Save the Planet

Gardens are a major water user, soaking up to 35 per cent of total household water use in some areas. Planting a water-wise garden using native plants is one of the most practical ways to save water and money. Not only do native plants provide good habitat and food sources for birds and other organisms, they are generally adapted to Australia’s dry climate, so require less water than exotic plant species.

Contact your local council or local nursery for information on plant selection and water smart garden design.

Passenger vehicles in Australia produce almost 46 million tonnes of greenhouse pollution a year and are a major contributor to air pollution in urban areas.

By leaving your car at home and using ‘active transport’ – any journey that relies more on walking, cycling and using public transport – both you and our environment can breathe easier.

Visit www.goforyourlife.vic.gov.au or www.travelsmart.vic.gov.au for more information on active transport, or www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au or www.viclink.com.au for public transport information.

Recycling is great, but avoiding waste in the first place is even better.
Next time you go shopping, choose the products with the least packaging, or packaging made from recycled materials.

Over half of our household garbage is made up of food and garden waste, most of which could be put in the compost or worm farms instead of going to landfill.

Composting can convert the waste into rich soil that can be used to make your garden grow. The process only takes a couple of weeks.

If you’re in the market for a new appliance like a washing machine, fridge or air conditioner then consider buying an energy or water efficient model.

They often cost a little more than standard appliances, but save you money in the long term through smaller bills.
Energy efficiency rating labels from zero to six stars help you determine the efficiency and running costs of different models. An improvement of only 1 star can mean savings of around ten percent on running costs.

Instead, for water efficient appliances look for as many A's as possible, to help Victoria go easy on this precious resource.

Over 90 per cent of our electricity is generated by burning coal, which creates greenhouse pollution and contributes to climate change.

Green Power is government accredited clean, renewable energy sourced from the sun, the wind, water and waste. Green Power produces no greenhouse pollution and is purchased on your behalf by your electricity company.

It only costs a small amount - $3–4 extra a week - to purchase 100 per cent accredited Green Power, but it makes a significant contribution to our environment.

Contact your electricity supplier to make the switch to Green Power, and a cleaner, brighter future.

Saving energy is one of the best ways you can reduce greenhouse pollution, which is accelerating climate change.

Leaving televisions, stereos and other appliances on standby accounts for around 12 per cent of electricity, and costs Victorian households about $125 million each year. Switching appliances off at the power point when not in use could save you around $100 a year.

Also, try and look for products with an Energy Star standard, which indicates that they have a low standby power consumption. Energy Star compliant home electronics products consume up to 75% less energy in standby mode than standard products do.

Australians use around 6.4 billion plastic bags a year, and can take hundreds of years to break down in our environment.

Switch to reusable calico, string or ‘green’ bags, or reuse your old plastic bags when you go shopping.

Water is precious. We need to use it wisely.
By reducing your time in the shower from seven minutes to four, you could save over 25,000 litres a year.

On top of that, by installing a water efficient shower rose, which can cost as little as $20 at your local hardware store, you can reduce water use by another 20 per cent.

The Victorian Government is offering rebates on water-saving shower heads.