THINK GREEN TIPS ON BEING MORE GREEN AND ECO FRIENDLY

Posted by: Sangeeta Kathuria - Posted on:

Health Promotion / Lifestyle Interventions

Food:

Encourage a plant-based or vegetarian diet.

Eat seasonal vegetables (healthier, cheaper, fresher & tastier).

Suggest a meat-free day each week for meat eaters.

Bring packed lunches from home to reduce packaging waste.

Use herbs grown at home or in a community garden.

Choose local & seasonal products to reduce food miles.


Active Travel / Exercise:

Walk, cycle, or use public transport when possible.

Carpool to reduce vehicle emissions.

Consider electric vehicles for a greener commute.

Enjoy local parks & outdoor spaces for exercise.

Encourage patients to stop smoking to benefit both health & the environment.


Women’ health:

Long-acting reversible contraception reduces monthly bleeds.

Recommend bamboo-based rather than sanitary products (more sustainable).

Consider reusable pads & menstrual cups where safe & appropriate.


Holiday / Travel:

Enjoy local green spaces.

Use public transport when possible.

Fly less, aiming to reduce air travel per year.

Carry reusable bags, water bottles & coffee cups while traveling.


Energy Efficiency:

Turn off lights & appliances when not in use.

Switch to LED bulbs to save energy.

Boil only the water needed & cover pots to reduce cooking energy.

Run washing machines or dishwashers only when fully loaded.

Consider installing solar panels for renewable energy.

Draft-proof homes to save energy & reduce heating costs.

Encourage digital communication to reduce paper waste.


Finance:

Consider switching to ethical banks & building societies that support sustainable projects.


Waste Reduction:

Use reusable water bottles, coffee cups & bags.

Avoid single-use plastics whenever possible.

Encourage recycling of items like clothes, shoes & paper.

Reduce food waste by planning meals & composting organic waste.

Use both sides of the paper for printing & reuse non-confidential printouts as scrap paper.


Medicines:

Provide guidance on the optimal use & proper disposal of inhalers.

Advice patients to return unused, unwanted, or expired medications to pharmacies rather than flushing them or disposing of them in general waste.


Career / Activities:

Encourage reflection on how patients can reduce their carbon footprint in their work or daily activities.

Suggest tree planting initiatives, such as the Plant-for-the-Planet project.

Promote joining local sustainability groups, like Greener Medicine or Extinction Rebellion.

Support community gardening in shared spaces.

Share ideas in a regular newsletter for continued learning & community engagement