Spring
is often a time of contemplation and a time to really take a step
back and see what positive life changes you can make. You might have
some 'spring resolutions' like running, going to the gym or giving up
chocolate, but there are a lot of little changes you can make that
you may not yet have thought of. We've compiled a list of our 20
favourite green living tips (IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER). You may see a
few things which you are already doing, but there's sure to be
something new!
1.Turn
off your appliances
You'd
be surprised just how many little things might remain on standby,
using power needlessly 24/7. Computers, printers, TVs and DVD players
are repeat offenders.
2.Wash
your clothes with cold water
Unless
you have tough stain to wash off, cold water will wash your clothes
just as well! The same can probably be said of showers, but brrrrrr!
3.Organic
cotton bedding
As
it's organic, organic bedding has to be made with tremendous
attention to detail. The resulting product will provide chemical free
luxury!
4.Re-use
jars and other food packaging
I
personally find it really annoying when people use jam jars as
glasses, but why not use them as storage containers for something
else. Old ice cream tubs are great for freezer storage, or as a
make-shift lunchbox.
5.Buy
a re-usable water bottle
The
amount of plastic used to make the water bottles we buy and throw
away is crazy. You can be a reasonably priced 1.5ltr flask and fill
it up every day. You could even use an old squash bottle.
6.Go
to your local antique shops and flea markets
There
are bargains to be had! You might not like 90% of what you see, but
there will always be something for you to adopt and give a new home.
It's also a great way of supporting local independent businesses.
7.Cancel
paper bank statements
A
tremendous waste of paper. Unless you need them for your records,
there's no need to be sent a dossier of your account usage every
month. Simply sign up for online banking, then you can check your
account at any time.
8.Walk,
cycle or run to work!
This
one does feel a bit like a new year's resolution, but if you work
anywhere up to 5 miles away from how, this could be viable option.
Great for your health, great for the environment.
9.Buy
local organic local food
Many
farms around the country now offer organic produce box delivery, much
like those of Abel & Cole or Riverfords. Buying an assortment of
organic fruit, veg and other produce is a great way to support your
local organic farmers, no matter how frequently you do it.
10.Grow
your own herbs!
This
one is especially good if your gardening skills are somewhat lacking.
Herbs like parsley and basil are extremely easy to grow from scratch.
You can even buy a little pot from the supermarket and re-plant it.
11.Use
old rags as cleaning cloths
Tear
up a couple of old t-shirts and you should have plenty of brand new
cleaning cloths! Eliminating waste is a big part of creating a
sustainably green home.
12.Turn
the lights off when you leave the room
Even
if you think you'll be back in a couple of minutes, turn the lights
off. The phone could always ring, the doorbell could ring or nature
could call!
13.Buy
some really thick socks!
This
may seem a bit silly, but if you think you are using too much energy
on heating your home, a good pair of socks and a good blanket are
winter essentials.
14.Re-usable
shopping bags
Shopping
bags are one of the most avoidable disposable items which we
encounter daily. Whether you bring your own bags or get a 'bag for
life', you will be doing your bit for the environment. Waitrose will
exchange the old 'bag for life' of any other supermarket for a new
one of their own.
15.Strawberries
Living
green doesn't mean you don't get treats! You can grow strawberries in
a relatively small pot, with just a little watering every day. Just
in time for Wimbledon.
16.Energy
saving lightbulbs
They
are sold in all supermarkets by law now, but you might still have
some older bulbs in your house. Make the change.
17.Find
a new use for old furniture
Instead
of throwing that old chair out, why not re-fashion it into a planter
for your garden? Or why not use an old shelf as extra storage in a
shed or garage?
18.Don't
use paper napkins
If
you're having a kids birthday party, you're excused. Otherwise, paper
napkins are incredibly wasteful and easily avoidable.
19.Chickens?
Hey,
it's a long shot, but you might have the space and time (not in a
Doctor Who sense). Keeping your own chickens can be good fun, and a
great source for organic eggs!
20.Get
an organic mattress
If
you want to avoid all of the chemical components of a conventional
mattress or memory foam mattress, an organic mattress is a must.
Organic wool is also a fantastic substitute for chemical fire
treatment.
4
Living are a retailer of high-quality, organic chemical free mattresses. Their range includes certified organic mattresses from
Germany and Wales made from natural latex organic cotton, organic,
wool, organic coconut fibre, organic mohair and organic horse hair. Their East Sussex mattress showroom is nestled in the South Downs, between Lewes and Eastbourne.
No comments:
Post a Comment