Our green tips for easy recyclying and green living
We are all lazy when we have to learn new things, especially with our modern busy lives, but we believe it is just a question of learning new habits and a new way to look at things. We can always take one step at a time and gradually move from one task to another. Once we learn these things it gets easier and we get a fulfilment from knowing we have done something meaningful to help the environment.
- Select renewable energy. By choosing to purchase energy generated from renewable sources , businesses get the message of supporting the development of clean green energy. Signing up to the green tariff does not guarantee you get direct green electricity down the wire into your office, but it does mean that somewhere within the "pooling" system of the national grid your demand for electricity is being matched by an equivalent supply of green electricity
- Select low enviromental impact materials. Nearly 50% of CO2 emissions in the UK are caused by constructing, mantaining and occupying buildings. By substituting standard concrete with sawn timber a saving of nearly 800 kg of CO2 can be gained per cubic metre. Vinyl flooring has ten times the emissions of wooden flooring material, and metal flooring has even more. When looking for new wooden furniture look for environmental credentials such as the FSC. The FSC ensures trees are replanted so that the overall capacity of absorbing CO2 emissions is not reduced over time.
- Recycling. Batteries and waste electronic have a high environmental impact, as they contain metals. Best dispose of them at tips (some charity shops take old mobile phones). Aluminium cans and metal cans (they need to be cleaned) can go in the recycling box. Glass containers, of course verybody knows about that. Paper with metal foil can not be recycled because of the metal content in the foil. Plastic collection is still not up and running in the whole country, therefore the claim about recyclable plastic only goes as far as the local facilities available in your area. Texiles, such as old clothes, curtains and blankets can be easily be donated at charity shops.
- Buy local. The reward for buying local is very fresh and tasty produce, not necessarily organic, but high quality and of course no air miles. In my opinion it is also good to get to know the people behind the produce as most of the time they are very passionate and committed, and their good intentions are reflected into the quality of what they sell.