How cheap is Eco-living?

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The public sphere nowadays is saturated with buzz terms like `Eco-living‘, ´Sustainability´ to `Ecological Economics‘. Whether we are being informed on the recycle material content on our espresso cup, how energy efficient are hybrid car is or which hair dye is more environmentally friendly, we subconsciously make decisions to be green each day.

The Real Challenge

The real challenge is juggling being green and cost effective with making more sustainable choices, with the common misconception that being greener is more expensive, can it be achieved?

A simple way to switch to being greener is to look to the Internet. It is fundamental to our everyday lives, many would be lost without it but have we ever considered how it also helps to save the environment? Below is a list of simple ways of how using the Internet can reduce your carbon footprint on the planet whilst being cost effective.

Email instead of letters – sending emails can help reduce the amount of paper being sent pointlessly around the globe, think of all those times you have received junk mail through your door, its greener for companies to send pamphlets to your mail account.

Another tree and energy saver is purchasing E-books, getting newspaper subscriptions over the internet saves trees also plus reduces energy used to print, deliver them.

Shopping online – Instead of using fuel, do what shopping you can online. Supermarkets now can offer home delivery straight to your door so you can browse within the comfort of your home. You can also compare prices on sites such as which.co.uk and using vouchers sites for green deals of the day.

Sending E-cards - Save trees by sending E-cards for presents. You can personalize birthday cards using websites such as http://www.funkypigeon.com/

Just think of all the various materials used to make games. The newer video games are made of plastic, metal and any number of things unfriendly to the environment. Playing games online can reduce energy used to create and deliver the games.

One last thing to remember its all well and good using electronic devices but remember to switch off/sleep your computer, laptop or mobile device when you’re not using it! This is a probably one of the simplest ways to be greener!

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