The Observer Ethical Awards, held last week in association with eco products brand Ecover, may offer some ideas for green home living to households keen to minimise their negative impact on the environment.

Among the community schemes that were recognised in the awards are some that could be replicated in any green home across the country without too much trouble.

For instance, The Recyclists earned themselves the Ecover Ethical Kids award for their efforts to promote recycling by collecting their neighbours' waste and taking it to their local recycling plant.

Ethical living correspondent for the Observer Lucy Siegle says: "It's amazing to see how much these awards have grown over the last five years; I was delighted by the number and quality of the entries this year."

Ecover previously urged households not to turn to strong chemicals when spring cleaning their homes, but instead to try effective yet environmentally sound eco products.