Month: December 2020

If you are a person that cares about the environment, we have no doubt that you are already familiar with eco-friendly or zero waste references. The increasing pollution of our planet and the global warming that threatens all living beings have stood out significantly as one of the crucial issues in the last few years. In addition to raising awareness about these issues, small changes that we can all practice in our daily lives without much effort and sacrifice are especially important.

Projects, such as Additional Funding for the Bosnia Energy Efficiency Project (AF BEEP), focus on raising public awareness on energy efficiency and implementing energy efficiency measures in public facilities, thus reducing CO2 emissions. However, the AF BEEP experts are aware that such an important topic reaches all segments of human lives, such as the season of giving. Are there such gifts that will pleasantly surprise the person you are giving them to but also won’t harm the environment? The answer is – yes! In order to make it easier for you to find the answer to the “What to gift someone?” question, AF BEEP experts bring you five great gift ideas that are environmentally friendly and perfect for any occasion.

Decoupage

Decoupage is a technique, i.e., an artistic skill, used for centuries for decoration. In short, decoupage comes down to decorating objects or furniture pieces with paper clips that are glued to them. In addition to the fact that this will be a fun activity for you, to the person you give such a decorated gift, it will be a unique work of art, created with a lot of attention and love. This type of gift requires minimal investment in material and maximum commitment.

The “pretty” side of a glass bottle

Glass bottles of various drinks, sauces, or baby porridge often end up in the trash, and that is no place for them (if they, however, end up there, make sure to put them in a container intended for glass). If you want to give something interesting and unusual as a gift, don’t throw away glass bottles, but use them as decorations. These bottles are easy to preserve, and their shape and material make them ideal for turning into many different things. Whether you use them as a colorful vase for flowers, which you can cover with colorful paper, or as a candlestick, by putting decorative stones in it, decorating it with bows, and placing a candle in it, we have no doubt that the gift will be a complete hit. Let your imagination run wild!

Homemade cosmetics

Many women, but also men, enjoy caring for their bodies. But how do we nurture both ourselves and the planet? Today, cosmetic products can contain chemicals that harm both you and nature, especially when you’re done with them and throw them in the trash. So why take the risk? If you want to give someone a handmade soap or body scrub, all you need is a couple of ingredients that you can find at the nearest herbal pharmacy and get to work. Also, make a handwritten sticker with your name; the person you give this to will surely be thrilled. And if you still don’t have the time, choose domestic producers who make natural cosmetics without any additives, and be careful what kind of packaging they use (whether they are biodegradable or not).

Cover table

If your loved ones enjoy comics and superheroes, this idea is the perfect opportunity for you to give them something original. Surely you have some old table that no one uses, somewhere in your parents’ pantry or in the attic. Tips for restoring old furniture are all around us, the steps for doing it are simple, and when the table is ready, all you have to do is cover the tabletop with comic book covers and clips from the comics of the person’s favorite heroes. And voilà, a unique gift for a unique person.

Candles

Aside from just gifting someone, it is also important to teach them something. Energy efficiency reaches many parts of our lives, and our home is one of them. Lighting is one of the things that many can save on if they take pay attention to it. AF BEEP experts emphasize the importance of conscientious energy use, turning off lights when no one is in the room. One of the alternative light sources are candles, which are an increasingly popular gift nowadays. So why not make them yourself? Make sure you use natural ingredients, and all you need are wax, candle wicks, a mold, and an old pot. And to make your candle even more special, you can add some essential oils you like. The person you give the candles to will remember you every time they light a candle and smell a pleasant scent.

In addition to gifts, don’t forget to be imaginative and eco-friendly when it comes to packaging as well, so make sure to use recycled paper or even old newspapers. Think of your loved ones and save the planet!

Air pollution is the result of the presence of solid particles and gas mixture in the air. In addition to well-known air pollution sources, such as car emissions, chemicals from factories, dust, pollen, and mold, many smaller ones are located in our homes or around them. Most of these sources, such as lawnmowers, dry cleaners, yard fires, tinsmith shops, or construction sites, are located in our immediate vicinity. Precisely because of this and the fact that they are considered minor pollutants, they are often neglected, despite the fact that total emissions from these sources are as significant as those from industrial ones. If we add the fact that inhalation of some of these air pollutants can contribute to health problems, it is clear that it is the duty of each individual to contribute to the maximum reduction of air pollution. Therefore, we bring you a few tips with which you can contribute to creating a healthier environment for all.

Reduce vehicle use

Although modern vehicles emit significantly fewer harmful particles than was the case before, they still represent one of the major air pollutants. Because of that, skip the car ride and use an alternative mode of transport – bicycle, electric vehicle, electric scooter, or opt for the so-called carpooling, or sharing a car with friends.

Maintain your car regularly

Car service is one of the important steps towards ensuring the health of your pet, but also the environment. That is why it is advisable to check the tire pressure monthly, but also to regularly maintain the exhaust system.

Don’t burn your trash

Burning trash is dangerous for your health but also the environment, and in some countries, it is even against the law. Instead, dispose of the waste in the recommended places, and if you can, choose to recycle. That way, you will further contribute to creating a healthier environment.

Avoid lighting fires in the city

The smoke that results from a burning fire in the city creates unhealthy conditions for hundreds of people, especially during stagnant weather conditions. This is due to the fact that cities have an increased level of air pollution compared to suburban and rural areas, which is why even less noticeable sources of pollution are extremely significant. In case a fire is necessary, use only dry firewood, and avoid periods when air quality warnings are in force.

Plant and nurture trees

Trees are important filters of polluted air, and they absorb carbon dioxide. They also release oxygen into the atmosphere and help cool homes. Therefore, it is important to take care of them, but also to afforest regularly, in order to contribute to the strengthening of this extremely important part of nature.

Use electrical or manual garden maintenance equipment

Gas-powered motors, such as those on lawnmowers or leaf blowers, often don’t have built-in pollution control devices. This is precisely why a lawnmower can produce almost the same amount of pollution as traveling by car for 100 kilometers. Therefore, the next time you buy some of these devices, choose manual or electrical equipment.

Most of us often think about making smart changes in life and finding practical ways to save energy (and money). Even though many of us try to apply “good” behavior practices in all segments of life, we practice them more often in our homes than outside of them. But why not use these good practices every time and everywhere? Some people spend the same amount of time at work as they do at home, so why don’t we treat our workplace the same as our favorite corner at home? By taking care of energy consumption at work, we benefit everyone, more precisely, we behave like good corporate citizens. Corporate citizenship refers to behavior in which an organization demonstrates responsibility towards customers, employees, shareholders and owners, the wider community, and the environment.

In order for you to contribute to energy efficiency in the workplace, experts bring you a few simple tips that will help you save energy and bring positive changes to your work environment.

Turn off artificial and use natural light sources

Artificial light sources consume a lot of energy (and money), while natural light is free. Limit the use of artificial lighting only to parts of the workplace that are out of daylight reach. Use natural light for everything else. Turn off lights in offices, meeting rooms, hallways, or stairs when no one is in the room.

Choose energy-efficient light bulbs

Less energy consumed = less money spent on electricity bills. If your workplace doesn’t receive enough natural light during the day, you can choose less powerful lights. You can replace existing light bulbs with CFL or LED lights. These bulbs consume less energy and last longer. For example, the lifespan of an LED bulb is 20 years, and it saves up to 80% of energy. This type of light bulb consumes 7-8 times less energy than an ordinary light bulb for the same level of illumination.

Turn off devices when they are not being used

Many of us rely on various devices such as computers, laptops, mobile phones, and printers in the workplace, which we often leave on a stand-by option, that is, in standby mode. If the devices are continuously in this state, it can cause up to 10% of the total energy consumption. Only by unplugging the appliance, no energy consumption can be guaranteed. This includes air conditioners, coffee machines, and scanners, especially during weekends or holidays when no one is on the work premises.

Control heating and cooling sources

When it comes to cooling or heating systems, the key thing is to take care of the difference in temperature between the outside and the inside of the workplace. The thermostat is one of the things that will surely make it easier for you to regulate energy consumption because it automatically adjusts the temperature at your workplace when no one is around. Simple things, like keeping doors and windows closed while the heating is on, also help prevent energy waste, as open doors and windows allow heated air to escape and cold air to enter. Also, make sure that your radiators and air conditioners are placed in the right place and that furniture doesn’t block them, as this also affects the efficiency of the device.

Increasing energy efficiency in everyday life is key to fighting climate change. A series of measures applied to reduce energy consumption will help you financially and reduce the negative impact on nature and improve your life quality. Start with yourself and your workplace and spread awareness of energy efficiency to other segments of life.