TheRuss.eco

I've been keenly aware of environmental and oil-depletion issues since about 2003. You might say that ever since watching The Corporation; a documentary I was introduced to by a flatmate while living in North London, my life, or at least my daily outlook on it - changed dramatically.

I now do and read all I can on environmnetal issues; I have written letters and emails to friends, journalists and ministers commenting on policy and news articles. Myself and my girlfriend incorporate environmentally-orientated thinking to much of what we do, like grocery shopping, home improvements and driving habits.

Below is a list of all the things I do, and am planning on doing in the future with regard to becoming less wasteful and more efficient. I do not see these actions as many unfortunately do - as reducing my quality of life. I don't believe anybody has ever said that in order to increase a quality of life, one needs to waste more. That's just laziness or complancy or a mixture of the two in my opionion, something I can and have been as guilty of as anyone else - but for the past two years or so, is something I have been attending to, both in my life and to an obviousely lesser extent in those of my friends and family.

I will be periodically modifying this page as I come up with further ideas. Thanks for reading.

What TheRuss Has Done and is Doing:

  • At Home:
    • Recycling:
      • (Weekly doorstep collection) Plastics (Only types 1 & 2 collected in Wellington City at present, but as soon as markets are found for other types, coucnil will collect them).
      • (Weekly doorstep collection) paper, card, cardboard, envelopes and paper/card packaging.
      • (Weekly doorstep collection) cans & food-tins.
      • (Weekly doorstep collection) Glass bottles & jars.
      • (Periodic recycling centre visit) Batteries and unwanted, broken electronics
      • (Periodic drop-off at allotted bins) Unwanted clothing and Shoes.
      • (Periodic collection by the Sallies) Furniture and unwanted electronics.
    • Energy Use:
      • Eco Bulbs throughout the house
      • Phone chargers, TVs, Computer and lights switched off at the wall when not in use
      • Switched my electricity supplier to Meridian Energy. (They generate electricity from 100% renewable sources, and have recently been certified a carbon neutral organisation by carboNZero.
  • At Work:
    • Recycling:
      • Everyone has a paper recycling box in their office.
      • (Weekly collection) Each corridor/section has a wheelie bin for paper and one for glass/plastics/metal.
    • Energy Use:
      • Turn my monitor and office lights off during breaks, or when I'm out for longer than 15 minutes. Encourage others to do the same.
      • Turn out lights in toilets when not in use. Encourage others to do the same.
    • Other:
      • I am a member of the GNS Eco Footprint reduction working group, working towards practical steps in increasing energy efficiency and waste reduction across the three GNS sites across new Zealand.

What TheRuss Will be doing in the coming months:

  • At Home:
    • Recycling:
      • (Periodic drop-off at work when facilties exist) Type 6 plastics (EPS - ExPanded Polystyrene).
    • Energy Use:
      • Purchasing a digital realtime energy-usage meter to monitor KWh usage and carbon output (see here).
      • Double glazing the more important windows in the house (Those that are either in need of replacement and/or are situated in the main living areas - it's bloody expensive you know!)
      • Re-insulating the attic (insulation compacts over time and reduces its R-Value)
      • Retrofitting wall insulation as I re-fit and redecorate each room.
  • At Work:
    • Recycling:
      • As part of the working group, introducing composting to the Avalon Site (largest GNS site; 300+ employees)
      • As part of the working group, introducing EPS recycling. (The local company that takes it, re-extrudes it with only a 5% waste margin into home underfloor insulation, it's also the same price as sending it to landfill).
    • Energy Use:
      • As part of the working group, making it policy to introduce motion sensors in public areas such as washrooms, toilets and corridors to decrease energy used in lighting.

What TheRuss Will be doing in the coming year(s):

  • At Home:
    • Energy Use:
      • Installing further insulation.
      • Installing solar hot water heating.
      • Installing a highly efficient wood-burner (<= 1g/1kg of soot & smoke per quantity of wood burned).
    • Water Usage
      • Using waste or grey water to flush the toilet with. Why on earth do I (or does anybody) need to use fresh, clean water to flush their poo down the toilet..?