10 Simple Tips To Make Life Green

     1. Hydrate your body without hurting the Earth.

 Stop using disposable plastic water bottles and instead invest in steel or glass bottles which are recyclable.

2. Replace shower gel bottles with soaps.

 When your Shower gel gets over, you’re left with an empty plastic bottle, and many communities don’t have the facilities to recycle these. Try swapping your shower gel with super-low-waste soap, preferably from a hand-cut bar or with recyclable paper packaging.

3. Give paper wrap a miss.

Instead of tossing tons of paper, tissue and gift bags each year, get creative and try packaging gifts in reusable items like tea towels, scarves, bandanas and more. Your packaging will be just as pretty, and it will be even more thoughtful.

4. Unplug Electronics.

Electronic items still consume energy when they’re turned off but plugged in, so before you leave the house for the day (and especially if you’re leaving for vacation), unplug all unused devices.

5. Use your old clothes as rags to clean.

Get extra use out of torn or holey t-shirts, towels and more by cutting them up and using them as dust clothes or wash rags.

6. Make paperless payments.

Save some trees by converting to online statements and payments for as many bills as possible. From credit cards to rent to electricity, nearly every bill can be paid electronically now, so just create email folders for statements and payment confirmations to organize and keep track of your payments.

7. Don't Pr-Heat the Oven.

Unless needed, just turn the oven on after you put the dish in it. Also, to see if it's finished just look through the glass instead of opening it. 

8. Save water

Wash only full loads of laundry, and make sure to select the correct load size and use cold water as much as possible. When buying a new washing machine, make sure to choose a high-efficiency model.

9. Get rid of junk mail

There are many services that can help you get rid of junk mail. That will lead to a lot less trees being cut down to take up room in your mailbox.

10. Use Matches instead of lighters.

Lighters are usually considered disposable so they will most likely end up in land fills. You can use the cardboard matches which are much more Eco-friendly because they are made of recycled material.

World Environment Day 2012

Office Etiquette: what to do and what not to

Many people spend more time with their colleagues than with members of their own family. That's reason enough to strive for a good climate in the workplace. Observing a few rules of etiquette is often sufficient to get along with co-workers.

There are so many pitfalls between the office kitchen and the conference room.

Gossiping about colleagues, getting too familiar with superiors or wearing a far-too-deeply plunging neckline are perfect ways to earn a dubious reputation on the job. People who want to work in an office with a nice atmosphere should by all means watch their manners while on the job.

Here's a list of the most important rules guiding office behavior:

Be punctual and dependable

"Most people become annoyed when someone wastes their time," said Susanne Helbach-Grosser, a business etiquette trainer in Germany. Employees should ask for help early when they are unable to handle their workload, but they should also be aware that if they constantly complain about stress it can get on their co-workers' nerves.

Eating at one's desk

When someone occasionally munches an apple at his or her desk, it is completely acceptable, said Agnes Jarosch of a German organization dedicated to counseling people about etiquette. "But when I sit at my desk and unpack a steaming hot cutlet that spreads its aroma throughout the bureau, that is inconsiderate toward colleagues," said Jarosch. It's better to consume meals like that in the break room or at a restaurant.

Heat on or window open?

This is a classic conflict because it's often the case that the room temperature is too hot for one colleague, but too cold for another. "There's often a row when a co-worker simply throws a window open or lowers the air conditioning without asking first," said Helbach-Grosser. There's no simple solution for this problem. "The colleagues must talk with each other. There's no way around it."

Office attire for men

Men have it easier than women when it comes to selecting the right clothing for the office, said style consultant Renate Sperber. Men don't always have to wear a business suit, however.

"It's important that his clothes are well-groomed. Thanks to its collar, a polo shirt has a completely different effect than a simple T-shirt," Sperber said. "But a colleague who wears a wrinkled T-shirt to work signals to his colleagues that he doesn't care what impression he makes on them. That isn't much appreciated."

Office attire for women

"Women should uphold the business dress code unfailingly," said Sperber. Dressing in sexy clothing is taboo. Women can get by with wearing bright colors these days. "But the trend is moving toward neat and preppy. You should also occasionally dress in a solid color." She added that discreet makeup is an absolute must.

Mobile phone etiquette

As long as there are not constantly private conversations, using a private mobile phone in the office usually doesn't cause a problem, said Helbach-Grosser. But be careful with ring tones: Those that make the sound of a crying baby or tweeting birds for example are unprofessional, she said.

Ladies first

"Certain chivalrous gestures continue to make a good impression," said Jarosch. But colleagues should realize that woman can also be polite. When a male colleague carries a huge pile of files, for example, the female colleague should hold the door open for him.

Source: IANS