Published at 13:15, Monday, 02 July 2012

MEMBERS of the Worldwatch Institute, a global environmental organisation, have recently shared their simple tips for going green and for boosting the health of the environment.

1) Save water to save money and help the environment:

Take shorter showers to reduce water use at home or install a low-flow showerhead.

2) Using less fuel is not only good for the planet ,but also eases the strain on the bank balance:

Start walking or riding a push bike to work. This not only saves on fuel, but also parking costs while improving general fitness.

You can also put pressure on councils to improve footpaths and increase the number of bike lanes.

3) Eat clever:

Add one meat free meal to the menu at home a week. Buy locally produced meat, eggs and dairy whenever possible. Buying from local farmers keeps money in the local economy.

4) Skip the bottled water:

People living in Cumbria know only too well that they can drink great tasting clean drinking water straight out of the taps in their homes, but if you wanted, you can use a water filter to purify tap water instead of buying bottled water.

Not only is bottled water expensive, but it generates large amounts of container waste.

Bring a reusable water bottle to work or when travelling or walking anywhere.

5) Smart buying:

Check out garage sales, charity stores and car boot sales for clothing and other everyday items. Or even borrow instead of buying. Join a library instead of buying personal books and movies. This saves money, not to mention the ink and paper that goes into printing new books.

Share power tools and other appliances. Get to know the neighbours while cutting down on the number of things cluttering closets or the garage.

Buy in bulk. Purchasing food from bulk bins can save money and packaging.

Wear clothes that don’t need to be dry-cleaned.

Invest in high-quality, long-lasting products.

6) Keep electronics out of the bin:

Keep cell phones, computers, and other electronics as long as possible. Donate or recycle them responsibly when the time comes.

Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk