Biodegrable Dish Wash and Bathroom Cleaner

There are few cleaning products which are biogegrable in the market as I know and the price is reasonable.

Dish Wash

1. Brand: Good Maid Bio Concentrared Dish Washing Liquid
- Made from corn, palm oil and other natural plant sources. It is biodegrable.

-Can be use as general purpose cleaner.

-Price abt RM3.89 for 1000ml (Tesco price on April 14th 2009)

2. Brand: BioCare Dishes Concentrate

-It is from Natural Source, Biogegradable and Organic.

-It is an imported product from Italy

-Price abt RM8.49 for 500ml (Tesco price on April 14th 2009)

Bathroom Cleaner

1. Brand: BioCare Bathroom Cleaner

-It is from Natural Source, Biogegradable and Organic.

-Price abt RM8.49 for 500ml (Tesco price on April 14th 2009)

I have tried both of above products and have been using them for almost 3 years. They are good basically just that less bubbles compare to other normal cleaner. But still did the cleaning job nice and at the same time we help to minimize the impact to the environment. Price also very affordable.

Oxo-biodegradable plastic bag

These plastic products are biodegradable in the presence of air (oxygen), moisture, microbes and soil. They are not toxic and do not leave harmful residues. Available in Tesco, Cold Storage etc Hypermart in Malaysia.

Price about (Tesco pricing on April 14th 2009):
RM8.99 for 90pcs Standard Waste Paper Basket size
RM10.99 for 50pcs Standard Household Bin

More Info: http://www.sekoplas.com.my/biodegradable-plastic-shopping-bags-asia.htm

Reduce Global Warming: Plant a TREE

During photosynthesis, trees/plants absorb carbon dioxide and give off oxygen. They are an integral part of the natural atmospheric exchange cycle on Earth. But there are too few of them to fully counter the increases in carbon dioxide caused by automobile traffic, manufacturing and other human activities. A single tree will absorb approximately one ton of carbon dioxide during its lifetime.

Indoor plant/potted plants
Plants act as natural oxygen generators which means they can improve the air quality of our home. However, not all plants are suitable as potted plants or to be placed indoor. Below website shows picture and name of plants suitable to plant indoor under Malaysia climate:
http://www.chongleenursery.com.my/products.htm

According to Dr Abd Kalam, India ex-President, one house at least need to plant 3 trees in order for us to save to earth. Hmm.... but lets plant more, just in case to cover those who are not planting...

Reduce/Stop Using Polyethylene Plastic Bags

Polyethylene plastic bags are not biodegradable. They clog waterways, spoil the landscape, and end up in landfills where they may take 1,000 years or more to break down to smaller particles (more toxic materials named petro-polymers) that will continue to pollute the soil and water.

Producing plastic bags requires million gallons of petroleum that could instead be used for transportation or heating.
Plastic bags also pose a serious danger to birds and marine mammals that often mistake them as their food. For them, floating plastic bags look similiar to sea algaes.

Below are a couple of things we can do to help:

1. Use reusable shopping bags

2. Recycle the used plastics bag or re-use the same plastic bag as many times as possible

3. If we really need to use plastics bag, at least we buy the biodegrable one. (In "Cold Storage Hypermart" they are actually selling biodegrable dustbin bags/garbage bags, about RM6-7 per gulung). Jaya Jusco Hypermarket, Petronas Mesra Mart and Tesco their plastics bags are biodegradable. Somehow, biodegrable bags might still have certain impacts on the environment too such as it takes at least 18 months for most to breakdown and breakdown of starch-based films of the bags in water consumes oxygen, resulting in oxygen depletion that contributes to algae blooms and the death of marine life. More info: http://www.reusablebags.com/facts.php?id=8

Somehow, as a start, lets us at least practice this words to every of the Hypermart cashier or whenever we buy stuff, "Terima Kasih, I will use my own bag" or "No need plastic bag pls" (But don't forget to keep the receipts, just in case Mr Guard stops us on the way)

Normally what I will do is to put few plastic bags (or even better biodegrable one) in my handbag as they are lights and easy to keep. By doing this I could re-use my own bags whenever I am buying things outside. Normally I will not keep the reusable shopping bags in my hand bag as it is bulky but I do spare them in my car in case I need to go to the hypermart after work. Even best if go Tesco, as when I use my own bags they give me Club Card points. Hehe...

But they are some funny experiences too, example like:

1. Once I went to Sunshine Hypermart, I informed the cashier I want to re-use my own plastics bags, then every items purchased she go and taped with the 'paid' cellophane tape. Pengsan....

2. Some aunties even I told them don't want plastic bag, but they die die want to give also....maybe they pity us hard to carry...

3. Some will ask why don't want plastic bags, I would tell them my house got alots until I scare, some of them laugh, probably they having the same nightmares like me, house flooded with plastics bag. So lets us reduce it togather to the minimum.

More Info: http://www.ativsolutions.com/images/The-Dangers-of-Plastic-Bags.pdf

Energy Saving Bulb: CFL vs LED

Replaced regular incandescent light bulb with a compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulb. Compact fluorescent light bulbs use at least two-thirds less energy than standard incandescent bulbs to provide the same amount of light, and they last up to 10 times longer. (Pricing about RM11 to RM17 each depends on the Watts (W) and brand, available in local Hypermart like the Giants, Tesco etc)

Precaution Note: Compact fluorescent (CFL) bulb contains about 5 milligrams (mg) of mercury, a toxic heavy metal, bulbs should be recycled or proper disposal. Please ensure it does not end up in landfills.

I have one broken Compact fluorescent bulb at home, I does not know how to recycle it at this moment in Malaysia, so I wrap it with few layers of newspaper and keep it in the cupboard. Hopefully will found out the way to recycle or dispose this bulb safely :)

Currently, there is a new invention of energy saving bulb using the LED technology. LED bulbs are lit solely by the movement of electrons. Unlike incandescents, they have no filament that will burn out; and unlike CFLs, they contain no mercury or other toxic substances. Proponents say LEDs can last some 60 times longer than incandescents and 10 times longer than CFLs. Example of energy savings calculation of LED bulb: a 1.3-watt LED bulb, could generates as much light as a 15-watt incandescent bulb, saving about 13.3 watt of electricty.

Non- Phosphates Laundry Powder in the Market

Dangers of Phosphates:

Phosphates have two major influences on marine system: High levels of phosphates cause a rapid growth of algae. Algae blooms will suck oxygen out of the water causes toxins to be released into streams and lakes, resulting in water pollutions. High level of phosphate in the ocean will cause stunted growth and general decay of corals.

There are few examples of Non- Phosphates Laundry Powder in Malaysia market and the price is competative. (Pls note that there will be a note stated no phosphates on the polybag itself, as above picture circled in red)

1. Brand: Tesco (Pricing abt RM2.70 for 1kg pack, RM12 for 5kg pack)

2. Brand: Giant (they got added on fragrance I think, smell nice)

3. Brand: First Choice (available at Cold Storage Hypermart) (Pricing abt RM17 for 5kg)

I personally preferred to the Giant brand. For the First Choice brand, I have just bought it, haven't try so not able to feedback yet.

Green Laundry: (Powder Free Laundry Ball)

Laundry Ball
Webpage: http://www.robbywash.com/default.asp?LV=2

Available: Sunshine Farlim, Penang 1st floor ( a small stall next to credit card stall, near the escalator) / RM 89.90 with free 3 refill packs, they estimated can support to 1 year and 6 months.

Laundry ball is a white ball with a blue rubber bumper, containing washing granules (macromolecules).This unique, exclusive system will revolutionise laundry.No more need for detergents or washing powder, just put the Robby Wash in with your washing for astounding results.With Robby Wash you really save money — and you save the planet at the same time.

CHARACTERISTICS
- Robby Wash: the white laundry ball with the blue rubber bumper, containing macromolecules (washing granules).- Net weight: 140g.- No phosphates.- Simple to use: put in with the wash.- 270g of macromolecules are equivalent to 60kg of washing powder.- Economical: No need to buy washing powder, a saving of €160 over 200 washes.- Reloadable: use indefinitely.- Softness and colours maintained.- Adds fragrance: A feeling of freshness at the end of the wash cycle.

Thinking of trying but RM90, wait for price drop first. Hehe.