The Javelin Technologies Blog

Here are a few ways I have changed in how I am doing things this fall.  Try some yourself.

• I only run the dish washer once a week if possible
• Only have lights on if I’m in the room and need them
• Use re-usable bags when grocery shopping now
• Never keep things plugged in
• Started working from home 1-2 times a week to save on gas
• So far have only had my heat on for 1 day (probably easier for me since I live in a condo building!)
• Started using eco-friendly dish detergent
• Make all regular check-ups so my car is in its best condition to drive (tires, oil, etc.)
• Have cut my hydro bill by about 30%
• Use brita instead of bottled water

This year I have made a serious effort to reduce water consumption overall in my house. Everyone on this planet can do their part.

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Not only do I have an “Instant” hot water heater at home but I also make a conscious effort to use cooler water for hand washing or rinsing.

Before I got the new hot water heater I used to just turn on the tap without paying any mind to what the temp setting was.  Since the new heater actually fires up on demand, I became more aware of my use of hot water.  If possible, I now make sure the tap is set to cold before I turn it on.  Thereby saving even more energy as the heater doesn’t fire up.

Here’s an article I found related to this: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/13/health/13real.html?_r=1

We have embraced recycling due to municipal bylaws.  Due to our limit of 1 bag for garbage per week, we are now sending over 75% by volume of our refuse to recycle (blue and green bins).  Many weeks, we have less than a bag full of garbage.  We are also offering items we no longer need (that are in good shape) to friends who re-use the items.

My approach for going green is to make changes and decisions that have positive effects but are realistic to implement and will get results without relying on big changes in behavior. With that mode of operation in mind, here are a few stories for

some the of changes made at the Lee household to make a smaller and smaller footprint.

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My wife has recently started purchasing most of our produce at the Burlington farmers market once a week.  It not only tastes better but it is greener because it has travelled a shorter distance and potentially uses less pesticides or genetically altered seeds.  I would also recommend making an effort to buy what is in the height of the season (i.e. corn and peaches are huge right now and apples are starting to ramp up).

Here is a list of all farmer’s markets in Ontario. I recommend you make a habit to check them out. http://www.farmersmarketsontario.com/markets.cfm

Our family has two teenage boys.  They are athletic sportsy guys but at times they do not have the physical strength to lift their arms to turn off a light switch.  Their parents understand the huge challenges that they have.  It is very difficult waking up a 1:00pm everyday in the summer and their fingers do get exhausted from all the text messages that they send every day.

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Earlier this year, my husband and I took a week off to do some gardening for the first time!  Our front garden did not have anything, just the tree.   To help the environment further, we used corn gluten and pesticide free fertilizer.  Click “More” to see the fruit of our labour.  Read More »

After moving into my new apartment in Halifax, I noticed the powerful water pressure in the shower.  Some people would consider this to be a bonus but I was thinking about the amount of wasted water flowing down the drain.  Of course the fact that the drain is not very good and the tub would always have 2-3 inches of water remaining helped me to see the waste of it all.

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