Nature Holds the Key

Make your own toiletries or switch to natural brands.

Look at the types of products you use and switch from disposable to reusable, such as food and drink containers, razors and nappies.

Instead of buying paper napkins for each celebration buy cloth napkins that you can use again, or make your own.

Choose houseplants that reduce toxins.

Avoid synthetic fragrances. Choose natural methods to make your home smell fresh.

If you only need a tool or piece of equipment infrequently then instead of buying one, save resources by asking a friend or neighbour if you can borrow one. Or check online for a lending club, such as Streetbank.

Use a [easyazon_link identifier="B0030ZPC9Q" locale="UK" tag="crosswebideas-21" cart="n"]recycled plastic water butt[/easyazon_link] to collect rainwater for your garden.

If possible replace disposable products with reusable ones (eg. food storage, coffee filters, straws, etc.).

Sprinkle dry tea leaves to deodorise problem areas such as your cat litter tray.

Avoid creating waste. When ordering food avoid plastic utensils or straws by asking in advance.

Reduce toxins in the home – always leave outdoor shoes at the door.

Take time to work out how much you need before making a purchase. If you do this for items such as food and paint you'll avoid paying for quantities that will only go to waste.

Use natural cleaning products or make your own.

Share the little things in life, such as newspapers, magazines, books and DVDs, between friends and neighbours.

Where there's a choice select products with minimal or no packaging.

Avoid chemical products for pest control. Rely on non-toxic alternatives.

Use dried tea leaves as a deodoriser. Scatter them over the carpet, leave for ten minutes then vacuum up. Place in the fridge to absorb odours (like baking soda).

Take holidays closer to home and avoid air travel if you can to reduce your carbon footprint.

If you're looking for a hotel go to TripAdvisor and select 'GreenLeaders' from the 'More' menu option above the search box.

If you order coffee when you're out and about carry your own mug to avoid paper waste.

Share tools and gadgets that people use infrequently rather than each of your neighbours buying their own individual items. Plan ahead and co-ordinate new purchases with your neighbours.

Save electricity by running your washing machine on a cooler setting and consider line-drying your clothes instead of using a dryer.

Go for the most significant impact on your waste by aiming for a zero waste kitchen.

Switch to LED lights. They cost less to run and last longer than any other bulb.

Choose rechargeable batteries and a battery charger to cut down on disposables. Eventually recyclable batteries reach the end of their life too but they can be recycled – local recycling policies vary so check with your recycling facility.

Make your own compost

In the garden, use coffee grounds as a mulch for acid-loving plants or around the base of plants to deter ants and slugs.

Replace at least part of your lawn with a meadow as a wildlife habitat, and cut down on the need for watering.

Choose drought-resistant plants for the garden to cut down on the need for watering.

Save paper – always refuse paper receipts.

To avoid creating waste, choose products with the least amount of packaging.

Save and re-use the little sundries that come along with packaging, such as rubber bands, twist ties and boxes.

Those little fruit and veg labels that supermarkets use can be recycled too. Peel them off and stick them onto a plastic container in the recycling bin.

Grow houseplants for clean air and give them rainwater occasionally as it has less impurities than tapwater.

Rub beeswax over pans and baking sheets rather than use butter or oil each time. Over time the pan develops a permanent coating.

Use beeswax candles instead of ordinary paraffin candles. They burn cleaner, brighter and last longer. They also emit negative ions which improve air quality.

Use [easyazon_link identifier="B0181XKRUK" locale="UK" tag="crosswebideas-21"]charcoal deodorisers[/easyazon_link] around the home to absorb rather than mask odours and toxins.

Check your local library to find out all the resources it provides. Libraries are a good place to read magazines and newspapers as well as borrowing books (and DVDs).

Filter water for all uses, not just drinking. Install a [easyazon_link identifier="B00H213YSA" locale="UK" tag="crosswebideas-21"]water filter[/easyazon_link] instead of filling up those jugs.