News
Don't waste your energy
This feature was added on 23rd October 2007
October 22-28 is Energy Saving Week (hosted by the Energy Saving Trust) and the Hertfordshire WasteAware Partnership is urging local people to make a pledge to help save energy at home and work.
There are lots of simple things that people can do right now to save energy and reduce carbon dioxide emissions – which will in turn help to prevent climate change. These range from turning lights off leaving a room to insulating cavity walls, or switching off appliances when they are not in use.
Even leaving appliances on standby or leaving phones charging overnight contributes to over half of the UK's carbon dioxide emissions – a main driver of climate change.
Getting into the habit of reducing, reusing and recycling household rubbish is another important way in which individuals can make an enormous difference to the environment and in terms of saving energy:
- The 1.5 billion glass bottles and jars recycled in the UK last year will have saved enough energy to light up London for more than three years!
- Recycling just one aluminium can saves enough energy to power a television for three hours!
- The energy saved from recycling just one plastic bottle would power a 60 watt light bulb for 60 hours!
- UK recycling reduces CO2 emissions by around 15 million tonnes. This is equivalent to taking 3.5 million cars off the road.
As well as making a real difference to the environment, getting into the energy-saving habit can bring cash rewards as well. The average household could save up to £250 a year on energy bills by being more energy efficient.
More advice on how to save energy can be found at www.energysavingtrust.org.uk or the local Energy Saving Trust advice centre on 0800 512 012.