Go Greener This Winter
People across Scotland are being encouraged to do their bit to reduce global climate change.
The Scottish Government's Go Greener campaign provides help and advice on how making a series of small changes to your lifestyle can have a big effect on the planet.
Going greener at home can also help you save money. Every year in the UK around £8 billion of energy is wasted, equivalent to £125 for every man, woman and child. The average household could save around £300 per year by reducing their energy consumption.
One of the easiest ways to save money is by switching to energy efficient lightbulbs and switching them off when you leave the room. This can help you save up to £40 every year.
You can also turn down your thermostat down by just one degree, helping you to cut heating bills by up to ten per cent. You'll save even more if you close your curtains at night to stop heat escaping through the windows.
When making your afternoon brew, try not to overfill the kettle. If everyone boiled only the water needed to make their cup, enough electricity could be saved in a year to run the UK's street lighting for seven months.
UK households spend around eight per cent of their electricity bill on standby power for appliances such as TVs and games consoles, so when you're switching off, make sure it's at the plug socket.
Other great tips include putting your washing machines onto economy or low temperature cycles, hanging your clothes up to dry rather than using a tumble dryer and only putting the dishwasher on when it is full.
The Go Greener campaign's Ten Greener Steps are a great way to ensure that you and your family can help Scotland have less of an effect on the environment. The Steps are:
• Recycle household waste using locally-provided facilities
• Turn the tap off when brushing your teeth
• Switch to using energy-saving light bulbs
• Leave the car at home and walk, cycle, use public transport or car share at least once a week instead.
• Use rechargeable instead of disposable batteries
• Re-use carrier bags when you shop
• Buy more seasonal and unpackaged food
• Hang your washing up to dry rather than using a tumble dryer
• Organise or volunteer in an environmental project in your local community
• Avoid flying when you can, and pay back the environmental impact of any flights you have to take
For more information and tips, plus a chance to take part in some fantastic giveaways and money saving offers visit www.infoscotland.com/gogreener.
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