At Home
Households are responsible for
30 per cent of UK energy use. This energy is mainly produced from burning
fossil fuels which release damaging emissions including carbon dioxide which
contributes to climate change. In the UK, the average person uses about 150
litres of water every day, which means natural water sources are strained
and levels often fall in waterways. You can make a big difference in your
home simply by making a few small adjustments to your routine.
Save energy
- Switch off all lights and electrical
appliances when not in use - your TV left on standby can still use a quarter
of full power. See how your TV and video fare at www.mtprog.com
- Choose energy-efficient appliances
and light bulbs
- Let clothes dry naturally rather
than using a tumble drier
- Insulate your home with cavity
walls - seek professional advice first
- Ensure you have at least 15cm
of loft insulation, use draught excluders and put foil behind radiators
on outside walls to reflect the heat back inside
- Lag your boiler and pipes to
prevent unnecessary heat loss by up to 75%
- Turn down your thermostat -
turning it down by just 1°C can save you up to 10 per cent on your heating
bill
- Keep lids on pans when cooking
to prevent your cooker having to work extra hard
- On average using a gas oven
costs a quarter of the price of running an electric one. Switch to gas if
you have the option
- For full details on making your
home more energy efficient please visit www.saveenergy.co.uk
Save water
- Fix dripping taps - they can
waste up to 13 litres of water a day
- Don't leave the tap running
while you clean your teeth
- Install a Hippo Water Saver
in the cistern of your toilet. This can save between 2.5 and 3.5 litres
of water each time you flush. To obtain a Hippo call 01989 766667 or visit
the website
- Take a shower instead of a bath
- Save wood and paper
- Return unwanted mail and ask
for your name to be removed from the mailing list
- E-mail the Mailing Preference
Service, mps@dma.org.uk - it can arrange for your address to be deleted
from around 90 per cent of mailing lists
- Always use both sides of a sheet
of paper
- Use e-mail to stay in touch,
including cards, rather than faxing or writing
- Re-use envelopes
- Always recycle paper after use
- Share magazines with friends
and pass them on to the doctor, dentist or local hospital for their waiting
rooms
Reuse and recycle
- Use washable nappies instead
of disposables if you can
- Recycle as much as you can -
if there are no recycling facilities near you, contact your local council
- Give unwanted clothes, toys
and books to charity shops or jumble sales
- Use mains electricity rather
than batteries if possible. If not, use rechargeable batteries
- Use a solar-powered calculator
instead of one with a battery
- Instead of a plastic ballpoint,
use a fountain pen with bottled ink, not plastic cartridges
- Store food and other products
in ceramic containers rather than foil and plastic wrap
Reduce waste and pollution
- Dispose of old appliances -
particularly refrigerators with units containing CFCs - responsibly. If
in doubt, contact your local council
- Choose environmentally friendly
cleaning products containing plant extracts that degrade quickly when washed
down the drain
- Take waste oil to your local
Household Waste Recycling Centre - it is illegal to put waste oil down sinks
or drains
- Put sanitary waste and wrappings
in the dustbin, not down the toilet
