Save the sweet summer produce from waste.

Matthew Pember is ready to take over the family sauce-making tradition. Next weekend, his relatives and friends will bring over their tomato crop and renew their annual sugo day. “Making our own tomato sauce has been a tradition ever since I can remember,” he says. “It’s a big event.”

Together with his business partner Fabian Capomolla, Mr Pember runs The Little Veggie Patch Company, which designs and installs and organic backyard vegetable gardens. Both men come from Italian-Australian families. “It’s time for our generation to carry it on, but my Nonna and my parents will be there to lend their expertise.” They’ll convert the season’s ripe tomatoes into sauce that will last through winter, before sitting down to a traditional lunch.

The sauce is simple: boil the tomatoes, remove the skins and seeds (Mr Pember uses a small hand-operated machine), and bottle the pulp. A kilo of tomatoes makes about 750 ml of sauce. “We just add salt and a couple of basil leaves. When you cook the pasta sauce to eat, that’s when you add the oil, garlic and herbs.” The sealed bottles are boiled to stop the sauce fermenting in storage.

“If you look after your plot, this is the most exciting time of year. There’s so much fruit falling off trees – you tend to get a glut of food at the one time, so it’s important to put it to good use,” Mr Pember says.

Even if you’re not a backyard gardener, preserving the summer’s crop brings sweet rewards, according Anna Lohse. She’s the founder of Nanna Technology, a website dedicated to upholding time-honoured skills such as gardening and cooking.

“My garden isn’t well-established yet, so I go to the market and buy cheap fruit and veg in bulk,” she says. “[Recently] I bought boxes of tomatoes, plums, peaches and apricots, and went crazy.” She finished with a battery of bottled fruit, chutneys and jams.

There are many ways to keep your crops, from freezing, bottling and drying, to pickling, salting and juicing. Ms Lohse says first time preservers can’t go wrong with jam. “People think jam is hard, but it’s actually really simple and delicious – it’s basically equal quantities of sugar and fruit. Cook it together until the sugar is dissolved and it gets to a runny, jammy consistency.”

When bottling, you have to be careful with hygiene. One technique is to wash your jars and dry them in a low oven, while bringing the lids to boil in a pot of water. “The rule is to put a hot liquid into hot jars and seal with a hot lid,” she says. “There are all sorts of different ways to do it, but that one is easy and has always worked for me.”

Ms Lohse says preserving means she can eat seasonal fruit and vegetables, but not forgo the best flavours. “In winter I miss some of the produce you can get in summer, so it’s very exciting to open up a jar of peaches in the middle of winter and make a delicious pie or tart.”

She also makes her jams and chutneys for the pure pleasure of taking time over her food. “Preserving is a way for me to slow down and enjoy the produce, and also enjoy a slower life.”

Clear air takes care, especially if you’re building.

Most people think of their homes as havens, but the air quality inside can be far worse than outside, even in a busy city.

Marianne Baker, president of the Australian Society of Building Biologists, says a number of factors diminish air quality, including dust and mould. In recent years, people have also become more aware – and wary – of products containing Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), chemicals containing carbon that slowly ‘offgas’ into the air.

Although few VOCs have been studied in detail, a number of health effects are known. “The symptoms vary from person to person, but can include headaches, tiredness, or irritation of eyes, nose and throat,” Ms Baker says.

Even so, they’re ubiquitous in our household products, construction materials and furnishings. Unless you take special care, VOCs will emerge from your new carpet, paint, cupboards, varnish, adhesives and synthetic fabrics, as well as from day-to-day cleaning and pest control products, air fresheners and deodorants.

Construction products offgas the most when they are new. For this reason, the decisions you make when you build or renovate are crucial, because you’re installing scores of products all at once.

Low- or no-VOC products are available, including natural paints, sealants and finishes, and natural-fibre floor coverings (such as sisal or jute). Ecospecifier, an eco-friendly product database, is a great place to research what’s on offer. “Seek advice about healthy building materials,” Ms Baker suggests, “and make sure the design allows for excellent cross-flow ventilation.”

Good ventilation is essential for good indoor air quality. “If the air is stagnant, chemicals released from the building materials will accumulate inside,” Ms Baker says.

Jo Immig is an environmental scientist and the coordinator of the National Toxics Network. She says parents should be especially wary of the products they use around the house. “Children are at far greater risk of exposure to any chemicals because their body is developing. They breathe more air per body-kilogram than adults.”

She says most of us can dramatically improve our air quality by adopting a handful of different habits, as well as by improving ventilation. “I encourage people to switch from petrochemical-based, heavily perfumed cleaning products to plant-based, low-toxic cleaning products.” Similarly, she recommends against buying plug-in or aerosol air fresheners.

And if you’ve got pest trouble, try to target the cause of the problem. “For example, with cockroaches, seal up cracks and crevices, rather than getting a pest control company to come once a year and spray the place with chemicals,” Ms Immig says.

Unflued gas heaters are also a health hazard. When gas is burnt it releases nitrogen dioxide, which contributes to chronic respiratory disease. “Any indoor gas appliance that is not properly vented is potentially a big contributor to indoor pollution,” Ms Immig says.

Her other simple suggestions include coughing up for a vacuum with high filter efficiency (HEPA filter) and removing your shoes at the door. Particles of heavy metals, such as lead, cling to the soles of our shoes – so at the least, be sure to place doormats at every entry.

Indoor plants can also help you breathe easy. “Plants have a lot to offer,” Ms Immig says, “not just their potential for cleaning the air, but for the overall feeling of wellbeing in the home.”

For more information, visit safersolutions.org.au

The federal government’s phase-out of standard incandescent light globes has already begun. Since November last year, Australian shops have only been allowed to sell their pre-existing stock. But we don’t need to be scared of the dark – there are eco-friendly options to brighten our homes and save us money.

There are two main kinds of low-energy lighting technology to choose from: fluorescent lamps – both old-style tubes and newer compact fluoros (CFLs) – and Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs).

David Baggs, technical director of Ecospecifier (an eco product database) says that when choosing lights, it’s wise to remember both colour and brightness.

Most people prefer the yellowish glow given off by incandescent globes. “To get a light that has the warmth we’re comfortable with, ask for ‘warm white’ CFLs or LEDs,” Baggs says. To be absolutely sure, check the colour temperature (measured in ‘Kelvin’). Warm white comes in at about 2700 K, whereas a cool fluorescent tube glows bluer, at about 5000 K.

Next, if you want to know how brightly your new energy-smart globe will shine, compare the power of the light (measured in ‘lumens’) against similar incandescent bulbs. “Any good lighting shop or online retailer will have that information,” Baggs says.

The quality of both CFLs and LEDs is improving rapidly, but each is better suited to particular applications.

General lighting

According to John Knox, from the Alternative Technology Association’s webshop, CFLs are perfect for general room lighting. With a quick online search, you’ll find them available in a pleasing range of shapes, from spirals and sticks, to more elegant globes. They even come in petite candle-shaped sizes that slot into unusual places such as rangehoods or chandeliers.

Good quality household CFLs cost between $5 and $15. You can also buy dimmable versions for about $30 each, but don’t fret about the extra dollars – with a lamp life up to eight times longer than an incandescent bulb, they’ll save you money before long. Knox recommends bigger name brands. “They’re generally higher quality, last longer and won’t flicker,” he says.

Until now LEDs have not been bright enough for general lighting use, but Knox is optimistic that the situation will change in months, rather than years. “The technology is coming along in leaps and bounds,” he says.

Task lighting

Halogen downlights are the most common and energy-sapping task lighting in Australian homes. “The easiest solution is to replace them with one low-energy bulb in the centre of the room,” suggests Mick Harris from Enviroshop.

If you want to keep your downlights but cut their energy consumption, the most straight-forward option is to install high-efficiency halogens, such as the Philips Masterline ES or the Osram IRC Energy Saver, at a cost of about $10 each. “They last two-and-a-half times longer than a standard halogen and use 30 per cent less energy,” Harris says.

Alternatively, you can buy LED downlights for between $40 and $60 each. The up-front cost is high, but with a lifetime of up to 50,000 hours, they’ll almost never need to be replaced. Harris says that while LEDs aren’t yet as bright as halogens, they do suit lounge areas, hallways or toilets, and can be purchased together with a driver that makes them dimmable. “Wander through your house and see which lights are brighter than you need. They’re good spots for LED bulbs.”

CFLs are also available as downlights ($10 to $15 each), but to make them work, you’ll need to get an electrician to replace the fitting. Enviroshop sells slightly larger downlight fittings that suit standard-sized (including dimmable) CFLs. “That way, you get the best of both worlds,” Harris says. “It will give you as much brightness as you want, with a cheap, energy efficient globe.”

All CFLs contain a small amount of mercury, so they’re hazardous if broken or left in landfill. See the federal environment department’s website for more information on how to recycle or dispose of them safely. 

See this article in Sanctuary Magazine.

The Sustainable Living Festival brings all kinds of green ideas together.

This year’s Sustainable Living Festival is already under way. The program has been extended to two weeks, with activities running at different locations across the city and state in the lead up to the main event at Federation Square in Melbourne next weekend, from February 19 to 21.

Festival director Luke Taylor says the longer program will help focus attention on the good work done by local groups. “We have a whole range of local events promoting various aspects of sustainability, from greening your home and sustainable food through to the bigger issues like climate change,” he says. “It’s an opportunity for us to support the sustainability actions done by local communities.”

The theme for the festival, now in its eleventh year, is climate change. There’ll be over 150 talks and workshops, and more than 100 stalls encompassing all shades of green, with a thicket of practical information on things you can do around the home.

Exhibitors include domestic energy efficiency retailers Going Solar, Energy Matters and Solar Shop Australia. There’ll also be useful sessions on draught proofing, reducing your waste and home chicken husbandry, to name just a few.

Mr Taylor says that change is required in our homes and backyards, and also in our houses of parliament. “Everybody needs to be involved in solving this [climate change] problem. Local action is critical, but we need government leadership as well.”

That’s a theme that will be taken up by the panel discussion, ‘Towards climate safe homes’, to be held next Sunday. Last year, a coalition of environment groups produced a report on the energy efficiency of our housing stock, and the steps required to lift it to a zero-carbon or ‘climate safe’ standard.

Panel member Victoria McKenzie-McHarg, from Environment Victoria, says there are two elements to climate safe homes. They not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but also build the kind of dwellings that will help people adapt to harsher and drier conditions. “We know that with climate change we’re not going to have the water resources that we have had in the past. We need to improve our housing stock so we’re prepared for climate impacts, and also so our homes become part of the solution,” she says.

“We’re seeing families and householders across Australia taking action themselves,” Ms McKenzie-McHarg says. “There are a number of government rebates that assist them, but to make a really big difference we need a comprehensive plan to green our building stock.”

She says that although houses now contribute one-fifth of Victoria’s greenhouse gas emissions, we could slash that impact by 75 per cent by way of energy efficient design and appliances.

Last year, federal and state governments agreed to lift the residential energy efficiency standard from five to six stars. The states must comply by May 2011. Ms McKenzie-McHarg says it’s a good start, but we’re still well behind many other countries. “Melbourne has a comparable climate region to California, but their equivalent rating for new homes is 7.6 stars. And in the UK they’re aiming for zero net carbon homes by 2016. This is really possible – it’s not pie-in-the-sky stuff.”

Choose cooling that won’t break the bank.

SUMMER hot spells not only induce BBQs and beach holidays, but also snap decisions to shell out for expensive air conditioners. Christopher Zinn from Choice argues that air con should be the last option, not the first. “People can – like lambs to the slaughter – be taken to very high energy use air conditioning systems. There are better, lower cost, lower impact options.”

In its ‘Your cooling options buying guide’ (available free online), Choice details a number of ways you can keep your home comfortable without purchasing a machine. The cheapest tactic is ventilation. Each evening, once the weather has cooled, open your windows to allow a cool cross breeze through your home.

To stop the heat entering to begin with, existing homes can be retrofitted with ceiling insulation, draught-stoppers and shading for north and west-facing windows. “Even if you have air conditioning, these things can substantially reduce your running costs,” Mr Zinn says.

For mechanical cooling, fans should be your first option. Phil Wilkinson, technical manager of the Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air conditioning and Heating, says they’re a cheap and low-maintenance solution on days that aren’t super hot. “Fans create a draught that helps you feel comfortable as it moves across your skin, but they don’t lower the temperature.” Desk and pedestal fans start from about $20; ceiling fans, from $50.

Evaporative coolers are another lower-energy choice. They cool by drawing air through wet filters and then blowing it out. “The running costs are minimal because they only need to power a fan and a small water pump,” Mr Wilkinson says. They work best in warm, dry climates, so they’re well suited to Victorian summers.

Evaporative coolers come in portable, fixed or ducted systems and range in cost accordingly, from around $100 to over $2000. Be wary of their extra water use – the bigger the unit the more it will slurp. Portables can suck up four litres per hour and central units more than 25 litres.

Well-designed Australian homes shouldn’t require air conditioning, but if you can’t do without, be careful about what you buy. “Choose the smallest, most efficient unit to suit your day to day needs,” says Mr Wilkinson. Residential models are labelled with an energy efficiency rating. “Our advice is to look for as many stars as you can afford – the more stars, the less it costs to run.”

The institute has created Fair Air, an online guide to choosing the air conditioner that best suits you. Portable and fixed wall models begin at about $500; split systems, about $1000; and ducted systems, about $5000. Make sure you use a qualified installer (visit the ARCtick website for more information).

As with heating, it’s wise to zone your cooling to where you spend time, rather than chilling the whole home. Dress down and try setting the thermostat to between 25 and 27 degrees: each extra degree of cooling will increase energy consumption by up to 10 per cent.

Mr Wilkinson says regular maintenance is required to keep both air conditioners and evaporative coolers running well. “You have to clean the filters and heat exchange services and check anything that’s getting noisy. It’s the same as a car, you have to maintain them to keep their efficiency to a maximum, so refer to the manufacturer’s or the installer’s advice.”

First-time parents must prepare themselves to stay green.

New mother Gabrielle Breen is very conscious of her environmental footprint – in the latter stages of her pregnancy, she spent time draught-proofing her house. But after her daughter was born, her priorities changed for a while. “In the beginning, I didn’t care if I used energy,” she says. “It was the last thing on my mind.”

She found out she wasn’t alone. “I’ve heard stories of parents who discover that flushing the toilet calms their baby, and so one parent holds the baby and the other flushes the toilet over and over again.”

In hindsight, Ms Breen says that with careful planning, new parents’ resource thriftiness need not go down the drain. “If you’re prepared beforehand it makes things easier. And over time, as you get on top of parenting, you can improve things even more,” she says, suggesting that over-zealous flushers try downloading a recording of ‘white noise’ from the internet instead.

New parents spend much more time at home so sealed gaps and boosted insulation will mean lower heating and cooling bills. “Keeping your home cool during summer is an energy efficiency thing, but it will also increase your comfort and your baby’s comfort,” she says.

The Moreland Energy Foundation (MEFL) runs short energy-smart sessions for new parents through Maternal and Child Heath Centres in the area. “We give information about what you can do to minimise your bills and ensure you’re comfortable without costing the earth,” the foundation’s Jessica Steinborner says.

A comprehensive information booklet is free to download from the MEFL website. The Energy for Babies Kit discusses common infant issues such as heating, cooling and washing. It also outlines a number of standard eco-wise measures, from low-energy lighting to water saving.

Ms Steinborner says that while anyone can make those changes, the message is particularly relevant for new parents. “Bringing a baby home is a life changing moment. Often people are planning a renovation or considering big purchases, like new fridges, cars or heating and cooling systems. New parents can either wed themselves to very expensive bills and a bigger carbon footprint, or they can make a clear step towards reducing their impact.”

When her old washing machine conked out, Ms Breen and her husband bought an efficient front loader, which uses much less water, and they’re thankful for their choice. “Babies are so small, I couldn’t believe how much washing you end up doing.”

The couple opted for reusable nappies. According to MEFL’s research, cloth nappies are a more sustainable choice than disposables because they reduce both landfill waste and water use – laundering a cloth nappy takes less water than manufacturing a disposable. They’re also cheaper. “Disposables cost at least $3000 per child whereas a set of cloth nappies costs up to $900 dollars, and you can use them for subsequent children,” Ms Breen says. “I thought reusables would be hard, but it’s been easier than we expected.”

She says that changing simple habits, as well as your hardware, makes a big difference. To help keep your kid cool in summer, she recommends natural air conditioning. “When you’re feeding your baby at night you can wrap them with a damp muslin cloth. During the day, wipe them with a wet facecloth, or put a damp cloth over the top of the pram.”

Melbourne’s tough water limits will go on through the summer.

The state government recently announced that Melbourne’s Stage 3a water restrictions would stay in force until at least the end of March. The Target 155 campaign will also continue – in the year since it was introduced, Melbournians met the challenge, consuming an average of 153 litres per person per day.

“We’re about 100 gigalitres better than we were 12 months ago, which is roughly 100 days of water,” says Pat McCafferty, spokesperson for the Target 155 campaign. “But our storages are still at the second lowest level on record.”

Thanks to good spring rainfall and infrastructure improvements, water restrictions have begun to ease in many other parts of the state – to find out the rules in your area, ask your water retailer or visit the Our Water Our Future website.

McCafferty says that although most people have changed their habits, some confusion remains about the Stage 3a restrictions. “The most common pitfall is people watering outside their allocated watering days,” he says.

If you live in an even numbered property you may water your garden on Saturdays and Tuesdays. Odd numbered households can water on Sundays and Wednesdays.

Manual dripper systems, watering cans and hand-held hoses with trigger nozzles can be used between 6 am and 8 am on the allocated days (households with a resident over 70 can choose to water between 8 am and 10 am instead). If you’ve got an automatic dripper system, you can set it for between midnight and 2 am.

It’s prohibited to water your lawns or wash your car at home. “You can spot wash the windows with a bucket, but if you want to wash your whole car you have to take it to an efficient commercial car wash,” McCafferty says.

If your consumption is high, the bathroom is the first place to look – that’s where about half the household’s water goes down the drain. “We’ve still got thousands of efficient showerheads to give away for free, so contact your water retailer to exchange your old one and to receive a four-minute shower timer,” he says.

Once you’ve changed your habits and fittings, you’ll have to splash out to cut down further. “You can hardwire things into your home to make it more sustainable,” McCafferty says. “Things like drought tolerant plants, efficient appliances, and rainwater and greywater systems that capture and reuse water.”

For city veggie gardeners, any tactic helps. The continued Stage 3a restrictions make it tricky to keep the crop from wilting between watering days. Jonathan Pipke from the Food Gardeners Alliance argues that green thumbs should be allowed to water more regularly, so long as they stay within the 155-litre target. “There are all kinds of benefits to growing your own vegetables at home. On average, you use one-ninth the water of commercial producers.”

Despite his concerns, Pipke says it’s still possible to reap a bountiful harvest under the water restrictions. “But you have to be very diligent and prepare well for hot days.” He recommends rigging shade cloth over your garden and putting pots in the shade. It’s also wise to collect and reuse clean water around house, such as the water from washing your vegetables. “Because of the heat, you want to water minimally, but more often – don’t let the soil dry out and then over soak it.”

Choose real trees and cut waste this festive season.

Christmas trees may not be the most pressing household sustainability issue, but for many little (and not so little) people, festive decorations are a serious business. So what’s the best option when you’re choosing a tree?

On the plus side for artificial trees, they can be packed up and re-used. But their longevity is also a weakness, especially if they’re thrown out before their time is really up. The plastic cannot be recycled, and so, once discarded, they remain in landfill for thousands of years. Also, they are manufactured overseas, transported long distances and arrive decked in layers of packaging.

According to organic gardening expert Lyn Bagnall, plantation trees are a better option. “I love the smell of the pine – it’s part of the Christmas atmosphere,” she says.

There are a number of Christmas tree farms a short distance from Melbourne and a cut tree can be put to good use after the big day has passed. “The pine needles can be recycled in your garden and the wood can be mulched,” she says. If you can’t do it at home, ask your local council how to dispose of green waste. Alternatively, many tree farms will take back used trees.

It’s best to choose trees from plantations that don’t use chemicals, but even where they do, Ms Bagnall is pragmatic. “It’s no worse than buying commercially grown flowers,” she says.

Provided you don’t mind having a small tree, and lugging it indoors every year, growing your own tree in a pot might be the best option of all. “If you buy a potted tree, listen to what the nurseryman says about how to care for it,” Ms Bagnall says. “That way you’ll have it for a good many years. If you’re prepared to look after it, then it’s a lovely alternative.”

Ken Hickson, author of The ABC of Carbon, keeps a Christmas tree in a pot on his balcony. “We decorate it and bring it inside for festive season,” he says. As well, his family re-uses their decorations and they make sure they don’t leave the Christmas tree lights flashing around the clock.

Mr Hickson is adamant that it’s possible to be eco-minded at Christmas without being a scrooge or a killjoy. “With climate change, we need to be ready to adapt our behaviour, but we can still enjoy the luxuries of life,” he says. “We just need to be much more energy efficient in doing it.”

During the silly season, that means giving preference to organic and locally grown produce and being aware of food miles. It need not be more expensive, he argues, especially if you think carefully about how to avoid wastage.

That’s a message that goes for gifts, as well as for food. “By being sensible about the presents we give, we can eliminate a lot of unnecessary plastic packaging and boxes,” Mr Hickson says. Rather than clamouring for more material goods, consider eco-friendly gift ideas, such as donations to charities or planting trees. And then, on Boxing Day, when the party’s over, be sure to recycle the refuse.

It pays to find out how much electricity you use.

Right now, it’s tricky for householders to know exactly how much power we’re consuming at any given moment – and how much it’s costing us. But that’s all set to change as smart electricity meters are rolled out across the state.

Peter Clements, from the Victorian Department of Primary Industries, says the new devices will help us understand our energy use. “Courtesy of these smart meters, you will know far more about the costs of turning on your heater or air conditioner,” he says.

Our current spinning wheel meters will be replaced with digital technology that allows energy retailers to read your meter remotely and offer price deals that vary throughout the day. While that will mean steeper metering fees and higher rates at peak times, it can also help you save money.

A recent trial conducted by Integral Energy in NSW found that consumers paying variable tariffs saved an average of $100 per year. Under one pricing model, consumption fell by 40 per cent during peak periods.

The smart meters can connect with an in-home display that gives real-time information about your consumption and costs, but it’s not compulsory to install one. Depending on the services offered by your energy retailer, updates on power use and prices may also be available via the Internet or SMS.

“Smart meters are a tool to help people better manage the inevitable energy cost increases due to climate change,” Mr Clements says. If you want to cut your bills and your eco-footprint, opt for an in-home device – try to get all the information you can, as clearly and simply as possible.

The new meter roll out will begin slowly; about 15,000 have been installed so far, mainly in northern and eastern suburbs of Melbourne. Under the state government’s timetable, all Victorian households will receive one by the end of 2013.

Happily, you don’t have to wait years to learn more about your energy consumption. Jason Bond, from EnviroShop in Thornbury, says there are gadgets already available that give you the knowledge you need.

The Power-Mate Lite is an Australian-made gizmo that plugs in between the socket and an appliance and tells you exactly how much power the appliance is guzzling. “It allows you to work out where you are using energy,” Mr Bond says, “so you can reduce it, and reduce the associated environmental impacts.”

The device can be set to display energy consumption, costs or carbon dioxide emissions, and can also extrapolate the results to produce an annual figure.

“Every time someone uses a Power-Mate, they always find weird things they never thought would need much energy,” Mr Bond says. He’s been surprised to learn that some gas wall-heaters also churn through electricity to run timers and thermostats. A heated towel rack is another serial offender, especially when it’s left running night and day.

“You can also find out how much your TVs and stereos are consuming when they are on standby,” he says, “Those phantom loads can be substantial – around 10 per cent of your entire energy usage.”

A Power-Mate Lite will set you back $115, so it’s a good idea to split the cost with family or friends. Alternatively, some public libraries have Power-Mates available to borrow, or you can rent one from EnviroShop for $35 per week.

Check out this selection of Australian eco home websites.

yourhome.gov.au – a joint project of the Australian Government and the building industry, the Your Home Technical Manual contains all the know-how for your wildest sustainable design and construction dreams. The authoritative website also has step-by-step guides for buyers and renovators. All information is free to download.

makeyourhomegreen.vic.gov.au – Make Your Home Green is a portal site, chock full of news and links for Victorian homeowners and renovators. You’ll find loads of facts on the 5 Star building standard, plus links to rebate guides and tips for saving money, water and energy around the house.

greenelectricitywatch.org.au – if you’re thinking about switching to green power, Green Electricity Watch will help you sort through the spin. Run by three major environmental groups, the regular survey assesses the eco-credentials behind the claims of the power retailers. It lists each product’s ranking alongside its extra cost, and also carries a comprehensive page of energy saving advice.

savewater.com.au – the Savewater Alliance is a non-profit association made up of water businesses and government agencies. Its website is intended to be a one-stop water conservation shop, and boasts tips, research, case studies and product links that will help you cut water use throughout your home and garden.

sokitt.com – when your old white goods conk out, make Sokitt your first research stop. This ingenious website analyses the running costs of the fridges, dishwashers and washing machines on the Australian market, together with their upfront prices. You can modify the search to account for your size and style preferences and even compare your old model with new ones on offer. 

sgaonline.org.au – Sustainable Gardening Australia is a non-profit organisation that promotes smart backyard gardening with a taste for veggies. The website includes a forum and free fact sheets examining aphids, zucchinis and everything in between. You can also sign up to Cuttings, a monthly email update full of handy seasonal hints and planting guides.

aussieslivingsimply.com.au – this busy online forum is dedicated to the simple life. Join up and ask questions of other people who are putting sustainable living into practice. Discussion threads include permaculture, fruit and veggie gardening, renewable energy, preserving and mending, as well as cooking, cleaning and DIY construction.

recyclingnearyou.com.au – if you’re not sure what can and can’t have a second life, look up Recycling Near You. Run by Planet Ark, the website contains information from every council in the country. It covers kerbside collection as well as instructions for trickier items like e-waste, tyres, oil and chemicals. You can search by council area or by product.

ethical.org.au – the Ethical Consumer Guide aims to inform shoppers about the social and environmental impact of our buying habits. The website has information about the brands and products on our supermarket shelves, as well as explanations of broader issues such as waste, food miles and organics.