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The following tips will help you save money and save the planet:
  1. Turn your thermostat down one degree.  If every household did this it would be the equivalent of taking 2.3 million cars off the road.
  2. Switch off unused lights and electrical equipment.  Devices on standby still use 85% of their energy. 
  3. Wash your clothes at 30°c.  This uses up to 40% less energy and thanks to modern detergents and washing machines, it is just as effective at cleaning clothes as washing at higher temperatures.
  4. Use energy efficient lightbulbs and rechargeable batteries.
  5. Consider switching your energy supplier to a green energy tariff.  See: http://www.uswitch.com/Energy/Green-Energy.html?i=1.
  6. The average UK household spends £424 a year on food which is thrown away.  Be savvy when you shop: write a shopping list so that you don’t impulse buy more than you need; and consider buying re-usable rather than disposable items such as hankies and razor blades, and loose rather than pre-packed vegetables. 
  7. A great way to keep things out of landfills is to give them away for re-use.  Find out more information about how to give and receive free items such as furniture & electronic equipment in your area at www.uk.freecycle.org.
  8. More than 300m litres of paint are bought each year and a significant amount never gets used.  If you have leftover unwanted paint you can donate it to http://communityrepaint.org.ukwho will re-use it in projects which improve your local community. 
 
Useful Information

Cleaner, greener streets: Rubbish, litter, dog fouling, grafitti and fly tipping are all problems on our streets but the local Council can help if you tell them about the problem:

  • Reduce the amount of junk mail you receive by registering with the Mail Preference Scheme at www.mpsonline.org.uk/mpsr 
  • Wandsworth Council also have a helpline 020 8871 8558 where you can report a variety of other issues vandalism, overflowing rubbish bins, dog fouling, litter or visit www.direct.gov.uk.
Recycling: Every little helps….recycling two glass bottles saves enough energy to boil five cups of tea.  And it’s not just paper, glass and plastic that can be recycled.  Unwanted computer & electrical equipment & a wide variety of household appliances can all be re-used.  To see the full range of items that can be recycled and to find out where your nearest recycling facilities are go to http://www.recyclenow.com/what_more_can_i_do/can_it_be_recycled.  More information about how to manage and reduce your household waste can be found at http://www.recyclenow.com

Green Transport: You can help by reducing the number of short trips you make in your car.  Walking, cycling and using trains and buses will all help to cut local air pollution and traffic congestion in your area. 

  • Traveline is an impartial journey planning information about all public transport services: 0870 608 2608
  • National rail enquiries:  08457 48 49 50
  • National express: 08705 80 80 80
  • Cycle paths in the UK:  www.sustrans.org.uk.
  • Offset your carbon emissions at www.climatecare.org.
  • Car Sharing.  If everyone who drives to work on their own were to catch a lift with someone just once a week the total number of commuting car journeys would reduce by 25%.  For more information on free car sharing in your area visit www.carshare.com or www.liftshare.org.

For more information, help or advice on any of the above issues or to talk about problems that are concerning you in your area, you can contact Mark Clarke at mark@markclarke.net.