The threat posed by global warming can seem overwhelming and so as an individual, you might think there’s very little you can do to help matters. However, if lots of people play their small part and change their habits to be kinder to the planet, the overall impact could be huge. To help ensure you’re doing your bit, environmental and safety product supplier Glasdon recently created an eBook called ‘Socially Responsible Me’ outlining a variety of easy steps you can take to be more eco-friendly. Keep reading to find out more.

Rather than getting rid of all your rubbish in regular bins when you’re out and about, make an effort to find recycling bins. You don't have to look far to find specialist options these days, companies like glasdon recycling bins are widely available, meaning there’s no need to send plastics, cans, paper and more to landfill. You’ll find these recycling facilities on the street, in supermarket car parks and in a variety of other locations. Another top tip is to make sure you reuse old plastic shopping bags. It’s worth bearing in mind that plastic bags take hundreds of years to decompose, so the fewer we create and use, the better. Invest in some re-usable bags and keep them in your car. You can find lots of cute ones online or just go with basics if you prefer, get into the habit of putting them back in your boot after you've put away your shopping at home. Where possible, avoid getting drinks in single use, non-recyclable containers too. Some companies offer fully recyclable drinks holders, but your best bet is to invest in a reusable bottle or cup. Also, rather than buying sandwiches or salads in plastic packaging when you’re on the go, why not make your own before you leave the house? You'll save money, as well as help the environment.

Waste is a huge problem. It's an awful waste of money, but worse than that it's a huge waste of resources too. When you buy too much food and it ends up in the bin, you're not just throwing away the food but the water, the space and the labour that went into making it. Meal prep- write a list each week of the meals you're going to make and shop to the list. Walking into a shop without a clue is always going to end up in buying more than you need in some areas, and running out of other things mid week with others. It costs nothing to get organised! Keep your energy consumption under control too. For example, make sure appliances and lights are switched off when you’re not using them. Perhaps you could turn the temperature on your thermostat down a degree or two and don an extra layer of clothing when temperatures drop, and maybe you could dry some clothes, sheets and towels on the line outside rather than automatically opting for the tumble dryer. If you have kids, try educating them about the importance of being environmentally responsible. The earlier they get into good habits, the better.

Consider going paperless in the office - or at least as paperless as possible. Lots of companies are aiming to do this, if you're an employee it's always something you could mention to your boss. They might want to conduct a waste audit to see which materials you can reduce your consumption of. If you run your own business, you have the power here to make your company a friendlier place for the planet. You could also think about marking dates such as World Environment Day to help raise awareness of global warming among your colleagues and the wider community. The more awareness we can raise, and the more people that get on board the better impact we will have. Work is the perfec place to rally people together and make this happen.