential home in Petaling Jaya, we learned about different types of garden beds, gardening methods, the uses of many beneficial edible plants and the ideal growing conditions for various types of plants. 

MNS members Pasupathy and Sally even brought plants to share and swap with the group. There was much laughter and camaraderie and the session was concluded with a small tea party during which plants were exchanged and vegetable seeds were given out to the thrilled participants. 

Green Living would like to express our heartfelt appreciation to Shao-Lyn and Beatrice of ESR for their time, patience, guidance and companionship. 

To learn more about 'Eats, Shoots and Roots', please visit their official website at eatsshootsandroots.org and 'Like' them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/eatsshootsandroots. 

Photos of the Visit-and-Volunteer Session: 

Tour of the front garden. 

Old glass bottles are repurposed as garden borders. 

Shao-Lyn explained how a Hugel Bed works. A Hugel Bed is basically a raised garden bed, with logs buried underneath, to grow a garden without irrigation or fertilization. 

Herb Spirals are space-saving and water-saving as they are constructed vertically. Plants that need the least water, e.g. rosemary, are planted at the top, with the plants that need the most water, e.g. aloe vera, planted at the bottom, so that the water trickles down from the plants on top to the ones at the bottom. 

A little garden pond with kangkung (water convolvulus) and water lettuce. 

A greywater harvesting and reusing system. 

Container gardens for edible gardening are perfect if you live in a small rented space or in an apartment. Save your carrot tops and plant them in pots like ESR has done, and you will soon be able to harvest your very own crop of carrots.

The vermicompost bin is constructed out of salvaged wood and a bathtub that one of the ESR members found by the roadside. The Red Wrigglers in the bin have turned kitchen and garden waste into rich, fertile mulch. 

ESR's volunteer Beatrice demonstrates potting and replanting techniques.  

Joanne weeds the Hugel Bed. 

Beng Beng clears dead creepers from the fence. 

A group photo of the participants for posterity. 

Seed starter kits containing non-hybrid, non-GMO seeds for sale and distribution.