What shade of green is your life?

So you want your life to be greener? You buy Fair Trade coffee, free range eggs and organic vegetables, you walk to work and vote Green Party but something is still missing. Have you ever wondered how life can be just as comfortable for you without causing discomfort to others or the environment? Well, these 10 steps could be just the thing for you...

At home

1. Energy supplier

There are numerous renewable energy sources and suppliers these days. The most popular types of renewable energy used in the UK are tidal and wind power. Solar power is also possible though works better in other countries and climates. It is estimated that on-shore wind turbines could produce up to 20% of UK power whilst off-shore wind farms could be producing up to 50% of UK power in the future.

The Renewable Energy Centre website contains information on all things renewable in the UK. You can source energy suppliers in your area, tips on how to save energy in your home and learn about different energy types. 

2. Home products

Everything that you could ever need in your house can be found on ethical sites such as Ethical Superstore. Here you can find home comforts, electrical appliances, fashion, food and energy saving gadgets. The site is regularly updated and allows you to shop in one place and earn Make A Difference (MAD) points while you do it. 

  

3. LED or energy saving light bulbs

Low energy devices and energy saving light bulbs can save you money on your energy bills. They also need changing less frequently as they last longer. An energy saving light bulb costs more in the shop but as it uses approximately a quarter of the power of a normal bulb and lasts up to 12 times longer they work out to be more economical in the long term.

Modern appliances these days come with a nationwide rating system which indicates how energy efficient an appliance is. It is also easy to save energy by washing at lower temperatures and with full loads, only boiling enough water for what you need, taking showers instead of baths and not leaving appliances in stand-by mode.

At work

4. Office supplies

Sites like Lovely as a Tree and Three Trees Don’t Make a Forest have many links to companies which can supply green office supplies and stationary but can also highlight your nearest environmentally friendly printers, supply information on the impact of offices and studios on the environment and gives honest opinions on issues such as whether a paper-free office is as great as it sounds.

5. Your computer

Something as simple as turning your computer monitor off when you go home can help. Printing less and using green print cartridges such as soya based inks is also good.

If you have your own website or are considering setting one up consider using a green web hosting company such as Super Green Hosting or see the Web Hosting Geeks information pages on numerous companies; there are loads out there!

6. Recycling Company waste

Green Your Office allows companies to buy some green office supplies whilst offering an eco-friendly cleaning service to companies. Unfortunately, this is currently only for companies based in London, Birmingham and Bristol but watch this space!

Also see Lovely as a Tree for where and how to recycle everything from computers to cartridges to mobile phones. For a more fashionable way of recycling materials in your office check out Worn Again to see how you could soon be wearing your office chairs.

When shopping

    7.   On the High street

H & M produce Fair Trade and Organic cotton items though in small amounts. Monsoon were involved with ethical fashion during London Fashion Week and ASOS have an entire section dedicated to ethical fashion items. However, for the ultimate in Ethical Fashion and all its related disciplines sign up to the Ethical Fashion Forum. 

   8.   Buy local

With supermarkets taking over the world the local shop is becoming a rarer sight on our streets. Now is the time to be supporting these local shops and you will see a reward; the produce is better, the staff care more about their consumers and have a greater knowledge of the products they sell.

   9.   Ask

If you are unsure of whether a product or company is ethical, ask. The only thing that is going to change companies to become more ethical is consumer power. The more people that are interested, the more likely a company is to change their products and procedures. Every person counts!

Your Money

   10.  At the Bank

The Cooperative Bank have an ethics policy to be commended. See their Ethics in Action section to learn about the campaigns they support, the businesses they have turned down for being less than ethical and learn more about their customer-led ethical policies.

Some people find being ethical is holistic; it can encapsulate your entire life. If this isn’t your take on all things green then that’s fine too. Every individual step towards a greener planet is positive so be proud.

Good luck greening up!