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Reduce - do you really need it?
By reducing the amount of goods we consume, we lessen the pressure on the earth’s resources needed to produce and transport these goods.
We also reduce the amount of waste going to landfill, which can pollute our ground water and increase the amount of methane gas released into the atmosphere. Landfill sites released 20% of the UK's methane emissions in 2002. [source: UK Gov]
Gifts
It is unrealistic to never buy a present again, but we can make low impact choices. read all
Hire or buy second hand
How many times will you wear or use it? Wedding outfits, hats, maternity clothes, baby clothes - its often more economical to hire these one-off items or buy them second hand. How many times will you wear or use it? Wedding outfits, hats,... read all
Other items
- like DVDS and talking books are often watched or listened to only once so again it makes sense to hire read all
Food miles
– eating more local produce reduces the need to transport food over large distances meaning there is less carbon dioxide discharged into the atmosphere. Using box schemes and farmers’ markets means reducing the amount of packaging... read all
Food waste
Organic waste such as potato peelings, cardboard, newspaper and green matter such as grass clippings can be recycled reducing the amount going to landfill. You can visit www.getcomposting.com/yny/index2.htm to buy your... read all
Packaging
Reducing packaging means less going into land fill. This section gives you tips with regards to Milk, refills, mail preference service and plastic bag usage. read all
Travel miles
Ways to minimise the impact of the way you travel day to day read all
Celebrations
Traditionally a time when there is a lot of waste but it doesn't have to be this way. read all
Eat more veggies - good for you, good for the planet
Apart from being healthy (everyone must know by now they are supposed to be eating 5 portions a day to keep healthy!) Reducing the amount of meat you eat or going vegetarian can have a positive effect on the environment. Meat rearing has many... read all
Fish
Why which fish you buy matters. 52% of commercial fish species are being fished at the limit of their reproductive capacity, while 25% are overexploited, depleted or recovering from depletion According to the U.N.'s Food and... read all
Chemical nasties in your house
Good for your pocket and good for the environment. Reduce your environmental impact by not buying conventional household cleaning products. read all
DIY/Home Improvements
The perfect time to introduce more environmentally friendly materials into your house. read all
Energy
Conventional energy supplies are becoming increasingly expensive. Ways to combat this is to look at saving energy and getting grants for installing equipment to generate your own power in the future read all
Water
Bottled water has a high environmental cost due to the plastic bottles being transported so try and buy local water such as Harrogate Spa Water or even better get a water bottle to refill, also saving you money. read all
Reduce pesticide use by buying organic cotton
A study done in part by the World Health Organization has found that pesticides cause several thousand human fatalities and up to 5 million illnesses a year. In addition, these chemicals leach into our rivers and oceans . read all
Junk Mail
Saving trees by reducing the amount of junk mail you receive read all
Business
Saving money means reduced costs and therefore more profit for the company! read all