Latest news with #LisaStanley
The Independent
18-07-2025
- Business
- The Independent
The one-second habit that could save you £60 on your power bill
Amidst the ongoing cost-of-living crisis and soaring inflation, households are scrutinising their spending habits more closely than ever. While many instinctively cut back on discretionary spending like new clothes, daily coffees, or dining out, and even cancelling memberships, simpler ways to reduce expenditure often exist. One such overlooked method, potentially right under our noses, is unplugging household appliances. Lisa Stanley, chief sustainability officer at Zero and co-founder of Good With Money, asserts that unplugging appliances from the wall '100 per cent saves money'. She highlights studies from consumer champion Which? which indicate this simple habit could lead to annual savings of up to £60. 'The reason why it saves money is because if you leave sockets turned on, or plugs turned on at the socket, it has this thing called vampire power,' Stanley explains. 'It actually continues to suck the power once you turn off the socket but when you unplug the appliance, it breaks the circuit and can no longer continue to take that flow of electricity.' Although appliances can eat up energy a lot, Stanley says it's 'simple, small lifestyle changes that can make a difference and they don't need to impact your quality of life at all'. What appliances take up most energy? 'When it comes to your fridge and freezer for example, they are quite energy-hungry but of course you've got to keep them turned on all the time,' Stanley says. 'Other appliances, like your set-top box, actually use quite a lot of energy too but you may find that if you turn that off then it messes with your settings, so you may not want to do that frequently. 'However, you can also look at your laptops and TVs because you can turn your TV off without it impacting your set-top box. All of your tech actually uses around 6% of your entire home's energy and that isn't including someone who is working at home daily or a heavy gamer. 'Unfortunately, other kitchen appliances, such as a dishwasher, can use up to 4% of your home's energy in a year but you can start looking at using the eco-settings.' What changes can people make when thinking about appliances? 'The first thing you can do is make sure you're not falling victim to vampire power and you're turning off all your sockets as much as possible,' Stanley says. 'Really think about it. For example, when I'm working at home I will plug my laptop in, go downstairs to get lunch and I leave it plugged in, even if my laptop is fully charged – so be aware of these things.' 'Secondly, you can switch to LED light bulbs which are also much kinder to the planet and are longer lasting. The manufacturing impact of them is also better because you're not having to replace them all the time. ' Thirdly, if you're boiling the kettle – which is really energy hungry – make sure if you're only making a cup of tea for one person, pour it into a mug before you pour it into the kettle. That way, you're only boiling as much water as you need and it's also saving water – which at the moment is really important that we try and do. 'You can also wash your dishes by hand, run all your appliances on the eco-setting or when washing your clothes, turn down the temperature to 20 or 30 degrees or even cold if you can, as that can make a massive difference to both the amount of energy used and the cost. 'At this time of the year as it is hot, fans are another thing to think about when it comes to energy. If it's a standard desk fan, you can get it from somewhere like John Lewis and costs 1p an hour to run, versus if you've got one of the Dyson fans that are also air purifiers, they can cost up to 66p an hour to run. 'There are also massive differences with the type of smart speakers too. Be aware that keeping music playing when you're not in the room is essentially sucking power when it's not needed.'
The Independent
18-07-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Should you turn your appliances off at the wall to save money?
With the cost-of-living crisis, inflation and rising expenditures, people are becoming more aware of their outgoings and spending habits. They may automatically consider obvious things to cut back on such as clothes, coffees, eating out, or cancelling memberships. However, often there are easier ways to reduce costs with things that may be right in front of you, such as unplugging appliances to save on energy bills. Chief sustainability officer at Zero and co-founder of Good With Money Lisa Stanley says that unplugging appliances at the wall '100% saves money'. Stanley says that studies from Which? have shown that doing this can save up to £60 a year. 'The reason why it saves money is because if you leave sockets turned on, or plugs turned on at the socket, it has this thing called vampire power,' Stanley explains. 'It actually continues to suck the power once you turn off the socket but when you unplug the appliance, it breaks the circuit and can no longer continue to take that flow of electricity.' Although appliances can eat up energy a lot, Stanley says it's 'simple, small lifestyle changes that can make a difference and they don't need to impact your quality of life at all'. What appliances take up most energy? 'When it comes to your fridge and freezer for example, they are quite energy-hungry but of course you've got to keep them turned on all the time,' Stanley says. 'Other appliances, like your set-top box, actually use quite a lot of energy too but you may find that if you turn that off then it messes with your settings, so you may not want to do that frequently. 'However, you can also look at your laptops and TVs because you can turn your TV off without it impacting your set-top box. All of your tech actually uses around 6% of your entire home's energy and that isn't including someone who is working at home daily or a heavy gamer. 'Unfortunately, other kitchen appliances, such as a dishwasher, can use up to 4% of your home's energy in a year but you can start looking at using the eco-settings.' What changes can people make when thinking about appliances? 'The first thing you can do is make sure you're not falling victim to vampire power and you're turning off all your sockets as much as possible,' Stanley says. 'Really think about it. For example, when I'm working at home I will plug my laptop in, go downstairs to get lunch and I leave it plugged in, even if my laptop is fully charged – so be aware of these things.' 'Secondly, you can switch to LED light bulbs which are also much kinder to the planet and are longer lasting. The manufacturing impact of them is also better because you're not having to replace them all the time. 'Thirdly, if you're boiling the kettle – which is really energy hungry – make sure if you're only making a cup of tea for one person, pour it into a mug before you pour it into the kettle. That way, you're only boiling as much water as you need and it's also saving water – which at the moment is really important that we try and do. 'You can also wash your dishes by hand, run all your appliances on the eco-setting or when washing your clothes, turn down the temperature to 20 or 30 degrees or even cold if you can, as that can make a massive difference to both the amount of energy used and the cost. 'At this time of the year as it is hot, fans are another thing to think about when it comes to energy. If it's a standard desk fan, you can get it from somewhere like John Lewis and costs 1p an hour to run, versus if you've got one of the Dyson fans that are also air purifiers, they can cost up to 66p an hour to run. 'There are also massive differences with the type of smart speakers too. Be aware that keeping music playing when you're not in the room is essentially sucking power when it's not needed.'
Scotsman
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
From tents to glitter: 7 ways to go greener at Glastonbury
With Glastonbury's return to Worthy Farm, and with more than four million people attending UK festivals each year, a staggering estimated 23,500 tonnes of waste will be generated across festival events in a single season. Lisa Stanley, Chief Sustainability Officer at reveals seven ways to be more sustainable before, during and after Glastonbury. Free weekly newsletter Join our weekly YourWorld newsletter for updates, behind-the-scenes insights from our editors and your chance to shape what's next. Free weekly newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... BEFORE THE FESTIVAL 1. Dress like you give a damn Festival fashion shouldn't cost the earth. Instead of panic-buying fast fashion you'll wear once, dig through your local charity shop or Vinted. More than four million people attend UK festivals each year. From sequinned jumpsuits to crochet bralettes, there's more than enough sparkle already in circulation meaning you can easily shun single use, make a statement with second-hand and feel good about it. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Sprinkle on some festival sequins and glitter to those outfits and the real cost increases. Second-hand is not only better for your pocket, but it's also much better for the planet. 2. Get there greener Every car on the road adds to traffic jams, emissions, and car park chaos. Most major festivals offer shuttle buses from nearby train stations or run car-sharing platforms. From sequins to glitter, experts urge festival goers to opt for second-hand outfits. Choose public transport wherever you can—it's better for the planet and often faster than sitting in traffic jams. For example, two people travelling a round trip to Glastonbury Festival from Manchester by car would emit 201.8 kgCO2e while travelling by train emits around 75% less carbon (Manchester to Glastonbury by train: 48.4 kgCO2e) for the same journey – a powerful reminder that your festival travel choices can significantly reduce your environmental footprint this festival season. DURING THE FESTIVAL 3. Take a refillable bottle and actually use it Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad While some festivals like Glastonbury have an outright ban on all single-use plastics, at other events it's still too common. Bring a refillable water bottle and top up at free water stations. And if you can't dispose of all your waste there, why not go Japanese and take your waste home with you for recycling. 4. Digital detox Festivals are about presence, not posting. Ditch the constant charging and Wi-Fi chasing and take the opportunity to log off. The less tech you bring, the fewer things you need to power or dispose of. Let the music reconnect you instead. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Day-to-day tech is so ingrained in our daily lives, often feeling like a limb of ours, that we possibly don't stop to think about the energy usage it consumes. For example, a typical tech-using Gen Z or Millennial would consume approx. 0.3 kWh of electricity and around 0.07 kg of CO2 – that's roughly the equivalent of the carbon absorbed by one mature tree in a given day after growing for 50 years. 5. Think beyond disposable period products For people who menstruate, festivals often mean overpacking pads and tampons. But reusable options like menstrual cups or period pants are practical, less wasteful, and more comfortable for weekends spent outdoors. One less thing to bin, and one more step toward sustainability. 6. Wet wipes? Just say no! Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Most wet wipes aren't biodegradable and contribute to microplastic pollution. A bar of soap, a flannel, and a splash of water will keep you clean without harming the land you're camping on. AFTER THE FESTIVAL 7. Don't pitch and ditch Tents are not disposable, no matter how cheap they are. In fact, retailers such as Decathlon are helping festival goers to do the right thing with initiatives such as Summer Tent Pledge, by offering full gift card refund on their selection of tents this summer. Around 250,000 tents are abandoned at UK festivals every year. Leaving a tent behind, even with good intentions that it will be recycled, means it's likely to end up in landfill. Your best festival legacy is no trace at all. Lisa Stanley, Chief Sustainability Officer at Zero comments: 'Festivals are a celebration of culture, creativity, and community. They can also be a force for climate action - if we choose to make them so.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'At Zero, we're helping people understand the carbon impact of everyday spending through tools like our GreenScore® - from the travel you book to the coffee you sip. Because every pound you spend is a chance to do better.' 'So, this festival season, take only memories, leave only footprints - and make those footprints lighter and greener than ever.'
Scotsman
25-06-2025
- Scotsman
From tents to glitter: 7 ways to go greener at Glastonbury
With Glastonbury's return to Worthy Farm, and with more than four million people attending UK festivals each year, a staggering estimated 23,500 tonnes of waste will be generated across festival events in a single season. Lisa Stanley, Chief Sustainability Officer at reveals seven ways to be more sustainable before, during and after Glastonbury. Free weekly newsletter Join our weekly YourWorld newsletter for updates, behind-the-scenes insights from our editors and your chance to shape what's next. Free weekly newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... BEFORE THE FESTIVAL 1. Dress like you give a damn Festival fashion shouldn't cost the earth. Instead of panic-buying fast fashion you'll wear once, dig through your local charity shop or Vinted. More than four million people attend UK festivals each year. From sequinned jumpsuits to crochet bralettes, there's more than enough sparkle already in circulation meaning you can easily shun single use, make a statement with second-hand and feel good about it. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Sprinkle on some festival sequins and glitter to those outfits and the real cost increases. Second-hand is not only better for your pocket, but it's also much better for the planet. 2. Get there greener Every car on the road adds to traffic jams, emissions, and car park chaos. Most major festivals offer shuttle buses from nearby train stations or run car-sharing platforms. From sequins to glitter, experts urge festival goers to opt for second-hand outfits. Choose public transport wherever you can—it's better for the planet and often faster than sitting in traffic jams. For example, two people travelling a round trip to Glastonbury Festival from Manchester by car would emit 201.8 kgCO2e while travelling by train emits around 75% less carbon (Manchester to Glastonbury by train: 48.4 kgCO2e) for the same journey – a powerful reminder that your festival travel choices can significantly reduce your environmental footprint this festival season. DURING THE FESTIVAL 3. Take a refillable bottle and actually use it Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad While some festivals like Glastonbury have an outright ban on all single-use plastics, at other events it's still too common. Bring a refillable water bottle and top up at free water stations. And if you can't dispose of all your waste there, why not go Japanese and take your waste home with you for recycling. 4. Digital detox Festivals are about presence, not posting. Ditch the constant charging and Wi-Fi chasing and take the opportunity to log off. The less tech you bring, the fewer things you need to power or dispose of. Let the music reconnect you instead. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Day-to-day tech is so ingrained in our daily lives, often feeling like a limb of ours, that we possibly don't stop to think about the energy usage it consumes. For example, a typical tech-using Gen Z or Millennial would consume approx. 0.3 kWh of electricity and around 0.07 kg of CO2 – that's roughly the equivalent of the carbon absorbed by one mature tree in a given day after growing for 50 years. 5. Think beyond disposable period products For people who menstruate, festivals often mean overpacking pads and tampons. But reusable options like menstrual cups or period pants are practical, less wasteful, and more comfortable for weekends spent outdoors. One less thing to bin, and one more step toward sustainability. 6. Wet wipes? Just say no! Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Most wet wipes aren't biodegradable and contribute to microplastic pollution. A bar of soap, a flannel, and a splash of water will keep you clean without harming the land you're camping on. AFTER THE FESTIVAL 7. Don't pitch and ditch Tents are not disposable, no matter how cheap they are. In fact, retailers such as Decathlon are helping festival goers to do the right thing with initiatives such as Summer Tent Pledge, by offering full gift card refund on their selection of tents this summer. Around 250,000 tents are abandoned at UK festivals every year. Leaving a tent behind, even with good intentions that it will be recycled, means it's likely to end up in landfill. Your best festival legacy is no trace at all. Lisa Stanley, Chief Sustainability Officer at Zero comments: 'Festivals are a celebration of culture, creativity, and community. They can also be a force for climate action - if we choose to make them so.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'At Zero, we're helping people understand the carbon impact of everyday spending through tools like our GreenScore® - from the travel you book to the coffee you sip. Because every pound you spend is a chance to do better.'
