Solar energy is radiant heat and light from the sun and is one of the most available renewable energy sources on earth. On a bright, sunny day, the sun’s rays give off around 1,000 watts of energy per square meter of the earth and therefore can be used for practical means. Humans have been harnessing energy from the sun since ancient times using a range of ever-evolving technologies. Solar technologies are generally characterised as either passive or active solar energy depending on the way they capture, convert and distribute solar energy. The most common way of harvesting energy from the sun is through the use of solar panels, also known as photovoltaic panels and solar thermal collectors. Using solar panels to generate electricity is an active solar technique. They operate by absorbing light energy from the sun in a semi-conductor material that then knocks electrons loose allowing them to move freely [1]. Passive solar techniques on the other hand would involve things like carefully designing a space that can naturally circulate air or selecting materials with thermal mass or light dispersing qualities, or even orienting a building towards the sun [2].

There are many technologies surrounding the use of solar cells that use the sun’s energy and light to provide heat, light, hot water, electricity, and cooling for homes, businesses and industry. There are two main types of photovoltaic cells that exist: solar electricity panels that generate electricity; and solar hot water panels that heat the water we use. Nowadays it is evident that new solar panel designs are becoming more efficient making them a viable (and cheap) alternative to fossil fuels and encouraging their use among businesses and homeowners [3]. It is evident that this technology is becoming more prominent in new devices all the time, from calculators to emergency road signs to electric vehicle charging stations to powering satellites.

What are the benefits of solar energy?

The sun is 150 million kilometers away and is astonishingly powerful. Not only does the sun provide solar energy directly, but it creates other renewable energy sources such as geothermal and tidal power. Only a tiny fraction of the sun’s energy is enough to meet all our power needs. In fact, every 60 seconds, enough solar energy arrives at earth to meet our demands for an entire year! The only limit is human ingenuity in finding ways to harness that energy efficiently [4]. Furthermore, solar energy is renewable: it is a consistent power source therefore we never have to worry about running out of sunlight or using it all up.

Solar energy is environmentally friendly as solar cells do not release emissions unlike fossil fuels. Investing in solar energy is essential in reducing the UK’s carbon emissions, of which remain well above the world average, and it is up to individuals, businesses and the government to support the renewable industry. Whether you are a homeowner or growing professional, it is time to learn about solar energy and its benefits. Solar energy is the nation’s fastest growing renewable energy source and is vital to the UK’s economic recovery [5].

If you invest in solar technology the government will give you a grant of up to £400 to help cover the cost of installation while your energy bills will be reduced by up to 70%. This grant, coupled with the fact that there is a huge variety of solar and hot water panels available with a huge range in prices, means that anyone can get into solar. In addition, solar panels are reliable (there are no moving parts so no need for replacing anything), silent in operation, require little space and do not need to be connected to the power grid so you can be completely self-sufficient and never pay a monthly bill. It is quite possible for a household to run entirely off photovoltaic electricity if your solar panel is large enough and if you build a large enough solar panel system, you could potentially sell excess electricity to neighboring companies. Information on this can be found at your local power company. An average sized solar panel can still provide a substantial amount of electricity and reduce energy bills significantly.

Lastly, one of the greatest benefits of solar power cells is that, apart from producing electricity in the daytime when we need it most, they often have a back-up system that kicks in when utility power fails (for example for systems that work 24 hours a day). The benefits of encouraging solar manufacturing clearly outweigh the costs; therefore it makes economic sense to support solar cell development.

How can I use it at work or at home?

There are a variety of technologies available that have been developed to take advantage of solar energy. These include:

1. Photovoltaic systems which produce electricity directly from sunlight. They have a variety of applications. For example, they are often used to power calculators and watches and can also be attached to buildings with a tracking device that follows the sun enabling them to capture the most sunlight. They can often provide enough power for a household. Businesses can interconnect several to form a single, large PV system. Solar cells can also double up as roof tiles or a glazing for skylights. Solar panels should be mounted on a south facing roof at a 30 degree angle and away from any shadows from trees, chimneys or surrounding buildings. These cells generate electricity in a clean, quiet and renewable way and now come in all shapes and forms such as portable chargers for mobile phones, Ipods and car batteries [6].
2. Solar hot water heating systems work by tubes carrying water to a very well insulated box mounted on the roof facing the sun. The sun simply heats the water in the box and pipes which is then stored in a hot water tank. The pipes are non-toxic and contain anti-freeze. These are the most popular form of solar energy used in the UK and they can produce over half of households’ hot water requirements. A good solar hot water panel system is able to provide an average household with around a third of its annual hot water supply. This can reduce energy costs by a considerable amount.
3. Passive solar heating is the simplest form of solar energy. Buildings can be designed to utilise the energy of the sun as effectively as possible. For example, they should be south facing (receives the most sunlight) with large windows and building materials that absorb the sun into walls and floors. These materials will heat up during the day and release heat slowly at night. By careful planning like this, you can fully maximise free solar gain [7]. In summer when passive solar heating makes buildings too hot, overhangs can be used to shade windows when the sun is high.
4. Solar process heating systems are designed to heat large buildings while keeping them well ventilated. It involves solar collectors that work along with a pump, heat exchanger and a large storage tank. They can also be used for cooling a building just like an air conditioner would [8].

Furthermore, combining these solar energy systems in a home or business could significantly reduce energy and electricity bills. These could even be combined with other renewable energy technologies such as a wind turbine to create a source of cheap, clean renewable energy. It is wise to consult an expert for a solar power analysis to evaluate your building’s current and future energy needs, layout, location, construction and financing options before planning installation.

[1] www.howstuffworks.com

[2] www.wikipedia.org

[3] www.clean-energy-ideas.com

[4] www.home.clara.net

[5] www.getsolarpanels.co.uk

[6] www.solartechnologies.co.uk

[7] www.nef.org

[8] www.renewableenergyworld.com

There are essentially three main benefits of saving water:

1. You will save energy. It is likely that most of us do not think about the carbon emissions associated with water supply, disposal and heating; however, this actually accounts for 5% of the UK’s carbon emissions.
2. You will save money as you will not be using as much water or energy to treat or supply it.
3. You will help address climate change and make the world more sustainable. Wasting water means more energy consumption and therefore more carbon dioxide emissions.

Saving water resources and becoming more water efficient can be achieved through the implementation of water- saving technologies and simple changes in everyday activities.

[1] http://www.watersavingweek.org.uk/

There are little things you can do every day to save electricity in your house or business without the need for investing in new appliances. A lot of these electricity saving tips cost nothing to implement and may seem obvious but most people ignore them and waste money unnecessarily. These little things can make a big difference:

• Half the heat lost in a typical home is through the walls and loft so insulating your home is a cost efficient way of keeping heat in and energy bills down. Loft insulation alone can save you approximately £150 per year.
• Fitting a British Standard ‘Jacket’ around your boiler will cut heat loss by over 75% and save money on heating bills as your water will stay hotter for longer.
• Significant reductions on your energy usage can be made simply by turning off switches or turning them down. For example, turning down your heating by one degree can save you around £60 per year and turning appliances off at the plug (rather than on standby) could save you £30 a year. Items left on standby use up to 85% of the energy they would use if fully switched on [2].
• Keep the heat inside by stopping draughts through windows (thick curtains), doors and letterboxes by using stick on draught excluding tape.
• Make sure radiators are turned down in rooms that do not need heating.
• Have showers rather than baths as they use a third less water and therefore far less energy.
• When using your dishwasher or washing machine, make sure they are full so you use them less and lower your energy use. Furthermore, turn your washing machine down to 30 degrees C and you will find your detergent still works fine.
• Fixing a dripping tap will save you money on water and water heating costs.
• When cooking, always use the correct size pan and the correct size burner. Also, only boil the amount of water you need in a kettle to save the time the burner needs to heat the water. Putting a lid on it will also help it boil quicker and prevent unnecessarily wasting electricity. Cook as much as you can in the oven at the same time [3].
• Make sure your fridge is out of direct sunlight and not close to the oven so that the heat it generates can escape easily. Also check the seal on the fridge to make sure no cold air is escaping.
• Defrost your freezer often to prevent it icing over because when this happens the freezer has to work harder, wasting more energy.
• Do not put hot food into the fridge as this will also make the fridge work hard to try and keep it cold.
• Turn of the lights when a room is empty and maximise natural light
• Try turning your water temperature down by 5 degrees. The likelihood is you won’t even notice the difference.
• Hang your clothes out to dry rather than use a tumble dryer.
• Switch everything off when you go away for more than one day such as central heating, immersion heaters, cookers etc.
• If you are not using your fireplace, block up the chimney with newspaper or cardboard and stop heat escaping up the chimney flume [4].

[1] www.greenlivingtips.com

[2] www.electricity-guide.org.uk

[3] www.shadlock.co.uk

[4] www.whatprice.co.uk

Moreover, a Voltage Master could also reduce your carbon emissions and electricity costs by up to 20%. It is a device that attaches to your incoming electricity supply and reduces the voltage of electricity coming into the building to 220. This there fore reduces the amount of kWh consumed and carbon emitted. Reducing the voltage to 220 does not alter the functioning of electrical appliances as they only need 220 volts to operate at optimum efficiency [2].

Here are some more energy efficient products:

• Energy efficient light bulbs use 80% less electricity than standard bulbs (as they do not convert energy into heat), can last up to ten times longer and give you some significant energy savings. They are inexpensive to buy and come in all shapes and sizes.
• Solar powered lights for the garden convert the suns energy into electricity, are energy efficient and do not require extensions leads or electrical fittings.
• The eco kettle uses over 30% less energy than standard kettles as it has a reservoir holding a full capacity of water and a measuring button that allows the exact quantity of water you need to be released into a separate chamber for boiling.
• The energy saving adaptor works by shutting down the power right to the extensions when you turn off the device that is plugged in saving you a significant amount of electricity.
• Energy saving night lights are ideal for lighting bedrooms or halls and they can operate all day everyday for an entire year for under 50 pence!
• Water powered clocks are extremely environmentally friendly to run in comparison to battery run clocks as there is no waste and they keep going as batteries do.
• Similarly, wind up products such as torches, radios, phone chargers offer a brilliant alternative to batteries and electricity as they are reliable and do not produce waste. They are particularly useful when an electricity source is not available, such as when camping or hiking.
• Laundry Dryer Balls dry your laundry 25% faster than normal as they lift and separate the clothes and heat is retained within the balls and transferred directly onto the laundry.
• The radiator booster is a small fan that draws heat from a standard radiator and gently distributes it better into the room. This warms the room in half the normal time, reducing energy lost and allowing the boiler to shut down sooner and thus cutting down heating bills. This device could save an average household between £70 and £140 pr year.
• Eco Hair Dryers gives the same drying performance as 2000W hair dryers whilst using half the energy.
• Using a slow cooker can save energy and money as they use up to 66% less energy than a conventional oven.
• Using an energy efficient vacuum cleaner delivers the same performance as a 2000W motor but only uses 1000W. Thus it is economical and more environmentally friendly than conventional vacuum cleaners.
• Eco irons have a special shut-off feature that switches itself off if it has not been used for three minutes. Energy is saved because when you stop, it stops.
• Eco-lectric toasters use 34% less energy than regular toasters because they have a lid which keeps heat in around the toast and prevents it from escaping.
• Standby saving devices saves energy, reduces harmful carbon dioxide emissions and saves money as they completely switch of electrical appliances and devices rather than leaving them on standby.
• By using a fridge thermometer, you can control the temperature of your fridge or freezer and avoid wasting energy by making sure they are at optimum temperature.
• Computers account for around half the electricity used in a typical office. The ecobutton is an illuminating USB device that acts as a reminder to press its button whenever the computer is going to be left idle, for example, when at lunch, meetings, breaks and so on. When the button is pressed it ensures that the computer and monitor operate in the most efficient, lowest power mode available without the need to restart it when the user returns. This device could save you between £50 and £100 per year.
• Finally, a device for your car. Magno-Fuel provides better combustion and more power for your engine while reducing the pollution it produces. They are easily fitted around the fuel line and will give you fuel savings of up to 15%.

[1] www.reuk.co.uk

[2] www.active-energy.com

]]> http://www.energysavingwarehouse.co.uk/learning-portal/energy-saving-devices/feed/ 0 http://www.energysavingwarehouse.co.uk/learning-portal/investing-in-water-saving-technology/ http://www.energysavingwarehouse.co.uk/learning-portal/investing-in-water-saving-technology/#comments Mon, 14 Mar 2011 12:24:49 +0000 http://www.energysavingwarehouse.co.uk/learning-portal/?p=37 Continue reading →]]> There are a number of different water saving appliances and technologies available for both households and businesses. There are water efficient industrial cleaning equipment, rainwater harvesting equipment, water meters, leak detection equipment and efficient tap, toilets, showers and washing machines. When choosing the appropriate appliances be sure they carry a ‘WaterSense label’ so you know they are guaranteed to be water efficient, perform well, save you money on bills and encourage innovation in manufacturing [1]. Here are a few of the popular water efficient products that are available:

1. Water free urinals. These are cheaper to install than regular flush units, as you do not need flush valves and the associated piping, and can save you up to 40,000 gallons of water per unit each year. Money is also saved on sewer, maintenance and repair costs and the waterless urinals are odour free! [2].
2. Dual-flush toilets. When you are ready for a new toilet buy a dual-flush as they can save up to 68% more water than conventional low flush toilets. Lifting the handle up initiates reduced flush for liquid waste; and pushing the handle down initiates full flush eliminating solid waste. These dual flush toilets also have larger trapways that do not clog as often as a conventional toilet. Furthermore, the antimicrobial coating on the handle protects users against germs [3]. Alternatively, there are cistern displacement devices which are easy to install into toilets that also save money with every flush.
3. Water efficient shower heads. By installing a WaterSense shower head, the average household could save more than 2,300 gallons of water per year and also save money on energy bills (up to 300 kilowatt hours of electricity per year).
4. Flow Restrictors. Install flow-restrictors on all taps so that the stream of water is never too heavy. This can reduce a sink’s water flow by 50%. For example, with a dual flow tap, opening the tap a little gives a strong but water saving spray for hand washing or cleaning teeth and opening the tap further bypasses the spray mode to fill the basin quickly [4]. There are also solenoid (motion) sensors/infra red controls on taps which ensure they stop running when not in use.
5. Water Switch. Install a Water Switch so you can easily control the water supply in your home. In the event of an emergency (leaking water) the water supply can be easily shut down to limit any water damage. In addition, when you leave home you can switch off the water to protect your home from burst pipes. A water switch not only saves you the potentially enormous expense of repairing damage caused by leaks, it saves you trying to find the stopcock during an emergency which is often hidden in very inaccessible places. Stopcocks are also difficult to operate as they seize up. The water switch is connected to the water supply and is powered by water and therefore does not need electricity or batteries [5].
6. Drip irrigation system. For the garden, use a drip irrigation system rather than conventional sprinklers. These use between 20 and 50% less water and they are much more efficient as no water is lost to wind, evaporation or run-off.

Hire a specialist water consultant who will use state of the art equipment to help you save water and money in your home or business. They can detect and fix leaks and suggest a range of products that would save you money off your water bills.

[1] www.epa.gov/watersense

[2] www.positive-energy.com/water/water_saving.html

[3] www.sustainablesupply.com/

[4] www.tapmagic.co.uk/

[5] www.surestop.co.uk/

1. As in households, companies should check their toilets and taps for leaks. A good way to check for leaks is to monitor your water meter at night when there is no water being used. If there is a change in the reading the next morning, you probably have a leak.
2. Protect your pipes against frost to prevent them bursting.
3. Raise awareness of the importance of water saving amongst the staff. Educating the team may change their attitude and behaviour. For example, posters could be put up in bathrooms or kitchens reminding people not to leave the tap on unnecessarily and only to boil as much water as required. Moreover, perhaps targets could be set as to how much money the company saves on water costs and staff could be rewarded if targets are met.
4. Consider collecting rainwater outside the building if possible to be used to water the grounds or other similar activites

A key incentive for businesses to invest in water saving technologies is the Enhanced Capital Allowances scheme. This is a tax break that allows companies to claim 100% cent first-year capital allowances on investments in technologies and products that appear on the Water Technology List and thus meet certain water saving and water quality criteria [1].

[1] www.watersavingweek.org.uk

1. Check for leaks. A leaky faucet or toilet can account for gallons of water wasted in every house each year. To check for a leaky faucet read your water meter before a two hour period when water is not being used. If the reading has changed in that time, it means you have a leak. A leaky toilet can be detected by dropping a little food colouring into the tank. If the colour shows up in the bowl without flushing there is a leak. Furthermore, it is also important to protect your pipes against cold weather. Frosty weather could cause pipes to burst and a substantial amount of water wasted.
2. Try to take showers rather than baths. Baths use around 70 gallons of water whereas a five minute shower uses between 10 and 25 gallons. A shower timer could help you use even less water than this.
3. Turn off the tap when you are not using it, such as when brushing your teeth or shaving. This could save up to 8 gallons of water a day.
4. Using a high efficient washing machine uses less than 28 gallons of water per load compared to most household washing machines that use around 41 gallons of water per load. Moreover, to save even more water, energy and money, only wash full loads of laundry.
5. Rather than waiting for the tap to run cold in order to have a cold drink, chill a jug of water in the fridge.
6. Make changes in the garden too. Simple things like not over-watering the plants, weeding regularly so plants can access water and recycling water (such as from the butt of the washing machine) for the plants can massively save water [1].

[1] http://www.epa.gov/watersense/

An extensive study undertaken by the EU tells us that organic food is generally more nutritious, containing up to 40% more antioxidants, higher levels of vitamin c and trace elements such as iron, zinc and copper. Thus, it has been proven that organic food is not just a necessary step towards environmental sustainability (this is already understood), it is better for our health. Moreover, the logical progression from thinking about what you put in your body is thinking about what you put on your skin, particularly when most cosmetic products we use will enter our body anyway. The greatest benefit of organic skincare products is that they have more antioxidants in the ingredients (1). Furthermore, when using natural products you will notice some differences from regular ones. For example, moisturisers do not leave behind a silky residue. This is because they do not include petroleum derivatives (originating from fossil fuels) that make your skin feel smooth but actually block the pores and prevent the skin from performing its natural processes. Products will probably smell more natural such as of rose or lavender, rather than chemicals. The products may be packaged smaller too. This is because they are not padded out with non-active ingredients, but rather stuffed with good ones and is therefore more concentrated. The products are also smaller because they will not contain potentially harmful preservatives, such as parabens as they are meant to be used when they are at their best.

There are many cosmetic companies seeking to make their products as organic and green as possible. For example, Eco-Beauty Organics claims to be a holistic and ecologically minded retail and wholesale company specialising in natural cosmetics. They believe that our health and beauty is deeply connected with the health and beauty of our environment and they focus not just on selling products but on educating consumers on the advantages of using natural skin care products (2). Furthermore, any product with the Soil Association logo means the product has been tested against the same strict organic standards as organic food. It ensures that if an ingredient is available organically it will be used, and if not it must meet strict criteria to ensure that it is not damaging to our health or the environment. The company So Organic was the first retailer to be certified by the Soil Association for their organic products. They use biodegradable packaging materials and recycled boxes and have a carbon neutral parcel service. They sell many brands of organic products and so are impartial (3). The Green People aim to promote an organic lifestyle and to provide high quality, truly organic and natural health and home care formulations. They also support charities related to environmental and social health. 10% of their net profit each year is donated to charitable causes linked to environmental concerns. They are committed to producing products that are 100% natural, certified organic and highly effective (4).

Another company, Going Green Cosmetics, aims to provide natural, organic products that are a greener alternative to help the environment. Moreover, because there are no chemicals in natural cosmetics, there is no risk to woman wearing the make-up and thus no reason to test on animals (5). Finally, The Body Shop strives to provide natural products bursting with effectiveness while protecting the planet and the people who depend on it. Their community trade ethos means they offer suppliers a predictable and regular income for their family and the security and confidence to develop their own businesses. Ingredients are grown and harvested by expert local farmers from all over the world and accessories are made using time-honoured techniques, helping to preserve the traditional way of life. Suppliers must sign a code of conduct which supports their ethical trade programme, developed to improve the conditions for all workers in the supply chain and to uphold their human rights. The Body Shop is committed to using responsibly sourced ingredients wherever possible and they are constantly seeking new ways to lower the businesses’ carbon footprint. They have provided energy awareness training for all their staff, are seeking to adopt energy efficient lighting in all stores and are reducing their air miles. 65% of their stores are on renewable energy contracts and they are converting their car fleet to energy efficient models. Plastic bottled are made from 100% recyclable material and so are the paper bags. Finally, all products are non-toxic and biodegradable (6).

Here are examples of some eco-friendly beauty products that are available on the market:

• The menstrual cup/Mooncup is made from silicone rubber that can be re-used, reducing impact on landfill and your wallet. Woman using the Mooncup also avoid exposure to the chemicals found in other products and the risk of toxic shock syndrome. It costs around £17.
• Triple Blade Recycled Disposable Razor is made from recycled plastic, it looks and feels like any other razor and the heads are replaceable. This costs around £6.
• Washable Cleansing Pads. These are around £5 and can be used instead of cotton wool pads to remove make-up. They can be used again and again, wash after wash.
• Deodorants that use mineral salts rather than aluminium will inhibit bacterial growth on your skin rather than blocking pores and causing irritation. These are priced at around £5.
• Solar Powered Electric Shavers are great for travelling and saves electricity (7).
• Environmentally friendly soap is available from ESW’s store.

However, there is no guarantee that so called “all-natural” skin care products on store shelves are completely free from mineral oils, synthetic preservatives, and artificial fragrances and so on. The terms organic and natural are very trendy and increasing in popularity amongst consumers but we must be aware that there are also many green-washed products around that may appear to be eco-friendly but are in fact not. A product may contain herbal extract or natural oils but it is only when you take a closer look at the ingredients that you may also see it contains petroleum based derivatives and synthetic substances. There is no governing body to keep a check on cosmetic companies, so if just 1% of the product’s ingredients are certified organic, it can be labelled as organic. Thus, it is important to check the ingredients thoroughly to establish whether the product is natural or not.

Humans are part of nature and so it is important to remember that our health and beauty is deeply interconnected with the health and beauty of our environment. The products we choose to use will affect our health and quality of life. Aside from being organic, key factors to be aware of when purchasing a product are animal testing and cruelty, rare species as ingredients and over-packaging. Wherever possible try to make sure that the cosmetic or toiletry product contains natural, non-toxic ingredients; they have not been tested on animals; packaging is kept to an absolute minimum; and that the company has an ethical policy towards its workers and operations (8). On the other hand, who says we even have to buy all of our beauty products… why not make them ourselves? It is cheap, easy and you know exactly what is in them. Your kitchen cupboard provides countless natural solutions to your beauty needs. For example: cucumber is proven to reduce puffiness and irritation around eyes; banana and honey soothes dry and irritated skin; egg white and lemon juice reduces oily skin; tomato is great for boosting dull complexions; avocados with coconut oil hydrate skin; finely ground oats mixed with double cream provides an effective exfoliator; strawberries with natural yogurt gives skin a boost of vitamin c; diluted vinegar can cure bites and stings; olive oil can be used on areas prone to dry skin; and warm milk can strengthen nails and hydrate stressed skin (9).  It is simple to achieve the same high quality results with home care formulations.

(1)    www.howonearth.co.uk

(2)    www.eco-beauty.com

(3)    www.soorganic.com

(4)    www.greenpeople.co.uk

(5)    www.goinggreencosmetics.com

(6)    www.thebodyshop.co.uk

(7)    www.nigelsecostore.com

(8)    www.greenconsumerguide.com

(9)    www.thesite.org

• More and more health benefits are being found from eating sustainable meat. Grass-fed (rather than grain-fed) meat has six times more omega-3 in it. This helps our cardiovascular system and our brain functions. Also, since sustainable farms are local, there is less time between production and consumption which means fewer nutrients will be lost.
• It tastes better. The food is fresher and so is tastier meaning there is less need to marinade or deep fry it.
• The animals are healthier as they are allowed to roam free in fields rather than being cooped up in factories with no natural sunlight, no fresh air and no room to move.
• Animal excrement is not allowed to contaminate the surrounding air, land or water.
• Employees on sustainable farms are paid a fair wage, are treated with respect and not exposed to gases from manure.
• Money made on sustainable farms is filtered back into the local community.
• Raising livestock on factory farms takes a large amount of oil- from growing and harvesting the crops to feed the animals, the fuel for ventilation systems and the electricity in the barns, to transportation costs to move the animals long distances. This increases are dependence on oil from other countries and oil is not a renewable energy source.
• It is important to support our local farmers and farming communities to enhance rural life.
• Sustainable farmers use renewable resources and so do not damage the environment. They use less fossil fuel and do not use synthetic pesticides or artificial hormones or antibiotics (these have negative effects on human health) (1).

Selecting food that is sustainably sourced is called ethical consumerism. It is about encouraging environmentally conscious consumers and companies wishing to be accountable for their actions on mankind and the planet. Food companies have a responsibility to conduct business in a manner that supports the well-being of people and the planet and consumers should expect these companies to think beyond today’s needs and take into account future generations. Food companies must address lower emissions, energy efficiency, water conservation, fuel efficiency, package recycling, waste management and efficient transportation of goods. Sustainable food production uses local, seasonally available ingredients as standard to minimise energy used in food production, transport and storage. It should also be organic and fair trade certified, come from sustainable sources and should exclude species that are high at risk of extinction (2).

For example, the Ethical Food Company produces fresh food that comes with various ethical labels telling you exactly what you are buying, such as fair trade, GM free, energy saving practices, seasonal, animal welfare and so on. They also use 100% biodegradable corn starch bags for packaging, pay a fair price for supplies that have a no air mile policy, use renewable energy to fuel their company and now have a Carbon Neutral Delivery Service (3).

The Local Food Company also offers green ethical and quality food shopping. The food is organic, preservative/additive free, the chicken and pork is free range and everything is produced locally in Devonshire. Over 50% of their products are sourced within 30 miles and 98% from within the region. They claim that you won’t buy shopping with fewer food miles anywhere else in the UK even when it is delivered to you. The products are not expensive, all packaging is reduced, reused and recycled, the quality of food is exceptional and this company is supporting the regional and British rural economy. They won the ‘Green Business of the Year’ award in 2007 and they specialise in the sorts of quality, honest, ethical products which are not widely available in supermarkets. The Local Food Company was one of the first online food retailers in the UK and they deliver nationwide (4).

There are many more food companies trying to incorporate sustainable practices into their business. For example, Kellogg has implemented a global energy management program to promote conservation, manage energy use and investigate energy saving opportunities including alternative fuels. They have succeeded in reducing energy use from lighting by 25%, reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 1,300 tons, recycled 1,000 tons of waste per year, reduced water use by 7 million gallons and eliminated more than 25 million lbs of paper packaging.

In addition, General Mills is the highest ranked food company for social responsibility. It has implemented environmental management systems to identify, track and report on key environmental parameters: wastewater, air emissions, transportation, packaging and greenhouse gases. Kraft Foods focuses on six areas that impact the environment: agricultural commodities, packaging, energy, water, waste and transportation and distribution. The company has succeeded in reducing water consumption by 34%, carbon dioxide emissions by 30%, energy consumption by 25% and solid waste generated by 16%. Nestle also reduced its greenhouse gas emissions, water consumption and waste production through a combination of packaging source reduction, re-use, recycling, and energy recovery (5).

However, it is not just food companies that are seeking to make a difference: The Soil Association is a charity campaigning for planet-friendly food and farming. It aims to promote the benefits of organic food and farming, food security, educate the public on the misuse of antibiotics in livestock production and pesticides on the environment and encourage the UK to transform food culture. Their main concern is that individuals and communities are becoming more and more detached from how food is produced, losing the skills and knowledge needed to take active control over what we eat (6). Likewise, the Sustainable Table was created to educate consumers on food-related issues and help build community through food. It aims to promote small-scale sustainable farming that does not harm the environment, is humane to animals, provides fair wages to farmers, and supports farming communities.

Finally, Provenance provides supply chain management, marketing, research and consultancy services to food businesses across the supply chain, with an emphasis on supporting, promoting and developing more sustainable and local supply chains. They develop sustainability improvement plans and oversee their implementation. They help find sources of local UK produce and work with farmers and food businesses to raise standards along the supply chain (7).

Finding stores and restaurants that serve sustainable meat and dairy is the first step to incorporating this food into your diet. The more we spend on sustainable food; the more sustainable food will be produced. The choice is ours.

(1)   www.sustainabletable.com

(2)   www.sustainweb.org

(3)   www.hippyshopper.com

(4)   www.thelocalfoodcompany.co.uk

(5)   www.foodprocessing.com

(6)   www.soilassociation.org

(7)   www.provenancesupply.co.uk

For example, The Energenie is an automatic standby shutdown product that allows you to switch appliances- such as TVs, DVD players, radios, computers and so on- off, and not just to standby where energy is wasted. All you need to do to set it up is to plug the appliance into the Energenie which must then be plugged into the mains. When you switch the appliance to standby, the Energenie will shut it down completely after two minutes. It can be switched back on again by pressing the green button on the Energenie. This product is around £13, comes in recyclable packaging and is ideal for those that cannot get out of the habit of leaving appliances on standby (1).

Energenie has also created some other useful devices. The 30 Minute Rundown Timer Plug is designed to switch off appliances such as irons and hair straighteners (domestic appliances rated up to 13amps) after 30 minutes. It costs around £8 and is essentially a safety feature should these appliances be left on. Furthermore, the Radio Controlled Socket is available for people who have restricted mobility or for those hard to reach plugs. It controls up to 12 different sockets for any appliances and does not require direct line of sight to operate. In other words, it works even when sockets are hidden behind furniture. It has an on/off indicator light so you know which appliances are still wasting energy on standby (2).

Another great product is the Intellipanel for Desktop Computers. Once you shut down your computer, Intellipanel will automatically power off the peripherals such as printers, scanners, speakers and so on. This saves a great amount of energy and money as it is common for people to switch off their computer but leave these peripherals on standby, wasting a great deal of energy. Furthermore, when you switch the computer back on, the peripherals will switch back on too, saving the hassle of turning them on individually. It is also simple to set up as you just plug in the computer and all the other devices to the Intellipanel which then plugs into the wall.

The PC TrickleSaver is another device designed to stop the drain of standby power when computers and their peripherals are not being used. Similar to the Intellipanel, the TrickleSaver is plugged into the wall; the computer is plugged into the main socket and the peripherals to the remaining sockets on the TrickleSaver. However, there is also TrickleSwitch available which is designed to allow you to have the peripherals of your computer turned off if you don’t want to use them even when your computer is on. It plugs into the USB connection of your PC/Mac and is a button you can press when you want the peripherals on or off while your computer remains on (3).

Furthermore, the Ecobutton is an energy saving device for your computer that puts it into the most economical sleep mode available when it is not in use. To use you simply press the Ecobutton before leaving your computer unattended. It can them be switched back on (without anything being lost from your screen) by pressing any key on the keyboard. The calculated energy savings made by using the Ecobutton are also then displayed on the computer screen. However, this device is not compatible with Mac. It is fairly straight forward to set up as it just plugs into the USB port but first you need to install a free piece of software which you can download from eco-button.com. The button has an illuminating green light to remind you to press it before leaving your computer and is ideal for those toilet/coffee breaks or meetings where you do not want your computer to run at high power. The Ecobutton is available for around £12 (4).

The Savasocket is a multi-plug that has the ability to switch off televisions and other appliances all at once to avoid energy being wasted when things are on standby mode. However, an additional feature is that this multi-plug includes two sockets that are left permanently on. This is ideal as there are four sockets for appliances that can be switched off completely and two for products (such as digital set-top boxes) which need to be left on standby to maintain settings. Moreover, it incorporates an infra-red sensor which works with any infra-red remote control, which means there is no need for another remote control to switch everything off. When you turn your TV to standby, the Savasocket will automatically switch it off completely. This product costs around £19 and is great as it means you do not have to scramble around on the floor trying to reach sockets to turn them off.

Next, the Standby Buster is a remote controlled device designed to ensure that appliances are switched off completely when not in use. The Standby Buster is plugged into the wall, the remote is connected (involves pressing a couple of buttons) and the appliance, or multi-plug is plugged into the Standby Buster. One remote control can operate four zones which mean four appliances or group of appliances. To turn appliances off you simply press OFF in that zone and they will be switched off completely. To turn them back on you simply press ON. This product comes in recyclable packaging and is priced at under £15 for a socket and remote control with additional sockets available for about £9 (5).

Lastly, the Bye Bye Standby Energy Saving Kit is around £19 and is now the UK’s best selling energy saving solution designed to reduce the daily energy consumption of electrical devices. They plug into a mains wall socket with the electrical appliances plugged directly into the device and work by using either the remote control (comes with it) or by pushing a wall switch. The remote control works through walls and ceilings and will cut power to the devices plugged into it with the push of a button. It is user-friendly and simple to install (6).

By using such simple devices as the ones described above, you could cut your electricity bills, reduce your carbon footprint, extend the life of your appliances and reduce the risk of fires in your home or office. These products help eliminate unnecessary standby power and take the hassle out of turning very appliance off at the mains.

(1) www.nomorestandby.com

(2) www.energenie4u.co.uk

(3) www.lifegoggles.com

(4) www.which.co.uk

(5) www.standbybuster.com

(6) www.byebyestandby.co.uk