Peoples Republic of South Devon

Dare’s top ten environmental tips

October 2nd, 2008

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

Today’s top 10 are from Dare

1. Energy Efficiency – The future is negawatts not megawatts. Replace lighting with energy efficient bulbs. You can install reflective backing behind radiators and radiator shelves above those sited by windows, to improve their efficiency. Always try to buy A rated appliances or above. Always turn appliances off and not leave them on stand-by.

2. Insulation – Upgrade your loft insulation and install cavity wall insulation where appropriate. You can also add insulation to floors, ceilings and even walls. Also draft proof doors and double glaze windows. For more information on energy efficiency and insulation please visit the Devon energy efficiency advice centre at West Country Energy Action

3. Energy Supplier - You can change your energy supplier to a greener alternative, either by changing to one of the major suppliers green funds which guarantee a percentage of energy they purchase is from renewable sources or they invest in a green fund for reinvestment into renewables. One company which sources only renewable energy is Good Energy

4. Renewable Energy – To reduce your carbon footprint and with the impacts of massive escalations in energy prices you may like to consider generating electricity and heat from renewable means. For more information on renewables, including factsheets, databases and newsletters visit the Devon Association for Renewable Energy website

5. Recycle – We must recycle, and this also includes assessing the products you buy and looking to see if there is an alternative which uses less packaging or has wrapping, boxes or glass which can be recycled.

6. Transport – Living in Devon it is not always easy or practical to use public transport, but where possible use it, it will reduce your impact on climate change, congestion and poor air quality within our towns and cities. Also you can look at car sharing, Devon County Council support one of the most successful schemes in the country

7. Shop Locally – This is not only about supporting local businesses and reducing your car journeys but also about reading the labels on food, look for country of origin and consider the massive journey some of our foods have to make to reach our shopping baskets. Also try to shop and eat with the seasons, this will help you to take advantage of often cheaper and almost certainly more locally produced food. For more information you may like to visit Devon Food Links

8. Diet – Consider cutting down on the amount of meat and dairy products you eat, or even become vegetarian or vegan. The farming of animals for meat is very carbon intensive and to reduce your own personal carbon footprint cutting down on meat can have a dramatic effect.

9. Compost - Every year, each dustbin contains enough unrealised energy for 500 baths or 3,500 showers, or 5,000 hours of television. Currently kitchen waste which is not composted at home goes to landfill across most of Devon. 40% of the contents of a dustbin is organic matter, much of which can be composted and will save you money when you enrich your soil with your own compost. For more information on composting visit the Devon Community Composting Network

10. Reduce Water Use – This can be from small changes to your lifestyle like taking showers instead of baths, turning the tap off while you brush your teeth, or larger changes such as installing a water butt for your garden or looking to grey-water recycling systems for your home. For water butts and other water saving products you can visit South West Water

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Entry Filed under: Environment