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Greener living Make your home greener. National Charities Campaign is committed to helping the environment. That is why we have put together some useful tips for greener living. Energy saving around the home There are many ways to save energy around the home. These include: • Don’t use standby on your TV, stereo, DVD player • Don’t leave mobile phone and Ipod chargers plugged and switched on when not in use • Use lids on saucepans; they heat much quicker • Use the low-temperature wash setting on your washing machine • Don’t keep opening your oven to check food. This allows heat to escape, wastes energy and slows down cooking. Switch off a few minutes before your meal is ready. The oven will stay hot enough to finish cooking the food. • Don’t leave light’s on when you leave the room • Use energy efficient light bulbs • Have a shower instead of a bath as this can save about 40 litres of water and will save energy on water heating • If your boiler is more than 15 years old it could be time for an upgrade as old boilers are far more energy inefficient than new ones The Energy Savings Trust (EST) provides simple ideas to save energy (and therefore money) at home. Recycling around the home • Recycle plastics, cans, carton and boxes • Avoid disposable batteries – use rechargeable ones • Recycle your old mobile phone and printer cartridges • Recycle your old clothes by donating them to your local charity shop • Reduce the amount of junk mail your receive by signing up to Mailing Preference Service For ethical shopping visit www.ethiscore.org For ethical banking visit www.co-operativebank.co.uk Please see below our top tips for ethical shopping • Local Shopping – Try local, independent places to shop. You won’t need to use your car and you are supporting your local community • Wholefood shops are great to pick up best buy products not available in supermarkets. They are also more likely to stock fair trade and organic products • Fairtrade – look out for Fairtrade marked products which guarantee workers have been fairly rewarded for their labour. Visit www.fairtrade.org.uk or www.oxfam.org.uk or www.traidcraft.co.uk