People across the world are becoming increasingly aware of what it means to go “green.” This term is no longer reserved for hippies and tree huggers, but is something each and every one of us should not only be familiar with, but also be incorporating in our lives. Living green does not mean you have to run out and buy a hybrid car; there are lots of simple things you can do each day that will make a difference. Water, electricity and recycling are three of the major components to living green and no matter where you live, there are ways to be proactive in reducing your consumption and reusing resources.
I have always considered myself a green minded person, but living in the Bahamas has definitely increased my awareness of changes to make in my house and in my life. I grew up with well water and was naive to the fact that people have to pay for their water in places. In Bimini we pay for water and it is not cheap nor is there an endless supply. There is a reverse osmosis water plant, which turns seawater into drinkable water for those who are linked to “town” water. Those who are not piped into the plant have cisterns, meaning they collect rainwater to shower, run toilets and wash dishes. Whether you get water from the plant or from cisterns, there are several ways you can reduce water use, which in turn reduces energy use and cost.
WATER
1. Water Efficient Fixtures: Most home improvement and department stores now offer a wide range of energy and water efficient fixtures and appliances. They range in price, but you do not have to break the bank to reduce your use of water. We changed all our taps and our showerhead and noticed an immediate difference. We still get great water pressure because of the bubbling effect, which maintains pressure while using less water. Yes, this is an initial upfront cost, but overtime you will save money and save water!
2. Bricks: Put a brick in the water tank of your toilet. This takes up space, reducing the amount of water needed to fill the tank after each flush. Also listen to your toilet and make sure it is not constantly running. A faulty toilet will literally flush money and water down the drain.
3. Be Mindful: Don’t get me wrong, I love long hot showers, but they are not a luxury we afford ourselves in Bimini. It is amazing how much water you can save by shutting it off while you shave, condition your hair or brush your teeth.
ELECTRICITY
1. Energy Efficient Appliances and Electronics: Again, most home improvement and department stores now offer a wide range of energy efficient electronics and appliances. They even have a fancy sticker advertising this to make it easy for the consumer.
2. Off and Unplug: This is probably the easiest thing you can do to be green; turn the lights off. When you leave a room shut the lights and the fan off. Unplug coffee makers, cell phone charges or toasters when they are not in use. Every little bit counts and these all draw “phantom power” even when turned off, but still plugged in.
Air conditioning is a must, especially during the summer months in the Bahamas, but you can still be eco minded when running them. If you are going to be out all day set your AC to a higher temperature. Do you really need the house at 68 degrees when you are not even there? You can also use a timer that sets the unit to go back to a specific temperature after a certain period of time. Ours goes back to 80 degrees every 8 hours. This is great if you are going to be gone for a long period of time or if you rent your home and don’t want it left on 65 degrees for weeks on end.
3. LED & CFL: LED & CFL light bulbs have dropped in price and are a quick and easy solution to reduce electricity use and cost. LED bulbs are more effcient, more durable and last longer than standard bulbs. They are more expensive, but because they last longer it is a much better option in the long run. CFL bulbs are also more expensive than standard bulbs, but again they reduce electricity use and last longer. CFL bulbs also reduce air and water pollution. Replacing a standard bulb with a CFL bulb will keep approximately half a ton of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere over the life of the bulb.
4. Solar Panels: There are a wide range of options in this category from tiny lights to large roof panels. We have small solar powered lights for our patio and they work great. They make really fun ones for walkways and outdoor areas as well. You can get solar powered fans or small solar power generators that can run small appliances.
5. Hang Out: We have beautiful weather most of the year in the Bahamas so clothes dry really quickly. Our dryer is old and does not work that well, so we hang all of our laundry out to dry. It takes a bit more effort than shoving clothes in the dryer, but it has made a difference in our electric bills.
RECYCLING
It has been a challenge trying to recycle in Bimini, especially when I am so use to recycling everything from paper to cans and bottles. Between recycling and composting, we hardly had any trash. We have had to get creative on the island, but have come up with some pretty good ideas on how to reuse items.
1. Plastic: We try to avoid plastic altogether. If we do buy something then we usually keep the container to use for storage of some kind. Peanut butter jars are great for coins, screws or other items. We do not buy bottles of water, but instead use our own reusable bottles. We take canvas bags to put our groceries in, which cuts down on plastic bags and makes the journey from the north island to the south a lot easier. If we do get plastic bags we use them in the bathroom trashcan.
2. Glass: Glass jars can be used as drinking glasses for a fun an eco friendly option. They are great for storage of a wide range of items. One of my favorite ideas came from a friend who recommended storing raisins in a glass jar after opening. Raisins get hard once the bag or box gets open and they also get very sticky in the heat of the Bahamas. The jar solves all of these issues. I also store hummus and salad dressings in glass.
A lot of the islands offer recycling for bottles and soda cans, which is great if you have that option. I also know people who fly their recyclables back to the states with them to dispose of. Tje Bimini Sands Resort on the south island of Bimini just became a Blue Flag marina, which means there is now a recycling option for beer bottles (Kalik, Guinness & Heineken), aluminum cans (soda & beer) and plastic bags. I love taking my bag of stuff down to the marina and depositing in the appropriate bin. Yes, I am a nerd.
COMPOSTING
Food scraps can be stored in a bucket on your patio or in a larger container if you have a yard. It makes great fertilizer for gardens or potted plants. We also save food scraps for some of the neighborhood dogs that are looked after, but don’t have owners.
If you are visiting the Bahamas these are also things be conscious of because your actions impact the people who live on these islands. Be courteous and make an effort to find out local options for recycling, bring canvas bags and definitely do NOT liter on land or in the water.
Living green does not mean remodeling your whole house or buying a brand new car, it means simply rethinking how you do everyday things and making slight changes. Of course you can do it on a grand scale, but you don’t have be drastic to make a difference.