Big Green Switch has a clear, non-judgemental, non-extremist tone of voice with an emphasis on achievable ideas which are easy to put into practice. ‘Start small and do more when you are ready’, is the message.

Seven months after it launched in May 2007, BGS had a larger market share than Recycle Now, Greenpeace UK and the Carbon Trust and a number of other niche sites operating in this space*.

It is highly interactive and encourages its audience to get involved – as with the recent Feb 29 Leap Day Challenge. BGS visitors made 1,000 pledges and some of their efforts can be seen in pictures they submitted here: http://www.biggreenswitch.co.uk/maketheleap/results

At launch, BGS secured a six-month sponsorship with NPower Juice. A new partnership has now started with EDF Energy.

BGS has developed a Facebook application – Big Green Challenge - to promote the site virally and has also used Twitter to post daily updates which are sent out via SMS. You Tube and the virtual world Second Life have also featured in BGS’s marketing strategy.

BGS is firmly positioned in the middle ground showing you that you don’t necessarily have to get rid of your car, never leave mainland UK again or give up all your other conveniences and enjoyment to live a greener lifestyle. It shows you easy, realistic ways to start being more green with a strong emphasis on saving you money at the same time. It works hard to bring all the information together in one place – a green jobs board, green products shop, green tips, green blogs.

It tries to cut through hype and confusion and put all the information before consumers and encourage them to form their own conclusions and join the debate through interactivity – blogs, user-generated videos, tips and polls.

*According to Hitwise.

Nominated by Elaine Pritchard, 31 March 2008

Terrific site, I've been using the switches section to slowly change some of my ways.

Also, I'm not a green person, so it's handy to have greenies answer my questions.

Submitted by Matt, 05 April 2008

Great site, easy to understand. I was trying to be 'green' and this site has helped enormously by giving me new ideas. I think twice now about energy consumption which has resulted in reduced bills, and I recycle much more. I find it very encouraging.

Submitted by Dee, 07 April 2008

Great site, I've learned such a lot, especially ways to contribute towards a greener future. And I never realised how much I can save on energy bills.

Submitted by Lin, 07 April 2008

this is very informative, reading through your news letters i have realised how much energy and rubbish i waste. cutting down onthis has been a lot easier than i thought. well done and good luck

Submitted by janet parri, 07 April 2008

I've been subscribed for a while now. The daily tips are great, though I already do some of these things. The other tips and info are really helpful. And you can find the info that suits your lifestyle quite easily.

The challenge for 29 Feb was fun, even though I didn't manage photos - we got a load of stuff out the house and into the recycle centre.

Access to info and comments from other "ordinary" folk is a great support, too.

Submitted by Christine Farrell, 07 April 2008

This is a great site. Easy to use and informative without to much jargon. Great place to share ideas

Submitted by Ken Sowden, 08 April 2008

Great site! I like the fact it's "real world" stuff rather than "perfect world" that some sites are.

Submitted by Dan, 10 April 2008

Excellent facility, I cam accross it through their presence in virtyual world (Second Life) and their viral campaign to get users to carbon offset their virtual lives. An inspired idea, I hope they do well tonight :)

Submitted by Alister O'Shea, 02 July 2008

Well Done!! great site, congratulations on winning the award

Submitted by Janey Bracken, 04 July 2008