People are starting to come around to the idea that we need to become more sustainable to protect the Earth for future generations.

Everything you do in your day-to-day life has an impact on the planet, from the food you eat to the way you get around.

This doesn’t mean you should only eat vegetables and start riding a bike but if we all make small changes like these we can all help lessen our environmental impact.

Here are a few things we can all do.  As well as saving the environment, many of these things will also save you money.

Save energy –  including switching off standby appliances, turning your heating down and hanging clothes to dry instead of using a drier.

Eat less meat – producing meat contributes to pollution and loss of habitats for wildlife. By eating less of it, you can help to reduce the impact the meat industry has on the Earth.

Use reusable alternatives – single-use products, particularly plastic ones, tend to end up in landfill and the ocean, causing harm to wildlife and the environment. Prevent this by choosing to use reusable and eco-friendly alternatives instead.

Go paperless – to avoid wasting paper, choose to receive letters over email and only print off documents if necessary.

Recycle and reuse – make sure you’re recycling by putting your rubbish in the correct bins. Also, try to reuse products and items as many times as possible before binning them to reduce waste.

Grow your own produce – not practical for everyone but, if you can do it, by growing your own fruit and vegetables, you can ensure you’re not using pesticides that will contribute to water and air pollution.

Donate unused items – if you don’t use a product or wear a piece of clothing anymore, give it to a charity shop or someone you know would make use of it to help reduce waste.

Buy fair trade products – when a product has been Fairtrade certified it means it has been produced by a company committed to sustainable production. Keep an eye out for the Fairtrade mark on the packaging of products you buy.

Drive less – walk or ride a bike to your destination instead of driving if it’s close enough – it’s better for the environment and your health. Using public transport is another good way to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Don’t waste food – if you have leftovers, don’t throw them away. Save them for your lunch or tea the next day, or even freeze them. However, if they do go off, use them to create compost for you garden.  Don’t be fooled by two for one offers if it means you’re buying more than you can use.