Peoples Republic of South Devon

Ten Top Environmental Tips…

October 1st, 2008

… to save the planet, save your (non-denominational) soul and save money.

Today’s top 10 are from Cat Radford

Here is my top ten tips – none of them are particularly earth shatteringly new…

1. Put on a jumper and an extra pair of socks rather than turning up the heating.

2. Buy local produce where you can.

3. Think about times you could car share and do it.

4. Recycle everything, and buy things that only have recycled or recyclable packaging.

5. Use energy efficient bulbs and turn lights off when you don’t need them.

6. Generally think about how long it would take your waste to break down in a landfill site and consider whether you could stop using the worst stuff - i.e. Buy a Tupperware box and use that for your packed lunch rather than cling film or foil, put a turned up plate over food in the fridge or when you use a microwave rather than using cling film or foil, don’t buy vegetables in plastic punnets but buy things loose instead.

7. Use ‘green’ products that are better for the environment than other ones (i.e. Ecover washing up liquid, washing powder).

8. Try reusable nappies rather than opting for disposable ones – there are local schemes paid for by District Councils where you can try before you buy.

9. Look into ‘Mooncups’ rather than using disposal sanitary products.
10. Compost your vegetable waste, and compost a percentage of your waste paper (shred it first).

Special Bonus tips!
11. Always use two sides of a piece of paper. Use scrap paper in your printer if you’re printing stuff just for your use.

12. If you run your own business, be proud of being ‘green’ and reuse envelopes etc, rather than buying pristine bleached packaging when sending business post. If we all start doing it, it will be the norm.

Cat Radford is a performer and workshop facilitator with the artists’ collective Blind Ditch Performance, who’s make devised theatre, video and visual art, sonic composition and new media.

Cat also has been working at Dartington College of Arts for the past four years where she has been involved in projects that evaluate arts activity in the South West. She is now a Business Fellow for the Performing Arts, providing advice and guidance for artists across the region.

Cat also has a part time project management post at Aune Head Arts, a Dartmoor based Arts Organisation that supports and produces art work around the issues of contemporary rural life. In her spare time, she likes to participate in folk music and dance, read books, eat nice food and watch films

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Entry Filed under: Environment