A greener lifestyle has become more easily accessible to all. Local councils are looking at ways to educate us and provide incentives to those who improve their energy efficiency and recycle more. They are, in many cases, providing the services we need to make positive changes to increase our sustainability. The government is also considering increasing taxes for driving vehicles that aren’t environmentally friendly, forcing motorists to rethink their vehicles and their travel practices. But there is more that you can do. EcoStreet’s “How To Green Your Life” Guide is a collection of ideas and suggestions to make small changes that will help protect our planet.
A small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has. Margaret Mead
Improve Your Energy Efficiency
- Change to a green electricity provider like Ecotricity or Npower Juice.
- Replace lightbulbs with low-energy lightbulbs.
- Buy energy efficient kitchen appliances, look for A+ ratings.
- Fit older fridges and freezers with a Savaplug to reduce electricity usage.
- Defrost your fridge regularly and make sure the door seals well.
- Get a grant and insulate cavity walls and lofts.
- Turn down your central heating thermostat by 1 degree and put a jumper on.
- Dry your washing outside or on a clothes rack, forget tumble dryers.
- Switch televisions, DVD and video machines off properly, don’t leave them on standby.
- Switch off your computer when you are not using it.
- Switch chargers off at the wall when not charging.
- Turn lights off when you aren’t in the room.
- Close your curtains at dusk to prevent heat loss.
- Only use your washing machine when you have a full load, and wash on a lower temperature.
Reduce - Reuse - Repair - Recycle
- Try to buy second-hand wherever possible. Charity shops, boot sales, eBay and PreLoved are good places to start.
- Join Freecycle or Green Gonzo to give and get all manner of things.
- Compost garden and kitchen waste.
Travel Lightly
- Cycle and walk more for short journeys.
- Replace your car with a more fuel efficient option.
- Take the bus or train when possible.
- Join a car-sharing group or lift-club, like Lift Share, Car Sharing or Flexcar.
- Travel long distances by boat or train. The Man In Seat 61 tells you how.
Eat Local
- Buy local food from farmer’s markets, country markets, farm shops and box delivery schemes.
- Buy organic where possible.
- Get an allotment or set aside part of your garden to grow your own fruit and vegetables.
Greener Money
- Bank with an ethical bank who won’t invest your money in arms dealing or products tested on animals. Smile or Triodos Bank are good options.
- Move your mortgage to one of these three eco-friendly products: Ecology Building Society, Co-operative Bank, and Norwich and Peterborough Building Society green mortgage.
House & Home
- Use eco-friendly paints when decorating.
- Take re-usable bags with you while shopping.
- Reject overly-packaged items, choose products with less packaging.
- Buy eco-friendly household cleaners or use traditional cleaning methods.
- Put a brick or plastic bottle of water in your toilet cistern to save water.
- Contact the Mailing Preference Service and stop junk mail.
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Tags: ecostreet, eco-friendly, eco-friendly+house, electricity, energy, energy+efficiency, energy+saving, environment, food, freecycle, gardening, green, green+cleaning, recycle, renewable+energy, shopping, sustainable,
