via Kitchen and Bathroom in 2022 As world leaders wake up to the crisis of global warming and plan emergency measures before it is too late, each of us can make a difference right now, beginning in our own homes. Start in the KITCHEN 25% of the world’s food is thrown away. One supermarket discovered British households waste seven million tonnes of food waste every year, partly because most of our fridges aren’t cold enough. Keeping the fridge temperature at a maximum of 4 degrees will help food last longer and save waste. Vast quantities of greenhouse gases are released by animals reared to supply us with red meat and dairy products. Cutting down on quantities and conserving leftovers would help. Conserving electricity by washing clothes at 30 degrees and replacing power-hungry tumble driers with a clothes line or oldfashioned clothes-horse would have the added advantage of reducing soaring power bills. According to the Good Housekeeping Institute, “many mainstream detergents are brimming with synthetic chemicals like phosphates, chlorine and bleach that pollute our waterways, damaging delicate ecosystems, and may irritate sensitive skin.” Plant-based and eco-friendly alternatives are now readily available and work well in the washing machine and dishwasher. Don’t forget the BATHROOM Annual increases in UK water consumption would be curbed, if we were to shower rather than bath. Exchanging the shower head for a water-saving type, which regulates or aerates the flow, would save both water and cash. Spending less time in the shower needn’t be a hardship. Daily shampooing may actually be counter-productive – it’s best to let 24
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