Celebrating your modern day good life

In the 1970s, Whole Earth launched tasty peanut butter, and Tom & Barbara Good made green-fingered living famous. We asked for your stories of what you do to make a difference however big or small and how you live the modern day good life and received fantastic entries.

Our winner is Juliet Wilson from Edinburgh –see her entry to the right. Juliet’s passion shone through her buying local organic products, growing some of her food, reusing paper and fabric to make notebooks, and volunteering once a week for a local conservation organisation.

We found Juliet’s passion exciting and hope she will inspire you to join Whole Earth in living the modern day good life.

We’d like to thank every one of our green-living contributors. Keep up the good work!

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  Juliet Wilson - Edinburgh - winner

  We shop in local wholefood shops and buy mostly locally produced, organic foods (plus fair trade for the essential tea, coffee and chocolate!), I recently started drinking mostly green tea which I buy loose (avoids excess paper) and put in a tea ball and reuse for a few cups. We don't have a car, we holiday in the UK using public transport to get there and staying where possible in bed and breakfasts with a commitment to environmental sustainability, we drink real ales brewed in Scotland or the North of England, we recycle everything and compost all our food waste, I repurpose waste paper into bookmarks, diaries, notebooks, collage art, I use waste fabric to make draught excluders, purses and pot pourri bags, I buy second hand cothes, books and music, we cook from scratch (although we also like to support local restaurants, specially those which have some commitment to environmental sustainability and have to admit to the occasional takeaway). We are both quite knowledgeable about wildlife and take a lot of walks! I volunteer once a week for a local conservation organisation and teach birdwatching and environmental writing. We grow some of our own food. We put on extra layers of clothing rather than turning on the heating. We carry reusable carrier bags with us to avoid plastic bags, I also avoid plastic produce bags by buying fruit and veg loose. We organise our washing to minimise use of the washing machine. We let the laundry dry on a clothes horse and don't have a tumble drier. We have a minimum of electric gadgets and don't leave them on standby. I don't wear makeup and buy organic (and preferably locally produced) toiletries and toothpaste and environmentally friendly cleaning products.

  Added : 15.11.2010
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  Feargus Schofield - Dundee

  I need to raise money for a World Challenge school trip to Uganda in 20 months time. The trip will be four weeks and includes a community project as well as learning about a totally different culture. I had no ideas how to raise the money so my mum suggested combining small jobs with learning about going green. One month in I have dug the garden and done some gardening for my gran (before the snow). I made good friends with a robin, and although it doesn’t make me any money, I’m feeding them now the snow’s arrived. I am looking forward to growing some vegetables next year, but know that won't make the money I need. So now I'm doing an energy audit of the house as mum says I can keep any money I save her (based on readings, not cost as I now know energy prices are going up – I am now realising why mum gets annoyed when I leave lights on or my computer on standby). Our lights were already low-energy and our attic fully insulted, but I’ve been using the smoke test to find and seal drafts. My gran gave me a book about war time and I’m learning to cook economically with fresh ingredients. Who knows, I might even try making a straw box for cooking (at the moment I’m using the slow cooker). To earn more pocket money mum’s put me in charge of recycling, challenging me to keep the black bin as low as possible. I now sort out the recyclable plastic, paper, card and glass, and I’ve started a compost heap. I’ve been raking other people’s gardens – hard work, but must be better than those petrol-driven leaf blowers. I used to get a lift to band but now I get £1 each way which saves my parents money and time and keeps my carbon footprint down. I’ve checked the carbon footprint for my flight and have built the cost of offset into the amount I need to raise. After Christmas I am going to start decorating our house (the plan is one room per month) and my gran’s house using green products such as environmentally friendly paint. I’m also going to do some maintenance work on the shed so it lasts a long time, and soon as this snow has gone, I'll be hanging the washing out to save on tumble drying. I’ll be 16 just after Christmas and I’m asking for money to put towards my trip rather than the usual energy-hungry short-life gifts. I’m going to make sure the Christmas gifts I give this year are useful and not expensive on the earth’s resources. For example my aunt is a total peanut butter fan so I will be making her a small hamper with a Whole Earth jar of peanut butter, some Fairtrade tea and some homemade peanut cookies. My mum’s more of a chocolate fan so hers will have a jar of Whole Earth chocolate and caramel swirl, Fairtrade tea and a box of Whole Earth cocoa crunch organic. When I was in primary school I designed a poster for Dundee City Council for their reduce, reuse, recycle campaign. I am now really putting into action those words. If I am lucky enough to become your ambassador I know I will do a good job as well as the money helping me reach my World Challenge target.

  Added : 30.11.2010
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  Jo Nicholson - anstruther

  So far we are down to one car in the family. Im walking the kids to nursery each day (and its doing wonders for my fitness!), and we've also changed loads of lightbulbs for energy saving ones. My chandelier in the lounge now has those funky spiral bulbs in, which I think looks great. We dont own our own home, just rent, so theres limited things we can do in terms of improving the heating and insulation, although we are badgering our landlord to upgrade the insulation this winter. We never waste food, and when I shop I always look for Scottish products and try to buy from local farm shops whenever I can.

  Added : 30.11.2010
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  Gwen Carter - Warrington

  I always use my wormery to convert my kitchen waste into useful products to enrich my garden so that I can grow even more healthy food!

  Added : 30.11.2010
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  Lee Johnson - Hemel Hempstead

  Use all energy saving bulbs, get a bike to ride to work and grow a veg garden

  Added : 30.11.2010
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  James Brenchley - Broadstairs

  Mums a nutitionist so each all sorts of veg and fruit :p I'm a runner my best time at the mo of running the 2 miles is 10min 45sec :s so not to bad :D

  Added : 30.11.2010
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  Hadeel - Harrow

  I walk to work instead of using my parents car. But before i do i recycle. And im nice to people, i smile when i see anyone. They may think im a freak but im just being friendly.

  Added : 30.11.2010
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  Rachel Lalchan - Norwich

  Since moving into a home of our own 6 months ago, we've grown potatoes, carrots, salad, tomatoes and herbs. We are aiming to grow as much veg, fruit and herbs as we can in our modest garden, learning as we grow (ha) and working towards a forest garden set up in the spring. No room for chooks, goat or pig sadly but one day - maybe an allotment! Whilst our garden grows we source food from local stores and organic delivery and I am sooo proud to say we've not set foot in a supermarket for 6 months! Who needs em! We recycle almost everything, buy second-hand and vintage furniture and clothes. I'm wizzing up clothing, homeware and gifts on my lovely Janome sewing machine, recycling old fabrics and clothing as I go. We both cycle, don't own a car though are thinking about supporting a local car share scheme. We love to travel by train, bus and on foot and I refuse to travel by air for at least the forseeable future. We love the good life and that's exactly what it is. We grow happier every day. Tom commutes at the moment but I - Rache, not Barbara! - work from home, writing about eco stuff and creating recycled goodies. We aspire to Tom & Barbara's dedication!

  Added : 30.11.2010
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  Julie - Chesterfield

  I love to meander around second shops, looking for a diamond in the rough. You can find one-of-a-kind vintage items. High Street shopping is too spendy,cloney and crowded. At least using an old item in a new way doesnt add to the heaps of stuff thats weighing down our earth.

  Added : 30.11.2010
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  Anthony Wheatley - Wallasey

  I walk most places, and or use public transport. An electric bike would be useful

  Added : 30.11.2010
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  helen p - lewes

  i tend to sit in the cold with lots of jumpers on. does that count??!

  Added : 30.11.2010
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  Irvin Bullock - gateshead/newcastle

  walk around with out lights on at night, i'm lucky live in a flat with outside lighting.

  Added : 30.11.2010
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  Farah Elmer - Bishop's Stortford

  We are a Green family and we reduce the amount of Packaging we buy. We also get our veg from a box scheme so it'[s organic and isn't covered in all kinds of plastic. We compost our food waste and we reuse certain types of packaging ie: pringles tins are used for crayons and pencils etc. We give and buy from charity shops and we give lots to a recycling company whom collect from our home(GT recycling solutions). We used cloth nappies for our elder daughter and we use 'Biodegradeable disposables rather than pampers etc. We give away and recieve items on freecycle and recycle all of our Glass, cans, plastic containers and bottles etc. We use our Brown bin for all suitable items and don't leave things on when not in use. Phew! Think that's it.

  Added : 30.11.2010
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  gemma fenton - cowes

  We make our own bread and pasta from organically locally sourced flour, shop in our town for all thr fruit and veg that is in season and that my partner hasn't grown in our garden, gather wood when we go on walks for our fire (which is our only source of heating. I take our children to nursery and go to work on a bike and we only use our car in emergencies. We switch off everything at night at the plug and we use all our waste water on the garden. We donate all our old clothes to charity and buy all our clothes and toys at the charity shop and only do cold washes in the washing machine....it's a good life

  Added : 30.11.2010
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  Amanda Robertson - Dartford

  You can't beat growning your own veggies. I grow potatoes in old bins and leeks in the veg patch. Then enjoy fantastic leek and potato soup, with crusty bread from the local farm. Especially good when it's so cold outside.

  Added : 30.11.2010
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  Phil Butterworth - Manchester

  We walk the kids to school and back every day. Also try to teach them all too cook from scratch, and always use fruit & veg, in season. We reycle everything where possible. And also use gas / electric when neccessary x

  Added : 30.11.2010
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  LORNA WILSON - ORPINGTON

  I have always been keen in energy savings and bought the fist energy lights bulbs when it first came out. I was actively recycling papers, and bottles since the 1980s. I am still using some of the original energy light bulbs. I thought my children about energy saving and recycling from a very young age. Sometimes they are instrumental in telling me any new ways of saving and protecting out beautiful plant for the future generations. I donate clothes, toys, crockery, furniture's that that I no longer need to friends and to charity shops. I am so pleased to say my Council is very proactive in recycling papers, bottles, and food waste. I ensure all plastic, glass bottles, tins, papers and the bones of cooked food are bag and put out to be collected. We have a bottle, papers, shoe and clothing banks near by which is used constantly by the public and me. I grow as much organic vegetables as possible and i give friends and families my produce as well.This has helped cut my shopping bills and also the use of the car. I do freeze some of the beans and fruits so I have a store of different types of beans and cooked apples and plums for the winter. I suffer from back and shoulder pains and arthritis so I have to make sure i do little bit at a time and rely for my family to help. I buy organic seeds and I collect the seeds from my vegetables for the following year. I have been more adventurous the past two years and started growing asparagus, celeriac, garlic, sprouting broccoli, onions instead of just potatoes and beans. I also keep part of the garden for perennials and annual flowers that encourage bees and butterflies. I have two fruit trees which is becoming more fruitful.I compost all compost able material and I have several water buts to collect the rain water for my plants and vegetable. Any left over food is never throw away but make into a stew or stir fry for snack or breakfast. My family walk or cycle or using public transport instead of using the car as much as we can. This helps protect the environment and also is an excellent exercise of keeping fit. I always carry two Iceland reusable bags when I go out and several when I go shopping to avoid using plastic bags. In the home, we turn off the lights when it is not in use and the appliances are not left on standby which can be a problem with children as they have to be reminded. Most of all the appliances in the home are energy rated 'A' including the boiler and all the washing are wash at 30 degrees and now I found I can wash at 15 degrees using the new Persil soap power. I only wash when I have a full load. When boiling water we only boil the amount we need any any left over is stored in a thermos flask which is useful when making gravy and when I need a cup of hot water. I have new draught proofing around all the doors and have hand made draught excluder for the base of all the doors using old tights and socks. With the new boiler as well, I have been able to turn the central heating down by a degree and also turn it off earlier as the house is so warmer. If the temperature does drops we put on extra layers instead of turning the heating on again. Water from washing up and bath are used for watering the plants and lawn in the front garden. Now we tend to use the shower instead of the bath. Five years ago, I had the solar panels installed for hot water and this has cut down out fuel bill especially in the summer. When there is any special offers for the loft insulation I buy them so the insulation in the loft is never low.

  Added : 30.11.2010
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  catriona davies - kent

  I pick up rubbish other people drop on our street and put it in the bin! We recycle all our rubbish and take unwanted stuff such as clothes appliances etc to recycling centres or charity shops. We got rid of our truck and now just use the car. We buy food in season and try to buy from local farmers where possible. Oh and my husband never throws food away, he will always eat it!!

  Added : 30.11.2010
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  Kathryn Hollingworth - NORWICH

  I cycle or walk to work and I don't own a car. I grow my own apples, pears, plumsans tomatoes. My daughter is a vegan and doesn't eat dairy food. My other daoughter and I are vegetarians. I don't use plastc bagsand recycle all my food waste for compost. Iuse leftover bread for bread pudding and my husband eats line-caught fish from the ocean. we buy free-range eggs. We give to charity shopsand buy from them. Westay with relatives when we go away and I travel longer distances by busor train. I use an organic greengrocers in the shopping centre nearby and buy old sewaters from jumble sales to unravel and reuse the wool.

  Added : 30.11.2010
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  LEIGH MORGAN - HAYLE

  We walk everywhere, use our library, grow our own fruit and veg, recycle and freecycle and compost, use a water butt, reuse wrapping paper and cards, send E xmas and birthday cards,swap children's clothing they've grown out of and mend adults clothing, use natural cleaning products i.e. vinegar, turn off lights and turn boiler thermostat down, use reusable shopping bags and don't buy products with excess packaging, buy from local markets, make Xmas and birthday presents and teach our daughter these skills to pass down to her family.

  Added : 30.11.2010
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  samantha hill - middlesbrough

  I like to buy my clothes from charity shops it helps great causes and when I fancy a change I donate them back.

  Added : 30.11.2010
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  J Cook - Oxfordshire

  For the last 10 years or so I have been a fervent urban forager and tried to be as self-sufficient as possible in a town house in the middle of a city with a tiny garden. Most years we have managed to save £££’s on fruit and vegetables by foraging and growing our own – so rewarding! We planned our tiny garden based on permaculture principles and also worked an allotment. We have now managed to work towards our dream of moving to a small semi with a larger garden so we can do all of those things we did before, but on a slightly bigger scale, plus lots more that we couldn’t do. So as well as growing our own fruit and vegetables, keeping bees for honey, foraging for wild produce, keeping a couple of chickens for eggs and trying to keep our environmental impact too a minimum with composting, recycling and freecycling. We also now grow our own cut flowers, all of our herbs, lots of our vegetables (we have lettuce in November ?!) and fruit, forage for nuts (natural local walnuts for free – yay!), forage for mushrooms (as well as starting our own mushroom bed), along with making our own bread, croissant and cakes and trying to use our home grown or foraged produce as much as possible (including all the produce I have managed to preserve without using the freezer!). I am also experimenting with home made lotions and potions, hair dye, clothes dye and ink, yes ink. We also try to use public transport as much as possible and car share to work to try and keep our car miles down. We try to make the most of the modern world with all the positive things it has too offer (the wealth of knowledge on the internet, instant communication, freecycle and energy saving and efficiency) whilst also embracing the wisdom of the past and the preciousness of the earth. We love our version of the good life and are delighted we have made it happen through our hard work and commitment. If we can do it anyone can and I would be delighted to become a Whole Earth ambassador to support and encourage others to live more whole heartedly, become more sustainable, in touch with nature and a 21st Good Lifer. PS. The picture is of our permaculture garden in the city with our pet chickens - Hope and Gloria!

  Added : 30.11.2010
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  Paul Marshall - OLDHAM

  I have a methodical approach and put the 'green' wheelie bin out fortnightly.

  Added : 29.11.2010
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  Annette Polak - Wolverhampton

  We have a small bird feeder on our kitchen window, it's always full of seeds for the tits and finches who visit. Someone has also been pecking at the fat ball hanging below it but we're yet to spot the culprit! This tiny gesture we make repays us many times over by bringing wildlife right to our home! I feel it's my duty to make sure they're catered for and it gives us such a sense of worth.

  Added : 29.11.2010
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  KKLO - Chester

  As a family we are vegetarians, we use cloth nappies, home made washable wipes and a sling for our baby, we walk our older child aged 4 to school 1.5 miles away. We only holiday in the UK, we have energy saving devices in our home, we have an organic and seasonal veg box delivered once a week from a local grocers and try to shop with local providers rather than the supermarket where possible.

  Added : 29.11.2010
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  Adam Rotherham - Liverpool

  When you speak to your elders as young adult all they go on bout how you have computers,more than just 3 tv channels,how youth today are so lucky. But we dont have be so different do you really need to drive a big car which leads to pollution on are planet no you don't, do you need more than 1 car per person no you don't but what you do need and everyone in world needs is to be able to walk. Having the ability to walk is brillant its why we all born with to legs and two feet, it helps keep you fit added bonus, you get see what is out there in outside world rather than just being stuck in car seat. Making earth green is easy thing to do that why i believe one act at a time can make a differnce a very small differnce but in time a differnce thats why me and my family recycle our bottles,newspapers,cans and tins etc these can be used to re-make new things rather than newspapers disappearing for good it can be recycled and help keep one more tree from being cut down. To quote 1st line Genesis "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." It is my duty and everybody's duty keep earth in best state possible for future generations rather than them have to pick up mess of our mistakes. We all have a choice in life i have choice and i choose keep earth green through walking, riding a bike, recycling items which are able to recycle,turning off plugs which do not need be on,not wasting water by having ridiculous amount of time in shower only takes 3-5 minutes unlikes some people 20-25 minutes. I do my bit if we all do are bit we can acheive great things in life they say some things are just impossible but believe me together we can make anything possible, keeping the earth green is just one.

  Added : 29.11.2010
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  Alice Ashley - Ton Pentre

  We grow our own veg as best we can with the small garden we have. I have made myself promise to do the school run on foot this year. For heat, my husband and dad go scouting for logs and we burn them in order to use less gas. No Jax, using the Mooncup is not too much information ;-) I think we are all getting used to thinking a little more about what we are doing - hopefully these small steps will become the norm!

  Added : 29.11.2010
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  esther james - Bridgend

  I have reduced my weekly non black bag rubbish from two bags a week to one bag a week through active recycling, reusing and creating less waste. This is since the arrival of my baby daughter and I have made the decision to use non disposable nappies in order not to increase the amount of rubbish I produce

  Added : 29.11.2010
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  Rita Lamour - MORECAMBE

  My home grown vegetables are delicious,nutricious,economical too,for family meals or real Posh Do.Quick to prepare,great value too,low in calories,good for you.

  Added : 29.11.2010
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  Denise SOOS - London

  I have had an allotment for the past 5 years I grow all the family's fruit cherries and rubarb di well this year and veggies fantastic chillies and tomatoes and aubergines , make my own compost and leaf mould, collect and reuse rain water, and get manure from the local stables. I make jam , chutneys and this year chilli jelly and chilli jam ( scrumptiously hot!) The children travel to school and back on the bus, and myself on the train to work, my husband walks.we have light sensors in the house so lights go off automatically if no one is in the rooms. I reuse bags for shopping. Next year we are considering keeping chickens.

  Added : 29.11.2010
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  Jessica Magson - Watford

  I always walk to our mother and baby classes. I also use reuseable nappies and recycle all our baby food jars. As soon as our little girl is old enough I am going to rent a plot and start some wholehearted gardening too - teaching her all about green.

  Added : 29.11.2010
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  Wendy McDonald - Market Drayton

  My family (including my children aged between 1 and 14 years old) do our bit for green living primarily by being vegetarian. With this as our starting point we also try to be ethical consumers and very aware of our impact on this planet. Everything that can be recycled is. No food is wasted...today's leftovers are tomorrow's ingredients. Kettles are not overfilled, our energy saving lightbulbs are never left on, our heating is only on for a short time even in Winter (extra blankets are the answer!) and we compost all our kitchen waste such as peelings. I try to buy food such as eggs and cheese locally and buy vegetables in season where possible and make huge pots of veggie soups, stews and chillis. We donate to charity shops and have a hand-me-down system with two other families, where we pass on our children's clothes to the younger babies. It's nice to see some old favourites come back round! My children are very environmentally aware and understand the importance of all the small things we do to try to live 'a good life'. They will pass this message onto their own children someday and the message will live on. My children are my legacy to this planet's future! Bringing them up to appreciate their role and the importance of making a difference, is the thing I am most proud of!!

  Added : 29.11.2010
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  Brenda Cairns - Burnley

  I grow my own veg,car has ben converted to run on gas. I have changed all light bulbsand I use my compost bin

  Added : 29.11.2010
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  Alan Witt - Charing,Ashford

  I have been on about food additives since the 60's,writing in the trade press about overpackaging in the 70's and fell out with my wife because I wouldn't eat beans from Kenya-I grow them.I give cooking lessions at the local primary school concentrating on 'food miles'.What doesn't go on the compost heap goes into the soup.Had I ever been a hippie my slogan would have been "Make soup,not war"

  Added : 29.11.2010
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  Rachel Harding - Tonbridge

  I pick up any and all litter that I would have to step over in the street. There's always a bin within a few metres. I can't bear other people's mess and the danger to wildlife.

  Added : 29.11.2010
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  michael carter - norwich

  i dont have a car so i cycle or bus.grow my own veg and fruit.use low energy light bulbs and never leave anything on standby.use rain water for bath.

  Added : 29.11.2010
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  Julie Bridge - Darlington

  My house is full of second-hand stuff, Recycling I applaud, I love our beautiful country, Don't need to holiday abroad, I may be no Nigella, And for Delia I'm no match, But I feed my family healthily, And cook everything from scratch, I turn off all the lights, And I never waste a crumb, But at the end of the day I conseve energy, By sitting on my bum!

  Added : 29.11.2010
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  Julie Bridge - Darlington

  My house is full of second-hand stuff, Recycling I applaud, I love our beautiful country, Don't need to holiday abroad, I may be no Nigella, And for Delia I'm no match, But I feed my family healthily, And cook everything from scratch, I turn off all the lights, And I never waste a crumb, But at the end of the day I conseve energy, By sitting on my bum!

  Added : 29.11.2010
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  Zoe Campbell - malton

  we teach the kids how making little changes can make a big difference. We turn everything off at the sockets, no standby! we walk wherever possible. We recycle wherever possible, the kids love seperating plastic, glass and even peeling into a compost bin! I have heard the 6 year old lecturing her grandad on the importance of saving water too so we must be doing something right!

  Added : 29.11.2010
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  Steve Turner - peterborough

  I walk & cycle alot more , recylcle as much as possible and buy as much organic as possible. Potty training my son as nappies are a terrible waste cloth or disposable and buy nearly new clothes

  Added : 29.11.2010
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  emma furniss - gloucester

  A green family is what we are striving for, Believe me it’s fun and not like a chore. I grow my own veg (though the slugs eat these too) And my grapes are delicious, organic through and through! Holidays for us are few and far between, We don’t like flying and prefer to be green. Walking or cycling on those shorter trips Saves dirty fumes and trims our hips! Our water butt provides a plentiful supply Which the plants prefer, they can not deny. We draw the line at drinking this too, So we use the taps, that’s not untrue. However, wasting water is seen as a crime And we boil just enough when its coffee time We re-cycle cans, cardboard, bottles and foil And kitchen waste goes back in our soil. When it’s cold a thick dressing gown Allows us to turn the heating down. And if our clothes look a little creased It’s because ironing is a job I like the least! So as you can see we are doing out best To embrace the 'good life', we hope you’re impressed!

  Added : 29.11.2010
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  Linda Arbuckle - Epsom

  I recycle rubbish and compost food waste. We don't leave the water running and everything is switched off when not in use. I send clothes either for recycling or to the charity shops. I buy a lot of stuff from charity shops too especially books which I pass on. I try and buy organic and have tried not very successfully to grow my own herbs and veg. We turn the heating down when possible, use hot water bottles and live in slankets. We use energy saving light bulbs, biodegradable bags and ecoballs for 70% of the laundry.

  Added : 29.11.2010
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  Susannah Leggatt - Leicester

  My son and I walk a mile to school everyday, plus I take the dog out twice a day too. I love cooking good food from scratch. Recycling is a buzz word in out house.

  Added : 29.11.2010
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  s a walker - dudley

  i cycle everywhere,use green lightbulbs,and try not to produce to much methane lolthank you s a walker

  Added : 29.11.2010
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  helen cruse - Troon

  Our Gas Central Heating is sitting just below the lowest click. I tuck curtains behind radiators. I only put on the lights we need, and sometimes Candle light is nicer! I wear thick socks, and extra layers. We grow Lettuce, leeks, carrots and potatos. My husband grows Tomatoes (But I don't like them so that doesn't count). We downsized to one car. I travel by Train. I buy my clothes from the Second Hand Charity Shops. Make Cakes and my own bread. Split our house hold bin in to Recyclable, glass, and paper. Everything I possibly can.

  Added : 29.11.2010
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  DEBBIE DAVIES - BIRMINGHAM

  I educate my daughter about recycling and we do this every day plus we visit bottle banks etc and recycle there too. We need to teach the next generation or our efforts will go to waste!

  Added : 28.11.2010
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  Debra Welsh - Horsham

  My family are all vegetarian, and we tend to walk as much as we can rather than use the car!

  Added : 28.11.2010
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  joanne platt - St Martins

  Every morning I make hot lemon drink and we sit outside in the garden, looking out at the fields. Notice the rabbits, buzzards and the changes in the season.

  Added : 28.11.2010
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  Terri Lucas - Swansea

  I only buy what I need and I share any left overs with my neighbours. I never use carrier bags either.

  Added : 28.11.2010
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  Heather Cunningham - Somerton

  I try to do a variety of things - walk to my local shops to buy my groceries, have a weekly organic local veg box, that I pick up (not delivered), never buy prepared food / meals, grow my own fruit and veg, make my own bread / yogurt, manage a local Freegle site and support various charities.... do you know I feel like a winner just lsiting all that - never thought about it before :)

  Added : 28.11.2010
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  Dana Fisher - London

  I cut down the use of printed paper both at home and at work every day. My printing spend at work has been cut by 1/3! Think of how many trees, how much energy, how much toner, etc that is saving! It is something small, but is making a BIG impact, both for myself financially but also for taxpayers in general :)

  Added : 28.11.2010
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  georgie - livingston

  i recycle all my small tins by cutting the bottoms of them and use them or give them away with a personalised logo as pastry cutters or as a stacking mould for fancy meals

  Added : 28.11.2010
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  georgie - livingston

  i recycle all my small tins by cutting the bottoms of them and use them or give them away with a personalised logo as pastry cutters or as a stacking mould for fancy meals

  Added : 28.11.2010
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  Jeanette Kemp - BEDWORTH

  I have just invested in a new bicycle, in addition to now living vitually only on fruit and veg sourced locally which apart from being good for the planet is helping me with feel a lot better medically.

  Added : 28.11.2010
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  Linda Hine - Liskeard

  I buy clothes in charity shops - you get some lovely "finds" and so much cheaper to do this than to buy new. I also recycle my clothes regularly and give them to charity shops or put in clothing banks.

  Added : 28.11.2010
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  anna mcqueen - doune

  recycle absolutely everything

  Added : 28.11.2010
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  Mike Barber - Leyland

  We have just changed all our light bulbs to enviromentally friendly ones, also got rid of 1 car, recycle alomst everything its becoming an obsession !

  Added : 28.11.2010
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  Mechelle Williamson - Daventry

  we've reduced the amount of waste in the bin by half, done by carefully sorting the waste packaging where we have not been able to buy loose. i plan meals and use left overs as well. we have fruit trees in the garden so come the end of summer there is a fury of freezing, jam and chutney making. we are already planning next years veg growing!

  Added : 28.11.2010
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  Dee Dmonte - Surrey

  We moved home to get some land to grow our own fruit and veg on. I'm sorting the garden gradually and doing so organically. I work from home so I'm not commuting and I don't waste paper as I keep virtual not paper records. We just had a new green boiler fitted, loft and cavity wall insulation. We have our heating down as low as we can manage. We recycle and buy products with less packaging or none proffering markets to supermarkets. We are phasing out all none green cleaning products and toiletries to. We take showers, have a water widget, and make our own compost. We use freecycle for anything unwanted and are saving for solar panels for our roof. We feed the birds with leftover food scraps and we don't waste food. As individuals and as a family - we do try hard to be as good life as we can.

  Added : 27.11.2010
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  Victoria Ashley - Stockport

  I always enjoy whole hearted living. I was lucky enough to own an allotment. I go to the nearby stable to pick up horse manure and use it in my allotment to grown some lovely fresh organic fruit and vegetable. I recycle most everything that can be recyclable like paper, cans, plastic, glass and vegetable peels etc. I also encourage children to pick up cans, plastic and glass bottle from the roadside and put them on the recycling bins. I use all low energy bulbs in the house. I turn off all the lights when I am not using them. I turn the thermostat down by 1 degree and put an extra jumper on in the cold weather. Nobody notice the difference. In the kitchen I only boil enough was in the kettle for making a cup of tea. When I turn the oven on I always fill it up so that I can cook a few dishes together using the same amount of energy. I do the same with the washing machine and the dishwasher too. By doing that I am not only saving my pocket, I am also helping to save the earth.

  Added : 27.11.2010
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  sarah leanne dixon - billingham

  i am a happy go lucky person who will give up bus seats fr my elders and is fighting fit i have ran for charity and i will do whatever can to help

  Added : 27.11.2010
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  laura stewart - nr milnthorpe cumbria

  cook for everyone

  Added : 27.11.2010
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  clifford - slough

  buy all the gadgets that will turn off electical items that I forgot

  Added : 27.11.2010
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  Daphne Sneddon - Beccles

  I've just been looking at our local Freegle site, we've offloaded several items that might otherwise have gone to the dump, today I've also been sorting out seeds I collected from our garden, e.g. sunflower and sweet pea, we also walk and cycle where possible and recycle where we can.

  Added : 27.11.2010
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  Jen Whelan - Portsmouth

  Having spent time in Kenya and Sudan, we decided to implement many of the tips African's use for reducing our carbon footprint: 1. Make a flask of hot water in the morning so that we don't have to boil the kettle again during the day. 2. Turn the power off at the mains from 8am - 6pm. So much is left on standby - this solves the problem of going round every switch. (My alarm clock is battery operated). 3. Cook food in one or two pots - I love many of the African recipes. Hand wash rather than dish wash. 4. Have neighbours and friends round to talk, play cards and board games rather than switch the TV on in the evening. Not only are we saving energy but our wellbeing has improved massively too! Things that come as standard: I don't own a car so use public transport, push bike or my motorbike if travelling somewhere not on a bus or train route, we recycle and have made the house as energy efficient as poss (loft insulation, energy saving light bulbs etc).

  Added : 27.11.2010
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  lydia murphy - bransgore

  we have chosen to just run one vehicle which is not easy with a family of 6! my husband gets the train to work and we grow as much of our own fruit and veg as possible, we give any peelings to the pet rabbits and recycle as much as possible

  Added : 27.11.2010
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  Gill Scott - Winsford

  I use the library, recycle, have numerous water butts for the garden, have quite strange meals - to avoid any waste, and do free things when looking after my grand daughter - story time at the library, feeding the ducks etc.

  Added : 27.11.2010
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  mike daniels - new mills, derbyshire

  We decided to do away with the car in the year 2000 and now rely upon public transport. It's improved my health (I am asthmatic) and now we spend our Sundays walking the hills.

  Added : 27.11.2010
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  Lucy Carson-Taylor - Broseley

  I refuse to buy anything that I believe has excessive packaging, I even made my own Easter Eggs as these seem to be one of the worst offenders. I also grow sunflowers to enjoy in the Summer and save the seeds to feed the birds over winter.

  Added : 27.11.2010
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  dawn partington - manchester

  i wake up at 6.30 am, do my childrens and husbands pack lunches, make their breakfast take husband and youngest to work and school, go to my dads (whos 88yrs) clean and shop and cook for him, give him his tablets, then go home do my cleaning etc then i go swimming my time for an hour. cook tea do ironing then relax with tea in a pot and my chocolate biscuits, then bed at 10pm. i love my life!

  Added : 27.11.2010
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  nicci cowdell-murray - Dukinfield

  i make sure all light bulbs have been changed to energy savers, we dont put the heating on much ...i make them wear jumpers which doeant always go down well but everything helps. also we started growing our own veg. my children cycle to school which helps as i dont have to take them in the car. and we all have showers instead of baths ...and my top tip is i re-use the condenser tumble dryer water as ironing water . it smells fab and saves on water .

  Added : 27.11.2010
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  Andrew Westerman - Harrogate

  Hi, I walk to work and walk to all my support visits whilst at work. I also save most of my 15yr old son's clothes/shoes to pass down to my 12 yr old son.

  Added : 27.11.2010
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  Trevor Griffiths - Southport

  Collect the eggs from my five free range chickens in my garden which I have no end of takers for.

  Added : 26.11.2010
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  Stacey Webb - Braintree

  I follow my boyfriend round the house turning off lights, tv's etc that he has a habit of leaving on! I also try to walk to work as I dont live too far from work, although I do struggle on really cold days

  Added : 26.11.2010
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  iain maciver - scotland

  i cycle as much as possible and buy organic

  Added : 26.11.2010
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  Jax Blunt - Felixstowe

  We downsized to one car from 2, and I gave up my commuting job. We both now work from home (no more driving to an office) and live where we can walk to most things - library, leisure centre, local shops. We try to buy local food in season, and have just got an allotment so that we can start to grow our own food. We recycle rubbish, compost food waste or use it to feed birds and use cloth or bag for life shopping bags - we even have a cloth shopping trolley bag for the occasional supermarket trip. We reduce what we use, get from and give to freecycle, buy from charity shops as well as donate to them and use cloth nappies on the baby. We holiday in this country (camping!) and I use tea bags twice :) I even use a mooncup instead of disposable sanitary products - or is that tmi?

  Added : 26.11.2010
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  Peter Hadland - Lapford

  I keep 3 chickens to keep us in eggs and make my own bread. There's something very satisfying about having boiled eggs for your breakfast with fresh bread you've made yourself.

  Added : 26.11.2010
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  Roger Borthwick - Dereham

  My teenage daughter and I got up at 5.50am every morning,( Winter, Spring, Summer, Autumn,rain,hail,wind or snow ) and power walk until 6.30. Boy! does this get our blood circulating ready to take on the day ahead with vigour after a refreshing shower.Being up so early makes you feel that you are one step ahead of the rest of the world, and that the beauty of creation is at it's best.I grow my own tomatoes, runner beans, rhubarb, apples, pears and plums, and compost everything that's compostable. I even harvest water from the washing up bowl to water plants, as well as the water butt. This is a beautiful planet - let's keep it that way.

  Added : 26.11.2010
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  Frances Heaton - Preston

  Born in the mid 1940s when post-war rationing was in force, we were used to growing our own vegetables, keeping hens for eggs and mending clothes, rather than replacing, and walking or cycling everywhere. I still follow the same principles by doing all the above, and not only 'save the planet' but save money as well.

  Added : 26.11.2010
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  A Keogh - Somerset

  I walk to work everyday...even in the rain! I work two jobs so I do two round trips a day, this helps to keep me fit too! I refuse to have a tumble dryer as its such a waste of electricity when if you just have a little patience things will dry by themselves. I always just put on more layers rather than putting the heating on and when I do put it on I keep the thermostat low. I recycle whatever I can, even old clothes and fabrics. Oh and....if its yellow let it mellow....if its brown flush it down!!!

  Added : 25.11.2010
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  nigel franklin - PLYMOUTH

  Even though its a few miles, I walk the kids to the school whenever possible, we try and recycle everything, and we also grow some of our own fruit and vegetables.

  Added : 25.11.2010
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  Helen C - Glasgow

  Since moving from a flat to a house, I've been able to do lots. I now grow my own vegetables, herbs and some fruit, I have a multitude of bird feeders in the garden, I compost using a wormery, I recycle all I can (composting, reusing (eg yogurt pots for growing seedings) and recycling bins, I put lots of items on freeshare (like freecycle), I never take plastic bags and best of all, I've been a vegetarian for 25 years, which I think is the best possible thing a person can do for the planet.

  Added : 25.11.2010
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  India Laurence - Exmouth

  I absolutely hate plastic bags but due to the fact that I have a few different handbags and coats/jackets which I chop and change each day depending on the weather etc.. and I kept forgetting to pick up a lifelong bag if I went out... So.. I bought ten of those nylon bags (?) that fold up very small and inserted them in every coat/jacket and bag that I had and inserted them in every bag/coat/jacket that I own.. now if offered a bag I just whip it out proudly and refuse!!

  Added : 25.11.2010
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  Clare Tubby - Leighton Buzzard, Beds.

  Can't I just eat the peanut butter? Whole earth is my fav brand. Ok, ok, I buy energy saving light bulbs, I recycle, reuse and I try to compost veg peelings etc. I drive an "eco"-ish car, its a fiat 500, and If I am feeling cold I put a cardy on rather than notching up the thermostat. I don't run the tap when I'm brushing my teeth, and I try not to print off un-necessary documents. I try not to buy too much food so that I don't have to chuck it out, and I try to shop locally. I buy loose product where pos to reduce on packaging. in the good weahter I ahng my washing out to dry on the line (in bad weather I'm a devil and I tumble dry!!!!!!!!!)I'm so good, even I hadn't realised how good I was!

  Added : 24.11.2010
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  helen hampson - Bristol

  To make a difference I make sure that everything which we would otherwise throw away is recycled, if our council allows it. This often means picking things out the bin that my naughty husband has put in there!

  Added : 24.11.2010
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  Joy Salt - Worcester

  We enjoy walking the fells to keep fit and to teach our children to appreciate the outdoors...here is a photo of our daughter Molly have a wonderful time!!!!

  Added : 24.11.2010
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  Sajeda Patel - DEWSBURY

  I grow my own herbs

  Added : 24.11.2010
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  susannah southurst - Bexhill

  recycle everything,

  Added : 24.11.2010
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  Greg Davies - reading

  i walk to work - it's a 30 minute walk and i have colleagues who live closer who drive. i try to cajole them slowly but surely into following my lead. we can all do our bit!

  Added : 23.11.2010
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  ANJI KILVERT-KING - WEST BROMWICH

  I try to walk everywhere - within reason.

  Added : 23.11.2010
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  sufia desai - preston

  we simply recycle everything from plastic bags, to takeing them with us next time we go shopping, to decomposting, to energy saving bulbls, to power saving equipment, we don't throw away food, we use it up in sandwiches, in hot tortillas, in anything and everything we improvise to reuse our household stuff!

  Added : 23.11.2010
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  Hugh Thomson - Balmullo

  This has not been a good year for me having to be frugal due to being unemployed and still be environmentally conscious. Plans are afoot though to redevelop my garden to grow vegetables and herbs but still retain some wild areas to encourage bees and butterflies. I now have a bicycle pieced together from recycled items and donated parts, which means the car is redundant at last! I have attempted in the past to persuade our local grocer to provide recycled paper bags in lieu of plastic to no avail, however I will persevere with that. I am cautious when buying new electrical items to ensure they are either recyclable and /or energy rated A/A+. Before being unemployed I replaced my heating with a newer more economic and efficient system. I yearn to do a lot more but improvements and changes invariably cost money which I don’t have.

  Added : 23.11.2010
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  Caroline Turner - Manchester

  I've started a group called the Cake liberation Front. We don't use any animal ingredients and encourage using organic produce where possible. Dairy farming in particular is known to contribute towards global warming. We are a baking group for anyone interested in cooking without animal ingredients. We hold bi-monthly social meet-ups in Central Manchester to sample food, swap recipes and drink brews. We want to smash the stereotype of dry fruitcake and sugar free flapjacks. There are plenty of recipes out there that you would never know were animal free if you weren't told!Whole Earth peanut butter makes particularly nice cupcakes :)

  Added : 22.11.2010
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  Anna Gorst - COLCHESTER

  I loved Good Earth peanut butter on toast from being a psychedelic child of the 70's. Now I recycle everything I can. I used eco light bulbs I use friendly products, I do all this at home and at work and I still LOVE Good Earth peanut butter on toast.

  Added : 22.11.2010
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  clint willmer - Chorley

  we have always done bought local produce were possible and the fairtrade goods such as tea bags and chocolate as they are just so easy to get hold of now more than ever. And we recycle all of our waste were possible even our little one helps to break down boxes and puts them in (15 months)but just half way through the year i decided to start cycling to work (7miles each way)! I went out and bought my first bike since i was a child, wasnt sure i would remember how to ride it nevermind make it there!the first week i cycled to work was so hard my legs would ache and i would have to stop a few times now i cycle there faster than you can drive to it and it takes me just 25minutes each way and now i dont even stop once! I feel like it is such and achievement and am proud to be doing something even if it is small to help our planet and give something back for all that we take.and it is rewarding me with my health too.

  Added : 22.11.2010
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  jen english - stevenage

  pick up cans when I see them lying around the street to recycle them.

  Added : 22.11.2010
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  Phil Darling - Stowmarket

  If my journey is under 10 miles I cycle. It has got me very fit, reduced my carbon footprint and saved me lots of money - It's all good

  Added : 22.11.2010
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  Elsie Ofori - London

  I walk everywhere within a 2 mile radius with my baby in the buggy and my 4 year old son. I leave my car in the garage.

  Added : 22.11.2010
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  m bailey - manchester

  we ensure we have very little waste by buying stuff without a load of packaging and taking our own plastic bags to the supermarket. I plan my menus so that there is no food waste. All old tea bags, egg shells, coffee grounds, toilet roll tubes, junk mail and papers go onto the compost heap. Vegetable peelings and bread crumbs are fed to our chickens (We even collect vegartable peelings from our parents and friends to feed the chickens) and in turn their poo (the chickens that is, not our parents!) is fed to the compost heap. The compost is used to improve our soil to grow our own vegetables. All plastics, tins and glass is recycled via the council and other stuff we don't want or need any more is sold via e-bay. We make sandwiches or soup to take to work in tupperware tubs so we don't use cling film or tin foil or unnecessary packaging. We also go foraging and make jam and cordial from what we find and we have just finished our first batch of homebrew (in recyclable bottles obviously). I'm hoping our next step will be beekeeping and maybe a goat after watching the Good Life..

  Added : 22.11.2010
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  Carl May - Chesham

  I made the decision to give up my car for a whole year and walk/take public transport instead.

  Added : 22.11.2010
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  Julie Feathers - Swansea

  I make sure me and my family recycle everything we can, even to the point of going in the bathroom and bedroom bins to get out anything paper, cardboard or plastic, and put them into recycling, By doing this we have managed to get down to putting only 1 black bag of non recycleable things out per week

  Added : 22.11.2010
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  Julia Knights - Pewsey, Wiltshire

  When I see the residents in a home where I live I take all their fruit & veg peelings and take them home for my composter. I go round the village & pick up the litter & have one bag for rubbish & the other for cans & glass so that I can recycle them. I also take out any cans & glass from the rubbish bins & take them to the recycling centre. I have a bucket in the shower to water the garden with & use my bath water as well. I catch the water when it's heating up through the tap in a saucepan to rinse the dishes & then the rest of the water which is hot by this time I wash up with.

  Added : 21.11.2010
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  Rachel Williams - Bristol

  I'm doing some double action caring for the Earth this week. I'm having more insulation added to my loft (so I can save energy) and I'm going to Freecycle lots of the items I was storing up there, to help other people to keep their carbon footprint low.

  Added : 21.11.2010
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  Sean Brady - Eltham

  I take my early morning cold shower in the dark. Saves hot water and electricity and wakes me up. I don't think a picture would add anything to this, do you? ;)

  Added : 21.11.2010
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  Jane Daddy - Leeds

  I'm making lots of small changes - i only buy the food i need and non of it is wasted , leftovers are made into more meals, veggies made into soup if they are getting past their best, fruit made into smoothies or pies - I put things i dont need on freegle instead of taking them to the tip and have sold broken laptops on ebay to be broken up for spare parts - i try to buy local produce , notonly does it reduce carbon footprint but it helps the local economy - we have reduced our energy usage by taking plugs out of sockets at night and only having the heating on if needed i can't give up the car as driving is part of my job but i walk or use public transport when i am not working and when ido drive i go direct routes and keep my mileage low. i am really pleased with the changes my daughter and I have made and I can certainly say that being environmentally freindly is not expensive as we have saved money by reducing our waste.

  Added : 21.11.2010
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  stacie beer - saltash

  i sort through my children's clothes the ones that are no good i take to my local recycling centre, the ones that have plenty of wear left in them i take to the local charity shop.

  Added : 21.11.2010
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  frances hopkins - woking

  I try and recycle nearly everything if I can

  Added : 21.11.2010
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  Kirstine Meredith - Mistley

  Encourage children where you can and get involved. The more we show them how to contribute the better the chance of it being passed on through generation after generation. Be it walking, vegetable plots, collecting rain water, recycling..... we can all help!

  Added : 21.11.2010
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  Joanna Dyke - Bournemouth

  Hi, I try and make a little difference everyday... I bike to work frequently which is a 14 mile hilly round trip, although it's starting to get a little chilly at this time of year but the cold fresh air is better wake up medicine than a cup of tea or coffee I find. I also grow my own vegetables... I have a green house outside which has seen better days (broken glass panes and moss are a key feature!) But we have had a bumper tomato crop this year, which I might add are still alive and kicking and we're nearly into December! I also picked 2 red peppers today (21st Nov) I also have a veggie patch, which was laden with Courgettes, Onions, Carrots and Peas - Although its a looking a little bare at present due to the heavy rainfall that we have recently endured I have not been able to get out and start digging and planting again. I recycle where I can, be it the usual forms of recycling like can's and plastic bottles, but I also try and recycle as many items of clothing as I can. Be it by sending them off to charity or passing Items on to family members when they are no longer used. Although my contribution may seem minimal compared to others I am always looking for ways to enhance my greener living as I believe that learning from others is the key to living a greener lifestyle.

  Added : 21.11.2010
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  Denice Copland - Bankfoot

  I'm a member of thelocal Freegle network, anything I no longer have a use for I post it up, free for whoever wants to come and get it. Feels great recycling and knowing that someone has a use for something I'm finished with, whether it be outgrown clothes, toys, or absolutely anything else you can think of. It's also a great place to pick up things.

  Added : 21.11.2010
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  D Hilton - Bristol

  We recycle anything & everything, by recycling tins, paper, plastic & cardboaed. Selling on old toys or giving them to charity. Walking when ever possible.

  Added : 21.11.2010
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  Ruth - Nottingham

  I cycle to uni each day. I am a member of a uni society where we grow fruit and veg and recycle items that people are getting rid of. I use a compost bin and water butts. I reuse carrier bags when I go shopping and buy fruit and veg grown in England.

  Added : 21.11.2010
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  Ruth - Nottingham

  I cycle to uni each day. I am a member of a uni society where we grow fruit and veg and recycle items that people are getting rid of. I use a compost bin and water butts. I reuse carrier bags when I go shopping and buy fruit and veg grown in England.

  Added : 21.11.2010
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  Chrissy Schneider - Harrow

  I walk to and from work and the shops everyday. Only do washing when it isn't a rainy day so there is no need to use the washing machine. I do also have freecycle fever!

  Added : 21.11.2010
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  michelle evans - wolverhampton

  We grow our own herbs. its not a lot but teaches my children about growing our own foods. We recycle everything we can as it teaches them about he enviroment. We never use the car for school as i think the children need the exercise.we also freecycle as much with walsall freecycle. people get something they need and it helps the enviroment..

  Added : 21.11.2010
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  Alice Brett - Stratford

  I use public transport & walk to go everywhere (I don't own a car), I put on jumpers & snuggle under blankets instead of putting the heating on, I always use leftover foods and never buy more than i'll eat, I make sure all plugs are off and lights are off when not in use.

  Added : 21.11.2010
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  Gemma Harrison - Bradford

  As a family we grow fruit and veg, I walk my kids to school and back

  Added : 21.11.2010
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  Nicola Davock - St Helens

  I recycle anything I can! I also bike ride, Jog and Walk

  Added : 21.11.2010
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  Gemma Dale - Tal-y-Cafn

  Every day, I walk the four miles in and out of university. Everyone thinks I'm crazy, but I've never felt better!

  Added : 21.11.2010
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  Abby Bookham - Loughborough

  We do the usual like recycle as much as possible, lights off, no standy etc but we have made two big decision to minimise our impact. It sounds daft even saying this but we applied for our local primary school. We considered it to be a good school among many in our area althogh many people applied out of catchment and drive daily. As our daughter goes to the closer school we walk daily which worked out at about 3 miles each day, so that is money saved, better for the enviroment and figure. Also my husband changed jobs 6 months ago and now cycles the 5 or so miles round trip to work (before he was driving a minimum of 50 miles daily). Again so many many financial and environment pros plus he has lost nearly 5 stone in weight.

  Added : 21.11.2010
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  Julie Henderson - Bangor

  I try to teach the 3 & 4 year olds all about recycling and helping others. We often visit the local parks etc to feed the animals and this keeps their interest but they are helping the animals feed and becoming responsible by simple things like putting rubbish in the bin, not dropping it

  Added : 21.11.2010
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  Andrew Gambier - London

  When we first moved to London I had a company car. But I soon changed jobs and determined that I didn't want to own a car, given the public transport available. Now we are lucky enough to have two girls, aged 5 and 8. Our contribution to the environment is that they walk 1 1/2 miles to school every day, come rain or shine, and make the same journey home in the afternoon. My elder daughter has been doing this walk since she was 4 years old and never complains. We reckon she must have walked well over 1,000 miles thanks to this journey. And it makes us all much fitter! Of course, this journey really takes its toll on shoes, and we all get through shoes at about twice the normal rate. If I'm the winner, we will put the money into our shoes fund to help with the cost of the extra walking.

  Added : 21.11.2010
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  Andrea Smith - Brighton

  I recycle as much as possible and grow my own tomatoes, beans and even had a go at growning my own corn on the cob (not successfully this year though)

  Added : 21.11.2010
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  Alan Wright - Troon

  When the old railway line behind our garden was lifted it was planted with shrubs to screen the gardens. I dug out about 8 sqm of waste ground closer to our house, dropped in mushroom compost & old grow bag compost. Lo & behold, potatoes, onions & sprouts grew beautifully & gave us some terrific crops....... all for next to nothing & the dead leaves go back into the compost heap !

  Added : 21.11.2010
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  Ann Cains - Bridgnorth

  i recycle everything i can and have 2 compost bins in the garden. Everything goes in and helps my veg plot.I also walk as much as i can to save using the car.

  Added : 20.11.2010
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  Florence - london

  I use washable nappies on my newborn baby and whenever she makes her 'poo' face I put her over the loo so she does it there. And it works!!!

  Added : 20.11.2010
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  Florence - london

  I use washable nappies on my newborn baby and whenever she makes her 'poo' face I put her over the loo so she does it there. And it works!!!

  Added : 20.11.2010
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  A ALFECKHAL - Middlesbrough

  yes i try to grow my veg by myself in my back garden , even the place is too small but still managed this summer to plant a lot of tomato,poates,cucumbers, cabbages, beans ,onions, brooklies and guss what , it was reall gain and helped a lot and tast was absloutely different and can feel the natural taste in them and plus it was reall fun to have a little garden with healthy vegs and can not wait to start planting some more.

  Added : 20.11.2010
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  Irene Brackenridge - Bognor Regis

  We grow lots of veg, we recycle, walk or cycle to work, take clothes to charity shops and often buy from there too!

  Added : 20.11.2010
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  Kieran Walsh - Matching Green

  since we moved last year, and now have a garden, last year us O.A.PSgrew all our own veg,and have a good winter crop in ready

  Added : 20.11.2010
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  heather macdougall - Isle of Wight

  I have always been drawn to a more natural approach and have a small family run Isle of Wight based business that produce beautiful hand poured fragrant candles which are made in our garden workshop. We pride ourselves on quality and work towards minimising the effects on the environment. We hand prime our pure cotton wicks to ensure they remain natural. Soy wax is said to burn cooler than other wax’s allowing a longer burn time and better value. None of our fragrances are tested on animals or are of animal origin. (totally vegan friendly).I have always been drawn to a more natural approach to food and all products in the home and I think this came from always looking for alternatives due to being Diabetic,celiac and having a dairy allergy. One of my favourite things when I wake in the morning is seeing the sun shinning on the garden and the workshop! I just can’t wait to get out there and create new fragrances

  Added : 19.11.2010
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  jill grainger - Brighton

  compostn and recycle everything. reuse all packaging , mainly to grow seedling and cuttings. trade on to others . plant trees and bushes, where possible - edible ones.give to others whatwe cant use our selves

  Added : 19.11.2010
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  Sadie Kemp - penicuik

  I always compost my household waste and use it to grow my own fruit and veg!

  Added : 19.11.2010
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  philip martin - leamington Spa

  Work in a bike shop where we send all the knackered old bikes to a charity in Malawi, where they get tunred into water carriers and bikes for school and work. :-)

  Added : 19.11.2010
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  Ronnie Smith - Kirkintilloch

  Cycle to work, recycle at home, encourage work to recycle, don't fly in UK or abroad

  Added : 19.11.2010
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  Charlotte - Bristol

  I do not have a "home" where I can grow my own veg at the moment so I always ensure I buy local seasonal veg - its tastier, healthier and its done less miles!

  Added : 19.11.2010
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  Mark Fuller - Chippenham

  Here is something a little different! I have been running a project for 5 years now which links my school in Chippenham with a school in Brikama, The Gambia. It all started with the recycling of bicycles into the school so students could cycle rather than walk to school. In the last twelve months we have focussed on an environmental project. In April 2010, I took a group of twelve 17yr olds to The Gambia and together with their Gambian peers we started to plant an orchard of fruit trees (we planted 75 banana and mango trees). The trees not only help carbon offset our trip, they help with stopping soil erosion, provide shade for school children and well as a product that can be sold by the school in The Gambia. The money made from selling the fruit is reinvested into the school and helps pay school fees for those families in the locality who cannot afford the fees. The project not only supports environmental sustainability, it provides a practical education in plant care for the students and because it is project involving both British and Gambian students working together it promotes cultural awareness and understanding. What would the £1000 provide - more trees for the orchard and tools for the students.

  Added : 16.11.2010
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  Ailbhe Leamy - Reading, Berks

  We grocery-shop almost exclusively with the True Food Co-op (who re-use various containers such as egg-boxes, and sell most things loose so we can use our own packaging, bags, boxes etc), have a Christiania trike and second-hand bicycles instead of running a car (we have chosen not to learn to drive, to avoid temptation), buy second-hand clothes or buy from Bishopston Trading (once my children hit sweatshop age I just couldn't cope with the usual any more), donate our compost to the Oxford Road Community Garden, use solar-heated water, re-use Christmas cards to make, er, Christmas cards, recycle what we can (card, paper, plastic bottles and cans are collected; various banks for bottles, batteries, tetra-packs, aluminium foil), we cook from scratch unless we eat out (rare), we save veg peelings and bones for stock (and then we compost them), we bring things other people leave out as rubbish to the charity shop to be sold on, we use Freegle constantly, the cloth nappies we got second-hand do our three and are then passed on to a friend, we don't have a tumble-dryer, we eat local, usually organic food, especially when we eat meat, we use rugs and jumpers instead of extra heating (we don't heat the bedrooms at all), if we run a bath for someone we usually wash four of us in it, starting with the cleanest, and we often then use the water for the garden or to flush the loo (a grey-water system would be brilliant but it's difficult to set up). When we visit our relations in Ireland or Sweden we do so by rail and ferry, which takes a while with babies and toddlers but works ok. I used to volunteer at the local breastfeeding drop-in but couldn't when my own children got too big to sit quietly - I expect I will again soon! We tend not to have plastic bags in the house, which is only an issue when bagging things up for the charity shop. I use a flask for hot water to save having to boil the kettle over and over, partially for convenience and partially to save power. What don't we do? Sometimes I think we do fairly well, other times I'm very aware that we don't grow our own veg, though we help other people do so, and we are not vegetarian or vegan, not least because of my dairy and soy intolerance. Ah, and we had children. Even if we don't buy it ourselves, children are the cause of consumerism in others, especially plastic consumerism. So there's that. But we're working on it.

  Added : 16.11.2010
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  Juliet Wilson - Edinburgh - winner

  We shop in local wholefood shops and buy mostly locally produced, organic foods (plus fair trade for the essential tea, coffee and chocolate!), I recently started drinking mostly green tea which I buy loose (avoids excess paper) and put in a tea ball and reuse for a few cups. We don't have a car, we holiday in the UK using public transport to get there and staying where possible in bed and breakfasts with a commitment to environmental sustainability, we drink real ales brewed in Scotland or the North of England, we recycle everything and compost all our food waste, I repurpose waste paper into bookmarks, diaries, notebooks, collage art, I use waste fabric to make draught excluders, purses and pot pourri bags, I buy second hand cothes, books and music, we cook from scratch (although we also like to support local restaurants, specially those which have some commitment to environmental sustainability and have to admit to the occasional takeaway). We are both quite knowledgeable about wildlife and take a lot of walks! I volunteer once a week for a local conservation organisation and teach birdwatching and environmental writing. We grow some of our own food. We put on extra layers of clothing rather than turning on the heating. We carry reusable carrier bags with us to avoid plastic bags, I also avoid plastic produce bags by buying fruit and veg loose. We organise our washing to minimise use of the washing machine. We let the laundry dry on a clothes horse and don't have a tumble drier. We have a minimum of electric gadgets and don't leave them on standby. I don't wear makeup and buy organic (and preferably locally produced) toiletries and toothpaste and environmentally friendly cleaning products.

  Added : 15.11.2010
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  Stewart Green - Stalybridge

  We only have 1 light on in the house, the room we are in. We use 1 hot plate on the cooker to cook dinner not heating up the other 3. We recycle everything we can, we use a compost bin and throw no food away, we eat it. We try and grow our own veg, We never water the garden it just looks after it self only water the veg plot I have a car that does 57mpg, We use the free bus and rail pass when we can. I change my shoes when they have a hole in them. We holiday in England and do not use a jet plane to get there.

  Added : 10.11.2010
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  Rozzi Clarke - New buckenham

  I do the obvious things - I try and ride my bike everywhere (it keeps you fit and it saves money!), I recycle where I can, I turn lights and stand by tvs/radios off as it is such an energy waste, and we grow a lot of veg in our household like carrots and potatoes. My father is a farmer so we always try and buy local things - things that haven't been halfway across the world, and it helps keep communities and independent shops alive which I feel is very important in the age of consumerism. The other week we had roast dinner and we worked out that all the food was from within 10 miles! I would love to be able to help my family more to save energy - like an ecofriendly way of chucking things away (we've just moved house)..or to expand the farm and grow more small veg.

  Added : 10.11.2010
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  Vanessa Miller - Glasgow

  I don't drive (I've got a bike) and I have always recycled but I've taken another step to help mother earth along... I'm happy to report I have been following a vegan diet for nearly a year. Aside from being better for my health and obviously for animals, it's also great for the planet. I feel great that my diet requires only 1/3 of the land and water required than a typical western diet and that my carbon footprint is now a fraction of what it was. Best of all I have become a fantastic amateur chef and baker! I love making cupcakes and pizzas but one of my favourite recipes is peanut butter cookies with Whole Earth peanut butter!

  Added : 9.11.2010
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  Lorraine - London

  Our family try to limit our supermarket food shopping prefering to bag some bargains when supermarkets are closing. There are plenty of fruit and veg, bread and loads of other items slashed in price. Not only do we save loads of money but we have a great satisfaction in helping to reduce the amount of food thrown away by supermarkets. Most of the stuff is within its best and use by dates and can be frozen so is perfectly safe to eat. Needless to say coming up with new recipe ideas using courgettes, some cheese and a pumpkin calls for some imagination but is lots of fun! Also I love crafts, and enjoy making my own birthday gifts recycling unwanted pieces of fabric and paper, by covering plain notebooks and flower pots etc. They make great, inexpensive, stylish, unique and more personal gifts!

  Added : 8.11.2010
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  clair bendle - carlisle

  we compost all of our peelings and our teabags ane even our vegtable and fruit juice remains. we walk our little girl to school and are about to convert our van to lpg hopefully getting solar panels on our house we grow our veg and some fruit and where i work they have an unused orchard i picked the ripe fruit and delivered it to friends and family who made pies preserves and jams i gave some jam to the orchard owner

  Added : 8.11.2010
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  wendy mclean - SEATON

  we try to buy less then you have less to recycle! We keep our clothes until they have holes in, grew some food this year (although the sprouts just breed butterflies), have compost bins, reusable shopping bags, walk to local shops sometimes. We're trying to insulate a loft that all the professionals say is just too difficult - the money would certainly help with that, or the solar panels we're considering.

  Added : 3.11.2010
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  Jack Dutton - london

  I do little things but I do them consistently. I recycle everything that I can. All the lights in my flat are run on eco-friendly light bulbs. I shower instead of bathe. I walk as much as I can, if I do take a bus I try to get off 2 or 3 stops before I need to. I'm careful with water, like not leaving the tap running when brushing my teeth and I only use my washing machine once a fortnight. I also started growing some tomatoes and runner beans earlier this year.

  Added : 3.11.2010
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  Jennifer Wallin - Lowestoft

  I walk to work and back now. I have also stopped going to the cafe next door for my break which is saving me £38 a month and saving on their electric. I put a jumper on now and have a couple of wheat bags which you put in the microwave inside my jumper to keep warm.

  Added : 3.11.2010
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  hazel rigazio - liverpool

  My children and i clean our local parks and beaches.It has made a huge difference and cut accidents right down.

  Added : 3.11.2010
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  helen pope - barcombe

  i go round turning off all the lights my son's left on *sigh*

  Added : 3.11.2010
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  John Morrison - Stornoway, Isle Of Lewis

  I make sure I only use the minimum of electricity and gas each day to help the planet.

  Added : 2.11.2010
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  JOAN APPERLEY - BRISTOL

  Everyday I walk my kids to school, and on the way back I do my shopping, carrying only the amount I can home. In this way, I never use the car for my shopping, but do frequent trips walking. We also recycle all our rubbish, and have a compost bin.

  Added : 2.11.2010
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  SOLVEIGH GRAVES - GLENROTHES

  The biggest thing I have done is choose not to own and drive a car; I either cadge a lift or walk. I have also discovered the good life of keeping chickens, which is very addictive and a healthy hobby as they get you out and about in the fresh air, as well as giving you nutritious eggs.

  Added : 2.11.2010
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  Jackie Johnston - Belfast

  I try not to waste anything. For example if we no longer want something it either goes to the charity shop, school or church for their sale. Bigger items go on freecycle. There is always someone out there who can use our unwanted items. No item of clothing is ever put in the bin - it is passed to someone who can use it, even if it is just old shirts going to the school for the kids to wear while painting. We also send lots of items like yoghurt cartons, cereal boxes and the like to the nursery for the kids art projects.

  Added : 2.11.2010
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  helen doherty - newcastle upon tyne

  Our children are 3 and 4 yrs and are responsible for our recycling bin. They understand what goes where so I hope that they might also be picking up the concept of what they are doing along the way. Eventually it will be a normal part of their every days as unfortunately, these are principals that we have had to re-learn as adults.I do think that teaching them now will be the biggest difference I will ever be able to make to help the damage we have already contributed to in our lives. I think we all do what we can to minimize waste and preserve power sources (if only for the cost) but it's really ensuring that these are not novelty gestures and are as routine throughout the days as brushing our teeth.

  Added : 1.11.2010
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  Alison Reid - carrickfergus

  every 2 or 3 months myself and the girls i work with do a clothes swap, on a friday at lunchtime, we throw all our unloved clothes into the middle and pick and choose from each others offerings. recycling is fun!

  Added : 1.11.2010
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  Chris Davies - Bolton

  I grow my own veg on the allotment! I cycle to work when i dont have to dress smart! And I eat very conciously for the environment!

  Added : 1.11.2010
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  MARK THOMAS - SOUTHAMPTON

  When a sock has a hole in it, or is worn to the point that it needs throwing away, I always keep the other sock. When the same happens to the sock of another pair, I again retain the remaing sock , and now I have another pair to use . I walk everywhere , instead of using buses . I use a ruck sack to carry my shoppping instead of carrier bags , and I also stick left over soap pieces to a new soap bar , and never throw any away . I turn all bottles upside down to use the last remaining drops of sauce, shampoo etc .

  Added : 1.11.2010
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  Amy-Louise Davies - Bishops Stortford

  I try to cycle the 5 miles to and from the office three times a week. As the winter comes I just have to find new and inventive ways of staying relatively dry so I don't turn up looking like a drowned rat!! We also buy fruit and veg in season from the market outside work and wherever possible choose products which are made/grown in the UK. There is a live stock farm close by where we get our eggs and alot of our meat, and I have to say - You can't beat real organic meat!!! As a treat I occasionally eat at Leon which does really good healthy no nonsense food low in preservatives and high in real fresh ingredients, and at home I am an aspiring all natural ingredients chef with a very little "c" - experimentor might be more accurate!

  Added : 31.10.2010
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  Della and Simon Walters - Little Sutton

  mu husband does all the recycling in our house, paper card tins bottles etc etc I grow veg in various plant pots even roken ones we use plastic food containers to start the seeds off(then recycle) We are looking for landshare, or allotments so we can GROW our GROWing we pass on seedlings and any veg to neighbours and family

  Added : 30.10.2010
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  Amelia Highfield - Lincoln

  Working for Lincolnshire's Epic Centre I HAVE to be eco friendly. I am a recycling machine! I even offer to recycle other people's paper, glass and clothes. I mean why not?! It doesn't take much more effort and it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

  Added : 29.10.2010
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  Paul Day - Newport Pagnell

  We haven't stopped doing things, but have changed the way we do them. For example: I still drive the first five miles of my journey to work, but now I car share with my neighbour. We still dispose of things but we use Freecycle, ebay, even facebook to find new homes for the things we no longer need and that we don't immediately know someone that needs them. We still buy new things, but try and get them from walking to our local shops and/or second hand whenever possible. We still garden, but now grow our own veg and have our lovely chickens: 'Beauty', 'Scarlett' and 'Mrs Pepperpot' who give us hours of amusement as well as fresh eggs. We know we can still do more and keep trying new things to be better..........

  Added : 27.10.2010
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  Ian S Dixon - Accrington

  We have just opened a community benefit co-operative in Accrington called ONE planet. We are unique as far as we know to our area and sell ethical, Fair Trade, organic, recycled, locally produced & environmentally sustainable products. We are giving local people a chance to use their consumer choice to shop with their conscience. The money we raise will be ploughed back into local environmental projects through the charity Prospects.

  Added : 23.10.2010
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  Tracy Wood - CARDIFF

  I always make a point of walking my boys to school. Yes it takes longer and some days I have to drag the little one behind me, but we always have a nice chat and a laugh along the way.

  Added : 21.10.2010
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  Adam lambert - Burton upon Trent

  What don't I do... I grow my own,keep chickens,collect rainwater,compost,recycle or freecycle everything inc things rescued out of skips, I cycle or walk nearly everywhere and I buy all my produce from the uk to reduce carbon footprint in air miles,I am on good energy which is 100% renewable,I use energy saver lightbulbs and I only heat the room I am in.

  Added : 19.10.2010
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  Rhiannon Wolfe - brighton

  I am vegan - thereby substantially reducing the amount of energy needed to produce the food I eat. I try to buy local products where possible and walk or cycle wherever I can. I do not own a car, and occassionally take a bus when I really need to. When I boil the kettle - I make sure to fill just enough, no more than required. And its true - I only by Whole Earth peanut butter as it's so good and without additives!

  Added : 18.10.2010
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  Teresa Naughton - London

  I do all local journeys by bicycle to do my shopping. I grow the Lady Palm to purify the air. I also grow a Boston Fern to expel mold and toxins from indoor air. I use a large flask to keep my tea warm to save switching on the kettle each time I want a cuppa. And last but not least I use energy saving bulbs for all kinds of lighting. In fact my friends call me a bit 'ecocentric'.

  Added : 10.10.2010