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Tips for being green in the kitchen
Quick tips
Don't overfill the kettle
If you're making tea for one, only use that amount of water. If you're making tea for two, use that amount and so on. Overfilling the kettle wastes needless energy.
Don't waste food
This might seem like an obvious point, but a survey by Braun found that YUBBIES (Young Urban Bin Baggers) waste £865m of food every year by letting it go stale or out of date. One in six people wastes more than 10% of their average £42 weekly groceries shopping. Salad and fresh vegetables are the most likely items to be thrown away.
Eat your leftovers
The Braun survey also showed that people in the UK no longer keep leftover food for another meal, preferring to bin it or feed it to the dog instead.
Let food cool down before refrigerating it
This saves energy. Also, only keep the fridge door open for as long as you need to.
Make your own lunch
Not only will this save you a lot of money, but also you'll use less packaging than a sandwich shop.
Only wash full loads in the washing machine
Only ever wash full loads of clothes instead of half loads to save water and energy.
Replace ordinary light bulbs with energy efficient ones
They might cost more initially, but they last much longer and are significantly better for the environment.
Recycle
As well as buying recycled products, get in touch with your local authority to find out about recycling schemes in your area. Pretty soon you'll be required to sort your rubbish anyway, so why not start now?
Re-use items
Bottles, carrier bags and refillable containers don't have to be thrown away — they can all be reused. Many supermarkets now offer 'bags for life'.
Think twice before you put something in the bin
Can it be reused or recycled?
Turn the lights off when you leave a room
This is one of the easiest things anyone can do — and the difference it can make to the amount of energy we consume is considerable.
Use refill packs
Most washing powders, liquids, fabric softeners and dishwasher products have refill packs rather than buying the large plastic bottle over and over again.
More tips
Buy less processed foods
Processed foods are often over-packaged, so try buying more fresh items.
Buy locally produced food where possible
Locally-produced foods don't have to be transported, making them a considerably more environmentally-friendly option by far.
Buy products with less packaging
Less packaging usually means less waste — although how environmentally friendly a product is also depends on how the product was packaged and transported originally.
Don't pour oil, fats and harmful chemicals down the sink or toilet
Inside drains lead to a septic tank or sewer system, where water will be treated. But some chemicals and substances won't be broken down and will still end up back in the sea or rivers. Inside drains and toilets should not be used to dispose of hazardous waste or chemicals — go to your local dump where they will be disposed of properly.
Dispose of your fridge properly
Many old fridges contain chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which contribute to the hole in the ozone layer. If you need to dispose on an old fridge, contact your local authority.
Grow fresh food in your garden
Like locally-produced foods and products, there is no transport involved here, so you can't get much greener.
Repair damaged goods
Half of electrical goods that go to the dump only need minor repairs — and it will probably cost you less than buying a replacement.
Reuse plastic and glass bottles and jars or take them to a recycling bank
Containers like bottles and jars don't always have to be thrown away or recycled — you can reuse them, too.
Separate your rubbish
Recycling is going to become a bigger part of all of our lives, so why not start separating your rubbish for recycling now? Contact your local authority to find out when your nearest recycling point is — there might even be a local collection service available.
Shop environmentally
Books like The Good Shopping Guide list the most eco-friendly products and brands to buy.
Use and buy energy efficient appliances
Products like fridges and washing machines have energy labels on. Categories 'A' and 'B' are the most energy efficient and use less water. Anything rated below rating 'D' is being phased out and should be avoided — it will cost you more and will use more electricity.
Use low temperatures on your washing machine
This saves water and energy.
Don't overfill the kettle
If you're making tea for one, only use that amount of water. If you're making tea for two, use that amount and so on. Overfilling the kettle wastes needless energy.
Don't waste food
This might seem like an obvious point, but a survey by Braun found that YUBBIES (Young Urban Bin Baggers) waste £865m of food every year by letting it go stale or out of date. One in six people wastes more than 10% of their average £42 weekly groceries shopping. Salad and fresh vegetables are the most likely items to be thrown away.
Eat your leftovers
The Braun survey also showed that people in the UK no longer keep leftover food for another meal, preferring to bin it or feed it to the dog instead.
Let food cool down before refrigerating it
This saves energy. Also, only keep the fridge door open for as long as you need to.
Make your own lunch
Not only will this save you a lot of money, but also you'll use less packaging than a sandwich shop.
Only wash full loads in the washing machine
Only ever wash full loads of clothes instead of half loads to save water and energy.
Replace ordinary light bulbs with energy efficient ones
They might cost more initially, but they last much longer and are significantly better for the environment.
Recycle
As well as buying recycled products, get in touch with your local authority to find out about recycling schemes in your area. Pretty soon you'll be required to sort your rubbish anyway, so why not start now?
Re-use items
Bottles, carrier bags and refillable containers don't have to be thrown away — they can all be reused. Many supermarkets now offer 'bags for life'.
Think twice before you put something in the bin
Can it be reused or recycled?
Turn the lights off when you leave a room
This is one of the easiest things anyone can do — and the difference it can make to the amount of energy we consume is considerable.
Use refill packs
Most washing powders, liquids, fabric softeners and dishwasher products have refill packs rather than buying the large plastic bottle over and over again.
More tips
Buy less processed foods
Processed foods are often over-packaged, so try buying more fresh items.
Buy locally produced food where possible
Locally-produced foods don't have to be transported, making them a considerably more environmentally-friendly option by far.
Buy products with less packaging
Less packaging usually means less waste — although how environmentally friendly a product is also depends on how the product was packaged and transported originally.
Don't pour oil, fats and harmful chemicals down the sink or toilet
Inside drains lead to a septic tank or sewer system, where water will be treated. But some chemicals and substances won't be broken down and will still end up back in the sea or rivers. Inside drains and toilets should not be used to dispose of hazardous waste or chemicals — go to your local dump where they will be disposed of properly.
Dispose of your fridge properly
Many old fridges contain chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which contribute to the hole in the ozone layer. If you need to dispose on an old fridge, contact your local authority.
Grow fresh food in your garden
Like locally-produced foods and products, there is no transport involved here, so you can't get much greener.
Repair damaged goods
Half of electrical goods that go to the dump only need minor repairs — and it will probably cost you less than buying a replacement.
Reuse plastic and glass bottles and jars or take them to a recycling bank
Containers like bottles and jars don't always have to be thrown away or recycled — you can reuse them, too.
Separate your rubbish
Recycling is going to become a bigger part of all of our lives, so why not start separating your rubbish for recycling now? Contact your local authority to find out when your nearest recycling point is — there might even be a local collection service available.
Shop environmentally
Books like The Good Shopping Guide list the most eco-friendly products and brands to buy.
Use and buy energy efficient appliances
Products like fridges and washing machines have energy labels on. Categories 'A' and 'B' are the most energy efficient and use less water. Anything rated below rating 'D' is being phased out and should be avoided — it will cost you more and will use more electricity.
Use low temperatures on your washing machine
This saves water and energy.
