ECO TIP OF THE MONTH – Support pollinators. Nothing says Spring like the buzz of a bee!
But these precious pollinators are declining due to habitat loss, climate change and agricultural intensification. Wednesday 20 May is World Bee Day, so look around to see how you can improve habitats for bees and other pollinators.
Read more about bees, butterflies and habitats that support them in our Target 25 resources at www.arocha.org.uk/what-we-do/target-25. Sow a pollinator friendly seed mix, make or buy a bee hotel, let some wild flowers grow in your garden, and don’t use pesticides.
Pray that our pollinator populations will increase.
For more about World Bee Day visit: www.awarenessdays.com/awareness-days-calendar/world-bee-day/
Celebrate new life this Easter and have a go at growing something! April is the perfect time to try to grow something edible or, if you are a seasoned gardener, to encourage someone else to try. Salad leaves or herbs are a great place to start and will reduce your reliance on those oh-so-convenient supermarket salad bags.
For indoor space, try ‘micro-greens’ (vegetable leaves harvested soon after they open) As you sow, thank God for the opportunity to grow food, and pray for those communities that are facing food shortages and famine. There are free seeds at the back of the church!
Take part in a local litter pick during The Great British Spring Clean (Fri 13 – Sun 29 March), the nation’s biggest mass-action environmental campaign. Litter picking benefits the environment by removing rubbish that can be hazardous for wildlife and helps bring people together. See if there’s a litter pick in your local area or consider organising your own – after church on Sunday or with a youth group for example.
Pray for your local area as you do the litter pick and ask God for opportunities to share why you are doing it. Find out more and pledge to pick up a bag at www.keepbritaintidy.org/our- work/eliminating-litter/great-british-spring-clean
Plant pots can’t be recycled locally. Wash and reuse/give them to others who can use them – Coolings and RHS Wisley accept pots for re-use.
Clean out and re-use ziplock and vegetable bags.
Wash up in a bowl in the sink to prevent water flushing away while the tap is running.
Turn off the tap while brushing teeth.
Turn your heating right down and come out to Bridges for a cuppa, a read, a chat or enjoy a club!
Use bar soap and shampoo. It lasts longer than plastic bottles and you don’t produce more plastic.
Cook double quantities of casseroles and freeze the rest for another day.
Only boil as much water as you need for a hot drink.
Use vinegar to tackle limescale.
Buy second-hand – purchasing second-hand clothes, furniture or electronics reduces demand for new items, online marketplaces and charity shops are a great place to find some quality used items.
Switch to biodegradable products, e.g. use biodegradable rubbish bags and cleaning sponges.
Seal your windows and doors to avoid drafts and reduce your heating costs.
Avoid unnecessary mail – go paperless and ask for digital statements, bills and newsletters.
Use eco-friendly sun cream not containing Oxybenzone which has been found to contribute to coral bleaching killing corals.
Look for cruelty-free, non-toxic and sustainably sourced ingredients in skincare and beauty products.
Use plastic free cotton buds.
Water the garden in the morning or evening and use a layer of mulch to retain moisture.
Install water butts and harvest rain water in order to water your garden and plants in the summer.
Be bee friendly in your garden – provide a source of water and bee friendly plants
Keep clothes for longer – by spending a bit more on clothes that will last, your clothing use increases and your purchases decrease. As Coco Chanel once said: “Fashion goes out of fashion, style never does!”
WEEE recycling (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) – you can drop off used batteries at some supermarkets to be recycled. Edenbridge Lidl has a collection box by the exit.
Take shorter showers and use soap and shampoo/conditioner bars.
Use food that is in season to keep emissions down. Avoid produce that is flown in from far away.
Make some extra food for a later date when cooking to make the most of your time, save money and reduce food waste.
Keep a bag for life in a convenient place, so you’re never without one when you’re out shopping.
Purchase a reusable coffee cup and take it with you next time you get a coffee. Some coffee shops will even give you a discount for bringing your own cup.
Try and avoid rush hour when driving to save carbon, time and stress
Avoid bottled water – take your own water with you in a reusable bottle, ideally metal
Avoid plastic straws – just ask not to have a straw with your drink
Avoid plastic food wrapping – try and select produce with the least packaging or go to the local market.
Clean out and re-use ziplock and vegetable bags.
Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth.
Wash up in a bowl in the sink to prevent water flushing away while the tap is running.
Turn your heating right down and come out to Bridges for a cuppa, a read, a chat or enjoy a club! https://www.bridgescentre.org/
Rather than throw away an item, could it be repaired? Come to the Repair Café; we gather on the 4th Sat of every month at the Eden Church site. We repair electrical items; sharpen knives etc; diagnose computer problems; repair clothes (and fluffy toys) and repair wooden items.
When you are boiling something in a saucepan always put a lid on; it saves money; keeps the heat in; stops steam from going into your room and it means you can turn down the heat under the pan.
When you leave a room, please turn off the lights.
Only run your dishwasher when it is full; pack it carefully using all spaces up before setting it off. It saves you money too!
Please do not idle your engine while you are stationary; it uses fuel; it is adding carbon to the atmosphere and the fumes it gives off may well be inhaled by a child and that can result in respiratory difficulties.
Are you sure that you have put as much as you can in the recycling bag? Separate your waste as much as you can.
Do you need to flush your toilet with every wee you take? If it is yellow, let it mellow; when it is brown flush it down!
Check where your food comes from: look at the label and try to buy local; it supports our farmers and saves air miles.
Check your tyre pressures. If they are low you will use more fuel.
Check what you have before going shopping and make a list so you don’t duplicate and only buy what you need.