Households are responsible for 30 per cent of UK energy use. This energy is mainly produced from burning fossil fuels which release damaging emissions contributing to climate change.

In the UK, the average person uses about 150 litres of water every day, which means natural water sources are strained and levels often fall in waterways.

Below we have listed beginner, intermediate and advanced ways you can make a difference!



Beginner

Save energy

• Switch off all lights and electrical appliances when not in use - your TV left on standby can still use a quarter of full power.


• Choose energy-efficient appliances and light bulbs.


• Turn down your thermostat - turning it down by just 1°C can save you up to 10 per cent on your heating bill.


• Keep lids on pans when cooking to prevent your cooker having to work extra hard.


• Let clothes dry naturally rather than using a tumble drier.

Save water

• Don't leave the tap running while you clean your teeth.


• Take a shower instead of a bath.

Save wood and paper

• Always use both sides of a sheet of paper.


• Use e-mail to stay in touch, including cards, rather than faxing or writing.


• Re-use envelopes.

Reuse and recycle

• Use mains electricity rather than batteries if possible. If not, use rechargeable batteries.


• Use a solar-powered calculator instead of one with a battery.


• Store food and other products in ceramic containers rather than foil and plastic wrap.

Reduce waste and pollution

• Put sanitary waste and wrappings in the dustbin, not down the toilet.

Intermediate

Online campaigning

• Email decision-makers to let them know what matters to you, from the comfort of your own home by becoming an online campaigner.

Save energy

• Switch your oven to gas if you have the option. On average using a gas oven costs a quarter of the price of running an electric one.

Save water

• Fix dripping taps - they can waste up to 13 litres of water a day.


• Install a Hippo Water Saver in the cistern of your toilet. This can save between 2.5 and 3.5 litres of water each time you flush. Buy a Hippo from our online shop.

Save wood and paper

• Return unwanted mail and ask for your name to be removed from the mailing list. E-mail the Mailing Preference Service, mps@dma.org.uk - it can arrange for your address to be deleted from around 90 per cent of mailing lists.


• Always recycle paper after use.


• Share magazines with friends and pass them on to the doctor, dentist or local hospital for their waiting rooms.

Reuse and recycle

• Use washable nappies instead of disposables if you can.


• Recycle as much as you can - if there are no recycling facilities near you, contact your local council.


• Give unwanted clothes, toys and books to charity shops or jumble sales.

Reduce waste and pollution

• Instead of a plastic ballpoint, use a fountain pen with bottled ink, not plastic cartridges.


• Dispose of old appliances - particularly refrigerators with units containing CFCs - responsibly. If in doubt, contact your local council.


• Choose environmentally friendly cleaning products containing plant extracts that degrade quickly when washed down the drain - visit the WWF Shop website to see our range of these products.


• Take waste oil to your local Household Waste Recycling Centre - it is illegal to put waste oil down sinks or drains.

Advanced

Save energy

• Buy your electricity from a credible green energy supplier - we do! Visit Ecotricity's website for details.


• Insulate your home with cavity walls - seek professional advice first.


• Ensure you have at least 15cm of loft insulation, use draught excluders and put foil behind radiators on outside walls to reflect the heat back inside.


• Lag your boiler and pipes to prevent unnecessary heat loss by up to 75 per cent.

Ways to make a difference in the garden...