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Go green
Just one person (so that's you then!) can make a difference.
Article by : SpunOut.ie
Maybe you don’t have time to campaign against industry pollution, but if you clean up your act in day to day life others will be encouraged to do the same. Of course, you can also help by pointing out their dirty habits!
Here’s some ways that you, your family, work mates and friends can go greener right now.
Saving up:
- Don’t overheat your home (or tell your parents not to). You’re wasting loads of money on an unnecessary heating bill. Just lowering the heat by 1 degree means a 10% saving on the bill. This might mean putting on a jumper instead of running round in your knickers or boxers though!
- Close the curtains at night, it helps keep the heat in.
- If you’ve got central heating, turn off the radiators in empty rooms.
- Keep radiators clean and don’t hang stuff on them. Bleed the radiators to get rid of trapped air, so you’re getting the best possible out of them.
- If you’re putting in new heating or building a house, choose natural gas or LPG instead of oil or coal heating. It’s better for the environment.
- It’s obvious, but switch off lights when you leave a room and turn off computers, stereos, TVs and so on at the plug. Again you’re saving energy and money.
- Get low energy light bulbs. They last up to 10 times longer and use much less electricity.
Cooking:
- Cook with lids on pots and pans. Yet again it’s saving energy and money.
- Students can celebrate with a reason for easy cooking! Microwaves use less energy than ovens and cookers.
- Only heat as much water as you need in kettles and saucepans.
Washing:
- Use the shower instead of having a bath. It means less water, less heating and less money spent!
- Make sure your hot water tank is well insulated so that you’re not burning extra money and energy.
- Don’t use too much detergent when washing clothes. It’s wasteful and can damage them.
- Running the washing machine and dishwasher at a warm setting instead of a hot one will use a third less electricity.
- Dry clothes outside when possible instead of in a tumble drier.
- Wait until the washing machine or drier are full before turning them on.
Green toilet
- Don't flush non-biodegradable things down the toilet. Disposable doesn't mean it's safe for the environment.
- Always bin condoms, tampons and their applicators, sanitary pads, disposable nappies, bandages, plasters and razor blades.
- Use environmentally friendly products to clean the toilet and don't pour chemicals down it.
