Happy New Year! Make 2009 a greenmystyle year

Along with the pledge to get fit and phone your mum more often, make sure your New Year’s Resolutions include at least one promise to green up your style. If you’re stuck for ideas how, borrow a few from greenmystyle.com writer Becky Astrop.

Becky writes:
Well, in 2008 I did my best to switch off lights, turn off taps, keep the heating turned down a notch and to shower instead of bathe. That last one was probably the hardest, because, oh, I do love a long, hot bath. But I persevered. To my surprise, I actually learnt to enjoy a quick, invigorating shower. And by now, these things have become habit.

So, it’s time to introduce a few more good habits. And, with 2009 upon us, here are the 10 commandments I’ve written for myself for this year.

Thou shalt carry a fancy bag
As if you needed an excuse. Hold the guilt and fold a beautiful and reusable fabric bag – like this one from Equa – into your handbag for those impromptu dashes to the shops. Looks immeasurably better than carrying around a sad plastic sack, and we all know how long those wasteful critters take to degrade.

Thou shalt not drive ‘round the corner when thou hast legs to walk on or a bicycle
It’s cold out and you only need a loaf of bread, so wrap up warm and get some fresh air. You know you’ll feel better for it afterwards. And you’ll save petrol as well as those nasty emissions polluting the atmosphere.

Thou shalt eat local
Not only will the food be much fresher, eating locally also avoids contributing to the pollution from the miles and miles that most food travels to reach your plate.  Besides, who doesn’t love a good Farmers Market?!

Thou shalt forsake Google for his sexy older brother, Blackle
It’s Google, with a black screen. It saves energy and looks hella sexy on our shiny laptops.

Thou shalt recycle thine paperwork even if thou art lazy as all hell
If you’re in an open-plan office and find yourself guiltily throwing paper away rather than walking (oooh, maybe ten seconds) to the recycle bin, save yourself the hassle by keeping a separate bin under your desk for paper. At the end of the day (or week, if you’re anything like me), empty the whole lot into the communal recycle bin at once.  Ta-da! Instant halo.

Thou shalt not use standby
For thou knowst that standby uses virtually the same amount of electricity as if the TV were actually on, doesn’t thou?

Thou shalt eat more veg
It’s estimated that meat and dairy production account for around a fifth of global greenhouse gas emissions. So if you’re a meat-eater, start by making one of your daily meals vegetarian. Not breakfast, you cheat. If you’re vegetarian, try this with vegan food. Added perk: you’ll reach your 5-a-day without even thinking about it.

Thou shalt buy vintage, or ethically made fashion and homewares
As if thou needst an excuse. Find tonnes of ideas on greenmystyle.com of course.

Thou shalt not purchase plastic bottles
Find yourself a beautiful reusable water bottle like this one from Swedish company, SIGG, rather than buying endless plastic bottles of mineral water. Help to reduce the millions of bottles thrown into landfills every year.

Thou shalt purchase a Mooncup
We don’t much like to think about where our monthly… products go. Invest in a Mooncup.  Say n’more.