Lucknow,

5 June (HS): No action is too small when it comes to standing up for the

environment. Especially at a time when the world is facing the multidimensional

crises of pollution, biodiversity loss and climate change. Closer home,

disturbing statistics emerged in December last year when data presented in the

Rajya Sabha reported a surge in electronic waste (e-waste) over the past five

years, rising from 1.01 million metric tonnes in 2019-20 to 1.751 million

metric tonnes in 2023-24. This World Environment Day (June 5), a firm resolve

to take a few thoughtful actions can help us contribute towards incremental

change.

Here

are five tips from Sushil Motwani (Founder of Aytexcel Pvt. Ltd and the

official India representative of Formovie) to make your home greener and

healthier:

Rethink

Your Entertainment Devices: Did you know that large screen TVs, when discarded

improperly, can harm the environment due to hazardous materials like mercury?

Older models have toxic substances like lead that can contaminate soil and

water and put ecosystems at risk. Not all components of TVs can be recycled

easily either and one way to proactively manage e-waste is to invest in

greener, eco-sensitive devices and to responsibly dispose and recycle old

electronics. New age projectors, especially those using LED or laser light

sources, offer more green benefits in comparison. For instance, projectors from

Formovie—like the Cinema Edge, Theatre Premium, Xming Episode One, and Page

One— boast lower energy consumption and are better for eye health as they

minimise blue light exposure. Modern projectors often use eco-friendly

materials as well as green manufacturing processes, reducing carbon footprint

substantially. They also generate less heat and require minimal maintenance.

Switch

to Energy-Efficient Lighting and Appliances: Energy-efficient lighting and

appliances can reduce not only energy bills but also minimise carbon footprint.

LED bulbs and Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) consume less energy than

traditional incandescent bulbs and last much longer. Electrical appliances with

BEE Star Label indicate energy efficiency standards. Choose dishwashers and

washing machines that use lesser quantities of water. It is also important that

we unplug devices when they are not in use. Solar photovoltaic panels are a

practical choice too as they can cater to different energy needs in our homes.

Say

'No' to Single-Use Plastics: Over three years ago, India imposed a nationwide

ban on single-use plastics (SUP) but is still the world’s fifth-largest

generator of plastic waste, producing approximately 3.5 million tonnes every

year. A large number of people continue to rely on plastic bags to carry

groceries. The only way to prevent straws, disposable cutlery, water bottles

and multilayered packaging from ending up in landfills, rivers and oceans, is

to refuse single-use plastics. Plastics have a far reaching impact on the

environment and have infiltrated even our food chain. By carrying our own

shopping bags, cutlery, steel bottles and coffee mugs on the go, we can cut

down on the amount of plastic we personally generate on a daily basis.

Conserve Water: ater is a finite resource so

let us be smart with water usage and consumption. And because every drop of

water is precious, we must fix leaking taps, use water-efficient faucets as

well as showerheads. We could also explore rainwater harvesting methods and

reuse water from rinsing vegetables etc to drench our plants. Any water that

has been used at home (except water from toilets), can be reused in the garden.

It is also wise to water your lawn only when needed with a deep-soak. This

entails watering the lawn long enough for water to reach the roots where it is

most needed. Watering the plants during the cooler parts of the day is better

as the moisture will not evaporate in the heat.

Rely

On the Three R's: The simple tenets of 'Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle' can

transform our resource consumption patterns and the way we generate waste. We

can consciously choose to reduce our consumption of fast fashion, minimise online

shopping and buy only essential things with less packaging. We can reuse old

objects by tweaking their usage. Ideas like recycling denim to make tote bags,

using vintage fabrics to make clothing or wall panels, repairing electronics

rather than throwing them, upcycling furniture, turning bottles into lamps are

gaining traction today and for good reason. Finding new ways to use old things

that would otherwise be discarded, is good for the environment. Recycling waste

materials creatively is the need of the hour and can reduce the impact of human

activities on the environment.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi