Take little green steps

Doing your bit for the environment needn’t mean turning into an eco-warrior. Simple changes not only add up, they can also help reduce your workload.

The green star of the week

If you've already been through the 'terrible twos' with your kids, you'll probably be familiar with some sort of star system to help them curb their tantrums in return for rewards. Why not employ the same technique for keeping energy levels to a minimum in your home?

Green stars can be awarded for switching off unnecessary lights, turning the television and other electrical items off at the wall and for recycling. This could save as much as £46 a year off your electricity bill.

Each week, allocate members of the family with a recycling responsibility, such as cans, glass or paper. Whoever has the biggest pile at the end of the week, wins a star.

Rewards must be worthwhile, so whoever has the most stars by Friday chooses one family activity for the weekend.

Council concerns

When recycling, one of the first calls you make should be to your local authority. They'll give you a comprehensive list of roadside recycling pick-ups and projects, which you can arrange your family recycling week around.

It may mean you all load up the car and take everything for recycling to the local dump or you could get the kids to find innovative ways to get their pile of unwanted plastics and papers there. Wheelbarrow versus skateboard, versus dog-cart, and so on...

Get real as granny goes green

Next time the kids are round at Grandma's house, get them to ask her about her memories of the war, and stories that her parents and grandparents told her. Did her parents tell her to 'Waste Not Want Not'? How did she do it? This knowledge will equip them with much of what they need to know about green living.

Then challenge them to live that way for a month. They can try out any number of things from eating everything on their plates, recycling unwanted woollies by re-knitting them into scarves, which they can wear them or send them to charity; walking to the local shops or farmer's market to buy only what is needed and even paper recycling.

The whole family can also get involved in composting and, if you've got the space, growing your own vegetables. You can even build your own wormery - not everyone's idea of fun, but it is for the greater good and everyone will benefit.

Make do and mend

This will make Granny proud. Instead of throwing out old socks, you can make a 'sock monster' and learn about how second hand textiles benefit developing countries.

Draught-free dogs

Warm air literally goes through the roof - and under the door - so why not recycle your old clothes by making a patchwork dog door draught excluder? Help the kids make one for every door in the house, and a slimmer skirting-snake for any other draughty areas, taking £10-£20 off your heating bill each year.

Monitor magic

If you make your kids aware of the plight of the planet you will probably find that they are monitoring your behaviour. Kent-based Howard and Carla Laughton's daughter Saskia has become the family's ethics and eco-monitor.

Saskia nominated herself, but each family member should take it in turns, ensuring that all products that come into the home are environmentally friendly.

The monitor can be responsible for dishing out chores as well as being responsible for doing them on his or her week off. It's their chance to tell you what to do and take responsibility for their actions and the planet.

School run

Leave the car at home and either take your kids to school on foot, or if they are old enough to go without you, encourage them to walk with their friends.

They'll feel more awake, will save you money on petrol, time in your day and will reduce harmful CO2 emissions.

Schools for thought

Get the kids to design and personalise their own containers to take their lunch to school. It's creative and helps you re-use old tubs. Ice-cream containers are great lunch holders and you'll be saving the pennies rather than splashing out on some plastic creation emblazoned with advertising.

Don't cling to the cling film, it's a waste. If food's packed in an airtight container, the sandwiches won't need covering in cling film or foil. Buy fruit loose, not pre-packaged from supermarkets. Whoever creates the least waste from their lunch, is the winner.

Green Flags are awarded to schools which are eco-friendly. Any one of the ideas you and your kids come up with to make your home more environmentally friendly has the potential to help the school and the community.

See also:

• It's easy being green