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Change the world by degrees, do your bit, a little bit at a time, and make a difference. Here are some ideas for starters
I A microwave oven uses only a fraction of the energy other cooking appliances use. especially if you're heating a single dish.
I Choose biodegradable and non-toxic cleaning products. www.ecover.com
I Save time. water and energy by taking a shower. A bath uses around 80 litres of water whereas showers use an average of only 30 litres.
I Use non-electrical equipment whenever possible. Avoid electric processors and mixers.
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I Save water and washing-up liquid by preparing vegetables on a sheet of newspaper. Then gather up the edges and put everything into the compost bin.
I If you have a baby, consider switching to cloth or eco disposable nappies. See www.eco-babes.co.uk.
I Use compact fluorescent light bulbs. If every household in the UK changed just one of their regular bulbs for energy efficrent ones. the energy saved w0uld power all the street lighting in the UK.
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I Wash vegetables in a bowl, not under a running tap. A running tap wastes ten litres a minute.
I Buy loose produce rather than pre- packaged items. If you can‘t buy loose. look for packaging that is biodegradable.
I Buy refillable cosmetic products made from natural, biodegradable ingredients. www.lush.co.uk
I Stop using washing powder and
switch to Eco Balls. These produce ionised oxygen that helps water molecules to penetrate into fibres to lift dirt away. wwwecotopia.co.uk
I If you have to use a hairdryer, towel dry and air your hair first. Use the dryer only for the final styling.
I Find out where your local recycling facilities are and start using them. See wwwleeporguk for Edinburgh facilities and www.cityofglasgoworg/ recycling for Glasgow facilities.
I Swap your scrappy tissues for a bright, fun handkerchief. Try eBay for some designer bargains.
I Donate used computers and IT eduipment to charity and benefit schoolchildren around the world. as well as reducing waste. See wwwitforcharitiesco.uk/pcs.
I Look for wooden furniture made from recycled wood or
from timber grown in sustainable forests. Check out Reel Furniture (www.reel furniture.co.uk).
I The UK goes through 150m plastic bags every week. Stop using plastic bags and invest in a shopping bag. www.traid.org.uk
I When you get a new mobile phone, give the old one to someone not on a contract or donate it to charity. www.actionaidrecycling.org.uk
I Turn your computer off when you‘re not using it. And make sure your TV‘s off, rather than on standby. overnight.
ill Run full dishwasher loads on an economy cycle — this takes less water you’d use if you were washing by hand.
I Save paper by using loose tea instead of tea bags and buy organic. fair trade tea. See www.clipper- teascom
I Compost your food waste and create free, organic fertiliser while reducing rubbish. See www.compost. org.uk.
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I Turn the tap off while you brush y0ur
teeth and rinse afterwards with a mug of water. A family of four can save a bathful of water every day by doing this.
I Donate your old clothes, books, furniture, electrical appliances and CDs to your local charity shop.
I Invest in a bicycle for speedy. cheap and pollution-free Uanspon.
I Do your best to buy
organic, local produce to
cut down on
transportation fuel i, emissions, or have a box delivered to you. See '9 www.9rowwild.co.uk. Better yet, grow your own fruit, vegetables and herbs.
eco—friendly
I Buy second-hand goods. Try vintage clothes shops such as Armstrong's (wwwarmstrongs vintagecouk) or Mr Ben Vintage Clothing (0141 553 1936).
I Save rainwater in a barrel and use it to wash the car.
I Use public transport more often. Get information about local bus and train routes from wwwedinburghorg or www.travelinescotland.com.
I Travel overland rather than by air when you can. See www.planeta.com for links about global ecotourism.
I Don't overfill the kettle. Only boil as much water as you need but make sure the element is covered.
I Recycle plastic bags. Most supermarkets will accept them.
I Buy second-hand electrical appliances at wwwadpostcom/ uk/scotland/appliances/
I Fit water flow restrictors to your shower and basins. www.green buildingstore.co.uk (Compiled by Sarah Ream and Mark Robertson)