Living green can be tough. To help you through, browse our ever-growing selection of lifestyle tips to help you help the planet.

Click the categories on the left to browse the tips, or search using the box above.

At home

1. Drink tap water not bottled.

Drink tap water, not bottled and save money as well as helping the planet. If you don't like the taste use a filter. UK tap water is more tested and regulated than most bottled waters. The industry uses around 2.7 million tonnes of plastic in packaging not to mention the transport cost in fossil fuel. Even the plastic that is recycled has a transport overhead. So next time you want water - turn on the tap.

2. Buy Fair Trade Products

Buy Fair Trade where possible. It directly benefits producers and their families ensuring they can meet their needs for food, health, housing and education. Look out for coffee, tea, chocolate, bananas, rice, pasta, honey and many more delicious foods.

3. Unplug your telephone charger

By unplugging your telephone charger once your battery is fully charged, you will save energy and money.

4. Decide what you want before you open the fridge

When you open the fridge door up to 30 per cent of the cooled air escapes. Have it open for the minimum time possible. Save energy and money.

5. Replace kitchen towels with a sponge or cloth.

Reduce the volume of waste by using re-usable rather than disposable items. Buy cloths instead of paper towels that you can rinse or wash and re-use. Saves money too.

6. Refuse plastic bags - take your own cloth bags

Plastic bags take years to break down in landfill. Re-use the ones you have or better still buy long lasting cloth bags and re-use them time and time again.

7. Wash your clothes at 40 degrees or less

A 40 degree wash cycle uses 3 times less electricity than a 90 degree wash.

8. Buy locally produced products.

Buy products that are locally produced to save on transport, create local jobs and encourage local business. Think of the pollution and waste of resources that come from buying goods from far away.

9. Don't leave appliances on standby

Before you go to bed, switch off appliances at the wall - remember the kitchen as well as the lounge. If everyone switched off we'd save up to £1 billion of electricity in Britain

10. When filling the kettle put in only what you need.

Boil only the amount of water you need each time you use the kettle saving energy, time and money.

11. Eat fruit and vegetables in season

Fruit and vegetables that are in season are healthier, taste better and their cultivation has minimum impact on the environment - especially if you buy locally. Try ordering some organic vegetable boxes from a local farm and may be try something new!

12. Buy products with the least packaging

When choosing between products, buy the one with the least packaging and with packaging that can be recycled. And then ensure you recycle it.

13. When your lightbulb needs changing, use energy saving bulbs

Next time a light bulb needs changing, replace it with an energy saving light bulb. It will use 20% of the electricity of a normal one and last up to 12 times longer. Saves money and energy and the hassle of changing bulbs so often!

14. When cooking - think about how many pots and pans you use

When you cook a big meal using lots of pans and dishes means more dishwasher runs and/or washing up water. Save time, energy and money using one pot recipes.

15. Don't run water when brushing teeth or washing hands

Save water by turning the tap off whilst brushing your teeth and only using what is necessary. The same goes for washing hands or dishes.

16. Support a 'green' campaign

Lend your support to a green campaign. Green England are currently asking for support in a petition to the Government to introduce a 10p tax on plastic bags and for the money to go to environmental projects. For more information see the petition

17. Always buy recycled toilet paper.

Anything other than recycled paper is not necessary for toilet paper. It is often cheaper than the main brands. Plus if you buy recyled paper it increases the market and thus further encourages recycling.

18. Always carry a bag with you in case you buy something.

Don't get caught short! Take a fold up shopping bag - even a plastic bag that you can re-use - out with you so you never have to accept a new plastic bag when you purchase an item. And sign our petition

19. Use your local library - its free

Get books from your local library. Save paper and money. Order new books to borrow for a fraction of what they would cost to buy. And borrow DVDs and CDs too.

20. Use Bicarbonate of Soda to clean your sink, bath and oven

Sprinkle some bicarbonate of soda on and clean with a damp cloth then rinse away excess for sparkling sinks, baths and hobs. Much more environmentally friendly than most cleaning products and cheap to buy too.

21. Always cover your pans with lids when cooking.

Keeping the lid on you pans whilst cooking saves energy allowing you to turn the plate or gas ring right down. Keeps your bills down too.

22. Don't use the car to go a short distance.

If you are just going out to the local shop or nearby friend, walk the distance. If cold or wet dress accordingly. Enjoy the walk and the weather - get exercise and save money and fuel.

23. Steam your vegetables over boiling vegetables.

Get a steamer with 2 tiers. Boil your organic potatoes in the bottom one and steam your organic veg at the same time. Save energy and have nutritious vegetables.

24. Turn off the oven 10 minutes before the food is cooked.

Turning off the oven 10 minutes before the end of the required cooking time and the oven will retain enough heat to finish the cooking. Ovens are so well insulated that they retain the heat often beyond this 10 minutes. Save energy and money.

25. Try your local charity shop.

Next time you need some new clothes - try the charity shops. You may be surprised at what you find there. Clothes that may have been thrown away available for re-use at a fraction of their original cost and you are contributing to a good cause at the same time. Reduce, re-use, recycle.

26. Buy one eco-friendly cleaning product in your next shop

Next time you go shopping buy an eco-friendly cleaning product instead of your normal purchase. See blog and website for ideas.

27. Avoid the use of disposable razors.

Buy a traditional razor where you only have to replace the blade so you are not wasting all that plastic each time you need a new blade.

28. Use Freecycle for unwanted household items

Don't go to the dump! Advertise for free any unwanted items that you are not going to sell on Freecycle. Someone may want your furniture, computer equipment, phone etc. And you never know what you might find in return...

29. Defrost food before cooking.

Cooking food from frozen can use twice the electricity than cooking defrosted food. If you do this regularly you can significantly reduce both the the energy used and the cost of running your oven.

30. Think about car-sharing every time you travel.

If you are going to an event, meeting or social gathering and you know others who are going too, offer to give a lift, or ask for a lift and share fuel costs. Every time you travel, consider if you could car share.

31. Buy some organic vegetables.

Its the Soil Association's Organic fortnight(1-16 September). Organic vegetables are usually higher in vitamins and minerals, grown without the use of pesticides and if you buy locally much lower in transport costs. And they taste great!

32. Avoid cafes and fast food outlets using disposable cutlery and plates.

When eating out, try not to use outlets that supply the food with throw away plates, cartons and cutlery, being wasteful of energy and resources.

33. Don't buy products packaged in individual portions.

Many products now come in individual portions increasing packaging. Wherever possible, buy in bulk and split up at home in containers you use over and over again.

34. Try out Soapnuts for your laundry.

Soapnuts grow on trees, contain a natural detergent and cuts your laundry costs by at least a third. Environmentally friendly, sustainably produced, bio-degradable and compostable. Search our website for suppliers.

35. Buy recycled paper at all times.

It takes far less energy to produce recycled paper than from virgin pulp and reduces paper ending up in landfill. Always buy recycled - ideally unbleached. If your local supplier doesn't stock it ask why. Find suppliers on the Green England website.

36. Choose organic cotton when buying new.

When buying cotton, choose organic. The cotton industry uses around 25% of the world's pesticides and insecticides.

37. Buy organic and local fruit and vegetables.

Harvest time and with much UK fruit and vegetables in season, this is a great time of year to buy organic and local. Choose from plums, tomatoes, apples, pears, sweetcorn, damsons, blackberries, beetroot, courgettes to name a few.

38. On buying takeaway food.

Ask at your local takeaway if you can supply your own containers to take the food home in.

39. Consider buying a wormery or a compost bin.

Dispose of your vegetable and biodegradeable waste by investing in a wormery or compost bin. If you recycle all your paper, glass, cardboard, plastic and tins and compost your biodegradeable waste there will be little left to go landfill.

40. Put foil pasted onto board behind your radiators.

Putting foil behind the radiators will help to reflect the heat back into the room allowing you to turn the dial down a little.

41. Stuck for how to cook your veg from your veg box?

If you are not sure how to cook the veg in your box or not even sure what it and item is then have a look at the recipes on this site www.vegbox-recipes.co.uk

42. Use the Washing Machine or Dishwasher only when full.

Switch the on button only when the Dishwasher or Washing machine is full. Save energy, water and money.

43. Before decidin on a new electrical item - check its energy comsumption

When choosing which make and model to buy of an electrical item whether washing machine or computer, fridge or photocopier, check out its electricity consumption at http://www.sust-it.net.

44. Do your dusting with a damp duster

For all your dusting needs take an ordinary duster, soak in approx 2 tablespoons of warm water and use for all your dusting needs. Collects the dust up rather than spreading into the air. For glass and tiles add 2 tablespoons of white vinegar in addition. You can also add your favourite essential oil or lemon juice for fragrance. Tip contributed by Chris Hayward of Stop for Breath - seller of soapnuts.

45. To clean blocked drains - don't use toxic chemicals.

Pour about 10 tablespoons of bicarbonate of soda down the sink, followed by 100ml white vinegar. The reaction between these two substances will get rid of the blockage. Rinse with boiling water.

46. Eat a British Apple.

Its been a great year for British apples and they are in season during the Autumn. So buy British apples, as local to you as possible, rather than the familiar varities from far flung lands. Support local growers and reduce food miles.

47. Do not throw away your old spectacles.

When you get a new pair of glasses, don't ditch your old ones. Ask your opticians if they take part in collection schemes or give them to a charity such as Vision Aid Overseas.

48. When buying new clothes, give the same consideration as you would food.

When buying new clothes, look at where they have been made, how far they have travelled and what they are made from.

49. Don't use a hairdryer - let your hair dry naturally.

Hairdryers use a lot of electricity. Give yourself time to let your hair dry naturally. Save energy, money, the environment and so much better for your hair.

50. Reduce food waste - plan your shopping.

To reduce food wastage plan your menus and write a list in advance of shopping. WRAP has reported that we waste as much as one third of the food we buy.

51. Use Green Oil next time you need to oil your bicycle.

Use Green Oil .Green oil for your bicycle. Good for your bike and the environment. Green Oil is created from naturally occurring oils and plant extracts produce the same qualities you would expect from a quality chain lubricant.

52. Decorate your house with eco-friendly paints.

Next time you want to redecorate, look at eco-friendly paints - an alternative to solvent based paints. These paints are also great for those who suffer from allergies, young children and people who dislike the smell of traditional paints. See Eco-Decorator for more information.

53. Go Large!

When buying consumable items, consider buying the largest size possible to get the best ratio of product to packaging. It usually works out more economical too.

54. Use a slo cooker

Use a slo cooker for your meals - energy efficient and you can cook a whole meal in one pot.

55. As Christmas approaches..................

Prepare not to send Christmas cards. Use email, telephone, meet people and greet them. Plant a tree, give to charity instead. But if you need to send a few cards, buy recycled cards and/or charity cards.

56. Save energy when you have a party!

When you have a houseful of guests, you can probably turn the heating down or off, and anyway, all that partying and food will keep you warm! For more energy saving tips UK Energy Saving UK_Energy_Saving

57. As Christmas approaches......get creative!

At Christmas we use enough wrapping paper to more than cover Guernsey. As christmas approaches save wrapping from parcels, newspapers, magazines and other materials that could be used for wrapping presents. Be creative in your present wrapping!

58. Stuck for Christmas Present ideas?

Giving tickets to events, shows or the cinema ensures no packaging or wasted resources - maybe throw in a train ticket as well!

59. Fairy Lights and candles.

Pretty as they are when you are there, remember to turn the fairy lights off when you leave and at night. And try fairy lights and candles without the main light for romantic cosy nights in!

60. Recycle your Christmas Cards

Recycle your Christmas cards by keeping them to make tags or cards for next year or to use as decorations on presents wrapped in newspaper. Or take them to Tesco, WHSmith, TKmaxx or M&S to be recycled for the Woodland Trust Scheme

61. Don't dry clean clothes

Dry cleaning solvents are potentially poisonous. Do not buy dry clean only clothes. If you have to dry clean try a more eco friendly method - see Green Earth and find your nearest branch.

62. As Fairtrade Fortnight begins.....

Look out for Fairtrade cotton when buying your summer T-Shirts. Some high street stores now stock them or look online at Green England.

63. Cook in bulk - avoid packaged Ready Meals

When you are cooking meals with fresh ingredients, cook twice the quantity and freeze the extra. You will have home cooked meals to heat up for busy days with no time to cook. Avoids over packaged, over processed and over transported supermarket ready meals.

64. Stop wasting water waiting for your shower to heat up.

If you run water whilst waiting waiting for your shower to heat up, collect the water in a bucket and use it to flush the toilet or water plants. You will surprised at how much you will save from going down the drain. This tip was submitted by - UK Energy Saving - advice and tips on UK Energy Saving in your home and business.

65. Remember your bags every time you go shopping......

To prevent leaving your bags behind when you go shopping; get into the habit of leaving them next to your car keys. Tip suggested by Lets Be Greener

66. Charge your mobile phone during the day, not overnight.

Most mobile phones only take a couple of hours to charge. A plugged in charger continues to use energy even when the phone is charged so should not be plugged in longer than necessary.

67. Get some help to start your Organic Gardening.

If you are unsure of how to start your own organic garden or allotment, why not find somebody who would also be interested? You will make the most of your organic gardening adventure when you find someone to share work and the rewards – plus, helping each other out means you can go on holiday without worrying about your seeds and you can share tips and tricks to make a success of it! Tip submitted by Baby's Best

At Work

68. Mugs aren't for mugs

Ditch those nasty polystyrene cups at work, and bring in your own mugs instead. While you're at it, keep a supply of plates and cutlery to hand to use instead of plastic ones.

69. Get on your bike

Cycle to work once a week. Summer's here - why not try the bike? You can buy a bike up to half price through the cycle to work scheme.

70. Buy recycled stationary for your office.

Many companies are now offering good quality business cards, leaflets and office stationary made from recycled paper at no extra cost. Gives your company a good image too.

71. Switch off before you leave work

As you leave your place of work, switch off appliances and lights that are not needed again until the morning. You will be saving the company money as well as reducing electricity useage.

72. Think before you print - and print doublesided.

Before you print out an email or document - ask yourself whether you really do need to print it. Can you use it online or file it on the computer rather than a hard copy or email it someone rather than posting it or giving it. When you do print, print double sided where possible.

73. Turn your computer screen off when not in use.

Turning your computer screen off when not in use saves more energy than a screen saver or power save mode. Get into the habit of pressing the button when you leave your desk for meetings and lunch and turn the computer off when you go home.

74. Drive between 40mph and 60mph wherever possible

Driving between 40 mph and 60 mph is the most fuel efficient. Increase to 65mph and this is increased by 6% and 12% at 70mph. Saves petrol - and money and is generally safer. Try it and arrive more relaxed!

75. Make notebooks from scrap paper

Re-use paper that has only been printed on one side by cutting in half and stapling pieces together. Cuts down spend on notebooks and reduces waste. Ensure they are recycled when finished with.

76. Buy manila envelopes.

Manila envelopes are usually made from recycled paper and are the cheapest on the market.

77. Use a refillable fountain pen.

A fountain pen, refillable from a (recyclable) glass ink bottle can last years. Use instead of all those 'disposable' plastic pens.

78. Recyle your printer cartridges

Don't throw away your used printer cartridges - recycle them. There are organisations to which you can send your empty cartridges who sell them on for re-use and use the proceeds for charity.

79. Buy printer cartridges that have been recycled.

Buy printer cartridges that have been recycled and refilled, re-using the plastic and supporting the market for recycled goods to further encourage recycling.

80. Make great window cleaner with a mix of vinegar and water

Five parts water to one part white vinegar in a re-used spray bottle for sparkling windows. Saves money too.

81. Use the stairs rather than the lift

Lift useage can be between 5 and 15 percent of a company's electricity useage. So get some exercise and use the stairs.

82. Introduce recycling boxes in your workplace.

Encourage people to recycle their newspapers, paper plastic and glass in the workplace by having boxes nearby to use instead of the bin.

83. Give someone a lift.

On your next few car journeys to work, to socialise or to the gym, consider if you could share your car with someone else making a similar journey. Friendly, cost-effective and reduces carbon emissions.

84. Take your own sandwiches to work.

Take your own sandwiches to work in a re-useable container rather than buying pre-packaged sandwiches. And use delicious organic fillings. Save money and packaging.

85. Check your tyre pressure - and save fuel

Check your tyre pressure regularly. Having them at the wrong pressure can increase your fuel consumption. Save fuel and money - pop into a garage and check them today.

86. Consider a tele-conference rather than a meeting.

Next time you set up a meeting where people are travelling, consider the option of a tele conference saving time, money and CO2.

87. Use the bus or train instead of a car.

Over the next month, try to use the train or bus at leaset once where you would have ordinarily taken your car. Its a break from driving as well as reducing your carbon footprint. You may even save money too.

88. Ensure you use Fair Trade tea and coffee at work.

Tell your colleagues about Fair Trade and persuade the person responsible for buying decisions to purchase fair trade tea and coffee. By doing so you support the tea and coffee workers and help to ensure they get a decent wage.

89. Switch off your photocopier at night.

A photocopier left on overnight uses enough energy to make 1,500 photocopies. Make sure someone in your workplace is responsible for turning off the photocopier, lights and other office equipment at night.

90. Wear layers and woolly jumpers in this cold weather.

It's freezing outside. Don't be tempted to overheat the house or office. Wear layers of clothing, woolly hat and chunky knits and turn the thermostat down by 1 degree. Save money, save the planet and keep cosy warm!

91. Send an email rather than a letter wherever possible.

If you post documents and letters in your office, consider whether an email will do instead. Saves paper and transport energy as well as saving the cost of a stamp. It gets the message to the recipient much quicker too.

92. Choose a solar powered calculator rather than one powered by batteries.

Batteries are full of chemicals, need replacing and cost money. Use a solar powered calculator wherever possible.

93. Reduce your carbon footprint - share a lift to work.

Logon to Liftshare to find someone going your way who is keen to share a car - save money, reduce your carbon footprint - and make a new friend!

94. Recycle all your office paper

It takes 28% less energy to recycle paper than to produce paper from scratch. Recycle all paper, newspaper, packaging etc. And then buy recycled paper wherever possible.

95. Green Your Web Hosting

The millions of web sites on the net are all stored on computers which have to be switched on 24/7, resulting in a huge carbon footprint. Green England's host Eco Web Hosting (www.ecowebhosting.co.uk) offset the carbon emissions produced by their servers by planting trees in Nottinghamshire. We've negotiated a 30% discount on a year's hosting with them if you sign up before the end of February - just use promotion code 'green england'. They also offer a 50% lifetime discount to charities and not-for-profits - email them for more details.

96. As Fair Trade Fortnight approaches..........

You drink Fair Trade Coffee and Tea at home but what about work? As part of Fair Trade fortnight - starting on February 25th - can you change your workplace to fair trade products?

97. Think Twice before using the Air Conditioning in your car.

The air conditioning or climate control in your car can use up to 10% more fuel - hurting the environment - and your pocket.

Recycling

98. Choose products in glass containers, rather than plastic

Glass can be re-used (use glass jars for storage) or recycled indefinitely with no loss of quality. Recycled glass melts at lower temperatures than raw materials used to make new glass, thus using less energy.

99. Recycle your mobile phone

When you have finished with your mobile phone, find a way to recycle it. Many charities take them or look online to find companies ready and willing to take your phone and may be even pay you for it.

100. Recycle your tins

Always recycle tins - it takes 95% less energy to recycle an empty can than making one from scratch

101. Don't throw away clothes you have finished with.

Take clothes to the local charity shop when you have finished with them, or if they are too worn or damaged take them to a clothing bank where the fibres will be re-used. Or use them for cleaning cloths.

102. Get your children to check their shelves for video games they have finished with.

Take used playstation, x-box etc games to a shop that buys secondhand. Recycles, gets money back and you can buy more games - ideally secondhand.

103. Re-use envelopes.

Re-use envelopes by carefully peeling off the address label or sticking a fresh label over the address - made from the reverse side of no longer needed printed paper.

104. When you need to buy a book try and buy secondhand.

If you do need to buy a book rather than get it from the library, check out online secondhand book stores or secondhand book shops in your local town.

105. Recycle your printer cartridges

Don't put your used printer cartridges in the bin where they end up in landfill for 500 years. Find a company to send them to that recycles them. Some organisations use the proceeds from this for charity.

106. Re-use plastic packaging

Re-use plastic packaging wherever possible e.g for sandwiches and other packed lunch items.

107. Don't dump or bin your old electrical equipment

If you have old electrical equipment to dispose of, ask at your local electrical store if they take electrical equipment to be recycled. Many now do.

108. Recycle all items that can be recycled

A tissue takes 3 months to decompose, a piece of paper 4 months, a plastic bottle 10 years, glass - several centuries. Reduce, Re-use,Recycle.

109. Recycle your old mobile phone - and get cash.

You can get up to £100 for your old mobile phone and have it recycled at the same time. So if you have an old mobile in your drawer or are thinking about changing your phone find out more

110. Recycle polythene and plastic wrapping

If you are fed up with putting polythene wrappings in the bin - you don't have to. Recycle both printed and unprinted polythene wrappers and bags by sending it to Polyprint

111. Find where to recycle an item

If you are unsure where your nearest recycling centre is or how to recycle a particular item - go on the Recycle More website to get recycling information local to you.

Take Action

112. Tell the government your thoughts on plastic bags

Linked with our petition is a consultation with the public by the London Councils on whether or not (and how) a plastic bag tax should be introduced. Make your voice heard at www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/doc.asp?doc=20764&cat=937.

113. Save over £30 a year and 150kg of carbon by switching off.

Switching off the DVD, televison, hi-fi etc can save a significant amount of money as well as reducing your carbon footprint. Each one of us can make a difference.

114. Campaign for the 10p Tax on Plastic Bags

Contribute to the 10p Tax on Plastic Bags campaign.Download the petition and get your local community, work colleagues, club members or friends to sign it, then return it to us at the contact us address on the website.

115. Nominate your favourite Green Company for the Green England Awards.

Green England are now accepting nominations for the 2007 Green England Awards. Go to http://www.green-england.co.uk/greenawards to nominate a company to receive an award.

116. Be the change you wish to see in the world.

Ghandi said 'We must be the change we want to see in the world.' Decide to do something different today that will make your life a little greener, or a little more ethical. Click on View all Tips for ideas.

117. Share, Lend, Borrow.

Share your goods that are used little - ladders, hedge trimmers, drills, rarely used kitchen gadgets with your neighbours and friends. Think if you can share before buying new.

118. Spread the word

Let people know about changes you have made and the benefits and enjoyment you get from it. Show others how simple it can be (and money saving). Most people want to do something but aren't always sure how.

119. Support the Ban the Bag Campaign.

London Councils are urging people to email their local MP about a ban on single-use throwaway shopping bags. To learn more and to join in see click here

120. Visit a Green Event in 2008 to learn more about Green Living

Find out more about green products and services by visiting a Green Event this year. Click here to see information about the Earth Day Event in North Norfolk on April 22nd.