Being more eco friendly can be as simple as knowing your ABC…

A - AERATING SHOWER HEAD
What an aerating shower head does is inserts bubbles of air into the hot water, which reduces flow by up to 30%. So, that’s less waste, but without a reduction in force.

B - BLOCK DRAUGHTS
A typical home loses 20% of its heat through draughty windows and doors. Fit draught-proofing products from DIY stores that comply to the standard BS7386.

C - CARBON CALCULATOR 
Work out your carbon footprint by utilising a carbon calculator online. It will show the impact you have on the planet and may make you change your very worst habits.

D - DECORATING
While normal paints can be hazardous to health and environment, eco paints are usually water-based and use natural ingredients including pigments, binding agents and solvents.

E - ENERGY SUPPLIERS
Switch to a green energy supplier for electricity, but make sure the energy is derived from a carbon-neutral source, such as wind, solar and hydro. It will cost 10% extra a year.

F - FOOD  WASTE
It costs each household between £250 and £400 a year, but planning meals ahead of time and composting any food waste can help to reduce your quota and save money.

G - GLASS WORKTOPS
You can transform an old, tired-looking kitchen with a stunning, hardwearing recycled glass worktop that is simply bonded directly onto your existing surface.

H - HEATING & WATER
Reduce energy bills by turning your room thermostats down by 1˚C. If your hot water tank is bare, or gets hot despite insulating, fit an 80mm jacket to stop heat loss.

I - INSULATION
Make sure your loft is insulated to 230mm thickness and save £150 on heating bills every year. Thirty-five per cent of heat is also lost via walls so fill your cavity walls, too.

J - JUNK MAIL
Reduce the amount of  post junk you receive by registering with The Mailing Preference Service (MPS). This free service will remove your name from many direct mailing lists.

K - KITCHEN COMPOST CADDY
Put your peelings and food waste into an odour-free kitchen caddy and then add it to your garden compost – and then see how your garden grows!

L - LIGHT BULBS
Use energy efficient light bulbs in your home, as they use much less energy than normal bulbs and last up to 10 times longer, not only saving you money but meaning less waste in landfill, too. 

M - MAKE DO
We’ve all become part of a throwaway society so change your ways and repair and mend broken goods or holey clothes. You will save a fortune and cut down on needless waste, too.

N - NATURAL CLEANERS
Keep toxins out of our rivers and waterways by using phosphate-free, plant- and mineral-based cleaning products that should work just as well as more toxic products.

O - ONLINE
Email has cut the amount of paper waste considerably, so keep your work and personal contact online and make sure you only print out essentials, recycling old paperwork.

P - PLEDGE IT
Make a commitment to turn off lighting, heating and air con in rooms you’re not using, so only the rooms you are actually in are heated and lit. This reduces waste and saves money.

Q - QUIT SMOKING
Not only is it bad for you, but 600 million trees are chopped down every year to create fuel to dry out tobacco. Over 4.5 trillion non- biodegradable butts are also disposed of every year.

R - RECYCLING
Most household waste can be recycled now – it is just a case of finding out where, whether it’s kerbside, local banks, dumps or composting, there will be a way.

S - SOLAR PANELS
Photovoltaic panels are used to generate electricity  and some solar panels heat water. Installation is expensive but it should save you money in the long run.

T - TOILET FLUSH
Dual-flush toilets are the way to go to save water, using either 4.5 litres or two litres. Or an Interflush device will stop the loo flushing when you let the handle go.

U - USE CONCENTRATE
Look for eco-friendly cleaning products that come in concentrate form as it will last longer, produce less waste from packaging and do less overall damage to the environment.

V - VEHICLE EMISSIONS
Reduce your carbon emissions by opting for a green car, whether that is electric, petrol-hybrid (using an electric motor) or one that runs on biodiesel. Say goodbye to petrol.

W - WHITE GOODS
Energy efficient washing machines use 40 litres per wash, in comparison to 100 in old models. Look for A or A+ rated fridges as it indicates the most energy efficient.

X - XEROPHYTE
This is a type of plant, like the cacti, that can exist with little or no water in desert-like conditions. May become more prolific if our planet warms up to such a degree water supply is diminished.

Y - YARDS
Think salvage yard if you’re refurbing, as you can pick up unique, recycled materials.

Z - ZONE
Get in the green zone!

Pictures: getty images & shutterstock