Have you ever thought about how much rubbish you and your family throw away every week? Have you ever thought about doing something about it?

It has been estimated that over 25 million tonnes of waste is collected from households in the UK (2000/01 figures). This means that each  person in the UK produces around half a tonne of waste annually.

Of this estimated 25 million tonnes of household waste, only about 12% is currently recycled or composted with 86% going to landfill or for incineration. In theory, well over 60% of that which ends up in our dustbins at home could be recycled.

We currently recycle all of our waste paper and cardboard. The school has a scheme in place to recycle toner cartridges, printer cartridges and all our old IT equipment. Recently we invested in various projects to cut our water usage.

Our electricity usage is closely monitored, all electrical equipment is turned off at night time or when not in use. We are also looking into the use of solar and other renewable energy sources for upcoming projects.

We are applying for our eco schools silver status and we are actively educating our Teachers, Students and Parents in what they can do to save the planet.

Here's a list of simple things you can do immediately, which will start to reduce your contribution to global warming. The items in this list will cost you no money at all and will in fact save you money.

1. Sign up to a green energy supplier, who will supply electricity from renewable sources (e.g. wind and hydroelectric power) - this will reduce your carbon footprint contribution from electricity to zero

2. Turn it off when not in use (lights, television, DVD player, Hi Fi, computer etc. etc. ...) Click here to find out which electrical items in your household are contribute the most to your Carbon Footprint

3. Turn down the central heating slightly (try just 1 to 2 degrees C)

4. Turn down the water heating setting (just 2 degrees will make a significant saving)

5. Check the central heating timer setting - remember there is no point heating the house after you have left for work

6. Fill your dish washer and washing machine with a full load - this will save you water, electricity, and washing powder

7. Fill the kettle with only as much water as you need

8. Unplug your mobile phone as soon as it has finished charging

9. Defrost your fridge/freezer regularly

10. Do your weekly shopping in a single trip

11. Hang out the washing to dry rather than tumble drying it

12. Go for a run rather than drive to the gym

The following is a list of items that may take an initial investment, but should pay for themselves over the course of 1-4 years through savings on your energy bills.

1. Fit energy saving light bulbs

2. Install thermostatic valves on your radiators

3. Insulate your hot water tank, your loft and your walls

4. 35% of heat generated in the house is lost through the walls. Installing cavity wall installation to a medium size house could reduce your heating bills by up to £100 per year

5. By installing 180mm thick loft insulation you could stop about 25% of your heating escaping through the roof

6. Recycle your grey water

7. Replace your old fridge / freezer (if it is over 15 years old), with a new one with energy efficiency rating of "A"

8. Replace your old boiler with a new energy efficient condensing boiler

Travel less and travel more carbon footprint friendly.

1. Car share to work, or for the kids school run

2. Use the bus or a train rather than your car

3. Don't use domestic flights (e.g. from London to Edinburgh), use a train or a coach.

4. Take the ferry or channel tunnel instead of flying to France

5. See if your employer will allow you to work from home one day a week

6. Next time you replace your car - check out diesel engines. With one of these you can even make your own Biodiesel fuel. Find out more about Biodiesel.

7. When on holiday - hire a bicycle to explore locally rather than a car

8. When staying in a hotel turn the lights and air-conditioning off when you leave your hotel room

9. Ask for you room towels to be washed every other day, rather than every day

As well as your primary carbon footprint, there is also a secondary footprint that you cause through your buying habits. If you buy foods out of season at the super market, then these will have either been flown or shipped in from far away - all adding to your carbon footprint. 

1. Reduce your consumption of meat

2. Don't buy bottled water if your tap water is safe to drink (especially if it has been shipped from far away)

3. Buy local fruit and vegetables, or even try growing your own

4. Don't buy fresh fruit and vegetables which are out of season, they may have been flown in

5. Try to buy products made closer to home (look out and avoid items that are made in the distant lands such as China and India)

6. Buy organic produce

7. Don't buy over packaged products

8. Recycle as much as possible

9. Think carefully about the type of activities you do in your spare time. Do any of these cause an increase in carbon emissions? e.g. Saunas, Health clubs, restaurants and pubs, go-karting etc. etc...

You need to know what recycling facilities are available near you, in other words, what can be recycled and how you can recycle it. There may be a collection service for some materials or you may need to take others to a recycling facility (eg. a bottle bank). To find out more, ask your local authority or use a locator.

Wash 'em
Wash bottles and jars before recycling them and wash and squash metal cans.

Sort 'em
Put the right materials in the right recycling bin or recycling bank. Remember, check before you chuck

Remember, recycling  not only helps save the environment, it can save you money too.