My DIDJ Footprint is an iDIDJ Australia initiative focused on behaviours we can alter and actions we can take. Cultural integrity, environmental impacts, and sustainability issues are presented.
Consumers
Re-use and recycle, think global act local, food miles, didgeridoo miles. do you make your own didgeridoo from local cheap materials with minimal energy, water and carbon footprint? Or are your didgeridoos imported?
Producers
Local timber used? Harmful chemicals used? The true cost of chemicals used such as varnishes, epoxies, glues, sealants, and paints. How much energy consumed to make per didgeridoo and the breakdown of it in terms of component consisting of 1) grid or local generator electricity 2) human biomechanical energy. Is your production method more of an industrial process with heavy machinery use or more of an artisanal activity using hand tools or a combination of the two?
Performers
Teachers
Retailers
Community Organisations
Water Actions
Read through the sustainability actions below and tick the actions that you have already completed; Then decide on some new actions to commit to – so tick some new actions – or add your own new actions in the custom action areas below. If you do not wish to do some actions or if they are not relevant to you, just leave them blank. When you have completed or committed to 12 or more actions you will earn your online badge! Simple.
Choose AAA or higher water efficient appliances
Check for leaking taps and fittings – both inside and outside your home
Install a rainwater tank
Use a water saving shower head ie, AAA 7-9 L/minute
Turn the tap off when brushing your teeth
Take shorter showers and use a shower timer – 4 minutes and less
Divert your water from your washing machine to be used on your non edible garden plants (not veggie garden!)
Collect water in a bucket from shower while water is heating (can be used to flush toilet or on garden)
Wash fruit/vegetables in a bowl, then reuse the water on the garden
Use greywater safe detergents and cleaning products in the kitchen, laundry and bathroom
Use dishwasher and washing machine only when you have a full load
Use a dual flush toilet – and only flush when necessary
Use a trigger nozzle to water your garden
Only water your garden on your allowed days (see water restrictions) and before or after sunset
Plant your garden with local, native plants or drought tolerant species eg. succulents as well as plant vegies and fruit trees
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Energy Action
When replacing appliances, if possible choose electrical appliances with 4 stars or higher energy rating
Lighting – use compact fluorescent or LED bulbs
Insulate your home – ceiling (you can also do your floor and walls)-min 3.7R for Ceiling, Min R2.2 for Walls
Install draught/weather proofing around windows and doors & draught stopper over ceiling exhaust fans
Install external shading or deciduous tree to north, east and west windows
Use curtains and external blinds to block out radiant heat from sunlight on hot days and to keep house warm in winter.
Zone your heating and cooling – ie only heat or cool that rooms that are being used and close off other areas
For cooling use a fan – rather than air conditioner (evap or refridge)
For summer cooling set temperature to between 24-27 deg
Choose an efficient heating system – gas is more efficient than electric (choose a high efficiency heating system – at least 4.5 star)
For winter heating set temperature to between 18 -21 deg
Switch your home to Government Accredited 100% GreenPower
Install solar panels and sell electricity back to the grid!
Turn off electronic appliances at power point – do not leave on standby
Use an efficient hot water system eg. gas instantaneous, solar (gas boosted) or electric heat pump
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Sustainable Transport Action
Walk trips under 1km
Use your bike for trips under 5kms
Encourage children to walk/ride to school
Use public transport – trams, trains and buses
Avoid one person car trips whenever possible
Avoid short car trips
Car pool to work/events
Avoid unnecessary car trips – combine multiple tasks in the one car trip
Consider using a car sharing company rather than buying a car
Consider down-sizing your car (eg. from a 6 cylinder to a 4 cylinder)
Buy a second-hand car to avoid the added resource use to produce a new car
Look for fuel efficient options when buying a car eg. 4-cylinder, hybrid or electric vehicle
Regularly service your car
Offset your flights at a reputable site that invests in renewable energy technologies
Avoid air travel as much as possible eg. holiday locally
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Gardening Actions
Record sun/shade, slope and soil variation in your garden and plant accordingly
Group plants according to their water, sun and soil needs
Create habitat using logs, ponds, dense foliage, nectar producing plants and nest boxes
Regularly add organic matter (compost/manure/seaweed ) to your soil
Compost or mulch lawn clippings and prunings rather than add to landfill
Use mulch on garden beds to reduce water loss
Retain rainwater in your garden using permeable surfaces, ponds and rain gardens
Use local indigenous plants as they use less water and attract wildlife
Remove invasive weeds from your garden before they spread
Avoid chemical sprays as they kill beneficial insects use companion planting techniques instead
Avoid synthetic fertilizers as they can burn roots and often environmentally harmful to produce
Make garden beds bigger and lawns smaller
Have a dedicated rain water tank for watering the garden
Water efficiently, don’t water if rain is expected
Use greywater from the home eg. from washing machine on plants (but not on veggie garden)
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Sustainable Food Actions
Only buy seasonal produce
Grow fruit, vegetables and herbs at home
Share your excess produce with your neighbours/ friends
Learn how to preserve your produce
Choose locally grown/produced food – consider the ‘food miles’ of everything you buy
Eat less meat and dairy
Buy certified organic products if possible eg. eggs and leafy greens
Use a community garden
Choose less processed foods
Get involved in a local food swap
Join a local food co-op
Eat less seafood and choose sustainable and local options – refer to the AMCS Sustainbale Seafood Guide.
Buy certified fair trade products where appropriate eg. coffee and chocolate
Save your seeds from your veggie garden and swap with friends or join a seed bank/swap
Check labels to avoid genetically modified ingredients eg. canola oil. And unethical food eg. unsustainable Palm Oil
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Rubbish & Recycling Actions
Avoid creating waste – by only buying what you really need
Buy second-hand items rather than new
Repair rather than replace
Use your own reusable shopping bags and avoid plastic bags
When shopping, avoid unnecessary packaging
Use your recycle bin and recycle all you can – paper, cardboard, tins, cans, glass bottles and jars, hard plastics (types 1-7)
Recycle electrical waste, mobile phones, batteries, light globes, cds, toner and ink cartridges
Buy good quality items – so that they will last – with good after market manufacturer support
Buy in bulk to avoid excess individual packaging
Recycle your green garden waste in your green waste bin or home compost bin
Recycle your own food waste using a compost bin/bokashi bin, worm farm or a green cone
Opt out of receiving a paper telephone directory eg. yellow pages
Opt out of receiving paper bills from service providers eg. banks, receive these electronically instead
Store information electronically, go paperless
Consider the embodied energy and water in the products that you buy
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** Above actions adapted from www.sustainablecommunities.vic.gov.au/
My DIDJ Footprint is an iDIDJ Australia initiative focused on behaviours we can alter and actions we can take. Cultural integrity, environmental impacts, and sustainability issues are presented.