Tips

Where to begin? There are so many little steps you can take to make your print on the Earth more sustainable.

 Here’s a quick Top 10 list:

** Use compact fluorescent light bulbs in ALL lamps.

** Change the power settings on your computer to automatically go to stand-by if left alone for a short while – and otherwise switch it off when you leave it for more than an hour.

** Don’t leave chargers plugged in and devices on standby unnecessarily. These use a surprising amount of energy.

** Think before you shop: do you really need this? Look for local, organic, and Fairtrade foods. Ask how your clothes and shoes are produced – and, again, look and ask for organic and Fairtrade labels. It doesn’t necessarily become more expensive just because it’s ethical. Use charity shops (there are about 10 in Loughborough). Look for the Energy Star label when you shop for electrical goods. Use Gumtree, ebay, & Freecycle for other second-hand goods. Elf Foods in town is our local health foods store. Also check out the monthly Farmers' Market in town: Dates in 2009: February 11th, March 11th, April 8th.

** Sort your rubbish (click here for details on how the recycling works in Loughborough.)

** Go vegetarian / vegan or just reduce the amount of meat you eat. (It has been argued that this is the one single thing you can do to reduce your Carbon footprint the most.)

** Consider your means of transport: Most of Europe can be reached easily and cheaply by coach and train if you book in advance. Get a bike for those short trips around town and campus. Keep an eye out for free Bike Doc sessions by Cogz to keep your bike well tuned.

** Think about your water usage: Turn off the tap when you brush your teeth. Don’t fill the kettle all the way when you boil water for one cup of tea (it also wastes energy and time). Have a shower instead of a bath.

** Ask your bank how they invest your money. Check out a People & Planet campaign Loughborough has previously been involved with: Ditch Dirty Development.

** Buy natural cleaning and body care products. Good brands include Ecover and Faith in Nature.

For more links to places to go for ethical goods, check the Links page.

SNAP IT OFF! With the NUS

Snap It Off!

Seen lights left on around Campus? Take you pics and upload them to the NUS's 'Snap It Off' Campaign Website. The campaign names and shames institutions for leaving things on without need and hence aims to resolve the problems! Upload your photos at http://snapitoff.nus.org.uk/