We live in a society where water and food is all around us – easy to buy, and easy to dispose of.

 

But such an abundance of food and water brings with it an abundance of emissions.

 

The energy used to filter our drinking water, manufacture our food packaging, and dispose of our waste, is energy that contributes towards our carbon footprint.
 
If you want to be kinder to the planet, try these five simple activities to cut down on what you consume.

 

One portion of your 5-a-day... Use less water

It’s easy to forget just how much water we use every day - when we shower, bath, brush our teeth, flush the toilet, wash the dishes, wash our clothes, hose the garden...
 
And yet all that water has to be treated, filtered, and pumped into our homes – using energy burnt from CO2-emitting fossil fuels.
 
To help reduce your water consumption try having a shower instead of a bath and turning off the tap while you brush your teeth.

 

Two... Buy British!

No, it’s not just about being patriotic... Buying British fruit, veg and meat is genuinely better for the environment than buying food flown in from abroad.


Also look out for local foods, including cauliflowers, mushrooms, brussel sprouts, broccoli, onions, and carrots.

 

Three... Packaging? Pack it up!

Packaging is everywhere. Shrink-wrapped, boxed, glassed, and bagged... All that plastic comes from oil, and all the machines that make it gobble electricity.


 
Fortunately, you can put a stop to excessive packaging. Buy hand-picked fruit and vegetables instead of packaged food. Buy recycled products. And avoid using plastic supermarket bags.

 

Four... Don’t lose it: Re-use

Even in our throw-away culture, there are so many things we can re-use.
 
Plastic drinks bottles are handy for refilling and taking to work. The other side of used printer paper is fine for scribbling notes on. Even newspaper can be re-used – it’s great for cleaning windows with a little vinegar!

 

Five... Recycle your rubbish

Not fortunate enough to have your waste collected from your door-step? You can still recycle your paper, card, glass, plastics, and tin cans. Why not visit your local recycling centre on your way to the shops?


 
Recycling is more energy efficient than starting from raw materials. That’s why people who recycle their waste can save up to 420 kilos of CO2 emissions every year!

Join the 453 people doing the 5-a-day carbon diet!
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