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Are you ready for a green summer?

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Lindley based company goes green A

S more and more homeowners learn about the benefits of solar power, U Energy Group of East Street, Lindley, is fitting solar panels to both domestic and commercial properties across Yorkshire.

Simon Wibberley, U Energy Operations Manager says: “In Europe Solar PV (photovoltaics) systems are commonplace. Everywhere you go in Germany, even France, you will see solar panels.

“The UK has some way to go to reduce its carbon footprint but Solar PV installations are now more and more frequent as this ever-growing green industry continues its fast pace.’’

U Energy is investing heavily in solar PV but also has plans in place to expand further in renewables.

“Renewable energy is something that all of us need to take a serious look at. We’re all experiencing the effects of ever increasing gas and electricity prices and it’s time to look at the alternatives”.

Earn money from your electricity Feed-in tariffs were introduced by the Government in April 2010 The aim is to increase the amount of Solar PV and renewable energy sources being put into use.

Under the Government backed Feed-in Tariff, anyone who installs an eligible Solar PV system will receive a guaranteed fixed payment for all the electricity they generate, including what they use, for a period of 25 years.

They will also receive an additional payment for any electricity they don’t use that they feed back into the National Grid.

On top of this, people installing systems will also benefit from reduced electricity bills.

These tariffs are paid through your electricity supplier, and are given either as a direct payment into your bank account or a credit line to/for your energy bills (depending on utility company).

Payments are intended to give a certain percentage return each year based on the initial cost of a system.

Is solar right for you?

Most homes in the UK are suitable for Solar PV installation, as all that is required is an un-shaded roof that is

■ BRING ME SUNSHINE: A house fitted with solar panels by U Energy. Operations Manager Simon Wibberley (pictured top ) says: “The UK has some way to go to reduce its carbon footprint but Solar PV installations are now more and more frequent as this ever-growing green industry continues its fast pace.’’ preferably south-facing.

A detailed free of charge site survey is available to all prospective U Energy customers to confirm that your home is suitable for Solar PV panel fitting.

“The roof needs to be structurally sound and the electrics are also inspected to ensure that there will be no issues with the installation of the system. Our surveyors are extremely knowledgeable and are there to answer any additional questions, whether it’s about the installation, the Feed-in Tariff or solar PV in general”, says Simon.

What are the benefits of having solar panels fitted to your home? ● Having a Solar PV system means you will have a more efficient,

sustainable energy source. ● Financially you will be better off as you not dependant on using the grid which is prone to price hikes. ● Electricity costs are currently rising at seven per cent per year so you can sit back, be self-sufficient and cut your costs while making money on the electricity you generate. ● Solar PV systems are extremely reliable and once installed, need little or no further maintenance. ● Reduces your home’s carbon emissions.

You could be eligible for free solar power.

Not everyone has the spare funds to have a Solar PV system installed but there is still another way to benefit from solar power.

‘Rent My Roof’ is now being offered

by U Energy of Lindley.

However there are certain criteria to meet and not all applicants will be successful.

The scheme allows solar panels to be fitted free on suitable eligible roofs and, even with the UK weather, can save you a third off electric bills.

In return U Energy receives the Feed-in Tariff.

Simon Wibberley of U Energy says: “Free can be very misleading so we opted to call our program ‘Rent My Roof’ because that is essentially what we are doing. We cover the cost of the system, the installation and the maintenance while the homeowner provides the roof space”.

Although the homeowner isn’t entitled to the Feed-in Tariff they will receive electricity free of charge

during daylight hours. “ Just call us on 01484 466 244, give us a few details and we'll let you know if your roof is eligible”.

So is your roof suitable for free solar?

Your roof must be: ● South facing. ● Un-shaded ● Have 30 square metres of clear space.

The benefits of free solar power are:

● No big upfront investment. ● Free electricity from the sun during daylight hours. ● It has been shown to improve the value of your home. ● It will reduce your carbon footprint.

Save money and have fun by going self-catering THE recent warm spell sparked thoughts of summer holidays. But eating out on holiday can cost a small fortune. It’s no wonder then that this summer has seen a surge in demand for self-catering holidays.

These holidays could give us all a chance to save money by cooking inexpensive and enjoyable meals – and not wasting a morsel.

A recent survey shows demand for self-catering holidays in England is up by a third, with 42% of those questioned citing “money saving” as the reason.

Better summer weather coming our way will also provide lots of opportunities for those at home to dust off the picnic hamper and fire up the barbecue.

“Times are tough and we’re all feeling the pinch at the moment,” says Jane Little-Smith, from Love Food Hate waste campaign. “But the good news is summer food tips from www.lovefoodhatewaste.com will help all of us going on a self-catering break – or simply enjoying the long light days at home – to turn leftover food we already have into some truly fabulous seasonal dishes and save money at the same time.”

Top holiday tips:

Tips for BBQ’s include:

If you’ve cooked too much for a meal such as fish pie, chilli or lasagne, simply pop it in an If you are cooking barbecues keep it simple and airtight container and store in the freezer as a resist serving food before it is cooked thoroughly. homemade ‘ready meal’ or take with you for an Keep guests happy with crisps or salad to pick at easy first night supper. while you cook.

If you take some lettuce or salad leaves with you If you are having a buffet, only bring it out of the and they’re looking tired and wilted after the fridge at the last minute, so it stays fresh for journey, put them in a bowl of water with a longer. couple of ice-cubes and they will become nice If there are any leftovers from the buffet or and crisp again. barbecue put them in the fridge as soon as you Quiches are an ideal way to help use up eggs can. and spare cream before you go. Add flaked, Use your leftover produce in other recipes. Try a cooked fish or fry that last rasher of bacon and Spanish potato tortilla or use left over meat in a ■ DON’T WASTE A THING: With our BBQ tips some onion for classic quiche Lorraine; a sandwich or curry the next day. perfect, simple dish to take with you, in your cool When you take leftovers out of the fridge, eat box, for the first meal of your holiday - lunch or supper. them immediately or reheat them thoroughly straight away – don't leave them Filling sandwiches with tasty and unexpected combinations of leftovers, such standing at room temperature. as chicken, bacon and mayonnaise, lamb and mint sauce or cheese and Keep a thermometer in your fridge to make sure it is always running at the coleslaw. proper temperature. Store raw meats on the bottom shelf and separate from Making leftover potatoes into a tasty potato salad with sliced red or spring other cooked foods to avoid cross contamination. onions and mayonnaise – a tasty salad that also travels well.

Visit www.lovefoodhatewaste.com for more invaluable tips for a cost-effective Larger summer gatherings at home can be particularly challenging for hosts enjoyable summer home or away. There is something for everyone, whether that are not used to cooking and storing food for bigger groups of people. you are a keen cook, or simply want to reduce the amount of food which you Follow these few handy hints and you shouldn’t go wrong! throw away.

THE PLOT THICKENS

The allotment gets an image makeover from the new generation

By JADE WRIGHT Environmental Correspondent editorial@examiner.co.uk

T

HE traditional allotment kings – retired gents in wellies – are being challenged by a new breed who want to “grow their own”.

But the modern allotment enthusiast is likely to be a younger, female and who brings the children along to help out too.

A survey by the National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners found the waiting list for allotments rose by a whopping 20% in 2010.

With the price of food set to increase further there has never been a better time to start growing your own fruit and vegetables.

There are new allotments planned. And across Huddersfield waste land is currently being converted into new plots.

But, in the meantime, you can always try growing your own fruit and veg at home.

Homebase has recently launched the exclusive Jamie Oliver range of grow-your-own fruit, vegetables, herbs and compost.

Budding gardeners who want to grow their own produce but don’t have access to an open space can start their own mini allotment from the comfort of their own home with the new Appotment range.

Appotments are steel-framed planters dressed in hand-woven poly rattan material and include an internal water-proof lining, perfect for growing your own produce on a balcony or small outdoor space. Window box planters start from £9.99.

ThisVegetable Planter Trio can be reused year after year – and folded away for easy storage over winter.

It’s a collection of durable polyethylene sacks and allows you to have your own vegetable plot on a patio, in a yard or right next to the back door.

Easy to manage and maintain they're a great way of introducing kids to growing

■ DIG IN: Willow planters and below vegetable planters

■ STRAIGHT UP: Bean planter and the allotment cookbook, useful throughout the year

vegetables too. With drainage holes at the bottom to avoid waterlogging they have carry handles too. Lakeland, Ref: SKU 50948, £15.99 Similarly the Bean Planter is an easy way to support your beans, other climbing vegetables or sweet peas. Position the wire spiral in the bottom of the grow bag included, fill with compost and hook the spiral to the top of a bamboo cane ready for your climbers to snake their way to the top.

Ref. 51280, £8.99, Or, for a homely kitchen garden look, try the Willow Vegetable Planters. It’s a mini allotment on your doorstep. If you like to grow your own veg but don't have much space or your soil is unsuitable then these attractive planters could be just what you're looking for. Sitting neatly on your patio or straight on your soil simply fill the strong liner with soil and plant up with onions, carrots, salad or herbs for fresh, home-grown produce at your fingertips. Ref: SKU 42260 £22-29.99 Once you’ve grown your own, next you need to know what to do with it ... 200 simple recipes using the produce from your plot.

The Allotment Cookbook Through the Year (RRP £16.99) is the recipe book for those gardeners keen to learn how to cook delicious seasonal dishes to help make the most of their home-grown produce.

Featuring more than 200 recipes for popular crops such as apples, berries and herbs, this is packed with imaginative and inspiring ideas to turn your produce into healthy, fresh meals.

Including techniques and expert advice to help you harvest, preserve and prepare your crops successfully, this is the perfect veg-grower’s kitchen companion.

Company at top of ratings A

HUDDERSFIELD installer is continuing to lead the way in green window design.

■ CUTTING EDGE: Craig Hanson at Pennine Home Improvements, one of the first local window installers to adhere to new environmental standards

The Aspley based business is helping local homeowners cut their energy bills, cut down carbon emissions and benefit the environment.

Pennine Home Improvements, headed by Craig Hanson, was recently one of the first in the local area to adhere to new environmental standards for double glazed windows.

New Government regulations from October 1 last year dictate that double glazing installers must now fit, as standard, windows which achieve a category C rating. The new amendments apply to all replacement windows in domestic properties.

Craig, who runs Pennine Home Improvements from its base at Lincoln Street, Aspley, says: “Our window profiles can also be upgraded to a category A by including the most energy efficient glass. I understand we were one of the first in Huddersfield to sign up to the new regulations and now fit category C as standard.

“For the homeowner this means that they save on energy bills, therefore cutting down carbon emissions. It means their home is warmer with no draughts

and they are doing their best to lead a greener lifestyle.’’

The new regulations are all part of Britain's commitment to the international Kyoto Protocol and is a major step in reducing carbon emissions and ensuring the UK becomes more energy efficient. New double glazed windows are now much more energy efficient and cost effective.

Pennine uses the Advance 70 window profile which is at the forefront of window manufacture.

Prior to October 1, window energy ratings ranged from A to G. New innovative window design incorporating five chambers in the window frame mean that C, B and A ratings are now easily achievable.

Craig said: “People in Huddersfield can now reduce their heating costs, help the environment and make their home look more attractive.”

Window energy ratings are calculated by looking at the solar gain and thermal loss. The resulting value is placed on an energy scale from A to G which gives consumers a simple way to compare one product with another.

The Kyoto Protocal is an international agreement which sets targets for nearly 40 industrialised countries and the European community for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

■ NEEDING HELP: Children in Jinotega, Nicaragua

Transforming communities around the world

By JADE WRIGHT Environmental Correspondent editorial@examiner.co.uk

NEXT week, people across Huddersfield will come together in a remarkable way, working to raise money to help transform the lives of some of the world’s poorest people.

Through the funds raised during Christian Aid Week incredible transformation has been brought about around the world.

Together, they work to help the world’s poorest people battle climate change and other environmental factors to make sure they can feed their families and create sustainable communities.

Such transformation has taken place for coffee farmers and their families in Jinotega, Nicaragua.

Over the last 12 years Christian Aid partner Soppexcca has been working with 650 coffee farmers organised in 18 cooperatives in 22 communities.

Soppexcca gives them access to credit and markets and helps them to improve their coffee production.

Today, these farmers are exporting coffee as Fairtrade to the international market and are doing so in a sustainable way which protects their environment.

In the community of Los Alpes such transformation is evident.

Over the 12 years of working with Soppexcca much has been achieved.

The community now has a health centre, a school and a savings fund available to its cooperative members. All these services were a distant dream 12 years ago, when most farmers had no access to credit and got paid so little they couldn’t expand their farms or do any coffee processing.

“The technical assistance I get from Soppexcca helps improve the quality of my coffee. Soppexcca provides the conditions that help us produce a better product, said Gustavo Talavera, coffee farmer and one of the founders of the cooperative in Los Alpes.”

This is a community which is seeing a new generation of children being educated and young people going to university. This was unthinkable for their parents, many of whom are illiterate. The cooperative model of development is inspiring for its values of mutual trust, participation and working together for the benefit of the group.

“I don’t know how to read or write and I did not want my children to be like me. I did not have the opportunity to go to school,” says Gustavo. “We fight so that the new generation, the children are able to steer this boat.”

To get involved in Christian Aid Week this year (15 – 21 May 2011) and be part of this amazing transformation, go to www.caweek.org, or speak to your local Christian Aid Week organiser.

Why Kenyan town to meet

By KATIE GRANT Environmental Reporter katie.grant@examiner.co.uk

K

ENYAN coffee farmers are coming to Huddersfield to meet young Fairtrade entrepreneurs.

The Kirklees Young Ethical Pioneers have invited the young farmers over to learn about fair trading and ethical supply chains.

And their ultimate goal is to set up a direct trading link between Yorkshire and Kenya.

The four Kenyans will arrive during the spring bank holidays.

They are from Nyeri in central Kenya, where they work as coffee, dairy and tomato farmers on small family-owned farms.

In the UK they will learn about how their raw crops are turned in marketable produce and how they can organise youngsters in Kenya to set up trading links with the youth enterprise groups in Yorkshire.

One of the Young Ethical Pioneers, Hayden Stock, from Dalton, said: “Before this project started I didn’t really know anything about fair trading.

“I’ve really gained a lot of knowledge and information about Fairtrade and how we can help people out in other countries.

“We’re just a small group but we want to help as much as we can – we’re always thinking about them and everything we do is with them in mind.”

Huddersfield New College student Hayden said he and his family always buy Fairtrade goods now.

The 17-year-old said: “We always buy Fairtrade now.

“It’s important that we give the farmers the best price we can.

“If we don’t give them a fair price then we’re letting them down and lowering their standard of living.

“Some of them live in bad conditions and really at the end of the day if we can give them a fair price and help them improve their living conditions then that is what we should be doing.”

Hayden, who hopes to study architecture at University, said he and the rest of the group are working on a project to look at the effects of Fairtrade on education.

It’s something he wants to carry on with after he leaves the project and goes into further education.

The Young Ethical Pioneers are working with local partners including

■ FOCUS ON FARMING: Hayden Stock, third left, with other Holmfirth’s Fair Traders cooperative and Bolling Coffee to organise a week of events and learning workshops for their guests.

The events and the visit are part of the Global Community Linking programme which provides funding to groups to establish direct community to community links and raise awareness of global development issues in their communities.

The Young Ethical Pioneers (YEPs)

formed in 2009 through a youth enterprise programme called ‘Not Just Us’ set up by local charity the Lorna Young Foundation.

The aim of the programme is to teach young people, who wouldn’t normally get the chance, all about international development and fair trading.

The visit to Huddersfield is a chance for the Kenyan youth to learn about how fair trade business works, about UK markets, and to see how value is added to their produce once it leaves

farmers are heading to young fans of Fairtrade

■ FAIR PLAY: A Kenyan woman harvests the beans which will be used in the production of Fairtrade coffee

supporters of the Kirklees Young Ethical Pioneers who are meeting Kenyan coffee farmers to learn about fair trading and ethical supply chains the farm.

And when they return to Kenya they will be passing on their knowledge to other young people with the aim of getting more young people involved in farming.

The challenge is for youth to see farming as a viable business because in many instances young people do not want to take farms over from their parents who struggle to make a living.

During the week that the Kenyans

are in Yorkshire the Fair traders Cooperative in Holmfirth will run a training day with the youngsters, teaching them about business.

While Bolling Coffee, a Holmfirth coffee roaster, will host them for an afternoon so that the young coffee farmers can see exactly what happens to coffee beans once they are exported, how value is added and how the coffee is processed, packaged, branded and sold to consumers.

The Cooperative group – who have sponsored one of the young farmers – will take the group to one of the Cooperative group’s farms to see how produce is processed from farm to fork, and to a cooperative store to learn about ethical sourcing and branding.

Laura Smith, programme coordinator said: “With youth unemployment at an all time high this programme provides the opportunity for young people to

improve their employability and gain skills in enterprise and leadership.

“Work experience is essential for young people to improve their prospects and something those without the right connections can find difficult to come by. This programme connects young people to the business world by exposing them to successful entrepreneurs, and setting up work placements within ethical businesses.”

Fairtrade is about better prices,

decent working conditions, local sustainability, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world. By requiring companies to pay sustainable prices (which must never fall lower than the market price), Fairtrade addresses the injustices of conventional trade, which traditionally discriminates against the poorest, weakest producers. It enables them to improve their position and have more control over their lives.

A

S the economy struggles and it seems there are cuts around every corner it’s only natural for everybody to tighten their belts and think how they can make savings.

But rather than harming the environment in many cases it really helps the green cause.

Over-consumption and excess waste hurt the planet as much as our pockets.

Here we list 50 thrifty tips that will help the environment as well as your wallet this summer...

1. Check your tyre pressure. If your tyres are at the right pressure you'll drive more smoothly and save fuel.

2. If you lose a button off an item of clothing keep hold of it and stitch it back on straight away – keep the John Lewis Value Sewing Kit (£2) in your handbag or desk drawer. If the button is lost then head for a haberdashery – they may be able to match it.

3. Plan your journey. There's no surer way to waste fuel than to get lost. Use the internet to check the distances and time it should take. And think about the time you travel – don't travel in the rush hour if you can avoid it.

4. If wool jumpers have lost their shape or gone bobbly beyond repair try making them into felt by machine washing them on a hot wash and use the felt to make cosy cushion covers, tea cosies or a nice hat, come winter.

5. Make a draft excluder snake out of one leg of an old clean woolly pair of tights stuffed with old clean clothes. To give it a lovely scent add some dried lavender or dried herbs from the garden. It'll stop drafts under doors and you can have lots of fun decorating it.

6. Don't hire a skip for old furniture. The Furniture Re-use Network co-ordinates 400 organisations in the UK which collect a wide range of furniture and appliances to donate to people in need. Find out where you can donate your unwanted items at www.frn.org.uk 7. Drive slower. It can save lives and will also save you money. You use 30% more fuel driving at 70mph than 50mph 8. To help candles last longer pop them into the freezer for a few hours before you use them.

Look out for locally-produced candles made from renewable sources such as vegetable or beeswax, rather than paraffin wax ones from the supermarket. Then relax and enjoy the romantic glow.

9. Don't fancy finishing a bottle of wine but reluctant to waste it (or worse, force yourself to drink it!)? Pour the leftover wine into an ice cube tray and put in the freezer. Then add a cube or two when you're next cooking to add a bit of flavour to sauces, gravy, soups – and anything else you can think of.

10. Use a milk delivery service – the glass bottle kind – if there's one in your area. Find out by looking at www.milkandmore.co.uk or asking neighbours.

Unlike plastic cartons milk bottles can be re-used. And you can now buy a whole range of grocery products from most delivery services – not just milk.

11. Roll citrus fruits back and forth on the kitchen table before squeezing it and you will get more juice. You also warm the lemon and yourself with the exercise.

■ MOTH HAVE: See 12. Make your own preserves from any seasonal gluts of fruit and vegetables. Sterilise old jars or get some reusable Kilner Jars and jam jars from Lakeland (£24.99 ref 13219 and £5.99 ref 3818).

Lift home-made jam, pickles and chutney out of the ordinary with preserving presentation packs (£5.99, ref 12185). Once you’ve sealed in the goodness crown your jar with a pretty cover, then finish it off with the coordinating string and pretty tag-style label. They make lovely presents.

13. Farm shops or markets can be very economical – a sack of potatoes for a few pounds can be the basis for many meals for a couple of months.

14. Find out just how much energy you waste with an electricity monitor. The OWL CM119 (£34.95 from John Lewis) is wireless and easy to read, use and install. It also has an alarm which can sound when your electricity

FIFTY top money saving tips for summer

■ JAMMY DODGER: See tip 12 also great for storing leftovers in the fridge or simply cover your food with a plate.

35. If you like the fabric in a garment, but not the shape, unpick the seams and make it into something else. A quick unpick (sold in pound shops or haberdashers) makes this really easy.

36. Switch off electric ovens, hotplates and irons a few minutes before you need to stop using them – they will stay hot for a long time.

Heating devices use more power that anything else.

37. Harness the sun’s rays for free electricity. The Roberts SolarDAB 2 (John Lewis, £79.95) uses the sun as a power socket, letting you enjoy crystal clear digital radio wherever you are. Its integral solar panel provides continuous play under adequate sunlight while topping up a rechargeable battery which kicks in when the sun goes down or things get gloomy.

38. Vinegar is great for cleaning surfaces such as glass that you want to be smear free, if you have an old spray bottle fill it with half vinegar and half water for a great window and mirror cleaner.

consumption exceeds a pre-set limit. The unit 39. Start saving every envelope that comes can also display the amount of greenhouse through your letter box. Keep them tidy with an gases your power usage is generating, as well elastic band (postpeople tend to drop lots of as ambient temperature and humidity in your these) and reuse them. home.

40. Cut up old food boxes and use it to write 15. Switch off all your appliances at the wall shopping lists or notes on. Then recycle them before going to bed at night. Many electrical items when you’re done. continue to use electricity even while off if 41. Instead of buying something brand new put a connected to an outlet. Do you really need to use wanted post on FreeCycle and get it for free. Wear the oven or microwave as a clock? A battery things out, and only buy things that can be powered wall clock uses much less power. repaired when they break, rather than things with 16. Cut down your water usage by reducing hidden moulded bits. the amount you use when you flush your loo.

42. Ever wondered what to do with those bits Some people suggest putting a brick in the of crushed cornflakes at the bottom of the cistern. But the new superloos from B&Q, ■ TUNE IN: See tip 37 pack? Add them into muesli to make it go including the Eco Loo To Go (£89.99), cut further. water use by 35%. Plus the toilet seat is made 26. An empty freezer wastes money. When from recycled plastic too.

43. If you have a garden consider a compost toilet. shopping buy up the bread products that are 17. Tumble drying is very expensive – line drying It's easy, doesn't smell and will enrich your garden reduced to clear. This is an economic way of is free. When outside drying is not possible no end – and will save huge amounts of water. filling space in your freezer, cutting down on consider whether you have radiators that could be shopping bills and wasting less food.

44. Learn how to darn holes in things. You just used if on anyway – but this will increase the don't seem to see good darning these days, 27. Pass on children's clothes which they have humidity in your house and may lead to damp if which is a pity, as it is something of a lost outgrown to other family members or friends it's not well ventilated. artform, as well being a superb money saver. whose children are younger.

18. You can buy special insulation 45. Don’t use cling film, foil or sandwich bags 28. Soya mince is a lot cheaper than meat sheets to put behind radiators to again. We take our butties to work in these from minces, a good source of protein and free of reflect the heat back into them. www.wrap-n-mat.com, and they fold out into a mini any disease or antibiotics. Health food shops Cardboard wrapped in aluminium picnic blanket. and co-operatives typically have very foil does this too. reasonable bags of dried soya mince and 46. Cycling – there has been massive rise in 19. Don't forget you can insulate chunks. the number of people cycling to and from work yourself too – wearing warm clothes 29. Next time you get the vacuum since the recession hit. It's free, kind on the and layers can reduce heating bills. cleaner out run the cleaner gently environment and keeps you healthy.

20. Trawl second-hand shops. You over the coils on the back of the 47. Take advantage of the stuff that's will soon work out where the better fridge to remove the dust. The free and growing wild on trees. In clothes are and can sometimes motor will run for shorter periods the Autumn look out for blackberries pick up new or nearly new items for and save you cash. knocking about, plus hazelnuts and a fraction of the normal price.

30. A soon as dusk comes draw (if you know where to look) sloe 21. Water is the cheapest and tip 23 the curtains – your windows berries. No-one seems to bother healthiest thing you can drink. Don’t (even if they’re double-glazed) are picking them, they are all free and bother with fancy bottled varieties, the an energy leak point. This can free from pesticides. tap will do, plus it’s not been freighted around the save you around £15 per year world. Drinking lots of water does amazing things 48. If your washing-up liquid runs 31. When you’re cooking use a lid for your skin, lessening the need for expensive out, run some hot water over the on your pan – it dramatically cuts skincare products. nozzle of the bottle. So much liquid the energy used. solidifies in a gunky lump around 22. Instead of using cream cleaners use a the nozzle that you can get one 32.

Always put a full load in teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda on a damp or two extra washing-ups out of your washing machine – small cloth – it works just as well. it. loads waste large amounts of 23. Don’t let moths destroy perfectly good clothes. energy.

49.

Composting, buying local (cuts If you don’t like the smell of moth balls use cedar down on food miles) and of course 33. Reuse old carrier bags as liners wood instead – it repels moths and smells great. energy saving bulbs.

To reinvigorate the aroma, lightly sand the wooden for small bins. pieces. 30-Piece Cedar Wood Set (£6.49, Ref 50. Using essential oils when you are 34. Aluminium can be recycled over 22267 Lakeland). cleaning – lemon oil to wipe down the and over again without any loss of kitchen surfaces – only need a drop and quality, or wrap your sandwiches or 24. Cut down old, foil-lined juice and milk picnic food with greaseproof paper, cartons to be used as seed planters in the ■ FLUSHED: no nasty chemicals. With a bit of lavender oil and lemon oil you can do which you can compost afterwards. greenhouse or garden See tip 16 loads; with, for beauty/ bath stuff and as Store your packed lunch in a reusable 25. The plastic lids from a Pringles tub make good Tupperware container or empty air fresheners too, save using plug in air covers for cat/dog food tins. ice-cream tub. Reusable containers are fresheners.