Making a Difference
When it comes to discarding used batteries, there’s a right way and a dangerous way
Batteries are considered hazardous and require special handling. The good news is they can be recycled for free
What to do with unwanted gifts - including the ones you haven’t bought yet
Before you buy, think of the resources, energy and pollution that go into making and transporting those reindeer head slippers
Five small ways you can help the planet in 2026
From reducing your laundry to taking slightly shorter showers, you have the power to make a difference
Thinking about a clear out? Don’t just chuck everything in a skip
When renovating or doing a home blitz allow time to sort stuff so recyclable and resusable items don’t end up in landfill
Hidden hoards of critical raw materials are gathering dust in Irish cupboards and drawers
If you do one thing this January, drop off old and broken electronic devices, batteries, and cables for free recycling
Sample the slow travel gems on our doorstep – they are better for you and the planet
Overseas holidays bring unexpected stress, but ones closer to home mean you can really relax
What’s better for the environment – a real or a fake Christmas tree?
An artificial tree used over many years can be better for reducing emissions than buying a real one every year
Uncomfortable conversations about Christmas gifts can make a big difference
With a little planning you can keep the magic - just with less waste
Become a climate ambassador in 2026 and it could bring you to all kinds of places
Against the scale of a warming planet, small actions can seem futile, but conversations and local actions build towards change
Black Friday is followed by Returns Tuesday. It’s bad for the planet
Some shoppers wait all year for Black Friday to make necessary purchases they would otherwise not be able to afford, but others are enticed to buy stuff they otherwise wouldn’t
What’s not to like about curling up in front of a cosy fire? Fine-particle air pollution
Solid fuel use is one of the biggest sources of air pollution in Ireland, posing a serious public health challenge
Airlines are never going to tell us that flying is not sustainable
Messaging about ‘green fares’ or ‘responsible’ aviation is often misleading
Toy libraries are helping families save money, cut down on clutter and reduce waste
What if you could borrow a toy for a child instead of buying it? The idea is a win-win for families and the environment
How we do Halloween is adding to the planet’s mounting graveyard of waste
Halloween can be an environmental shocker, but there are more nature-friendly ways to celebrate
We are throwing away about a month’s worth of grocery shopping every year
A small amount of care could help you to significantly reduce bills linked to food waste, and the environmental impact of that waste
Do you take photos of your cat or dog everyday? There is a cost
Green internet use can help tackle the problem of ‘dark data’
We can help speed up road safety reforms by slowing down
Reducing your speed when you drive through a town, village or housing estate is also better for the environment
Don’t rely on price to indicate how hard wearing a T-shirt is
Textiles have the fourth highest impact on climate change
Poor air quality has serious health implications – how clean is your area?
A citizen science project aims to measure the level of nitrogen dioxide in Waterford city following the success of similar projects elsewhere
Next time you are organising a party, why not borrow a party kit?
While governments talk about reducing plastics and lobbyists lobby them not to, communities are taking action
‘Ireland’s teens are succeeding in school, but struggling in life.’ Could cycling help?
In the Netherlands, safe cycling infrastructure liberates kids from their parents – and parents from their kids
How spending two minutes picking up plastic on the beach can make a big difference
Plastic litter isn’t just ugly - it kills marine life
Use your clothes for nine months more and reduce their environmental footprint by up to 30%
Consumers can be assured that the environmental impacts of fast fashion will not go away quickly
Buy, eat, bin, repeat - we are locked in a never-ending flow of waste
Our homes have become a cog, another processing centre, in the ever-turning wheel of waste
The environmental cost of that debs dress
Some schools are taking a stand against the cost and the waste of the debs treadmill
How to save water: The average Irish person uses 133 litres a day
Water isn’t an unlimited resource, and getting clean, safe water to our taps has its costs
The recycling scheme hitting the right note: how hundreds of instruments are being rehomed
About 370 instruments have been put back into tune under a council initiative
Calling all ladybird spotters: help fill in the picture on these charismatic little bugs
Data on the species in the Republic is spotty, but that’s about to change
Ticks in Ireland: Lyme disease-carrying insects are coming for us and they’re likely to hang around longer too
Global heating has extended the peak season for ticks in Ireland, increasing the risk of Lyme disease and other health problems
Is it right to buy deodorants in single-use containers forever?
Refillable, plastic-free deodorants with natural ingredients are gaining fans
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
Crosswords & Puzzles
Crosswords & puzzles to keep you challenged and entertained
Stardust
Inquests into the nightclub fire that led to the deaths of 48 people
Common Ground
How does a post-Brexit world shape the identity and relationship of these islands
Family NoticesOpens in new window
Weddings, Births, Deaths and other family notices