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Going green is something that all UK residents should be contemplating. While it may seem daunting, it's a necessary step that we all need to take to ensure the safety of our planet for future generations.
While governments across the world are bringing in various eco-friendly policies, a lot of the responsibility falls in the hands of regular citizens. From recycling to adopting renewable energy, we'll run you through the best and easiest methods of living an eco-friendly lifestyle.
1. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
The phrase 'Reduce, Reuse, Recycle' dates back to the 1970s, but it's perhaps more pertinent now than it has ever been. Non-recycled waste is usually carried off to landfill sites, which are as much of an eyesore as they are an environmental nightmare.
Once non-recyclable waste products begin their slow decomposition process, they emit harmful greenhouse gases and toxins into the atmosphere.
It's not only landfill sites that bear the burden of non-recycled waste. According to the Natural History Museum, between 4.8 and 12.7 million tonnes of plastic enter the ocean each year. This has a catastrophic impact on ocean wildlife, with animals consuming or getting tangled up in plastic.
By recycling your waste, you can play a part in the reduction of waste dumping, protecting the planet and its wildlife. Before recycling your waste, especially food packaging, make sure it is as clean as possible, to avoid it being rejected by recycling centres. When possible, try to avoid using single-use plastics, such as water bottles and straws.
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2. Reduce Meat and Dairy Consumption
This might be a tough one to swallow for the carnivores among us. However, the meat and dairy industry contributes to 14.5% of planet-warming gases. Methane and nitrous oxide from livestock digestion and fertilisers are particularly harmful for the planet. These fertilisers also contribute to water pollution, as they runoff into streams and rivers.
The industry is also contributing to large-scale deforestation, as companies create grazing land and room to grow feed crops. This is destroying the habitats of millions of animal species, all with the aim of generating profits for meat and dairy companies.
While you don't have to go, excuse the pun, 'cold turkey' on your meat consumption, cutting down is hugely beneficial for the planet. In fact, cutting down on your daily intake, say from 100g to 50g, can reduce your daily carbon emissions by almost 5kg.
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3. Grow Your Own Fruit and Vegetables
You may have heard the phrase 'food miles' before. This refers to the long-distance transportation that supermarket fruit and veg goes through to get to the shelves. A lot of produce comes across from abroad, which emits a substantial amount of carbon into the atmosphere. Even travelling in a lorry from the north of England to the south will have a negative impact on the environment.
Large-scale agriculture uses a lot of fertilisers and pesticides too, which contain chemicals that are harmful to the planet. By growing vegetables yourself, you'll be consuming chemical-free produce, grown in soil that you have 100% control of.
Understandably, it's not easy for everyone to grow their own vegetables. Those who live in apartments with limited space may be restricted. In this case, it's best to check the source of your shop-bought fruit and vegetables. You can also source your produce from the nearest farm shop or an online grocer based in your town.
[Have empty urban roof space but don't know what to do with it? Check out our guide to creative uses for unused roof space.]
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4. Invest in Solar Panels
Solar panels are a clean, renewable energy source that can generate electricity without any carbon emissions. They help to conserve natural resources, as they are powered by the sun and not fossil fuels. Fossil fuels are an environmental nightmare, from the mining process to the fact they emit carbon into the air and heat the planet.
Solar systems require little to no water for cooling, which further helps in the conservation of resources. They also last for upwards of 25 years, meaning they'll provide you with clean energy for a very long time.
The benefits of solar PV panels aren't just limited to the environment either. With a solar panel installation for your business or home, you'll save hundreds on your energy bills each year and drastically reduce your reliance on the grid.
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5. Use Sustainable Transport
Road traffic is a significant contributor to global warming, with tailpipe emissions releasing huge levels of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. When possible, it's recommended that you take alternative forms of transport, such as walking if your destination is within reach.
Public transport also offers a low-emission alternative, as one bus full of people takes multiple cars off the road.
With the introduction of electric vehicles onto roads across Essex and the UK, driving is set to become a lot more environmentally friendly. However, the number of electric car drivers remains relatively low because of both high prices and the fact that electric vehicles aren't fully established in the market.
As of August 2025, there are approximately 1.6 million electric vehicles on UK roads. This accounts for just under 5% of all cars in use. While this seems a low percentage, it represents a four-fold increase in electric car use since the end of 2021.
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6. Invest in Heat Pumps
Traditional gas boilers are officially on their way out, with new build homes in the UK now having to install environmentally-friendly alternatives. Using gas to heat a home is damaging for the environment, as it involves the burning of natural gases, which are finite in supply.
Traditional boilers also emit a large amount of CO2 into the earth's atmosphere, contributing to global warming. On the other hand, heat pumps warm your home and water by extracting warmth from the outside air. It then compresses and further heats this air before distributing it around your home.
As the outside air is in infinite supply, heat pumps are a leading renewable energy source. Much like solar panels, they'll also save you a fortune on your energy bills, as the air it uses is totally free. The only expense, other than the initial installation cost is the electricity you use to power it. The installation costs can be subsidised with the government's Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS), saving you up to £7500.
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7. Conserve Energy
Reducing the amount of gas and electricity you use will lower your home's individual carbon footprint, while also saving you money on your bills. You don't have to drastically limit your evening TV time and sit in complete darkness, either.
Lowering your energy usage is as simple as turning off the lights when you leave a room, or switching off radiators in unoccupied rooms. Other ways of reducing energy include:
Only boiling the amount of water that you need in your kettle
Only run the dishwasher when it's full
Hang clothes out to dry rather than putting them through the tumble dryer
Turn your electrical items off completely rather than just putting them on standby mode
Only run your washing machine when you have a full set of clothes to wash
Conserving energy is a simple, yet highly effective way of living an eco-friendly lifestyle, implementing small routine changes into your daily life.
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8. Upgrade to Underfloor Heating
Not only is the prospect of a heated floor luxurious, it's also great for the environment. Underfloor heating systems operate at a lower temperature, and distribute heat much more evenly than radiators, saving you considerable energy.
If you opt for a wet underfloor heating system, it can be paired with a heat pump for even greater efficiency. Likewise, you can pair an electric underfloor heating system with solar panels, saving you a considerable amount of money that would usually go towards your energy bills.
Underfloor heating offer consistent temperatures, that warm you and other objects directly, rather than just warming the air. They don't circulate dust and allergens into the air like some radiators either, improving the air quality in your home.
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9. Use Energy-Efficient Light Bulbs
Using energy-efficient light bulbs will help you to save money and reduce your carbon emissions by using less energy. This won't mean compromising on the quality of light in your home either, as LED lights still provide bright, quality light.
LEDs use a semiconductor to produce light when an electric current runs through it, converting up to 80% of electricity into visible light. They also last up to 12 times longer than regular bulbs, while operating at a similar standard.
By using energy-efficient light bulbs, you can reduce your carbon emissions by around 40kg a year. So, not only will you save on energy bills, you'll also be saving the planet.
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10. Upgrade Your Windows
Single-glazed windows aren't viable in environmentally friendly houses as they allow too much heat to escape. That's because their single pane of glass offers little insulation, allowing heat to pass through very easily.
In contrast, double-glazed and triple-glazed windows have two and three sheets of glass respectively, with a gap between each one. The gaps keep air and gas vacuum sealed. As the gas is a poor thermal conductor, heat cannot easily pass through it.
As well as keeping your home warm, double and triple-glazed windows will help to keep your home quiet, blocking noise coming in from outside.
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Lead an Eco-Friendly Life With EPC Improvements
Going green may seem like a daunting prospect, but it doesn't need to be. EPC Improvements can take care of your energy system, transforming it from a fossil fuel burner, to an actual money earner.
All of our systems are 100% renewable, meaning they'll drastically lower your carbon footprint, save you money on your bills, and allow you to generate money through government schemes.
If you want a residential or commercial solar installation, heat pump installation, or underfloor heating, our experts can design you a plan that meets your home's needs and your budget.
Contact us today to find out more.