Looking After the Environment

The handbook lists looking after the area in which you live and the wider environment among the responsibilities of UK residents. In practice this means recycling household waste correctly, not dropping litter, choosing public transport, walking or cycling where possible, and saving water and energy at home.

Further reading: an editorial guide on this topic opens in a new window for additional context.

Local councils run kerbside recycling collections for paper, glass, plastic and food waste; the rules differ slightly between councils. National laws also impose duties on businesses to reduce waste, and on developers to meet energy-efficiency standards in new buildings. Charities such as the National Trust and the RSPB are mentioned in the handbook as organisations that protect the natural environment.

Test questions focus on recognisable examples of environmentally responsible behaviour — recycling, using less water, taking the bus instead of driving — rather than on specific policies.

Test yourself on this topic

These questions from the official-format question bank cover the same material. Tap any question to see the correct answer and a short explanation.

1. How can you help looking after the environment?
2. Walking and using public transport to get around when you can is a good way to protect the environment because it creates less pollution than using a car
3. Things that you can do to look after the environment includes:
4. Which TWO things can you do to look after the environment?
5. When walking your dog in a public place, you must ensure that your dog
6. Many people continue to visit ______ for holidays and for leisure activities such as walking, camping and fishing

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