Stop Junk Mail

 

We all receive lots of junk mail these days and it is very easy to reduce this waste with minimum effort and at no cost by following these simple rules.

• Have your name (or previous addresses, previous occupants or someone who has died) removed from mailing lists by registering with the Mailing Preference Society, Freepost 22, London W1E 7EZ. Tel 0207 766 4410. Fax 0207 976 1886. The easiest way is to register online at www.mpsonline.org.uk

• Return junk mail unopened (write please remove from mailing list on the envelope and post back. (You do not need to use a stamp) or use the freepost envelopes inside the mailings with the request to remove you from the mailing list. Enclose original documents to enable the organisation to trace your details.

• Don't forget to return items as gone away or deceased when you receive mail for previous occupants or if the recipient has died or you will continue to receive mail.

• When you apply for, or buy any service such as a bank account, if you do not want to receive mailings from the organisation, make sure you tick the mailing opt out box normally located on the bottom of the form. Or if you have ordered items on the internet make sure you opt out of paper mailings.

• Reduce leaflets delivered by the Royal Mail by opting out. Use the Junk Buster. However, if you opt out you will not receive government or local authority items distributed by the Royal Mail either. In this area you will not receive Essex Matters - the magazine of Essex County Council.

• To stop mailings from any company with whom you have - or have had - a customer relationship such as your bank, credit card company, insurance company, phone supplier, for example, you will need to request them not to send you anymore marketing mailings. Do this either by returning their mailings marked "No more marketing mailings please" or by emailing them.

• Try putting a 'no unrequested mail' sign on your letterbox.

• Check out the website www.itsmypost.com

For a comprehensive guide on how to stop even more Junk Mail and directories such as Yellow Pages the BT Directory or Thomson Local check out www.stopjunkmail.com

You can also opt out of unsolicited fax messages at http://www.fpsonline.org.uk and telephone calls at http://www.tpsonline.org.uk

4 Tips to Saving Water in the Kitchen

 

1. Washing Machines & Dishwashers. Try to wash only a full load - or if not switch to economy or half load to save water & energy (However, 2 half loads will use more water and energy than 1 full load.)

2. Use low phosphate detergents. Phosphates can cause algae blooms which remove oxygen from the water, potentially killing fish and other organisms. Look for alternatives containing zeolytes and citrate.

3. A running tap can use an awful lot of water - try using a bowl when washing dishes or vegetables. Using a bowl can save up to 10 litres every time you use it. The leftover water can be used to water houseplants or the garden.

4. For a cold drink, fill up a jug and put it into the fridge to use later instead of running the tap until cold.

11 Tips to Save Water in the Garden

 

1. Water your garden in the cool of the early morning or evening. This will reduce the amount of water lost to evaporation.

2. Use a water butt to collect rain water which can be used to water the garden (with a watering can) and wash the car. (Using a hosepipe uses up to 15 litres per minute.)

3. If you prefer to use a hosepipe, fit a trigger nozzle to control the flow.

4. Water plants thoroughly and infrequently - little and often encourages roots to stay near the surface.

5. Plant ground cover plants which prevent evaporation from the soil.

6. If you water plants and shrubs too often their roots will remain shallow, weakening the plant. Leave them alone until they show signs of wilting.

7. Regularly weed and hoe your garden, to ensure that watering helps plants and not weeds.

8. Plant flowers and shrubs that thrive in hot and dry conditions such as thyme, evening primrose, rock rose, Californian poppy, pinks, lavender, buddleia and hebes.

9. Mulches such as wood chips, bark and gravel help to prevent water evaporation and also suppress weed growth, saving you both water and time spent weeding.

10. Lawns can survive long periods of dry weather if the grass is not cut too short. Even if the grass turns brown, it will quickly recover after a few days of rain.

11. Garden sprinklers can use as much water in an hour as a family of four uses in a day. If you use a sprinkler, many water companies require you to have a water meter fitted.

7 Tips to Save Water in the Bathroom

 

1. Take showers rather than baths which use up to 3 times more water. But remember, power showers can use twice as much water as a bath. Replacing just 1 bath a week with a shower can save up to 25 litres of water

2. Turn off tap when brushing your teeth to save water. (This could save up to 10 litres per day.)

3. Avoid throwing such things as sanitary wear, condoms, cotton buds, cigarette ends or plastic wrappings and labels down the toilet. Sanitary wear can take 4 months to biodegrade and plastic wrappings do not biodegrade at all. PUT ALL THESE ITEMS IN THE DUSTBIN.

4. Don't pour chlorine bleach down the toilet.

5. Fit your toilet cistern with a recognised water saving device to reduce the amount of water used (this saves up to 4.5 litres per flush). Most water companies provide them free. Or just use a plastic 500ml plastic milk container filled with water.

6. If you are refitting your bathroom choose an eco flush loo, (for example from natural collection) which uses 2.5 to 4.5 lites per flush compared with 6 litres in new loos and 10 litres for old ones.

7. Replace worn out washers in taps to prevent dripping - one drip per second is 14 litres per day. When replacing taps, fit water saving taps (www.tapmagic.co.uk - 01473 252043) to reduce water usage by up to 70%.