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What made your list of New Year resolutions for 2014? Did you focus on the traditional goals of eating better, exercising more and getting back in touch with old friends? Or did you opt for something a little more adventurous, like travelling the world or switching career?
The start of a new year is a great time to look forward and commit to making changes in our habits and lifestyles. For many of us, that includes living in a greener, more environmentally friendly way, and there are many small but effective ways that you can make a difference. From phone recycling to carbon offsetting, you can make significant changes to your impact on the environment without a huge amount of effort.
Gadget recycling
It seems that a huge number of us have an insatiable lust for new gadgets and gizmos, and once the latest thing becomes old hat, you need to make sure you dispose of it correctly. Check with your local council or local services for details — many council-run tips will have designated areas where you can leave your out-dated gadgets to be recycled or disposed of correctly.
If you change your mobile phone on a regular basis, then there are a number of different phone recycling services to choose between. You can opt for an independent company or your existing network provider (Virgin Media phone recycling is one option), and in most cases you can get a quote for your old phone online. Not only is the phone disposed of in an environmentally friendly way, but you also get a bit of spending money.
Carbon output
Planes, trains and automobiles all use up our finite fuel resources and release carbon dioxide into the environment, so anything you can do to cut down on your journeys or change the way you travel will help. Consider biking to work one day a week, or walking to the shops rather than taking the car.
If certain trips are unavoidable, you can offset the carbon cost. There are a number of carbon offsetting schemes you can sign up for, and while many of them are aimed at businesses, there are a variety of options for individuals too. You can donate a small amount towards a rainforest regeneration plan, for example, or help support a local wind farm.
More ideas
Of course there are plenty of ideas ideas you can consider: why not visit your local library rather than buying books? Or give up meat one day a week? Meat producers contribute a sizeable amount of waste and greenhouse gases into the environment so this is a good way to try and make a difference. You could try shopping for second-hand clothes or set up a rain collection barrel for your garden.
The bottom line is that there are plenty of options to choose from and most of them are very straightforward to put into action. If we all do our bit to ease the strain on the world and its natural resources, then together we can make a significant difference to the future health of the planet.
