Whether you are an eco-warrior or an eco-worrier – or both – working from home has become the norm. And that’s good news for your personal carbon footprint if you were driving or using public transport to schlep to your workplace. So let’s keep up the excellent work. Here are some simple ways to stay carbon-efficient at home. And remember: what’s good for Mother Nature tends to be good for your bank balance too. Win, win.

1. Eat less meat…

Reducing how much meat you consume daily can help you stay healthier and protects the environment too! For instance, it’s thought that beef production, in particular, contributes 10-100 times more emissions to the atmosphere than the equivalent amount of plant-based food. Try having a couple of meat-free days per week. It’s great to experiment with seasonal fruit and veg, and there’s lots of mileage to be had from grains and beans. Even better? If you have a little garden space – or even just a spare windowsill – you can try growing your own produce—fun, fresh, and great for your health.

 

2. Stand down your standbys…

It’s convenient to leave appliances on standby. But in this mode, some appliances consume as much as 75% of the energy they would when entirely switched on. Switching off could save you around £80 per year. Also, note that some chargers – especially older types – consume electricity when plugged into the wall socket, even when they’re not charging a device.

3. Make your home warm, cosy, and eco-conscious…

Paying to heat your home, only for that heat to escape, just as soon as it’s entered, your home is a little backward. Check your home for draughts and give the loft insulation a once over to check it’s in good order. Even closing all your curtains at night can go a long way to keeping the heat in. You already know the one about turning your thermostat down by a degree or two, which could save £80 per year. But how about switching to a green energy supplier that provides electricity from renewable sources and carbon-neutral gas? It could cut your carbon footprint by around 24%. Which? has compared the UK’s green energy suppliers, so you don’t have to. Take a look.

 

4. A little energy goes a long way…

Being a little more conscious about how you use energy around the home can make a big difference. Switching to LED light bulbs is a great place to start. Not only do they last longer – up to 20,000 hours – they use 90% less energy than traditional light bulbs. The basics still apply too. Ensure your washing machine has a full load and turn down the temperature. Hang your wet clothes outside rather than using the tumble dryer if possible. Only boil as much water in the kettle as you need. You know the drill.

 

 5. Recycle and re-use…

The war against food packaging rages on. There’s no need for most fruits and veggies to be wrapped in oodles of packaging, so aim to buy loose when you can. Some packaging is unavoidable when it comes to your food shop. But a lot of it can be recycled. Check the packaging. Separate your items properly. Simple.

6. Drive less if you can…

All this working from home doesn’t half give you a craving to stretch your legs now and then. So it’s the perfect time to look at using the car less, and walking or cycling more. If you do have to drive, look for opportunities to car share when possible. The fewer vehicles on the road, the better it is for everyone – especially Mother Nature.

 

Over to you!

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