What’s Your Green New Year’s Resolution?

2009 is well underway and the year will bring with it many opportunities to embrace green thinking. And what better way to introduce the first Green Building Voice for 2009 than with some green New Year's resolutions?

The Green Building Council of Australia team believes green building means a commitment to green living. We already work by the motto "reduce, reuse and recycle", but this year, we're looking at extra ways we can minimise our collective carbon footprint.

So, here are some of the New Year's resolutions the team have committed to this year.

1. I'll clear out the clutter

While our purchases keep the economy going, most of us buy far more than we need. Packaging, waste and pollution are created to make these items available to us. It's time to clean out and then stop collecting!

2. I'll unplug my electronic devices at the wall

Stand-by mode in electrical appliances consumes up to 15 per cent of their total power consumption. This means anything that requires power to operate - including TVs, printers, photocopiers, monitors and modems - must be switched off at the wall.

3. I'll drink for free what the bottled water companies try to sell me

Each year, Australians spend more than half a billion dollars a year on bottled water! In fact, Australia's annual use of bottled water generates more than 60,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions - the same amount that 13,000 cars generate over the course of a year. Astounding when you think H2O is readily available from your tap. Instead, buy an eco-chic reusable stainless steel bottle, and refill it throughout the day -- for free.

4. I'll remember to take my green bags when I go shopping

This one is so easy! And yet, Australians use 4 billion plastic bags each year, Most of these end up in landfill, where they take hundreds of years to decompose. So, this year say no to plastic bags.

5. I'll car-pool one day a week.

If you drive 25 kilometres to work every day, this trip will produce up to 3.1 tonnes of greenhouse gases annually, as well as urban air pollutants. Instead, take a day off from road rage and carpool or take public transport. You'll save on fuel, tolls and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by removing cars from the road.

6. I'll plant a water efficient garden.

Up to half the average household water use - as much as 140,000 litres a year - is spent watering the garden and lawn. So, let's dig up the lawn, buy some new drought-hardy natives and put mulch on those garden beds! Mulching alone can cut wastewater by 70 per cent and improve the health of your garden.

So, what's your green New Year's resolution? Share it with us by emailing us info@gbca.org.au and we'll publish our favourites in the next issue of Green Building Voice.

Romilly Madew
Chief Executive
Green Building Council of Australia