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Easy swaps you can make

Using your car to get to work or school every day?

  • Try getting the train once a month instead. Avoid being stuck in a traffic jam or experiencing road rage and take it easy by reading, playing games or even getting ahead on your work during your commute.
  • Walk to school once a week and play games on the way like 'I Spy'. Stopping the usual engine idling outside of schools will cut the risk to children's health from air pollution.

Struggling to think of a fun day out?

Plan a day trip around going the trains; admire the countryside as it whizzes past on your way to a brand new destination.

Flying away for a weekend break?

Explore camping options in and around Gloucestershire. Discover beautiful areas and try going 'off grid' for a weekend! Not to mention, you'll avoid the airport stress.

Driving all the way to work?

Try driving half-way and get the bus the rest of the way. There are 'transport hubs' across the county where you can park and change vehicles.  Save yourself the stress of driving all the way during rush hour traffic.

Buying a new car and not sure whether to take the plunge and go electric?

Rent an electric car whilst on holiday to try it out. Cut air pollution at your holiday destination and keep it beautiful for future generations.

Using your car to get to work or school every day?

  • Try getting the train once a month instead. Avoid being stuck in a traffic jam or experiencing road rage and take it easy by reading, playing games or even getting ahead on your work during your commute.
  • Walk to school once a week and play games on the way like 'I Spy'. Stopping the usual engine idling outside of schools will cut the risk to children's health from air pollution.

Struggling to think of a fun day out?

Plan a day trip around going the trains; admire the countryside as it whizzes past on your way to a brand new destination.

Flying away for a weekend break?

Explore camping options in and around Gloucestershire. Discover beautiful areas and try going 'off grid' for a weekend! Not to mention, you'll avoid the airport stress.

Driving all the way to work?

Try driving half-way and get the bus the rest of the way. There are 'transport hubs' across the county where you can park and change vehicles.  Save yourself the stress of driving all the way during rush hour traffic.

Buying a new car and not sure whether to take the plunge and go electric?

Rent an electric car whilst on holiday to try it out. Cut air pollution at your holiday destination and keep it beautiful for future generations.

Thinking of going vegan?

If you're unsure whether veganism is for you, why not take part in 'meat free Mondays'.

You don't have to take the plunge straight away, make small swaps to your diet gradually.

Always dreamt of your own vegetable patch?

Why not start off with growing your own herbs. They're window sill friendly and it works out a lot cheaper than continually buying herbs at the supermarket.

Buying food and not sure where it comes from?

Buy UK produce to support the British economy, British farmers and know you're consuming food that is a lot fresher than when it's flown in from abroad. See how many miles your food travels and the impact it has on the planet with food miles.

Buying veg from the supermarket?

Why not find an organic veg box in Gloucestershire. Not only are they bound to be tasty, it helps support local farmers too.

Thinking of going vegan?

If you're unsure whether veganism is for you, why not take part in 'meat free Mondays'.

You don't have to take the plunge straight away, make small swaps to your diet gradually.

Always dreamt of your own vegetable patch?

Why not start off with growing your own herbs. They're window sill friendly and it works out a lot cheaper than continually buying herbs at the supermarket.

Buying food and not sure where it comes from?

Buy UK produce to support the British economy, British farmers and know you're consuming food that is a lot fresher than when it's flown in from abroad. See how many miles your food travels and the impact it has on the planet with food miles.

Buying veg from the supermarket?

Why not find an organic veg box in Gloucestershire. Not only are they bound to be tasty, it helps support local farmers too.

Debating whether to get solar panels?

If you're not sure whether to take the plunge, in the meantime, you can switch to a green energy provider. Some green providers are cheaper than regular energy suppliers.

Feeling a chill?

Rather than turning your thermostat down, try turning your boiler temperature down. This can save you £100 a year!

Enjoy singing in the shower?

Rather than cutting your shower time drastically, try purchasing an aerated or low-flow shower head. They can cut water consumption and use less hot water, which can save you money.

You can get a free shower timer to help save on your bills. 

Oven or air fryer?

Buying and using an air fryer instead of using your oven can save you £270 in running costs a year!

Windows letting out the heat?

To save the cost of buying double glazing, explore the options of magnetic temporary glazing or window insultation kits. These can save a lot of money in heating costs with little investment needed.

Unsure about energy efficiency?

Debating whether to get solar panels?

If you're not sure whether to take the plunge, in the meantime, you can switch to a green energy provider. Some green providers are cheaper than regular energy suppliers.

Feeling a chill?

Rather than turning your thermostat down, try turning your boiler temperature down. This can save you £100 a year!

Enjoy singing in the shower?

Rather than cutting your shower time drastically, try purchasing an aerated or low-flow shower head. They can cut water consumption and use less hot water, which can save you money.

You can get a free shower timer to help save on your bills. 

Oven or air fryer?

Buying and using an air fryer instead of using your oven can save you £270 in running costs a year!

Windows letting out the heat?

To save the cost of buying double glazing, explore the options of magnetic temporary glazing or window insultation kits. These can save a lot of money in heating costs with little investment needed.

Unsure about energy efficiency?

Can't stop buying new clothes?

Try purchasing second hand clothes for a month - it's a way to explore new styles without breaking the bank.

Tempted to buy a new phone?

Why not check out refurbished phones. A fraction of the cost of buying new.

Think composting is just for outside?

Purchase a bokashi composter, it can be used inside which is ideal if you don't have an outdoor space or want to save space outside.

Not sure how to give up plastic for good?

Any swaps make a difference, such as replacing shampoo and shower gel bottles with shampoo or shower gel bars. Great for saving space when you're off on holiday, as well as making a positive environmental impact.

Not sure where to shop that is environmentally friendly?

You can have a look at which shops are well rated for being environmental friendly on the good on you directory. It not only tells you the environmental impact but also rates how well staff are treated.

Can't stop buying new clothes?

Try purchasing second hand clothes for a month - it's a way to explore new styles without breaking the bank.

Tempted to buy a new phone?

Why not check out refurbished phones. A fraction of the cost of buying new.

Think composting is just for outside?

Purchase a bokashi composter, it can be used inside which is ideal if you don't have an outdoor space or want to save space outside.

Not sure how to give up plastic for good?

Any swaps make a difference, such as replacing shampoo and shower gel bottles with shampoo or shower gel bars. Great for saving space when you're off on holiday, as well as making a positive environmental impact.

Not sure where to shop that is environmentally friendly?

You can have a look at which shops are well rated for being environmental friendly on the good on you directory. It not only tells you the environmental impact but also rates how well staff are treated.

General work related actions that you can do as a team and as an individual

  • Have a clear out of your drafts / deleted items to quickly free up your inbox and reduce your email carbon footprint 
  • List your top 10 most common purchases at work, look at how you can reduce carbon (one of ours was toilet roll and we looked for a carbon neutral supplier)   
  • Plan how to reduce your team car mileage, ensure meetings are attended by the closest person, use public transport, consider car sharing and working from home when possible - this will save you time as well carbon! 
  • Have a team meeting and vote on what environmental actions  you would like to prioritise as a group 
  • Turn your computers off standby - vampire devices use energy 
  • See if your team / others around you in the office would like to do a mini clothes swap on the change of the seasons so you can get  that "something new" feeling

 

General work related actions that you can do as a team and as an individual

  • Have a clear out of your drafts / deleted items to quickly free up your inbox and reduce your email carbon footprint 
  • List your top 10 most common purchases at work, look at how you can reduce carbon (one of ours was toilet roll and we looked for a carbon neutral supplier)   
  • Plan how to reduce your team car mileage, ensure meetings are attended by the closest person, use public transport, consider car sharing and working from home when possible - this will save you time as well carbon! 
  • Have a team meeting and vote on what environmental actions  you would like to prioritise as a group 
  • Turn your computers off standby - vampire devices use energy 
  • See if your team / others around you in the office would like to do a mini clothes swap on the change of the seasons so you can get  that "something new" feeling

 

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