What can I do to help reduce climate change?

Energy Use

Add or top up your existing loft insulation (current standards are
Switch to a green electricity supplier
Switch lights off when leaving a room
Always switch appliances off standby
Arrange a free home energy check from Leicestershire Energy Efficiency Advice Centre - Tel. 0800 512 012
Find out more about energy efficiency from the Energy Saving Trust and National Energy Foundation
Think about generating your own renewable electricity - find out more from the Energy Saving Trust, National Energy Foundation and grants to help you install systems from the Low Carbon Buildings Programme

Use a trigger nozzle on your hosepipe
Better still, use a watering can
Fit a water saving device in your toilet cistern which can save ove a litre of water every time you flush. They are available free from Severn Trent Water
Try not to leave the tap running when you brush your teeth, shave or wash your face as this can waste 5 litres of water per minute
Take a shower instead of a bath as they use a third less water than a bath although a 5 minute power shower can use more water
Replace warn washers on dripping taps quickly as they can waste as much as 4 litres of water a day
The Environment Agency have more water saving tips for the home and garden

24% of all greenhouse gases were produced by road transport during the period 1994 and 2004.
Try car sharing on your journey to and from work. You can save money and make new contacts. Leicestershare is a new web based lift share programme where you can contact people with similar work journeys and shift patterns and is supported by Leicester City Council, Leicestershire County Council, Leicester City Football Club, De Montfort University and University Hospitals of Leicester as well as other organisations.
42% of all journeys are two miles or less so leave the car behind and cycle or walk and get fit at the same time. Check out Leicestershire's 3000km of Public Rights of Way for walks and cycle rides around the County. Two national Sustrans cycle routes also run through the County.

Reduce food miles, the amount of miles food travels before reaching our plates by supporting local food producers, Farmers Markets and WI Country Markets.
See Go Leicestershire for information on delicious local produce and bars and restaurants supplying local food.

Recycling your waste helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 10 -15 million tonnes a year in the UK, the equivalent of taking 3.5 million cars off the road. Producing items from recycled materials uses a lot less energy and water than producing items from virgin materials. For example, recycling just one aluminium can saves enough energy to power a television for three hours!
Find out about your local Borough or District Kerbside Recycling Scheme below and use the postcode search at Recycle Now to find your nearest bring banks usually found in pub or shop car parks. Leicestershire County Council also operate Recycling and Household Waste Sites for you to drop off recycling and waste in large quantities.