Air miles and transport, for even the smallest purchase, can cause a serious amount of pollution. Look for local designers, makers and suppliers instead, and you’re immediately cutting back on your carbon footprint. Not sure where to start? Check out livingnorthloveslocal.com
The best way to avoid food waste is to think ahead. Make a meal plan for the coming week, buy only what you need, and you’ll see a difference very quickly. Busy B Meal Planner, £9.95 kindlehouse.co.uk
House plants can help keep the air in your home fresher and cleaner, and different plants will produce different benefits. Choose moisture-loving plants such as ivy to keep the air in your bathroom clean, or, for the bedroom, choose a plant which releases oxygen at night (aloe vera and spider plants are common examples).
Out of season fruit and veg has either been imported from overseas, or grown in artificially-heated greenhouses and poly tunnels. Try to eat what’s in season in the UK, and make sure it’s locally-grown too. Farm shops across the region are your best bet here – go to livingnorth.com to find our favourites.
The bathroom is one room in the house where people struggle to make eco-friendly choices. Make a start by switching your plastic toothbrush for a bamboo one – which will reduce the number of plastic toothbrushes which end up on landfill each year (currently four billion). Bamboo toothbrush, £3.95 goodbrush.co.uk
A kitchen compost bin is the perfect way to dispose of your fruit and veg peelings, and this one comes with a replaceable carbon filter which will neutralise odours for up to three months. Worktop compost bin, £14.99 Lakeland, branches regionwide
For most people, the one recycle bin in the house is usually in the kitchen. This split bathroom bin will allow you to recycle empty bathroom bottles and packaging easily. Split waste and recycling bin, £20 Joseph Joseph, stockists regionwide
