There are approximately 1.4 billion cubic meters of water on Earth, 2.8 million cubic meters of which are available for use, an amount of only 0.1%. Water is a precious resource becoming scarcer each day. A single bathroom can use up to 100 litres of clean water daily; multiply this amount by the many households situated all over the planet and the picture becomes somewhat alarming. Contemporary water conservation efforts and eco-friendliness have begun focusing on making small changes in bathroom features and recycling ‘grey’ water (used water not contaminated by human waste).

Reducing water wastage
Bathrooms use water for showers, toilets, baths and wash basins. On average, a shower uses almost 23 litres of water a minute, a toilet flushes with 8 litres of water and a bath uses almost 152 litres of water. Cutting down the amount of water used in a bathroom is not as difficult as it may seem however.

A bath uses twice as much water as a shower, so having a short shower is the first step towards saving water. Keeping the shower to a maximum of five minutes is also efficient in saving a lot of water. Replacing a showerhead with a low flow fitting can help reduce water used by almost 16 litres. Do not leave the tap running when using a wash basin for brushing teeth or for other reasons as this allows water to literally disappear down the plughole.

Conventional toilets are being fitted with a ‘dual flush’ mechanism, a system which has two different flush settings: one for water waste and one for solid waste. When a person flushes the toilet, they have the option of choosing the type of flush required: solid waste or water waste. Water waste requires far less water to flush than solid waste and the dual flush mechanism therefore saves water as a strong flush is not required every time.

Various bathroom and kitchen fitting producers have begun to sell systems which recycle grey water. Grey water has been used for household purposes, but not contaminated with toilet waste. Grey water can be taken from a sink, wash basin, bath, shower, washing machine and washing tub and used for procedures which do not require clean water, such as flushing the toilet and garden irrigation and some systems even clean the grey water using a bio-mechanical treatment and not requiring any chemicals for treatment. A grey water recycling system is able to save thousands of litres of water as water is used twice, where possible.

Avoiding Toxic Chemicals
An eco-friendly bathroom should not only save on water, but should avoid all harsh chemicals which are deadly to wildlife and eco-systems and aim to save energy. A geyser is often heated to far higher than necessary, wasting electricity used to heat the water inside. Reducing the temperature setting on a geyser saves electricity, as does using a geyser blanket which keeps the geyser heated with less energy.

There are a variety of organic cleaning products available which will clean a bathroom without expending harmful toxins into the water and environment. A simple way of preventing mildew is to install a fan above a bath or shower to remove excess moisture in a bathroom, eliminating the need to use heavy chemicals to remove the substance.

Bathroom cabinets should ideally be made of wheatboard, wheatstraw or other natural materials which do not contain a binding substance as these usually contain formaldehyde. Ceramic tiles for bathroom floors and to decorate the areas around the bath, shower and basin are eco-friendly, especially is made from recycled materials. Bamboo floors are also an eco-friendly option for bathroom flooring. A shower curtain made from fabric is far more environmentally friendly than a plastic curtain.

A grated cover over the plughole of a shower, bath and washbasin will prevent materials from becoming clogged in drains and avoiding the need to clear out blockages with extremely heavy corrosives which are extremely harmful to the environment.

Every individual living on the planet has a responsibility to help with the preservation of natural resources. A bathroom can be extremely taxing on the environment, and if each person instituted some eco-friendly practices into their bathroom, the world would save water, have less pollution and greater hope for the future.

Design need not be compromised, as many bathroom fitting specialists have turned their focus onto producing luxury, designer fittings that have a duel purpose: designer look and eco-friendly.

A little goes a very long way when people recycle grey water, purchase water conservation products and sustain eco-friendly bathrooms.

To bring an environmental focus to your landscape, start from the ground up, first addressing what goes into the soil, surrounding plants, and into the air. One of the most important things you can do to green the outside of your home is make the switch to using natural and organic fertilizers and pesticides. This is especially important if you are growing plants for food or have children or pets that spend time in your yard.

A healthy lawn will benefit from fertilizing or mulching once or twice a year, in the spring and again in the fall. Organic fertilizers build the health of your plants naturally, and could make them more resistant to pests.

When plants are healthy and growing in good soil with strong sunlight, there is less need for pesticides. When you must use a pesticide, choosing a homemade or organic one will give you a safer place to walk through the grass, and peace of mind knowing that the run-off from rains will not contain the dangerous chemicals from your lawn and plants.

Caring for your lawn in an environmentally friendly way has a lot to do with what you don’t do to your grass. When we choose to water and mow lawns in conjunction with nature, it is less work for us humans and helps our yard develop it’s own natural beauty. Watering your lawn infrequently and deeply when it is beginning to show signs of drought will help the grass develop strong roots and better compete with the weeds, which tend to have more shallow roots. Wait until the grass is beginning to curl or turn yellow, and then provide a good half-inch of water. Wait an hour for the water to soak in, and then repeat.

Mow the lawn with the blades on the highest setting; then taller grass can shade out competing weeds and grow healthier. Leave the lawn clippings spread evenly over the grass to add nutrients and further shade out weeds the natural way.

Once you have turned your lawn into an eco-friendly haven, next turn to other aspects of the landscape, including plants, animal habitat and water features. Filling your outdoor space with native plants not only provides a more natural feel to the space, but also makes it easier on the gardener. Native plants are typically more drought tolerant and will grow better in your area, requiring less maintenance. Take into account the amount of sunlight and ease of watering when you choose areas for planting.

Just as plants provide habitat for backyard critters, areas of brush, small woodpiles or thick bushes also make a great home for the animals that are attracted to our eco-yards. Adding water features such as a fountain, small pond or birdbath will attract and keep a wider array of wildlife. Birdhouses and bird feeders are an addition that creates a more inclusive environment for a variety of birds and other animals.

Once your outdoor space has been transformed into an eco-friendly haven for plants and animals, complete the process by further making the space pleasing and inviting to people. Green or environmental companies offer an array of outdoor living products. You may find patio furniture made from sustainably harvested teak or recycled materials, or a hammock constructed of recycled items. Look for a wind chime made from more environmentally friendly aluminum that is built to last, or add solar lighting to complete the landscape.

Co-op America maintains the Green Pages, a nationwide list of extensively screened environmental and socially responsible stores, which makes the task of searching for green companies much easier. Whatever additions you make to complete your eco-friendly backyard, you will be helping the environment through these committed companies, all while doing your part to green your own little piece of earth.