Share your greener living tips and make MN make a difference

[PumpkinMilkshake]

I am getting more and more concerned by whats happeneing to our environment. And as such i try and lead a greener lifestyle. However I want to do more and need your help in educating me in to what else I could do.

I already use energy efficient light bulbs.
I use a quick cycle on my washing machine and the half-load button.
None of my appliances are left on stand-by
I dry as much of my washing as possible on the line and clothes airers
As a family we dont use the car for short - walkable journey's
I get my shopping delivered
And I will be using reuseable nappies for my 2nd DC when s/he arrives in December

How else can I improve our greeness and still run a practical efficent household?

[Cappuccino]

environmentally friendly cleaning products - bought or make your own
recycling everything you can (there are a load of things that you can recycle that I didn't know about till recently - ask if your council has a recycling guide)
looking into food miles/ local producers
refusing plastic bags or returning them to local shops which can reuse them

lots of other things which completely escape me at the moment

[PumpkinMilkshake]

Oh yes and we recycle. Our council has a recycling service and so we have a waste bin and a recyle bin in our kitchen.
Just trying to educate DD(3) not to put her toast and cereal into it.
I even recylce our clothes and unwanted stuff through the medium of e-bay - although that could be seem as more of a hobby than a way to help save the planet??

[JackieNoHeadJustABloodyStump]

Some threads with 'recipes' for cleaning products etc
here , here and here

[Cappuccino]

how extensive is your recycling service? ours picks up paper and cans, but I save plastic bottles, glass and cardboard and drive them to the recycling centre

you can also recycle all kinds of stuff like batteries and paint

[throckenholt]

turn your heating thermostat down a couple of degrees.

Don't fly

Pick things that have miminal packaging.

[DrFrankenZooey]

Buy a Mooncup - see my thread in 'Health' for a cheap one.

Don't shop in supermarkets, get a local box delivery scheme

Buy clothes toys and books (or everything you can) on eBay, charity shops, boot sales

Use freecycle

Use more natural types of toiletries - Green People are very good

Breastfeed your babies

[PumpkinMilkshake]

Our council colleact paper, cans, plastic and glass. And also have a green wheelie bin to collect garden waste.

Have read about mooncups, think they are a brilliant idea and as soon as I am not pregnant amd my body has achieved a normal routine again I am going to give them a try.

[fridascruffs]

Vote. Insulate the loft if it isn't already done (easy to do- could probably do it yourself). Don't use more than 30 degrees on the washing machine. Use a small countertop oven for small items, not the big oven. Or use a microwave.

[fridascruffs]

Vote. Insulate the loft if it isn't already done (easy to do- could probably do it yourself). Don't use more than 30 degrees on the washing machine. Use a small countertop oven for small items, not the big oven. Or use a microwave.

[PumpkinMilkshake]

Yes we have insulated our loft, and we have just had new double glazing and doors.

[PumpkinMilkshake]

Would you sayit was better to have the heating on low constantly - say 18 degrees to maintain a constant temperature. Or have it timed to come on twice a day when it might take longer to warm the house. Please remembe I will have a new baby in december so will need to keep a fairly warm house, although we're not short of knitted cardi's and blankets.

[PumpkinMilkshake]

And Dr Franken, I have never heard of a local box delivery scheme bfore coming on MN. Where would I look to find out about on in my area?

[DrFrankenZooey]

Milkshake, try here . You have to register first but it only takes a minute.

[DrFrankenZooey]

Oh, once signed in use the drop downs on the directory to select "box schemes" then enter your area.

[throckenholt]

keeping the fabric of the house warm is better - so constant lower temperature is better than blasting it twice a day.

[tubismybub]

Yet a garden composter this made a huge difference to the amount of rubbish we threw out each week.

[PumpkinMilkshake]

California - getting shopping delivered means we dont have to drive to the supermarket. The delivery truck takes the shopping to between 6-10 different homes in one area, which is between 6-10 less cars on the road.

[TooTickyTheAppleBobber]

FINALLY found a use from all the brown paper bags I get from Riverford - lovely compostable compost bags

[notasheep]

only buy what you need

[foundintranslation]

We always wash full loads and never ever use above 60.
dh bathes in my shower water - I leave the plug in. (Does that make us minging?)
I agree with throckenholt re heating. We do not heat rooms we don't spend a lot of time in at all.

[ballbaby]

Don't be a demonic consumer! We all seem to need so much "stuff" nowadays to be happy - but it doesn't make you happy - so ask yourself if you really need it before you buy it. Especially thinking this with Halloween/Christmas coming up - feel stingy because ds's pressies won't make a pile 1/3 as big as many of my friends kids. I think it's just daft! It doesn't mean I love him less! In fact I love him so much I'm trying to save a planet for him!

When you do buy, buy local.

[PumpkinMilkshake]

Have just popped to my local second hand shop and found 3 reuseable nappy covers, 6 brand new shapped terry nappies and 6 brand new cotton nappies, as well as a nappy bucket. All for the princely sum of about £11. Am feeling very pleased with myself.

[PumpkinMilkshake]

This a shameless thread bump - as I know there are more tips out there.