#WIN a Vektra Vacuum Eco Kettle #ZeroWasteWeek
I’ve been learning some amazing facts for Zero Waste Week which runs 5-9th September.
The theme this year is reducing food waste, which is a topic close to my heart.
What if I were to suggest that when you came home from doing your weekly shop, you threw one third of the food you’d bought straight into the bin?
Sounds crazy, right?
Well, that’s what many households are doing, without even realising!
AND, one third of the food grown on this planet never reaches a human stomach.
Something’s not adding up when we’re told we’re going to struggle to feed people in the future!
Maybe we need to think about wasting less and redistribution of food…
I’ve learned it’s not just food we’re wasting.
We’re wasting drinks too.
And as tea is our nation’s favourite, I was shocked to learn we’re throwing away £110m of tea per year.
That’s not very British, is it?
Not only that, but the average household boils the kettle 1500 times per year and the Energy Saving Trust has found that three-quarters of British households overfill their kettles, wasting a total of £68m each year.
So here’s a simple pledge for Zero Waste Week – why not take care to only boil the amount of water you need AND take five minutes a day to kick back, relax and actually enjoy your favourite cup of tea before it goes cold?
Win a Vektra Vacuum Eco Kettle
I’m going to make it easier for you with your chance to win a fantastic Vektra Vacuum Eco Kettle which has generously been provided by the team at Boiler Guide. It’s ingenious design combines kettle and vacuum flask technology to boil water efficiently then keep it hot for up to four hours.
Simply enter the rafflecopter below and I’ll choose someone at random on Friday evening next week. PLEASE NOTE – this is only open to UK residents.
Our grandson lives with us in find the best way to save energy is to let him sleep in. Once he is up every device he has is switched on !!
Turn off any charging appliances at the wall or remove plug when finished charging
Always turn things off like lights when your not in the room and try to turn items off if you aren’t using them.
A fantastic prize! I am a big tea drinker and love the idea that I won’t have to keep boiling the kettle every time I want another cup.
Fingers crossed
We have fitted reflectors behind all our radiators.
when your freezer is starting to empty put empty containers in to fill up space, it uses less energy full than if it is half full
Don’t leave electrical products on standby,saves a lot of power and money too
Washing at a lower temperature will use less electricity. Washing at 30ºC rather than 40ºC can save you a third of the cost to run the cycle.
Put a jumper on in the winter rather than turn the heating up
switch the lights off whenever you leave a room
Insulate your loft. We live in an old house that loses heat easily, but just a layer of insulation in the roof space has made so much difference to keeping the house warm and so we can turn down the heating.
Turn lights off if not in the room
i always unplug anything not in use and turn off the lights if im not in the room also only boil the water i need !
Best energy saving tip for me is take a shower rather than a bath. My bath is now a one every fortnight treat. 🙂 Happy september 😀
We switched to LED lights & save loads. Plus I am always following the kids round the house turning everything off!
use the water from cooking veg to make up the gravy…no need to boil a kettle and it tastes better too
I use my pressure cooker as much as possible. Freezing any leftovers, even if there is just one portion left. Then one night every few weeks we each choose a freezer meal, like getting a take away but less waste and so much cheaper!
turn lights off when leaving the room or put a smaller lamp on or even light candles!
make sure you turn all appliances off and only use what you need
Plan your meals so that when you have the oven on it is filled with items baking or roasting and not just cooking a single chop.
Yes, I’m the same. I use my pressure cooker for most things. Saves gas and time!
do a weeks ironing at a time
Love the idea about using water for boiling veggies to make gravy – I always do that!
Using energy saving lightbulbs.
Clean all windows and lights so as to get the maximum light at the dark times of the year.
Switch off those red standby lights😀👍🏻
Share a bath with a close friend! Save water!
As you empty the fridge, add bottles of water in place of what you remove. It will help the fridge maintain the require temp, without needing to use the motor.
Do you really need a shower every day? Every other day would be a 50% saving. Most of us don’t get that dirty these days and think of the saving on toiletries!
Don’t overfill your fridge. Air has to circulate otherwise the fridge has to work harder
My heating does not come on until November minimum.. if it’s cold put on another layer, use a hot water bottle or heat pad… I have 3 bedrooms but only 1 is used so in the winter we keep the doors shut at all times, curtains drawn to keep the heat in .. we also invested in very expensive lining paper for the external walls to keep the heat in as we are a semi detached
Switch to the latest LED light bulbs which are safer and far more efficient than the previous ones containing mercury. Don’t forget to take your old energy efficient bulbs to recycling bins designated for these bulbs though. Some supermarkets have them.
Turn off anything not being used instead of leaving on standby!
Only boil as much water as you actually need in the kettle
Only put the amount of water needed in the kettle – and don’t put it on and wander off – you’ll end up reboiling it
When buying new products always invest in energy saving products as it’s better for your pocket and better for the planet.
Only fill your kettle to the minimum level required for one or two cups of tea!
Batch cook where possible to save on power
I was skeptical about the amount of energy overfilling the kettle wastes until I tried measuring the water I put in. The difference on bills is huge and it boils a lot faster. I have an energy monitor in a prominent place in the lounge (by the TV) so I can keep an eye on what we’re using at any time. I can then be sure I’ve turned off any unnecessary devices. Anything that heats up uses huge quantities of current and you soon get to know the real energy hogs.
Always remember to turn off all the lights when you go out.
Having a water meter fitted has saved us not only on water consumption and bills but also on electricity. We make sure that washing machine, dishwasher etc is only ever put on with a full load. We also reuse water and have three water butts for cleaning vehicles and watering the garden.
Living in an old house, we have drafts aplenty. So my main energy saving tips are things like:
– hanging curtains with thick linings, and closing them as soon as it starts getting dark.
-closing all doors behind you.
– putting blankets or throws near the sofa, to keep warm while watching TV.
– wearing extra layers
– getting TVRs fitted on radiators, so you can dial down the heat in rooms you aren’t using.
Bracing myself for the onset of autumn!
Lovely competition, and such ingeniosity !
Turn off computers and TVs when not used. Not only ‘saving mode’.
Use candles when possible. Saves electricity and it’s so pretty.
Buy the clever eco-bulbs.
All our little gestures combined will become grand ones !
Never leave ipad, phone, tablets chargers plugged in.
Don’t have children they leave everything on lol. Only kidding, mine has to be using energy saving lightbulbs, having insulation and not leaving doors open as well as having energy saving appliances (ie washing machine etc) hanging washing on line rather than using tumble dryer where possible and it’s kinder on clothing giving you an all round saving
Only put and boil the amount of water you need. As the kettle uses lots of energy no need to waste it x
Make sure everything is turned off at wall and not on standby, uses 50% just on standby
Unplug appliances when not in use.
Since getting a smart meter fitted its saved me so much money. I can see exactly which items use the most electricity
Pay extra for LED bulbs, they last alot longer & save you money in long run