Health and Wellbeing Officer, Scott Baldwin, considers the efforts we should all be making to nurture our environment and protect Mother Earth.

We are living on an amazing planet, with so much biodiversity of animals and plants. However, with constant pollution, the Earth is being slowly destroyed.

So, I would like to share with you my five top tips on how you can become more eco-friendly and help save the Planet for future generations to enjoy.

Tip number one – Recycle.

I’ll start with a simple one, but it’s one that you can start doing right now. It can be as easy as separating your used papers, plastics and other recyclable items such as biodegradable disposable cups.

Most product packaging will give you guidance on whether the packaging can be recycled or not. So, once you have finished with the product, take a look at the back of the packaging to see if it can be recycled. If it can, great. Simply pop it into your recycling bin. An even better idea is to reuse the item. Packages such as plastic salad bowls make great mini planters.

Tip number two – Don’t waste water.

You can ensure that you don’t waste water by making sure that taps are fully turned off when you have finished using them. This will stop any spillages and help conserve water.

Another great way of conserving water is by taking a shower instead of a bath. A five-minute shower can use up to 100-litres of water, whereas a full bath can use up to 250 litres.

Tip number three – Make sure that you turn off all lights and electronic devices when you have finished using them.

It’s a simple tip, however, turning off the lights when you leave a room can help reduce carbon emissions and other harmful greenhouse gases that damage the environment. It’s also a great way of conserving energy and saving money.

Tip number four – Join a local litter picking group.

Litter picking has become quite popular recently, so there will most certainly be a group in your area.

Litter picking is a great way of meeting new people, whilst gaining exercise in the outdoors, and most importantly, it’s great for helping the environment.

Tip number five – Ditch your car for your bicycle.

Ok, if you’re going on a long-distance journey, you may still need to use your car. However, if you’re only going on a short trip, maybe to the local shop or to visit a friend, why not leave your car at home and get on your bike? It’s perfect for exercise, it’ll save you money on petrol and it’s great for the environment too.

Those are my five top tips on how you can become more eco-friendly. Five simple tips on how you can help save this giant rock that we call home.