World Environment Day 2017 is just around the corner. We’d all like to think we were doing our bit to save the planet, but sometimes it seems like doing a good deed still costs – financially. Fortunately that needn’t be the case, and there’s plenty you can do to help the environment, and your bank balance, too:
Switch it off and get smart!
We Brits are officially the worst in Europe when it comes to switching off lights when leaving a room – a staggering 65% of us regularly forget .The Energy Savings Trust estimates that you can save as much as £85 a year by making this one simple change to your routine. But that’s not all. Get smart and invest in energy efficient lightbulbs. An LED bulb last up to 12 times longer than its cheaper halogen counterpart and whilst they cost a little more, the annual financial and energy savings are more than worth the outlay.
BYOB
Bring your own bag! Plastic bags represent a serious threat to the environment and particularly our oceans – not to mention our wallets (they do cost 5p after all). Make a simple change to your routine by keeping one in your handbag, in your desk at work or near your front door, so in future you’ll definitely think twice before you buy another one.
Wat-er waste
Water, and the way we use it, is another area where little changes can help make a big difference. Take bottles of water, for example. Research has shown that the average Brit gets through 170 water bottles a year and whilst most are recyclable, we still send a shocking 580,000 tonnes to landfill! The solution is simple. Invest in a good quality water bottle and keep it on you throughout the day. You’ll find yourself staying more hydrated over the course of the day, save yourself a load of cash and prevent heaps of waste being sent to landfill! But that’s not it; there are loads more easy ways to save water (and on your monthly water bill). Little things such as turning the tap off when you’re brushing your teeth, or only running a full dishwasher or washing machine, will turn into big savings over the course of the year.
Meatless Mondays
Cutting back on meat for just one day a week is a great way to look after your family, your finances and the environment. After all, the UN estimates that a whopping 20% of greenhouse gas emissions are generated by the meat industry! There is no shortage of healthy alternatives to satisfy all tastes, so why not swap the beef in your spag bol for a tin of lentils, or the chicken in your favourite curry for cauliflower? The possibilities are endless!
Get active!
Did you know that there are more bikes than cars in Denmark? Hardly surprising when 41% of all Danes commute on a bike! Cycling is a great way to get around and stay healthy and the UK’s roads are becoming increasingly cycle-friendly, so now is the time to get on the saddle! If cycling isn’t for you, though, fear not, we Brits are officially Europe’s best walkers, with up to 30% of short trips being made on foot! So why not forgo sitting in traffic or being squashed on the bus and start walking or cycling to work? You’ll be doing your body a favour and doing your bit to save the planet, too!
So go on, as it’s World Environment Day, why not try one of these easy ways to save the planet and yourself some cash!
