Issue No. 21
November 16, 2012
Enercon tips for Christmas
E
ven when the Yuletide season is traditionally observed as the longest celebration in the Philippines, we should not forget about energy conservation. Here are some reminders: Keep it simple. Forget about lavish ornaments. Aside from being expensive, they are also not necessary to live the Christmas spirit. Extravagant ornaments, especially those made of plastic and other nonbiodegradable materials, usually consume a lot of energy in production. Be smart on Christmas lights. Let’s face it: we can’t totally say goodbye to Christmas lights, especially those areas that are popular for turning these into works-of-art during the Yuletide season. But we can be smart in using them: Turn them off before sleeping and turn them on only at night; buy the kind that doesn’t consume a lot of energy; and more importantly, choose the kind that has an Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) or Philippine Standard (PS) mark to ensure that it has passed the quality prescribed by the Department of Trade and Industry-Bureau of Product Standards (DTI-BPS). Choose Filipino. Minimize use of imported Christmas decors since transporting these goods to the country entail a lot of energy consumption. If we patronize the local, especially the handicrafts produced by micro and small enterprises, we are in turn saving a lot of energy, and what’s more, we’re partly living the Christmas spirit of giving. Recycle, be creative. What’s better than buying simple and eco-friendly is being creative and turning what may be taken for trash into Christmas decors. Use the same pieces used last Christmas or turn plastic bottles into Christmas tree for example. Think twice before buying new things. With the onset of the season, sales, huge discounts, and promos here and there are now crowding the shopping malls and groceries. Avoid being impulse buyers.
Before purchasing, ask questions like: do I really need this product or service? Is this necessary? Is the quality of this product on sale worth my money? Cook the right amount of food. If we like to have many dishes on our dining table for Noche Buena, cook in smaller amounts so you could have a great selection of food without risking spoilage. Focus on the quality instead of quantity. Be smart in gift giving. There really is pleasure in opening a beautifully wrapped Christmas present, but not all gifts received are really liked and are put into good use. If unsure about the present, give food for gift like pastries, desserts, or sweets. These would rarely go into waste, especially if given a couple of weeks earlier than the Christmas day.
Published by the Trade and Industry Information Center (TIIC) for the DTI ENERCON Management Team in support of the National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Program. If you have Enercon tips to share, other suggestions or requested topics, please e-mail us at publications@dti.gov.ph.