10 things you could do to become more green and ethical

jazzyjustlaw

Ok, lets just say I am a consumer that takes no notice of where my food comes from, don't recycle, uses too much energy etc, etc. In other words totally not ethical and green.

What 10 things would you explain to me would be the first things that I needed to change about my lifestyle?

tawnyowls

1) Be aware. Consider the impact your decisions will make on the planet, the local economy, and your own health.

2) Remember the rule - reduce, re-use, recycle. That's the order they should be done in - use less of something, re-use it for something else, and finally, if you can't do the other two, recycle it.

3) However, to start off with, recycling is usually one of the easiest things to do. Check out your local council's website and see if they provide boxes or bags. If not, either get several bins, or if you don't have much room, get stacking recycling boxes or even plastic drawer units (eg http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/8757056.htm). Make it as easy as possible for yourself and you're more likely to continue doing it.

4) If you have a place to put a bin, compost all organic waste. Likely to be a scheme with your council to buy a bin for about £10. Get a small bin to keep in the kitchen and put all peelings, teabags, vacuum dust etc in it.

5) Try to avoid supermarkets. If possible, buy locally produced food. Check out farmers' markets and farm shops.

6) Start saving energy. Switch things off when they're not being used, use full loads in the dishwasher/washing machine, dry clothes on a line when possible, use thermostats on radiators and turn the heating down in less-used rooms, draught-proof windows and doors, insulate loft and cavity walls, use electric blankets and higher-tog duvets rather than heating bedrooms at night.

7) Save water. Get a water butt and a diverter. Consider putting a 'hippo' in the cistern (usually free from the water board). Have showers instead of baths, and consider collecting the water and using to flush loos or water plants. Don't use sprinklers, use soaker hoses plus timers, or a hose with a spray gun.

8) Take advantage of Freecycle if you want something or want to get rid of something.

9) Buy string or cotton bags, or 'bags for life' and don't use carrier bags. If you do, at least re-use them as bin bags. In fact, no-one should EVER need to buy bags for small pedal bins.

10) Use eco-friendly cleaning products and toiletries.

CAFCGirl

Just wanted to add, with the exception of a few items, most every day household items have another use.

Like the sports lid on bottle of water, can be used again to help water plants.
Plastic bottles, can be cut down to size and used for seedlings, till theyre ready to plant up.

Old cottons knickers and boxers can be cut up and used as dusters.

For small loads of dishwashing, dont use a dishwasher, use a sink, save the water and use to water your plants/ fill up your water butt

Even if you have got a garden, use a window box for a mini herb garden, not only do you save money on continually having a supply of fresh herbs (providing you care for them properly) you'll create your own mini haven for the inner city animal population. Mine has got a spider called Brian

Just a little something, and it may sound really simple but we've all got to start somewhere

jellycat40

Thanks for the 10 tips but surely the farmers markets etc are very expensive. I am usually on Moneysaving OS or DFW threads so cash is an issue.

Louise

unsure

11. Switich to rechargeable batteries. This is both a good moneysaving and a benefit to the environment which stops lots of once-used batteries full of chemicals going into landfill. We bought a few sets and a charger a few months ago and it has been so simple just to keep a reserve stock ready while using others in all our radios, mp3s, cameras, etc.

12. Switch to low eneergy light bulbs. Again it's easy, makes a difference and savues you money!

culpepper

13.Try to use the car less if you have one. Walk or cycle for short trips.

SaverSarah_2

Hey tawnyowls, you did that SOOO well it's hard to know how to add to it!

xx

PabloNeruda

Thanks for some good tips here. We all need to do our bit.

arkonite_babe

jellycat40 wrote:

Thanks for the 10 tips but surely the farmers markets etc are very expensive. I am usually on Moneysaving OS or DFW threads so cash is an issue.

Louise

In that case just buy meat and better quality veg on a "When I can afford it" basis.

It's better to do a little than nothing at all

EG buying a free range organic chicken once a month is better for you than a caged chicken who has been poorly treated. Use the OS method of rubber chicken to eek out the cost, make it stretch several meals then make stock/soup with the carcass before ytou throw it out.


HTh

HappySad

Before you throw something away think again on how you could have avoided having this rubbish in the first place and also think how you can reuse if around the house.

I free cycle outside my house and leave thinks for others to pick up. I put a sign of "Free - Come and Get me" onto of the items. They usually go within a week.

Debt_Free_Chick

jellycat40 wrote:

Thanks for the 10 tips but surely the farmers markets etc are very expensive. I am usually on Moneysaving OS or DFW threads so cash is an issue.

Louise

Only because the Supermarket is screwing someone, somewhere - often, the supplier (especially in the UK). Did you know that the supermarket does not actually offer BOGOFs? Oh no .. they tell the supplier that they're going to do a BOGOF so that the supplier has to supply twice as much at the same price as a normal load :mad: Hardly ethical.

And Supermarkets are the biggest culprits of unnecessary food miles - like lamb, dairy produce & apples from New Zealand when both are produced in abundance in this country. Hardly green.

However, I do understand the difficulty for those on a tight food budget. Being green and/or ethical all too often involves a compromise on price.

But I would encourage you to take a look at a farmer's market and a price comparison. Normally, the Supermarket cannot touch the farmer's market for quality, taste & freshness.