Little changes go a long way to make the Future Friendly

(NC)-The days are getting longer, but there still doesn't seem to be enough time to squeeze everything in: exercising, eating-right, working, having fun, and.being environmentally-friendly.

But it is important to remember that all the little things we do actually make a big difference. Even in our daily activities, small changes can help us "do our part" for the environment. And with spring-cleaning around the corner, now is the perfect opportunity to think about some of the things you can do around your home to help.

"Everywhere we go and everything we do affects the environment," says Ken Elsey, president and CEO of the Canadian Energy Efficiency Alliance (CEEA). "Reducing our 'footprint' is easy when you know how, especially at home."

Future Friendly is a partnership between organizations like The Canadian Energy Efficiency Alliance and some of Canada's leading homecare brands. They are encouraging people to make small changes in the main rooms in their homes that consume energy, produce waste, and use water: the kitchen, laundry room and washroom.

In the kitchen

It has always been easy to grab a wad of paper towels to clean-up all those household messes. But try using less so you reduce waste paper. Paper towels, like Bounty Select-a-Size, have sheets that are 45 per cent smaller - but stronger when wet - than a full sheet of the next leading two-ply. You can pick the perfect amount for big or little clean-ups.

You can also make a difference with the kitchen soaps and detergents you choose. Save water and energy by using a dishwashing detergent that gets your dishes clean more quickly and efficiently. For in-the-sink dishwashing, liquid soap such as Dawn Ultra is concentrated and uses less packaging so there's less to recycle, and you still get great cleaning power.

In the laundry room

The laundry room can save energy not only with energy-efficient appliances, but also with the detergents you choose. Doing your laundry with detergents like Tide Coldwater that are formulated to work well in cold water, helps you save energy. In fact, if all Canadians washed in cold water for a year, we'd save enough energy to light up to 2.5 million homes for an entire year. Another bonus is the energy you'll save. Few people realize 85 to 90 per cent of the energy used to do laundry goes to heating the water. (Source: Canadian Energy Efficiency Centre website.)

"Future Friendly is an important initiative for Procter & Gamble," says Lee Bansil, Director of External Relations, Procter & Gamble. "We want to help our consumers do their part for the environment, without sacrificing product performance."

You can continue to reduce packaging waste and use less water by choosing a concentrated fabric softener, versus a non-concentrated version. A one-litre bottle of concentrated Downy Ultra gets the same number of loads of laundry soft and fresh as a three-litre bottle of Downy non-concentrate.

In the washroom

The toilet paper roll always seems to empty-out so quickly, especially in busy homes. When you use toilet paper like Charmin Mega Rolls you get the same number of sheets as four regular rolls combined. That means it's more convenient, and you're also using fewer cardboard cores than with regular rolls, which makes it just a little better for the environment.

Remember to conserve water with a water-saving showerhead and by simply turning off the taps when brushing your teeth.

"Around your entire home, try to turn off the lights and the computer when not in use, and to run the dishwasher and clothes washer only for full loads and in the late evening," says Mr. Elsey. "Reducing consumption during peak hours (typically daytime) lessens emissions associated with electricity generation, and keeps peak prices lower."

This sounds like a lot to remember, but it really is simple to make the Future Friendly. More information on this topic is available online at www.futurefriendlybrands.ca.