5 Simple ways to start being a greener YOU.

I know most of us have given this a thought - How can I contribute to a greener planet given that I don't want to take too much trouble doing so. If you haven't yet given this a thought then maybe this is a good time to do so. I have at least 5 really simple things you can do and feel much greener about yourself. It is not going to be too hard but it might need you to be more thoughtful and might need some practice as well!

1) Carry your luggage in your own bag! In other words, avoid plastic bags. This is probably not the first time you are reading that. But the fact is this one act can save us much. It you are already taking your own bags to supermarkets, then you have made a start. Just remember to avoid plastic bags in any form and at any place. Read, make note and practice:

a) As far as possible avoid unplanned shopping trips

b) Keep a bag handy in your purse and vehicles

c) Carry enough number of bags.. just in case!

d) Try being an extreme - avoid accepting any plastic bags from friends & family. If it comes to that, tell them why.

2) Stop using plastic bags to dispose your daily garbage. The most common practice of housewives is to dump the daily waste in plastic bags that they have unabashedly demanded & gathered from grocery stores or their local vegetable vendors. It is convenient, I understand but it is a potential environmental disaster. The ubiquitous plastic bag has found a home everywhere.. sea shores, roads, ditches and gardens. Not only that it doesn't make a pretty sight it threatens to choke dogs, cows feeding on them, it catches water not allowing it to seep through and becomes a disease breeding ground. To top it, plastic bags would take decades to degrade. Burning plastic bags generates toxic fumes you don't want to inhale.

3) Segregate your waste. Collect newspapers, milk covers separately and sell it to the local raddi wala. Separate plastic wrappers, batteries, electronic waste (like cds, wires) and give it away at local collection centres.

4) Switch off. When not needed, switch off lights, fans, television sets, chargers!

5)  Instead of taking out your two wheeler or four wheeler to the nearby grocery store, take a walk. Feel the air. If you find the dust and pollution annoying, walk more. Only that can help, not closing your car windows and turning on the A.C! If you can walk or take public transport to work, nothing like it.

Believe me, the above 5 steps are the simplest of the lot. Remember to follow these diligently for a week and soon you'll be doing these without much effort.