Whatever your budget, you can do something to help become more sustainable than you are at the moment.......

I will, from time to time, put up information here, to help make your choices easier

To get you started, here are a few obvious ones:-

At home

Turn your heating down, set it to come on/go off on a timer - use a timer plug if your heating system doesn't have its own timer

Close curtains when dusk, open when you get up

Change your lightbulbs to CFL's, LED or solar (in the garden)

Dry laundry outside on the line, or in the hot press - avoid using the tumble drier

Only use the dishwasher/washer when there's a full load - use economy setting wherever possible

Cleaning - use 'eco' products rather than polluting the air/water with harmful substances that causes harm to the environment and our fragile ecosystems

On the move

Keep tyre pressures optimum, and car serviced

Remove roof racks/boxes when not in use, keep windows closed to reduce drag

Don't keep heavy items in the boot

Use air conditioning once a week to keep it working efficiently, but not all the time - it's good for demisting windscreen

Read the road, and avoid harsh acceleration/braking

Set off on a journey in plenty of time to avoid the need to drive fast

Avoid peak times - use flexitime arrangements where possible

Use public transport if available, car-share if not, work at home if an option

Purchasing wisely

Shop locally, preferably not a special trip - combine it with going somewhere else e.g. on way home from work/school drop-off

Look at labels - buy local, organic produce wherever possible - Irish, then EU

For food that cannot be grown in Ireland, look for Fairtrade label 

Clothes - buy only what you need, and try to buy quality, that will last, rather than fashion items

Appliances - keep yours going by getting local tradesmen to repair them, then buy as efficient as you can afford

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