How to go green and not go broke (From Malvern Gazette)

How to go green and not go broke

2:06pm Monday 2nd October 2006

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HER family may have starred in a television show called It's Not Easy Being Green, but according to Brigit Strawbridge making your lifestyle more environmentally friendly is simple.

As she prepares to speak at Malvern Hills District Council's Homes 4 Now exhibition, Brigit urged local residents to try out her tips for greener living.

If you think ‘Today I’m going to make an effort not to be one of the people who has a heavy footprint on the earth. I’m going to try in whatever I do today to be greener’, if you do the little things the big things will follow.”

Brigit Strawbridge

The BBC series followed the Strawbridge family as they moved from their comfortable Malvern home to a Colwall farmhouse with no electricity, toilets, heating or mains water in a effort to adopt a greener way of living.

Camera crews followed the family as they constructed a water wheel and wind turbine, grew vegetables and raised their own pigs.

While local residents may not want to go to such extremes, small changes to make your lifestyle more environmentally friendly all contribute to saving the planet.

Brigit's message is "do as much as you can, as often as you can".

"It's to do with what's in your heart," she said.

"If you think Today I'm going to make an effort not to be one of the people who has a heavy footprint on the earth. I'm going to try in whatever I do today to be greener', if you do the little things the big things will follow."

According to Brigit going green does not have leave you out of pocket.

"It's not as expensive and difficult as people think," she said.

"Think within your community, rather than outside. Exchange services and get to know your neighbours. You might find your neighbour has a garden but is unable to work it and will let you grow vegetables."

She thinks it is fantastic that the district council has organised Homes 4 Now to promote sustainable homes and living. The event takes place on October 14 and 15 at the Council House, Avenue Road, and Priory Park.

It will showcase practical ideas and technologies for sustainable homes and living, including designs for building eco-friendly homes, how to make your home energy efficient, energy-saving and recycling technologies and greener gardening.

"People who live here need to give the initiative their backing and come and support the event," she Brigit.

She will give her talk, Everyday Green Living, at 11am and 3pm on Saturday, October 14, at Priory Lodge Hall.

Her husband Dick will speak on the making of the TV programme, It's Not Easy Being Green, at Malvern Theatres on Sunday, October 15, at 2pm. He and his son James have just finished filming a second series, which will see them visiting people's homes to pass on tips for greener living.

BRIGIT'S TOP TIPS FOR Greener living 1) Carry a rucksack or small bag for shopping, so you don't need to use carrier bags from shops.

2) Switch to a green electricity supplier such as Ecotricity or Green Energy.

3) Contact the Mailing Preference Service at www.mpsonline.org.uk and save paper by cancelling your junk mail.

4) Use public transport instead of the car.

5) As well as recycling, reduce the amount of packaging you buy. Purchase fruit and vegetables loose, not wrapped in wasteful packaging.

6) Buy locally and support farmers' markets.

7) Make compost. "If you have a garden you should compost all of your kitchen vegetable waste," said Brigit. Srunched up paper and cardboard and even floor sweepings can also be composted. Composting bins are available at special rates through the council. People without a garden could make compost inside and take it to a local allotment.

8) Use environmentally friendly cleaning products. Brands available include Ecover and Clear Spring.

9) Buy an organic turkey at Christmas.

10) Turn off the lights when you leave a room. Brigit confesses she has been known to turn off lights in public buildings when no-one's looking!

11) Invest in water butts to collect rain water from gutters, which can be used for watering your garden. Used bath water can also be used for watering, if it contains environmentally friendly bath products.

12) Have a shower instead of a bath, so that you use less water.

13) Always turn off the tap when brushing your teeth.

14) Plant a tree, preferably one which will provide edible fruit or nuts or grow your own vegetables. "It's really exciting when you taste the first tomato from your first tomato plants," said Brigit.

15) If you have a garden, consider giving two or three battery chickens a new home in a moveable pen on your lawn. In return you'll get fresh eggs.

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