TheRuss.eco

I've been keenly aware of environmental and oil-depletion related 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 parner Tasia 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 myself and my partner do, and are 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 last few years, is something I have been attending to, both in my life and to an obviousely lesser extent in those of my friends and family.

What TheRuss Has Done and is Doing:

  • At Home:
    • Recycling:
      • Recycling all plastics
      • Recycling paper, card, cardboard, envelopes and paper/card packaging.
      • Recycling cans & food-tins.
      • Recycling Glass bottles & jars.
      • Recycling batteries and unwanted, broken electronics
      • Giving away unwanted clothing and Shoes.
      • Giving away old furniture and unwanted electronics.
    • Energy Use:
      • Compact fluorescent bulbs throughout the house
      • Phone chargers, TVs, Computer and lights switched off at the wall when not in use
      • Switched 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.
      • 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 chair the GNS Sustainability Committee. In the 3 years I have been a committee member we have introduced the recycling of: plastics, metals, paper, toner, polystyrene, glass, strip lights, batteries. Undergone a waste-audit, and carbon footprint profiling exercise.

What else is TheRuss doing?

With my partner, Tasia, we are building an energy efficient home in the beautiful Kapiti district. For more, have a look at the blog or the full profile at Ecobob.