The Local Channel Tips on going green for you and your community

 If going green is going to save you money then why wouldn’t you? 

 Your home:

• Save energy: Stop taking power for granted and save money, energy, and time by installing a programmable thermostat.  Try turning the thermostat down one degree next winter and put on an extra layer of clothing instead.  You can support renewable energy by signing up to a green energy supplier for utilities.

• Save water: Buying low-flow shower heads and taps save water, but also the energy it takes to heat the water.  Showering takes up significantly less water than having a bath but if you do have a bath consider re-using the dirty water on the garden perhaps!  Consider installing a grey water system in your house whereby you re-use water efficiently.  Don’t flush the WC so often!  Put a brick or plastic bottle filled with water in the cistern and use less water.

• Insulation:  Make sure your loft is insulated and consider adding to this if already installed.  This will save you money on your heating bills.

• Recycle paper:  Get a shredder and use it for anything with your name and address on it so you protect your identity from theft.  Shredded paper can go in your compost bin (within reason).  Sign up with the Mailing Preference Service to reduce the amount of unsolicited mail you receive.  You can also sign up with the Telephone Preference Service and reduce unsolicited phone calls as well.

• Wash at lower temperature:  Clothes can be cleaned in cold water so turn down the dial.

• Hang out your washing:  If possible this is the greener way to dry laundry and you will save money not using your tumble dryer.

Your garden:

• Compost:  Every garden needs a compost bin for all those peelings and from fruit and vegetables.  The compost produced will enhance your soil better than the commercial fertilizers and without the additional chemicals.

• Worms:  Get a wormery – worms love cooked vegetables so are a good way to recycle left over vegetables – the fertilizer (black gold) produced is a nutritious plant feed excellent for your garden. 

• Water butts: – collect rainwater from your roof and use it on your garden.  Put your dirty washing-up water on the garden not down the drain.

Your family:

• Save water:  Encourage your family to think about how much water is wasted just by letting it flow from the tap and down the sink.  Just turning the tap off while you brush your teeth helps.  Currently we generally waste about 30 litres a day just letting the tap run and flushing the wc.  Re-use  water – collect it in a bowl and put it on the garden.

• Review your cleaning products:  Antibacterial soaps are unnecessary and probably contribute to the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.  Good hygiene using normal soap is better for you, your family, your pocket and our planet.  Change your household cleaning products and stop tipping toxic bleaches down the drain.  Use old tee shirts as cloths rather than disposable wipes and paper towels.  Save yourself money and be kinder to our planet.

• Turn off electrical appliances:  Leaving the tv on standby or your mobile phone charger plugged in wastes your money so it makes sense to turn them off.  It is good practice to get your kids to do this so incentivise them!

• Stop using plastic bags!  Plastic bags are the bain of our lives and they are destroying our wildlife too.  If you do need a plastic bag make sure you use it at least twice more.   

Your food:

• Eat foods that are in season and don't have to travel too far to reach your table.   If possible grow your own vegetables and soft fruit – you can make jam and preserves with the excess and/or share it with friends and family.

• Avoid using plastic containers in the microwave as they can leach into the food you are heating up and lead to health problems.

• Eat less meat and dairy products – a varied diet is better for your health generally and by eating more vegetables, pasta and fish – you will improve your health and it will be cheaper!

• Only boil the amount of water you need in your kettle or save money by boiling a full kettle and putting the hot water into a thermos for the day.

• Only buy the food you will use and don’t buy BOGOF (Buy One Get One Free) unless you know you will eat it or the products are for the store cupboard. 

• Use your leftovers in other dishes and try not to throw out good food – its easy to make an omelette using up scraps see Cooking by Numbers under Useful Links at the end of this article.

Your travelling:

• Is your journey necessary?  Think how often you use your car and whether you can make more efficient use of it.  Car pooling is increasing and sharing the expense of running a car a sensible option in families.  Can you use public transport or go by bike or even walk?  It’s also better for your health to use these options so if you are not under any time constraint think how you can benefit yourself and the planet.

• When driving don’t let your engine idle in traffic – it is better to avoid burning more fuel than necessary and it will save you money. 

• Driving within the speed limit will also save you money, and driving with windows up will be more fuel efficient.

• Regular maintenance of your car will keep it on the road and save you money.

• Thinking of changing your car? Consider a greener option to your current model.

• Consider not flying!  There are other ways to travel and going the slower way by boat or train can all add to the enjoyment of your holiday. 

Sharing:

Most of us have more than we need so why not share what you don’t require – give away excess clothing, books, garden produce and plants, car journeys to name a few…

Local churches and village halls often run fundraiser events so you can pass on unwanted possessions easily through them but for other items don’t forget Freecycle and your local charity shops.  Many supermarkets also have bins for books, shoes and clothing too so next time you are going shopping take some of your old stuff and de-clutter your home.

Keep stuff out of landfill and out of the local dump.

Useful links to visit:

www.uk.freecycle.org

www.wormery.co.uk

www.mpsonline.org.uk

www.tpsonline.org.uk

www.cookingbynumbers.com

 Rare White Pinion Moth seen in Rampton Big Spinney.

details courtesy http://wwwbutterfly-conservation.org