Being eco-friendly should begin in your bathroom

If those confabulating in Paris are in any doubt about the basic frugality of Indians, and others in this part of the world, when it comes to using our planet's resources, they have to look no further than the bright plastic bucket, a staple in all bathrooms in this country. The West considers showers to be the eco-friendly way to bathe. In effect, however, bathers end up using almost as much water as a full bathtub requires, especially if the bath area happens to be fitted with one of those gargantuan “rain showers”. Consider: the average Indian's total daily consumption of water (including bathing) is 30 litres, equivalent to the amount spent on a single “power shower”. So, while the King of Sweden must be complimented for his recent brave call to abandon bathtubs—a definite conceptual and hygienic advancement from the drought-hit summer of 1976 when Britons were asked to share bathtub water—westerners must seek a viable alternative, if they do abandon the tub.

And bucket baths fit the bill and admirably. Besides consuming no electricity and requiring no additional plumbing or bathroom adjustments, buckets also cost a fraction of what even the most rudimentary shower head would. All it needs is a plastic pitcher and ablutions can begin. Replacement, transportation and storage are all just as easy.