Start with plastic bags - the average household in the UK is given over 300 plastic bags per year. Most take hundreds of years to rot in landfill.

Get a reusable, biodegradable bag. Try to buy products with as little plastic packaging as possible.

Register with the junk mail or fax preference service, and stop companies sending you unwanted mail:

Junk mail preference service: 0845 703 4599 - www.mpsonline.org.uk

Junk fax preference service: 0845 070 0702 - www.fpsonline.org.uk

Friends of the Earth has a comprehensive list of ways to reduce waste in the home and at work.

We have a good CHEERS scheme in Chester - but there are other ways to dispose of larger items - furniture, white goods, computer equipment - and smaller items such as mobile phones.

We have compiled a list to help.

Don't just stop there - try to always buy recycled goods: toilet and kitchen rolls, writing paper, office supplies and envelopes, recycled glass products.

Buying locally produced, seasonal food cuts 'food miles', reduces your carbon footprint and helps the local economy. We have some excellent local suppliers in the Chester area - we have created a directory to help you find them.

If you can't buy something that is locally produced and seasonal then look for Fairtrade products.

The Fairtrade Mark guarantees work conditions and sets, minimum health and safety as well as environmental standards must be complied with, and no child or forced labour can occur.

Chester was Britain's first Fairtrade City.

Joining a local group is a great way to do your bit, help raise awareness and meet people of like mind:

Chester Friends of the Earth are an active local group campaigning on environmental issues. We also run this website.

Cheshire Greenpeace

Cheshire Wildlife Trust - is a charity that works to protect and enhance wildlife in the Cheshire region

Vale Royal Environment Network

Growing your own fresh seasonal food, reducing your food miles, and getting exercise thrown-in ... make space in your garden, or get an allotment!

By using transport more flexibly, sharing lifts and going on the bus or train when you can you will significantly reduce your carbon footprint.

We have gathered the important information on local transport on the this site.

Saving energy means you have more money in your pocket and a smaller carbon footprint.

We have looked at the easiest and most cost effective ways to do this, and included them on this site.

You can also sign up and pledge to reduce your carbon footprint with the Chester Carbon Reduction Scheme:

'Chester City Council is taking the lead in offering all its 166,000 citizens personal access to the CRed pledge system. it's easy to make a pledge to take action.'

Using energy from renewable sources can radically cut your carbon footprint at little extra cost - you can switch to your existing suppliers 'green' tariff, or look at one of the specialist renewable energy suppliers .. see our list.

Use a shower not a bath, use 'grey water' (water from washing up or baths) on your garden, and buy a water butt and catch rain water - simple, cheap things to do they all save both water and energy.

Banks and Business does not operate in a vacuum - their activities will inevitably lead to a series of ecological and social impacts.

Your savings and investments can be invested in ways that do not harm the Environment - for example The Co-operative Bank has an ethical policy that includes strict ecological criteria about who it will do business with and how it will use its money, likewise The Ecology Building Society, and Triodos Bank offers ethical savings and investments.