| People use--and waste--more water in the bathroom | | | | your water use by an additional 30%. |
| than in any other room in the house. Add all that | | | | Recycled tiles. If you're redesigning your bathroom |
| water use with polluting soaps and shampoos, the | | | | from scratch, choose recycled materials such as |
| energy used to heat the water, and more--and your | | | | reclaimed glass tiles. Glass is completely |
| bathroom could be doing damage to the environment. | | | | water-resistant, making it a great choice for |
| But it doesn't have to be that way. There are many | | | | bathroom walls, flooring, and countertops. |
| things you can do to bring a little green into your | | | | Choosing glass makes good ecological sense as well. |
| bathroom. Here are just a few. | | | | Each glass bottle recycled saves enough energy to |
| Energy-efficient light bulbs. Fluorescent bulbs are 90% | | | | run a 100-watt bulb for about four hours. In addition, |
| more efficient than incandescents. Incandescent bulbs | | | | glass accounts for about 6% of all landfill waste and |
| lose most of their energy as heat--which makes | | | | takes over a million years to break down. |
| them a fire hazard as well. | | | | Heat your water efficiently. Most people wait until |
| The best lighting for a bathroom is bright enough to | | | | their water heater breaks down to buy a new one. |
| let you shave or apply makeup without squinting, but | | | | This puts you in the position of having to find one |
| soft enough to look flattering while you do it. Choose | | | | quickly, without the luxury of shopping around. But if |
| bright white energy-saver bulbs, and soften the light | | | | you take your time in finding the right water heater, |
| by hanging them at eye level on either side of the | | | | it could pay off in the long run. |
| mirror or putting them behind frosted glass. | | | | The most common type of water heater is a |
| Dual-flush toilets. Most new toilets use about seven | | | | storage heater: a big storage tank that's constantly |
| or eight litres of water every time you flush. Older | | | | heated. Because it's always kept warm, this type of |
| toilets use 9-12 litres. However, you don't need this | | | | heater loses energy even when it isn't used. |
| much water to flush a toilet. | | | | However, there are some new models that are |
| If you want to save water, replace your toilet with a | | | | designed to minimize standing heat loss. |
| dual-flush model. Dual-flush toilets have one flush for | | | | If you want a truly efficient hot water heater, |
| water waste, and another for solids. Naturally, you | | | | however, look for a tankless heater or a solar heater. |
| need less water to flush water waste. | | | | A tankless heater passes water pipes directly |
| Faucets that conserve water. Leaky faucets waste | | | | through the boiler, while a solar heater uses the sun's |
| millions of litres of water per year, and cost you | | | | energy to heat water. Both of these will cost more |
| money as well. To prevent leaks in your bathroom | | | | to install, but they will cost less to run. |
| taps, replace your old fixtures with self-closing taps | | | | Use nontoxic shampoos and soaps. Many ordinary |
| that shut off the water as soon as you stop | | | | soaps and shampoos contain chemicals that could put |
| pressing a button. This ensures your water isn't left | | | | your health at risk. There are many carcinogenic |
| on while you brush your teeth or shave, and it keeps | | | | chemicals in deodorants, soaps, shampoos, and body |
| your faucet from leaking. | | | | sprays. Some of these persist in the environment, |
| Think green in the shower. We waste a great deal of | | | | build up in the food chain, and return to haunt us long |
| water in the shower--plus massive amounts of | | | | after they've gone down the drain. |
| energy used to heat the water we waste. If you | | | | Be skeptical of products labeled "natural;" under |
| want to save water and save the planet at the | | | | current marketing legislation in the U.K., only 1% of a |
| same time, consider installing a low-flow showerhead | | | | product needs to be naturally derived in order to use |
| or an air shower. | | | | the label. Look for soaps and shampoos that don't |
| A typical showerhead delivers 25 litres of water per | | | | use artificial fragrances--essential oils are fine, |
| minute, while a low-flow showerhead delivers only 6 | | | | however. Avoid mineral oil, which is just another |
| to 15. Cut your shower time in half and use a | | | | name for petroleum oil. In addition, choose soaps and |
| low-flow showerhead, and you'll save a great deal of | | | | shampoos that use minimal, biodegradable packaging. |
| water. | | | | Making your bathroom more eco-friendly doesn't |
| If you really want to save water, however, consider | | | | have to be a daunting task. Making a change in the |
| an air shower. An air shower device can be attached | | | | soaps you use, limiting your time in the shower, and |
| to your existing showerhead. It pumps each water | | | | installing water-efficient fixtures can make a big |
| droplet full of air. This makes each water droplet | | | | difference. Whether you plan a few simple changes |
| bigger, so it feels just as wet and strong as a typical | | | | or a big overhaul, a greener bathroom is within your |
| showerhead. Studies show that air showers can cut | | | | reach. |