At home

Home energy

  • Ask your energy supplier to provide you with power generated from renewable sources (eg wind farms).
  • Use thermostats to switch off the heating when you don't need it.
  • Add insulation to your home to conserve heat and insulate your water heater/hot water tank properly.
  • Turn off appliances and lights when they're not needed.
  • Fit energy-efficient light bulbs – they may cost more but they will save you considerable money and energy over time.

Garden

  • Avoid using sprinklers or hoses for long periods and water your garden after sunset as less water will evaporate.
  • Use a bucket, rather than a hose, when washing your car.
  • Make compost from your biodegradable waste.
  • Dry your clothes on a clothes line – tumble driers use huge amounts of energy.
  • Avoid putting oil, paint, varnish or solvent down the drain.
  • Attach water butts to your shed roof to collect rain water.

Shopping

  • Buy products made from recycled material (eg toilet rolls, bin liners).
  • Choose products with recycled and recyclable packaging.
  • Reuse plastic bags or use cloth bags when shopping.
  • Supermarkets often have recycling facilities and some take back plastic bags.

Driving

  • Don’t leave your engine running (idling) when you’re not driving – turn it off if you stop for more than 10 seconds (except in traffic).
  • Accelerate smoothly, even in a traffic jam. Smoother driving can use 30% less fuel.
  • Obey the speed limit. Driving at 50mph can use 25% less fuel than 70mph.
  • Make sure your tyres are properly inflated (cars with under-inflated tyres consume more fuel).
  • Make sure your car gets an emissions test with its service.
  • Wide-open windows, roof racks, air conditioning and heavy clutter in the boot can all add to your fuel bill.

Holidays

  • Fly less! Take a holiday at home, or use the Channel Tunnel to get to the continent – air travel produces three times more carbon dioxide per passenger than rail.
  • Ask hotels or guest houses to change your linen and towels every other day.
  • If recycling facilities are not available, take your recyclable waste home with you.

Water

  • Take a shower instead of a bath – this can save 50 litres every time (unless it's a power shower!)
  • Avoid putting sanitary products, nappies and cigarettes down the toilet.
  • Turn the tap off when brushing your teeth.
  • Repair dripping taps and always turn them off properly.
  • Use full loads in your dishwasher and washing machine.
  • Use environmentally friendly cleaning products (eg bleach, washing-up liquid).

Eating and drinking

  • Use plastic storage boxes rather than disposable sandwich bags and plastic wrap.
  • Drink tap or filtered water, not bottled.
  • Cook more fresh food to reduce packaging waste  and buy local produce or grow your own to reduce energy used in transportation.
  • Check with your council about recycling facilities for plastic, metals and cardboard.
  • Avoid using disposable cutlery and plates. Buy cheap plastic sets that can be reused.

Other reusing and recycling tips

  • Find someone who can use something you no longer want or take it to a charity shop.
  • Use a cloth hankie – it takes 6,000,000 trees to make one-year's worth of tissues for the world.
  • Donate leftover paint to a community project.
  • Use rechargeable batteries and visit Waste Aware Scotland’s website to see if your local council offers battery recycling facilities.
  • Stop junk mail by registering with the Mailing Preference Service. Write to MPS, Freepost 22, London, W1E 7EZ or phone 0207 766 4410 (UK residential addresses only).