Going Green Podcast, Video blog and Daily News

  Greenwashing for Beginners: How to Spot an Eco-Con ( Or: Just Because It’s Green Doesn’t Mean It’s Clean ) Ever bought a product that had leaves on the label, a name like “Eco-Fresh Ultra Clean”, and a picture of the Earth… only to discover it’s wrapped in five layers of plastic and was shipped from the other side of the world? Congratulations. You’ve been greenwashed. Let’s dive into what greenwashing is, how to spot it, and how to avoid falling for it — even when it’s wearing a hemp T-shirt and whispering about carbon offsets. 💚 What Is Greenwashing? Greenwashing is when a company or product pretends to be more environmentally friendly than it really is — using marketing spin, misleading labels, and vague claims to make you feel good about buying something that’s… well, not all that green. It’s like putting a solar panel on a diesel truck and calling it “eco-aware.” 🧼 Common Greenwashing Tactics to Watch For 1. Vague Claims Words like: Eco-friendly Susta...

  Compost: Because Banana Peels Deserve Better Than Landfill ( Or: How to Turn Your Kitchen Scraps into Garden Gold ) There comes a time in every banana’s life when it goes spotty, mushy, and possibly makes a run for the fruit bowl's edge. Most people sigh, wince, and chuck it in the bin. But I’m here to say: No more! That noble banana peel deserves a second act — as compost. And so does your tea bag, your eggshell, and your coffee grounds. Because what most people throw away could be feeding flowers, veg, and even the occasional smug tomato plant. 🍌 Why Compost? Let’s start with some shocking stats: About 30% of the average UK household bin is compostable food and garden waste. If sent to landfill, it doesn’t break down properly – it rots anaerobically , producing methane (a greenhouse gas 25x worse than CO₂). But if composted? You get rich, dark, crumbly goodness that plants love . Compost is the ultimate eco-upcycling. ♻️ What Can Go In the Compost? ✅ ...

  Plastic Fantastic? What to Do with the Tub, the Tray, and the Thing That’s Probably a Yoghurt Lid ( And Why Recycling Shouldn’t Feel Like a Game of Guess Who? ) Plastic is everywhere. It holds our food, wraps our deliveries, cushions our electronics, and mysteriously multiplies in that one drawer everyone has in the kitchen. But when it’s time to throw it out — suddenly you’re in a high-stakes quiz: “Can I recycle this?” “Should the lid go in too?” “Is this clingfilm or... modern art?” Welcome to the chaotic world of plastic recycling in the UK. Let’s make some sense of it — tub by tray by lid. 🥣 Tubs and Pots (The Yoghurt Ones) These are usually made from thermoplastics (like polypropylene), and are often recyclable — but only if: You rinse them (the council doesn’t want your leftover tzatziki). You check your local council’s rules (some are picky). You remove the foil lid — which may need to go separately (and yes, it probably has to be clean too). ...

  The Phantom Load – And Other Gremlins in Your Power Bill ( Or: How Your Toaster Might Be Stealing from You While You Sleep ) Ever checked your electricity usage and thought: “That can’t be right — I turned everything off!” ? Welcome to the world of phantom load — also known as vampire power , standby drain , or my personal favourite: The Gremlins That Never Sleep . Even when your gadgets look off, many are still quietly sipping electricity like a sneaky houseguest making tea at midnight. It’s wasteful, it’s costly, and the worst part? You probably didn’t even know it was happening. 👻 What Is Phantom Load, Exactly? Phantom load is the energy used by devices when they're plugged in but not actively in use . Think: TVs on standby Phone chargers left in the socket Printers that glow faintly at 2am Microwaves flashing “12:00” like a haunted clock Smart speakers... always listening Each device doesn’t use much — but add them all up, and they become the powe...