Making a Difference
What exactly is in our bins? A new survey hopes to find out
Our overall recycling rate isn’t improving, because our packaging consumption is growing
Why scheduling quiet time every day is good for your health
Prolonged exposure to noise pollution can affect your heart and brain function, disturb your sleep and cause severe annoyance
DJ Annie Mac is boarding the UK slow-travel movement to save the planet and Ireland should follow suit
Replacing car journeys with the train has clear benefits, but it must be convenient to win over the masses
Cooking a whole chicken in an airfryer? It might save you money
Researchers have found that the device often uses less than half the electricity of an oven
Novel scheme where householders get rewarded for basically not doing things
An ESB Networks campaign is offering gifts to people who ‘shift’ their energy use
How does retrofitting your house pay off?
You don’t have to sell your house to feel the benefits of retrofitting, but if you do, it should achieve a significantly higher value
‘In time, society will view disposable coffee cups much like we now view plastic bags’
An ambitious project in Malahide and Rush will aim to make the blight of single-use coffee cups a thing of the past
Frequent-flyer rewards should be replaced with a frequent-flyer levy
Flying causes more of the pollution that’s heating up our climate than any other form of transport
Take fewer flights or switch to an EV – what’s the best way to reduce my carbon emissions?
Amid all the continuing noise around climate action, it can be hard to know which changes will really make a difference
Easter costs: Why extravagant egg packaging could see consumers paying double
Fancy boxes and synthetic decorations add to transportation costs, and ultimately to consumers’ recycling bin charges
‘Our health is intrinsically linked to the natural world. Quite simply, no nature, no health’
If you think hospital waiting lists and access to GP care are challenging now, climate change will bring more difficulties
This trend for lighting up gardens may seem an inviting one, but it needs to be done with care
Studies show that birds, bats and insects are among animals in the natural world affected by light pollution
We’ve been sold the idea that replacing instead of fixing is faster, but is it really?
Mending is better than spending, and online directory RepairMyStuff.ie is a one-stop-shop that makes it easy to find local repair businesses
How to go green for St Patrick’s Day without the environmental toll
Consumerism has taken hold and celebrations for our national day can generate a lot of waste
Ireland is emerging from winter, but maybe hold off mowing your lawn for now
If you are lucky enough to have a lawn or patch of grass, mowing less is one of the best things you can do to help Ireland’s pollinators and biodiversity
What’s the best toothbrush if you want to be environmentally friendly?
If you’re diligent about your dental care, you will probably get through more than 300 toothbrushes in your lifetime
The Irish town that’s saying no to plastic sachets
Last November, Clonakilty in west Cork set itself the goal of phasing out single-use plastic sachets before the start of this year’s tourist season
How often should you wash your clothes? French officials have the answer
Wash your clothes less and they will last longer, the detrimental effects of laundry practices will be reduced and you’ll save money
On Valentine’s Day, say it with flowers – just don’t buy the ones with a bad backstory
Giving flowers is a lovely gesture, but the backstory of some bouquets is just plain ugly
Shifting our eating patterns away from animal products is smart for lots of reasons
A meal with less meat and dairy is better for our health, for the environment and for our pockets
A creative way to dispose of chipped or unwanted crockery
Waterford-based artist Sean Corcoran wants us to think differently about excess of all kinds, through the medium of unwanted mugs, jugs and plates
Renting outfits instead of buying doesn’t cost the earth
Haven’t got a thing to wear? Save money, save the planet, and look fabulous in hired occasion wear
Home savings: Changing the way you boil the kettle could save you €30
After your electric shower, tumble dryer and cooker, your kettle is the most energy intensive user of electricity
Using the right bin can save money and reduce environmental impact
Our recycling rate has not improved in a decade: here’s some tips on how to dispose of our waste properly
A tree is not just for Christmas. Was getting a real tree the right choice?
Tending to a tree all year can be rewarding – plus it’s better for the environment than the plastic variety
Four ways to use less electricity with your Christmas lights
A few simple adjustments this year can make Christmas a bit less harsh on the planet
How your mini travel shampoo is costing your pocket and the planet - here’s an alternative
Choose refillable containers to carry your toiletries, or better still, opt for solid soap, shampoo, conditioner and deodorant bars
Kids are showing up for the environment this unboxing season, cleaning up what adults have left behind
Over 34,000 students have joined the Picker Pals programme, becoming environmentalists and removing 22 tonnes of litter
One less geansaí Nollaig isn’t all the planet wants for Christmas, but it’s a start
Our festive knits have become one of the worst examples of fast fashion
Black Friday is nothing more than Bleak Friday when it comes to environment
Some shoppers wait all year for this event to make necessary purchases they could not otherwise afford - others are enticed to buy things they don’t need
Reusable cloth nappies vs disposables: would you put €500 a year in the bin?
Disposables are hardly without their ick factor, and the cost savings and environmental benefits of reusables are compelling
Reducing emissions: A simple step you can take while driving
A primary school in Co Mayo is testing a scheme for tackling air pollution while helping parents get their kids to school without driving all the way
When’s the best time to use the dishwasher and wash clothes? The recommended periods and why wind matters
By waiting until the right time to use energy-intensive appliances, we can relieve pressure on the national grid and reduce emissions
Crosswords & Puzzles
Crosswords & puzzles to keep you challenged and entertained
Common Ground
How does a post-Brexit world shape the identity and relationship of these islands
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