You don’t need to live in a sustainable village to live in a sustainable home says assistant web editor, Lucy Dyer

Here are some ways to make your house eco-friendly:

*Water your plants at night so less is lost through evaporation

*Use water butts to collect rain water which can then be used to water plants and the grass

*Put a waterpebble in your plughole while you are in the shower (it glows red when too much water is being used)

*Attach a solar panel or wind turbine to your roof to generate electricity but remember to get planning permission first

*Use energy efficient light bulbs

*Insulate under the floor as well as the roof to keep more heat in

*Install double-glazed windows

Take a leap out of BedZed's book. BedZed is the UK's largest sustainable community and is based in Hackbridge, London. BedZed was completed in 2002 and is still going strong. Its major achievements include:

*A higher reported quality of life, with a strong sense of community (on average each person knows 20 of their neighbours by name)

*Ecological footprint reduced by 45%

*Significant behaviour change amongst UK residents

86% of residents living at BedZed buy locally produced food, 60% of all waste is recycled and solar panels provide 20% of electricity needs. The houses in BedZed are all south-facing with glass windows and doors to maximise the potential of natural heat and light.

BedZed's sustainable village

Here's how you can become more green whether you live in an eco-friendly house or not:

*Turn the tap off when cleaning your teeth

*Shower sometimes instead of bathing

*By locally produced food

*Only buy food that is in season

*Recycle

*Print double-sided

*Cycle, walk or even take public transport instead of driving

*Turn appliances off instead of leaving them on standby

*When possible, put clothes on the washing line instead of using the tumble dryer

*Only put the amount you need in the kettle

*Use an electric car

*Close all the windows and doors before putting the heating on

*Start a compost heap

*Join a car sharing club

If you'd like to live sustainably by reducing your carbon emissions why not join the 10:10 scheme where people all over the world pledge to reduce their emissions by 10% every year.

Written by Assistant Web Editor, Lucy Dyer

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