Ten Green Ideas to try continue…
Aug
09
Going for Green Energy
Green energy is energy that comes from renewable sources — wind or solar power, for example. Most energy suppliers can sell you green energy and if yours can’t, try switching to another that can. You can also make the most of the energy you have coming into your home by cutting down on the amount you use, switching off appliances at the wall instead of leaving them on standby (which still uses electricity), turning the heating down, and using more energy-efficient appliances.
- Check out these green energy ideas:
- Low-energy light bulbs cut your electricity bills and save a lot of energy. They’re more expensive than ordinary light bulbs but they last a lot longer. You can get them in DIY and hardware shops, and supermarkets.
- Wind-up radios and clocks are green — they use no energy and there are no batteries to dispose of.
Celebrating with Green Parties
Every big event in life — births, birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, Christmas and other religious festivals — deserves a party. Parties mean spending money and buying goods but make sure you buy green goods. Buy Fairtrade, Traidcraft, or locally produced organic food, drink, flowers, party supplies, and gifts.
When it comes to gifts, make your own cards and do without wrapping paper — reusable gift bags produce less waste. Give presents that don’t need lots of energy to operate, or that operate on solar power or are energy saving. Regift things you haven’t used and don’t want, or give ethical presents. Other low-impact gifts include artwork, tickets for the theatre or a restaurant, and donations to charity.
When it comes to posh parties outside your home, a good hotel should be willing to provide you with organic, locally produced food. Try www. green weddings . co . uk for ideas on how to keep your wedding green. Don’t forget that the farther guests have to travel the more fuel they use and the more greenhouse gases they pump into the atmosphere.
Limbering Up with Green Exercise
Exercise is important for health and keeping weight down. Many people go to a gym, but gyms aren’t the greenest places to exercise. Gyms use a huge amount of energy in lighting, air conditioning, operating the equipment, and heating pools, saunas, and Jacuzzis. On top of that, pools are full of chemicals and the towels have to be constantly washed and dried. If you do use the gym, walk or cycle there instead of driving.
You can get greener exercise in the nearest park or at home. Exercise in the park and there’s no energy involved apart from your own. Exercise at home and unless you use electrical equipment you’ll use no more power then you normally would. Housework is a good form of exercise and it’s no more boring than spending time on the treadmill. Plus, you save on those gym fees.
Letting Your Green Hair Down
Relax, I’m talking about washing your hair without shampoo rather than dying your hair green. The greenest option is to do without shampoo and wash your hair in water only or don’t wash it at all. You may find your hair gets greasy and smells, though the greasiness usually lasts for just a month or so; or you may find your hair feels better.
If you stop washing your hair, you are saving on the cost of shampoo and conditioner and on heating water, and saving water itself — as well as reducing the chemicals you flush away.
Aside from the fact that shampoos are often tested on animals, they’re usually full of chemicals, so every time you wash your hair you flush chemicals down the plughole. In addition, because of the demand for palm oil in all sorts of products, including shampoos, natural forests in areas like Borneo and Malaysia have been ripped up and replaced with palm tree plantations, leaving some wildlife under threat of extinction.
If you use shampoo try to buy palm-oil-free, green ones. Specialist shops such as health food and natural products chains have quite good ranges and some regular shops carry them as well.
Taking in Green Tenants
If you are lucky enough to have a house, flat, or room to rent out think about `green renting‘. It costs money to add green features to a house or flat but you can get ahead of the game.
So far, very few landlords have taken up the green-renting idea in the UK, but some estate agents say they’re getting more and more enquiries from people who want the home they rent to be ecofriendly. Green renters are likely to pay a bit extra for a green home that’s cheaper to run. They’re also likely to stay longer, so you don’t have so many periods when the property is empty while you look for a new tenant.
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