Energy:

- Calculate our carbon footprint by using an online calculator

Try out the Country Energy Efficiency Calculator and read these Energy efficiency tips

- Investigate replacing electric hot water services with a solar hotwater system or heat pump system and apply for a rebate to do so from Local or Federal Government - more info here and here

Learn more about energy ratings
Everyone has a role to play in reducing greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. Choosing an energy efficient appliance is one way to do this while saving money.

- Investigate changing over old lightbulbs and shower heads for free - more info here

Maybe even think about a wind energy option such as Daylesford, Victoria has done

Water:

Eurobodalla Council is offering incentives to water customers to purchase and install various water saving devices, including rainwater tanks and washing machines - More information here.

Research house annual water use

Everything you need to know about rainwater tanks

Waste:

* Say no to plastic bags – an estimated 50-80 million bags end up in our environment as rubbish each year. ....visit Planet Ark or CleanUp for more info on plastic bags

o http://www.esc.nsw.gov.au/services/eurowaste

* Compost
o http://www.esc.nsw.gov.au/media/9305/Composting%20brochure.pdf
o http://www.resource.nsw.gov.au/data/Easy_Guides/EngCompost2005126.pdf

* Worm farms
o http://www.esc.nsw.gov.au/media/9309/Makeyourownwormfarm.pdf
o http://www.esc.nsw.gov.au/media/9308/howtogainwormform.pdf

* Recycling
o http://www.esc.nsw.gov.au/services/eurowaste
o http://www.livingthing.net.au/
o http://www.planetark.com/index.cfm

* getting rid of other Stuff:

How to dispose of Used Motor Oil safely (28kb)
How to dispose of Cleaners, Medications and Cosmetics safely (86kb)
How to dispose of Paint safely (31kb)
How to dispose of Pesticides safely (43kb)
How to dispose of Solvents safely (25kb)
How to dispose of Wood Preservatives safely (30kb)

In the Garden:

- Establish a vegetable garden so that we can more effectively recycle kitchen waste, paper and garden waste - subscribe to a free online garden magazine

- Establish a Community Garden such as the very sucessful Hawthorn Community Gardens or follow the model put forward by the Australian Community Network

Low water gardening – examples and ideas:
Introduce Native Plants
The Garden of Eden
Some Low Water garden case studies

Tuross is working on establishing its own Community garden

Read more at this link

In the Lake:

practice safe and sustainable fishing in our waterways

Transport:

- consider Car Pooling and look at free sites such as The Car Pool

Walk or Ride our bikes to the shops - explore the Tuross cycleway

Non-toxic Cleaning:

Waste avoidance/minimisation is not just about volume, but about toxicity too. Advertising makes
us believe that chemical cleaning products are safe but do we really understand their effects
on our health?

Do we really need a different chemical cleaning agent for each job?

The following websites allow you to explore some alternative cleaning methods that are not only
cheaper but have less impact on our health and our environment. For more info click here and here