JANUARY
Remember you can put Christmas cards in your recycling bin, along with your plastic bottles (without lids), paper and cans.
Make recycling more one of your New Year Resolutions. Click here to find out more about recycling in Basingstoke.
FEBRUARY
Save money!! By turning your central heating thermostat down by 1°C you can make reductions of 10% in your heating bill.
Planning to buy a new electrical appliance? Look out for the Energy Efficiency Recommended Logo which can be found on a growing number of products from light bulbs to washing machines. The logo is there to help you chose an appliance which is is energy efficient and will save you money!
Learn more about Energy Efficiency in the home.
MARCH
Check your taps - one drip per second wastes around 1200 litres of water in a year, that’s around 4 litres a day. A new washer is all that might be needed to stop that drip. Never changed a washer? Click here for instructions.
Half-load programmes on dishwashers and washing machines use more than half the water and energy of a full load. You will save on energy costs if you wait until you have a full load before switching on the machine.
Taking a five minute shower every day, instead of a bath, will use a third of the water, saving up to 400 litres a week.
APRIL
Using compost on your garden? Remember to protect threatened peat habitats by using peat free compost where needed. Look for certified peat-free products such as those endorsed by The Soil Association. Always buy peat-free compost . Worldwide peat covers about 3 per cent of global land surface and the amount of carbon stored within it is enormous, equivalent to twice that of all the world's forests combined.
Alternatively,produce your own compost.
Locally produced Pro-Grow, a soil conditioner, has recently achieved organic certification by The Soil Association. This quality Hampshire product is used by landscapers, farmers, organic growers as well as places like Hillier Gardens and Arboretum and can be purchased by anyone from various outlets such as Herriard Sawmills and Household Waste Recycling Centres.
MAY
Remember not to leave your TV, video and stereo on stand-by – turn them off. These appliances use nearly as much energy when on stand-by as when in use.
If you leave your mobile phone charger constantly plugged in with the electricity switched on at the socket, it will use almost the same amount of electricity as it takes to charge the phone. Save energy and money by unplugging it every time.
JUNE
Planning a project to enhance your garden? If installing lights or a fountain solar powered fittings will save you money on your energy bills.
Did you know that - although best results will be achieved if solar powered products are in direct sunlight; if there is sufficient daylight the solar cells will continue to convert available light into energy, even when light levels are low.
JULY
Are you interested in your local environment, conservation and wildlife. Click here for opportunities to volunteer in a number of areas.
How about growing your own vegetables. Not enough space in your garden? Have a look to see where allotments are currently available to rent from the Council.
You can help to encourage butterflies in your garden by careful choice of plants and avoiding harmful chemicals.
AUGUST
The probability of summer rainfall being less than half of what we use could soon increase, from occurring once every century to once every 10 years. However, during even the hottest weather, your lawn needs watering only once a week. Over-watering can weaken your lawn by encouraging roots to seek the surface.
The South East is current experiencing one of the driest periods since 1933 with very low winter rainfall. Consider a water butt for your garden so you can store the rain and use it on your garden in a drier period.
Did you know that hedgehogs are now classed as an endangered species in the UK? Hedgehogs love to eat slugs, so are good news in your garden (but do not put down slug pellets as these will in turn poison the hedgehogs) Encourage these animals by leaving out meat scraps or meat varieties of cat/dog food. Do not leave milk as this can cause diarrhoea leading to dehydration and death within a couple of days. If hedgehogs visit your garden, find out the best ways to support to them.
SEPTEMBER
Get your car checked over regularly at the garage following the manufacturer’s recommended schedule. Keep an eye on your fuel consumption and make sure your tyres are properly inflated; for every 6psi a tyre is under-inflated fuel consumption can rise by 1% costing you more money than necessary.
Think about how you use your car - avoid driving short journeys and walk instead and enjoy the exercise, fresh air and your local surroundings.
OCTOBER
Re-use and recycle your paper, both at work and at home. Each tonne of paper recycled saves 15 average-sized trees, as well as their surrounding habitat and wildlife.
Set your printer to print on both sides of the paper and photocopiers to copy documents double-sided.
Are you fed up with receiving piles of unsolicited junk mail - to get your name removed from direct mailing lists is simple and free, just contact The Mailing Preference Service.
NOVEMBER
By recycling items that you no longer use, you can help people in other parts of the world who can make use of your old textiles and shoes - these are collected by various charities and sold to raise funds for their work in the UK and overseas. Textiles are usually sent to developing countries. Old and worn clothing can be used for industrial rags, or for car door inner linings, carpet underlay etc. Shoes are usually sent to developing countries and even worn shoes can be reconditioned by cobblers abroad. There are special bins for these items at various Household Waste Recycling Centres around the Borough. For further information phone: 01256 845373.
Also your unwanted spectacles can be re-used. Take into the opticians listed who will pass them on to charities for re-use abroad: Leightons Opticians, JR & H Floyd, Specsavers and Batemans.
DECEMBER
Thinking about those winter energy bills? Installing loft insulation to a depth of at least 15cm (6 inches) can save around 20% of your heating costs.
If you enjoy decorative lights in your home and on your tree? Lessen the impact on energy by turning off more lights elsewhere – you will get a lovely atmosphere as well!
For your shopping for the festivities look at the products proved by Hampshire Fare an organisation that promotes local producers of food, drink and craft items.
The weblinks above have been provided so that further information on specialised subjects can be accessed. Whilst they are websites that Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council is happy to signpost, responsibility cannot be taken for the contents of these pages.
