Use reusable containers for food storage instead of wrapping food in foil or plastic wrap. Use rags to wipe up spills instead of paper towels, and use biodegradable wax paper and bags.

 

* Maximize computer efficiency
 
Computers especially in the business sector unnecessarily waste millions of dollars worth of electricity a year.
Make it a habit to turn off your computer—and the power strip it's plugged into. Otherwise, you're still burning energy even if you're not burning the midnight oil. During the day, setting your computer to go to sleep automatically during short breaks can cut energy use by 70 percent. Remember, screen savers don't save energy.
    
* Recycle, Recycle, Recycle.......
 
Make it a habit to recycle everything you can, just about any kind of paper, glass and plastic can be recycled these days. 

* Go paperless when possible
 
Make it a habit to think before you print: could this be read or stored online instead? When you receive unwanted catalogues, newsletters, magazines, or junk mail, request to be removed from the mailing list before you recycle the item.  The average office worker goes through 10,000 sheets of copy paper a year. So much for paper free offices with introduction of computers!  Make it a habit to print on both sides or use the back side of old documents for faxes, scrap paper, or drafts. Avoid colour printing and print in draft mode whenever feasible. Any scrap paper can be reused for notes otherwise make sure you recycle the unwanted paper  

* Clean or replace air filters on A/C

Do this at least once a month. During hot weather, a central air conditioner can account for 30 percent of your energy bill. A clean air filter improves system efficiency, which should lead to energy savings. The recommended thermostat setting is around 24C. Every degree you raise your thermostat can result in a 5 percent savings on the cost of cooling your home
 

* Save water - do full loads

An average family of four washes about 540 loads of laundry a year, which consumes up to 21,000 gallons of water. Most of the energy consumed by washers goes toward heating the water, about 90 percent in the clothes washer. Combining half-loads, choosing short cycles, and using cold or warm rather than hot water in the clothes washer racks up savings.

* Recyclable shopping bags

No excuse with this one! Organic Foods and Café were the first in the UAE to introduce cotton bags and now Carrefour and other supermarkets are getting in on the act. Just make sure you keep these in the back of the car so if you decide to go to the supermarket while you are out you will never be caught short!
 
 

It may seem like most of the above may seem like they won't make a difference when you are just one person...but you will be surprised, every initiative helps and changes your carbon footprint on the planet...