Introduction
The national body of the Friends of the earth is actively sponsoring research into reducing the environmental strain we place on our planet. The world's forests are disappearing, our air and water are no longer clean and pure, species are dying out at an alarming rate and waste is piling up. This small area of our web space encourages you as an individual to make slightly less strain on the planet. How can you make yourself environmentally friendly? We have provided some of our own ideas and we invite you to submit your own here as well.

Recycling
What is a recycled product? - there are three main categories which determine whether a product is made from recycled materials....

The most effective way of dealing with our waste is not to create so much in the first place. However, this is also very difficult as almost all purchases are packaged, and a great deal of what we buy is designed to be used once and then disposed of. Instead of worrying about how to recycle plastic bags for instance, why not take your own bags to the supermarket? Here are some more ideas....

• Use rechargeable batteries which will not only reduce your waste but also save you money.
• Store food in resealable containers rather than using cling film or foil.
• Milk delivery in returnable bottles is a great example of waste reduction in action!
• Think about how long a product is going to last before buying - is it worth spending a few pounds extra on a product that will last twice as long, for example, low energy lightbulbs.
• Don't purchase items you don't really need.
• Avoid disposable goods such as razors, tissues or paper napkins, for example, use linen napkins, which are far nicer!
• Think about what you could re-use, for example do you know anyone who could re-use jam jars for preserve making?
• Try using a refillable ink pen rather than a biro.
• Take old clothes and unwanted household items to a charity shop.
• Compost your garden waste - many councils are now providing reduced cost recylcling bins.

Did you know...
That over 90% of Hampshire homes now have a kerbside collection service for your recyclables?!...so really there is not excuse NOT to recycle! For more information and a list of your local recycling depots, take a look at the Project Integra website.

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In the garden
Compost Most organic kitchen and garden waste can be composted in the garden by either using a traditional 'heap' or a purpose-made compost bin. Collect up used tea bags, uncooked vegetable and fruit peelings, coffee grounds and egg shells from the kitchen in a small tub for easy transportation to the compost bin. Also add grass cuttings and small plant clippings, but preferably not weeds. Ensure all items are mixed regularly, as this will help speed up the composting process. Once the materials have fully biodegraded, the end product is compost, which can be used around the garden.

If you do not have space to create your own compost and instead need to buy compost from your local garden or DIY centre, take care to buy products which have no or very little peat contained wthin them. Peat bogs are rapidly dissappearing, taking with them a whole host of flora and fauna, click here for more information about how you can help to save our peat bogs.

Water Think of how much water you use to irrigate your garden - usually in the hottest days when water supply is at a premium. Why not consider other ways of watering your garden. The most obvious is to install water butts to collect rainwater - check with your local Council who often have reduced water butt sales during the summer. On the more adventurous side you could consider collecting bath and sink water and using this to water your garden (remember to use environment friendly, ie biodegradable cleaning products). Alternatively, you could consider lessening the demand for water by planting less thirsty plants.

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On the road
Cars are perhaps the most essential item in our home, but it is not hard to take them for granted and use them without thought. However, cars are probably the worst abusers of our environment for the household. Consider some of the following points, and how you might be able to integrate them into your personal travelling.

• Think twice before using your car....could you walk instead?
• Optimise every trip - ie try to do two or more things at one time, ie dropping the kidz off and the shopping.
• Join a lift sharing scheme - these are becoming more and more popular, whether operated on a large business scale (check with your workplace) or within your local circle of friends.
• Join a national car sharing network, which offers car share lifts on a long-distance basis - so say you need to get from Southampton to Leeds next weekend.... check out Freewheelers who provide an online database for people offering or requiring lifts.
• What about a "car sharing" scheme between youself and your friends - could you feasibly have a "car pool" whereby a few of you share one/two cars, instead of owning one each?
• Organise a walking bus to school for kidz!
• Keep your car well tuned and at peak performance at all times - this will also mean reduced fuel bills.
• Try to drive more economically - give yourself time to get to your destination so you are not 'racing along'.
• Use public transport more often than you do, even if it is only one trip ever couple of weeks or so, every little helps!
• When purchasing a new/second hand car, do make the vehicles fuel economy an important factor in your decision.
  

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In the office

• If you use a computer, and need to print, think twice, do you really need to print, and if so, is duplex printing a consideration? (printing no both sides of the paper - many modern printers now offer this option - check your printer setup for further details).
• Remember to switch your computer, monitor, printer and scanner off - even leaving it on stand-by uses up energy.
• Use old paper as scrap paper - staple sheets together to form a note/doodle pad - or alternatively, donate your reusable paper to a local playgroup or perhaps a scrap-store, such as the one in Southampton.
• Recyle unwanted paper products - if your local council does not recyle, then collect your paper together and take it down to the local recycling depot.
• Recycle printer cartridges / toners - many charities now recycle cartridges, such as the RNIB.
• You can even recycle your old computer - take a look at PC Recycler for a few ideas.

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