8 lazy ways to be | Friends of the Earth

1. Save water. Don't wash the dishes

Let them pile up to the point where you're actually wondering if it's ok to eat soup from a dog's bowl. Then, and only then, casually load the dirty pots into a dishwasher. Press the start button. Now sit down and catch your breath.

A fully loaded dishwasher can be more water efficient than washing by hand. Even if you're using a washing-up bowl.

Are you getting the hang of being environmentally friendly?

2. Help bees. Don't mow the lawn

Look at your neighbours joyfully murdering the life out of their garden again. They won't sleep soundly until they've lopped the head off every buttercup, daisy and bee-friendly dandelion.

What would an eco warrior do? Absolutely nothing. Pull up a chair, grab a cocktail and watch the grass grow – you green god.

Leaving even part of your garden to grow wild can help pollinating insects, like bees, thrive.

Get gardening tips for bees

3. Stop plastic waste. Avoid plastic packaging

Takeaway food and drink often comes in plastic food containers with disposable utensils. They're a big part of the plastic pollution in our waste system.

And as we know, disposing of them doesn’t mean they disappear. A lot of disposables are landfilled, blown or washed into waterways, or end up as yet more plastic pollution in our rivers and oceans.

To encourage a society that re-uses things instead of throwing them away, the UK government should ban disposable plastic items.

Best alternatives to plastic

It's time to stop climate chaos. Demand government action now.

Sign our climate petition

A dog lying down in front of a massive bone, looking upset

4. Tackle climate change. Chew less

If you really want to get good at this eco lark, you're going to have to learn to do less – like eating less meat. Sure, that steak might look good, but think how tiring it's going to be to chomp on.

Meat and dairy production is responsible for 14.5% of climate changing gases (more than all forms of transport).

Chewing is work. The clever environmentalist indulges in meat-free food that requires less mouth muscle.

10 ways to eat less meat

Organic bell peppers in yellow, orange and red.

5. Help the planet. Get a veg box

If you're keen to avoid supermarkets and are after organic, planet-friendly food, then veg box deliveries will be right up your street.

Ordering an organic veg box helps keep our pollinators safe from chemicals. It also invites less plastic waste into your home, and can help cut down on separate car journeys – reducing your carbon emissions.

Get a bee-friendly veg box

6. Green our world. Plant trees

No, you don't have to plant anything, Ecosia does. It's a search engine that plants trees with the money it makes from ads. Every time you click on an ad in your search results, you're helping to reforest the Earth. But be aware, this only works if you don't block adverts.

You can also find out where to plant trees near you.

More trees please

Acrobatics holding on to the top of a car while it races on two wheels tilting to the side

7. Clean the air. Get a cheap ride

You've unplugged your alarm clock to save some energy. But you'll have to get up at some point. Let's not overdo it though. How about a chauffeur?

We know walking, cycling and public transport are preferable to driving, but blah blah blah. BlaBlaCar, actually. Find a driver going to the same place as you. By sharing a ride with others – or as we like to call it, being driven around by someone – you'll be helping to reduce air pollution.

8. Support clean energy. Don't build a windmill

We know your talents are better served in a hammock pretending to read a book.

Simply switch to renewable energy instead. Lie back and watch it happen in as little as 5 minutes. No disruption to your supply and no engineers asking you to make tea.

It's cheaper than you think and means your dreams of an eco-powered robot butler are still well and truly alive.

8 lazy ways to be environmentally friendly