Offset the Rest - Living Carbon Neutral

Life is busy, and while we acknowledge we should reduce our carbon footprint, it is sometimes hard to find time to address the issue.  So Offset the Rest has compiled a list of simple reduction initiatives to help get you started. 

It's not complicated and we know you can make these small yet positive changes, and encourage others to do the same.

Once you have reduced your carbon emissions, you can continue to contribute by choosing to offset the rest of your unavoidable emissions.  By offsetting you will be helping to reduce the world's reliance on fossil fuels by supporting the change to renewable energy sources and a sustainable future.

Simple Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

• Turn off lights and heaters in rooms that you are not using, and when you leave the property.
• Say no to plastic bags at the supermarket or shops.  Use canvas or paper bags instead.
• Make sure you recycle all papers, plastic containers, food boxes, cans, and glassware.
• If you currently take baths, switch to showers and keep those showers as short as possible.  Purchase a water efficient shower head and check the temperature of the water is not set too high (over 55 degrees Celsius).
• Stop draughts coming into your house, especially around windows and doors.  Draw curtains at the end of the day to retain heat.
• Switch appliances off at the wall when not in use.  A stand-by function is still using energy.  When you purchase new appliances, try to make sure they are energy efficient.
• Make sure you wash your clothes in cold water and dry your clothes on the clothesline as much as possible.
• Change your light bulbs to energy saving bulbs.
• Leave the car at home and walk, bike, or take the bus.  Set up a car pool with work colleagues, or other school parents.
• Keep a list at home of the errands you need to undertake, and try and do several at a time, rather than having to take multiple trips.
• Make sure your house (walls, ceiling, and floors) and your hot water cylinder is insulated.
  Invest in double glazing for your windows and doors.
• Compost your food scraps and garden waste.  Create a worm farm in your back yard.
• If you travel often for work, try to replace some of the trips with meetings via video conference.
• If you are thinking of renovating your house, make the renovations energy efficient.  Install solar panels.
• If you do need to drive often, use a fuel efficient car.
• When you have the choice, purchase from companies that have chosen to reduce and offset their carbon emissions.  Promote the change.
• Buy local in-season produce as much as possible.  Support your own community.  Buy recycled products.
• Share your carbon footprint with someone else.  If you live alone, consider taking in a boarder to halve your domestic footprint.