We have gathered together a range of useful tips which we thought that we would share with you. Some are just plain common sense, some are from experience, some from our customers (Thank You) and others from the many eco publications and websites available. If you have any other tips that you would like to share, please e-mail them to us at info@thegreenstoreonline.co.uk.
- Using rechargeable batteries will save energy, toxic chemicals & money but avoid ones containing cadmium as these are environmentally harmful
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Having sent your waste paper for recycling, buy recycled paper products such as toilet paper & kitchen paper.
- Don’t know what to do with those CDs that fall out of the Sunday papers? Why not make them into a mobile and hang it in a window to catch the light. Alternatively hang them up among your fruit & veg to scare away the birds. (Alice, Devon)
- De-calcify your iron by pouring a mixture of white vinegar and water into the steam cavity. Turn the iron on hot and let it steam for 5 minutes then pour the solution away & rinse.
- Join your local Freecycle network at www.freecycle.org to get rid of stuff
you don’t want and get stuff you do!
- Visit www.readitswapit.co.uk to swap books that you’ve finished for one’s you’d like to read.
- Got a shed full of unused or unwanted tools? Why not donate them to Tools for Self Reliance who refurbish them and then send them to tradesmen in Africa. Look at www.tfrs.org.uk to find your nearest collector.
- Take your old magazines to your local Doctors’ surgery for others to enjoy.
- You can recycle your old electronic devices at retailers within 28 days if you are buying a similar product. (Zarema, London)
- According to the UK WEEE Regulations, customers who are buying a new PC can
claim a free take-back facilities from PC retailers to return old equipment. (Zarema, London)
- Make sure your home has adequate insulation. Efficient loft insulation alone can save up to £100 on heating costs a year. There is now loft insulation available (in main stream DIY shops) which is made from recycled plastic bottles, so you can insulate your loft & help close the recycling loop in one.
- Check the lagging on hot water tanks & pipes to help save money & make your system work efficiently. Also make sure that cold water pipes are lagged to prevent burst pipes in the winter.
- Turn down/off radiators in unused rooms and keep doors closed.
- Don’t tip toxic household chemicals down the drain. Paint, thinners, car oil etc can be taken to your local council facilities for proper disposal or recycling.
- Revitalise an old ironing board cover by placing foil underneath it to reflect heat & save money. (Sue, Liverpool)
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Give up that expensive Gym membership and join a Green Gym. These combine community gardening and conservation with a physical workout. Check out www.btcv.org.uk for more information.