12 Steps to Reduce Waste

Easy ways to live an eco-friendly life
by Sara Eckel

You turn out the lights when you leave the room, and diligently set your bundles of newspapers and rinsed bottles on the curb. But are you doing everything you could to reduce waste? Allen Hershkowitz, PhD, a senior scientist at the Natural Resources Defense Council, says that living an eco-friendly life is easier than you might think. "If you operate efficiently, you both reduce waste and save money. There's really no reason not to do it," says Hershkowitz. Convinced? Here are 12 great ways to get started.

1. Buy a battery recharger. "Batteries contain dangerous metals that aren't combustible and shouldn't go in a landfill," says Hershkowitz. Over time, the charger will pay for itself, since you'll no longer shell out for new batteries every time your Walkman runs out of juice.
2. Ditch the paper towels and napkins. Hershkowitz says that the paper industry is the number-one consumer of fresh water and the number-one industrial cause of deforestation. Do your part by using cloth napkins, dishtowels and sponges in the kitchen and dining room.
3. Keep your tires properly inflated. Your car will run more efficiently, using less gas and emitting fewer pollutants.
4. Patronize local businesses. When you buy from stores that get their products locally, like farmers markets and food co-ops, you're supporting companies that don't waste precious natural resources by shipping products across the country. "You're also supporting your local economy," says Jim Merkle, author of Radical Simplicity: Small Footprints on a Finite Earth (New Society Publishers, 2003).
5. Pack refillable juice boxes in your kids' lunches. "You can buy them for $1 at bargain stores, instead of using disposable juice boxes," says Hershkowitz. "It saves paper, plastic and money." Set a good example for the kids by bringing a coffee cup to work, or finding a coffee shop that will refill a travel mug.
6. Keep your lawn pesticide free. You won't pollute water, and you may safeguard your children's health. "There's a documented increase in child leukemia in homes that use pesticides on their lawn, and there is an even greater incidence in homes that use them indoors," says Hershkowitz, who has maintained a healthy lawn for 15 years without pesticides.
7. Shop at thrift stores and tag sales. Whenever you opt for used clothing, appliances or furniture, you're not just saving cash. You're also reducing the demand for newly manufactured products. "We're a wasteful society, and it's good to make use of that waste," says Merkle.
8. Install a low-flow showerhead. "This is a high-efficiency showerhead," says Hershkowitz. "It will perform as well as a standard showerhead but uses less water."
9. Reduce the office paper jam. One-third of all our garbage is paper, says Hershkowitz. Making double-sided photocopies and printing on the back side of used paper goes a long way.
10. Get a bike. Do you drive five minutes to pick up a loaf of bread at the supermarket? Hershkowitz says that 25 percent of all car trips are less than a mile. By riding a bike or ‑- egads! ‑- walking for short trips, you'll save energy and money, and you just might slim down in time for swimsuit season.
11. Put a big shade tree in front of your house. "It will keep your home cooler, and you won't need to use the air conditioning as much," says Merkle.
12. Look for the recycling symbol on toilet paper and tissues. The manufacturing process for making paper from other paper products is less wasteful than making it straight from trees. "Don't buy Kleenex that's made from 100 percent virgin trees," says Hershkowitz, who points out that Marcal, Seventh Generation and CVS are all made from post-consumer recycled paper.

The 12 Aha's of Happiness

"Honor your health. Make time everyday to tend to your body, mind, and spirit."

One of the things that people can overlook is addressing the 3 parts of themselves daily. It doesn't have to take long— can just be a few minutes where you address all 3 parts of you— your brain, body and heart. One of the ways Michelle DeAngelis suggests people do this is by creating a space where they can express gratitude for their health, visualize a happy and healthy heart and stretch. She emphasizes that it doesn't have to take long but it is a very important thing to do

"Start. Do it now!"

A lot of people live in fear! That fear can be paralyzing and can prevent you from getting out of the starting block. Michelle DeAngelis suggests just taking a baby step. People are reluctant to start because they don't know their exact target. DeAngelis' suggestion is to just get into motion because once you get into motion other doors start opening, things start happen and your view changes so just start and get out the gate today!

"Thoughts are things. Are you creating the life you want?"

This 'aha' is to remind people that they can manage their thoughts to create the life they want rather than letting their thoughts manage them. Become aware that your thoughts, words and actions affect your world and then become aware that you can learn how to take control of those thoughts. Don't let the mental chatter run away with you.

"Speak your word. Mean it."

This is more of an issue for women than for men beacuse women tend to be reluctant to speak up for what they really believe in certain circumstances but men also often times will not speak their word. A lot of people are not trained how to speak their beliefs in a way that is not an attack on the other person. Express your self gracefully, calmly— get people to start giving their authentic opinion learning how to speak your word in an authentic way that is not harmful to others.

"Love is the basis for everything. Love yourself best and first. Then sprinkle freely."

How do you expect to be able to give love to others if you can not give love to yourself? It's like telling someone how to cook a fancy meal without ever cooking it yourself. While helping client on this particular 'aha' Michelle DeAngelis gets a lot of push back from people because some people think they don't deserve to be loved best and first so there a lot of self worth issues are rised here. People must really work to be compassionate with themselves and then turn that compassion inside out because being that way with themselves allows them to be even better to others.

"We all have Choices. Choose what is right for you while respecting others."

Many people are not aware of the fact that they always have a choice. People need to learn how to become conscious of their choices and to become aware of the choices they are making. Some of the choices might be hard and challenging but there is always a choice to be made. Becoming aware that you have choice will help people to stay away from blaming others and from feelings of resentment or anger with or towards another person.

"Show Up. Be Present."

"Show Up. Be Present" is the 'aha' that works as a reminder for people to show up and use active listening skills. This way people are really there and can experience what is happening in the moment. People who are fully present notice the little things. Being present will help people to avoid the automatic rut experience of life.

"Have Fun! Smile. Laugh. Play. Celebrate."

A lot of people have such a dreadfully low fun factor— they are just really bad at creating fun moments. This one is to remind people what it was like to be on the playground when you were 8 years old. Create a grown up equivalence— identify the things that make you feel light, happy and fun. If you are having a stressful work day discharge that energy by changing your rhythm. Get into a better place by dropping whatever you are doing and do something to really change your energy while having fun with it.

"Give. Be Generous.There is plenty for everyone."

A lot of people tend to think one for you and two for me or I better grab mine while it's there or grab for myself first because there may not be enough to go around. A way to reframe that thought is to realize there is plenty for everyone to go around and then become more giving. Get into service and start giving; even simple things write a note, giving a flower, putting money in stranger's parking meter and you will realize the more you give the more you receive.

"Jump. Risk It. Action banishes Fear."

This 'aha' is similar to "Start. Do it now." Starting is just starting, but jumping is really being willing to follow through with what you want to do and just risk it- jump!- do something big. There are people who benefit from the symbolism of doing something that they could never imagine themselves doing because it lets them know that they are more powerful and have more courage than they thought. Just a matter of getting into action will substantially reduce the fear you are experiencing. If you really want to do something then not doing it will always hold you back— you'll always be in fear. SO risk it— get into action and you will soon experience less fear.

"Release what you don't need or it will slow you down."

People tend to hold onto things they don't need out of fear. It could be weight, a relationship or clothes in your closet you will never wear again. Release it or it will slow you down— stop holding on to things because of fear and because you are afraid of what things will be like when it is gone. Identify what makes you feel bad— just identifying what is weighing you down is the first step to identifying what you need to release to get you closer to JOY! Excess things are just baggage— so get rid of the excess.

"Be grateful. Give thanks."

It is rare that we consciously think I am so grateful to have my health or to have any of the little things in our lives. There are little things and big things that we can be grateful for that we don't always express our thanks and gratitude for. Giving thanks for the little and big things in your life will help you to appreciate them more. That thanks can be to loved ones, a stranger, god or nature— that gratitude can make the wounds of the day heal faster.

"Believe in good things. Have faith!"

This last 'aha' ties into positive thinking— people tend to have a belief about how the world works and it tends to be negative with thoughts like "that will never happen to me" and "'I'm not that lucky". This 'aha' should encourage people to view the fabulous things in their life as a demonstration of faith— a reason to believe good things can happen. If it is something challenging like bad news, people can manage to still be joyful because even in that bad news it is good and important information for them to know.

Exercising Outside

Reviewed by: Marc J. Sicklick, MD, FAAAAI, FACAAI

With a little care, exercising outside is possible for people with allergies. Follow these tips for a more enjoyable workout:

Pay attention to your local pollen reports. If allergen levels are high, it’s probably an indoor exercise day.


Choose the right activities. Continuous exercises (long-distance running, soccer) often trigger more allergy symptoms than stop-and-go activities (swimming, tennis, basketball).


Don’t exercise when you’re sick. Let your body rest and recover. If you force yourself, your allergy symptoms are likely to be much worse, and you’ll take longer to feel better.


Cover up. Wear eyeglasses or sunglasses to protect your eyes from airborne irritants; if pollen counts are high, wear a mask designed to filter allergens from the air. A mask or scarf can also be useful on cold days, because it warms the air that you breathe in.


Find good locations. Avoid areas with traffic and air pollution. If you know that plants you’re sensitive to grow nearby, find another place to exercise.


When you’re finished, wash up. Wash your hands and face as soon as you finish exercising, and wash your hair and bathe as soon as possible. This will get the allergens off of you, so you’re not carrying them around.


Exercise safely. Warm up and cool down for at least 15 minutes before and after any strenuous activity. Pay attention to your body and allergy symptoms. If it feels like you should slow down or stop, do so

PRAMUKA TANPA TEMBAKAU

PRAMUKA TANPA TEMBAKAU,

HIDUP SEHAT SEJAHTERA

Jakarta (13/3), Hidup di lingkungan yang bersih menjadi dambaan dan tuntutan bagi semua pihak. Fenomena ini ditandai dengan banyaknya tuntutan dari berbagai kalangan untuk hidup di lingkungan yang bersih tanpa ada pencemaran.

Demikian pula, hak untuk menghirup udara bersih tanpa paparan asap rokok telah menjadi perhatian dunia. Namun dipihak lain iklan dari produsen rokok kian gencar menghiasi televisi, jalan-jalan protokol atau tamam-taman kota. Tantangan yang cukup berat bagi pemerhati lingkungan dalam menperjuangkan hidup bersih dan sehat, terutama memberi pengertian kepada pecandu berat konsumsi rokok.

Menurut WHO diperkirakan tahun 2030 tingkat kematian dunia akibat konsumsi rokok akan mencapai 10 (sepuluh) juta orang setiap tahunnya dan sekitar 70% terjadi di Negara berkembang termasuk Indonesia. Banyak juga kalangan menyebutkan, bahwa usia perokok di Indonesia semakin tinggi, bahkan sudah merambah anak-anak dibawah umur, seperti anak-anak sekolah dasar (SD).

Rokok dan asap rokok merupakan satu kesatuan yang tak terpisahkan. Membasmi asap rokok tentu harus membasmi atau membatasi ruang perokok. Tidak mudah memang, tapi itu harus diperjuangkan dan perlu kerjasama semua pihak.

Gerakan Pramuka yang bertugas membina kaum muda Indonesia mempunyai peluang besar untuk mengatasi persoalan tersebut. Oleh karena itu, pada akhir bulan Desember 2007, Kwartir Nasional Gerakan Pramuka bekerjasama dengan badan dunia WHO menyelenggarakan Training Of Trainers (TOT) Penanggulangan Masalah Rokok. TOT ini diikuti oleh para Pembina dan Pelatih Pembina Pramuka se-Jawa. Peran Pembina Pramuka benar-benar menjadi peran kunci dalam menjalankan tugas untuk memberikan penyadaran sejak dini kepada peserta didiknya. Upaya penanggulangan yang dimaksud di sini lebih ditekankan pada upaya pencegahan perilaku MEROKOK yang tidak saja mengganggu kesehatan bagi perokok juga bagi orang-orang di sekitarnya.

Sekretaris Jenderal Kwarnas, Dr. Joedyaningsih SW, M.Sc (PH) menegaskan bahwa, Gerakan Pramuka sebagai lembaga pendidikan kaum muda, sekaligus untuk mencegah agar dampak rokok tidak meluas di kalangan masyarakat khususnya anggota Gerakan Pramuka, Kwarnas mengeluarkan ketetapan dalam bentuk Surat Keputusan Ketua Kwarnas Nomor 095 tahun 2007 yang intinya memutuskan: (1) Pembina Pramuka, Pamong, Instruktur, Anggota Dewasa lainnya dan peserta didik tidak dibenarkan merokok pada saat kegiatan kepramukaan. (2) Setiap kegiatan kepramukaan apapun tidak dibenarkan melibatkan sponsorship, reklame, iklan dan sejenisnya dari perusahaan rokok dan turunannya. (3) Setiap kegiatan perkemahan Pramuka di semua tingkatan diupayakan Perkemahan Tanpa Asap Rokok. (4) Menciptakan kantor Kwartir di setiap tingkatan dan Gugusdepan tanpa asap rokok dan secara bertahap diwujudkan menjadi Kawasan Tanpa Rokok (KRT). (5) Setiap anggota Gerakan Pramuka wajib membantu mengambangkan wilayah atau Kawasan Tanpa Rokok. (6) Gerakan Pramuka bersama komponen bangsa lainnya untuk secara konsisten menyelematkan kaum muda dari bahaya adiksi merokok dan turunannya.

Untuk itu, ujar Kak Joedy, tema yang diangkat pada Hari Tanpa Tembakau Sedunia (HTTS) yang jatuh setiap tanggal 31 Mei 2008 relevan diperingati oleh Gerakan Pramuka, apalagi tema HTTS tahun 2008 yaitu "Tobacco Free Youth" dapat memberikan kontribusi positif yang baik bagi kaum muda Indonesia untuk berkampanye jangan mulai untuk merokok.

Begitu pentingnya arti sebuah kesehatan terutama pengaruh dari asap rokok, maka, Kwartir Nasional merasa sangat perlu menyelenggarakan acara ”Sarasehan Bebas Asap Rokok di Lingkungan Gerakan Pramuka” dengan menghadirkan narasumber antara lain DR. Kartono Mohamad yang membawakan materi ”Bahaya asap rokok dapat berawal dari rumah sendiri” dan Fuar Baradja (artis) penyampaian materi ”Kebiasaan merokok dalam masyarakat, khususnya kaum muda”

Harapan Pramuka adalah harapan kita semua dan oleh karenanya perlu mendapat dukungan penuh dari semua kalangan. Berhentilah merokok dari sekarang dan jangan coba-coba merokok bagi yang belum, dijamin hidup anda sehat, sejahtera serta lingkungan kita aman dan nyaman.

Jakarta, 13 Maret 2008

Informasi lebih lanjut hubungi :

1. Karo Abddimas dan Humas, Septembri Yanti, 021-3507645, pst 2209
2. Kabag Humas, Saiko Damai, 0813-1076900, E-mail: saiko_damai@yahoo.com
3. E-mail Kwarnas: kwarnas@pramuka.or.id, dan kwarnas@centrin.net.id