I have been recycling for a while now, but have just sorted out my bins more efficiently so I now have 3 bins in my kitchen -normal, recycling and compost. The contents of the compost bin gets handed to Sechwayo, the gardener, and he deposits them in my new compost heap. Sechwayo and I spent a day building the compost heap, and I am rather proud of the finished product.
From far, you can't even see it (or smell it, fortunately!!).
Next project, rain water tank. This I now have, but it is not yet connected to the down pipe. Rome wasn't built in a day, you know! Obviously, I only took delivery of the tank after the wettest month of the year was recorded!!! But, seeing as it is STILL not connected, I don't feel too bad. I'll get that done soon (maybe before the next rainy season starts in October!!!).
Onto my new vege garden. This is something the kids and I did together - sort of! We are so pleased with the results, and have already been enjoying some of the herbs. The veges will take a while longer to reap the benefits. What is worrying me is actually controlling it and not letting it get out of hand. Planting is one thing, managing it is another!
Lastly, the solar geyser. WHAT a confusing decision to make. Every single manufacturer has their own story, angle, and pitch about why theirs is the best product and how we shouldn't fall for what the others tell us!! Since the dreadful load shedding happened in early 2008, SA has finally woken up to the fact that alternate forms of water heating should be used. In fact, it should be compulsory for all new houses!! Eskom does offer a rebate of sorts, but I've heard that it is quite a schlep to get, if you get it at all. That was from a company that didn't offer the rebate, of course!!!. Eventually we went with a company called Sun Tank who were around long before load shedding, and don't import from China! We had a 300l geyser installed in-roof (you see, I have all the lingo now!), and after a few hiccups, we are feeling very pleased with the result. Problem is, it was so jolly expensive that it will take us a loooong time to make back our money! Although with Eskom's 25% increases over the next 3 years, it may pay itself off a bit quicker than we think! So after running a 200l and a 150l geyser 24/7, we now have one 300l geyser which we hardly switch on!
My musings on the topic of going green is this:
Everything green (from energy-saving appliances to solar geysers) is so expensive, that being environmentally friendly is only for the very poor who can't afford electricity, or the rich who can afford to use alternatives. For everyone in the middle, energy saving requires far more of a lifestyle sacrifice which, while possible, is much more effort.
