Getting Started: Top Ten Tips
Look at every single aspect of your life and there'll be a way of making it more environmentally friendly - reason enough why most of us don't know where to start.
The secret is baby steps. Start incorporating new, eco-friendly routines into your life and watch your carbon footprint shrink! Not sure what a carbon footprint is? Welcome to your beginners' guide to going green - the easy way to start...
1. It's not rubbish!
Most products you use can be recycled, from glass and paper to metal and clothing. Read the labels and think before you bin.
2. Don't be a water waster
Take a shower instead of a bath, flush the toilet less, don't leave the tap on while brushing your teeth, use a watering can not a hose for the garden... Be water aware.
3. Cut the engine
As much as possible, ditch the car in favour of walking, biking or public transport. This will reduce CO2 emissions - key contributors to global warming.
4. Turn it off
Don't leave electrical devices on standby, switch off lights when you leave a room and unplug chargers when you've finished with them.
5. Good day sunshine!
A renewable energy source, solar power can heat your water and generate electricity - and any that you don't use can be sold back to local electricity companies.
6. Clothes washing with conscience
Only use the washing machine if you have a full load, opt for the eco settings and cooler washes and avoid the tumble dryer at all costs - it's a real energy eater...
7. Keep the heat in
Make sure your house is well insulated and foil-back your radiators to reflect heat back into the room.
8. Get supermarket savvy
Whenever possible, buy local produce and choose seasonal fruit and veg rather than food that has been shipped half way around the world. Organic is your best option.
9. Work it!
Make sure your PC and monitor are switched off when you leave work, think before you print and if at all possible, work from home - there's never been a better excuse.
10. Talk to those who know
For loads of simple, practical advice, try www.energysavingtrust.org.uk, www.carbonfootprint.com, www.direct.gov.uk or www.biggreenswitch.co.uk.
Most products you use can be recycled, from glass and paper to metal and clothing. Read the labels and think before you bin.
2. Don't be a water waster
Take a shower instead of a bath, flush the toilet less, don't leave the tap on while brushing your teeth, use a watering can not a hose for the garden... Be water aware.
3. Cut the engine
As much as possible, ditch the car in favour of walking, biking or public transport. This will reduce CO2 emissions - key contributors to global warming.
4. Turn it off
Don't leave electrical devices on standby, switch off lights when you leave a room and unplug chargers when you've finished with them.
5. Good day sunshine!
A renewable energy source, solar power can heat your water and generate electricity - and any that you don't use can be sold back to local electricity companies.
6. Clothes washing with conscience
Only use the washing machine if you have a full load, opt for the eco settings and cooler washes and avoid the tumble dryer at all costs - it's a real energy eater...
7. Keep the heat in
Make sure your house is well insulated and foil-back your radiators to reflect heat back into the room.
8. Get supermarket savvy
Whenever possible, buy local produce and choose seasonal fruit and veg rather than food that has been shipped half way around the world. Organic is your best option.
9. Work it!
Make sure your PC and monitor are switched off when you leave work, think before you print and if at all possible, work from home - there's never been a better excuse.
10. Talk to those who know
For loads of simple, practical advice, try www.energysavingtrust.org.uk, www.carbonfootprint.com, www.direct.gov.uk or www.biggreenswitch.co.uk.
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