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Waste
Each of us produces waste in nearly every aspect of our lives - at home and at work. The amount of waste we are producing is increasing and something needs to be done. In one day, Britain produces enough waste to fill Trafalgar Square to the top of Nelson's Column, more than 400 million tonnes in a year. Every household generates approximately 1 tonne of waste each year. For every tonne of waste we produce in the home, 5 tonnes is created in the manufacture of the products we consumer. In many cases ten tonnes of raw materials results in just one tonne of finished products. This means that despite the increasing use of recycling and composting to deal with our waste, we are continuously battling with increasing volumes of waste.
For further information on Recycling and Composting contact cleansing@charnwood.gov.uk
Turn your home into a green power station
As a country, the UK is the world's seventh biggest energy user. Every year we use the equivalent of 4,000 litres of oil for every person in the country and our demand for energy is increasing. More and more of our appliances are electric, battery or fuel powered.
Our dependence on fossil fuels will inevitably have to change. As reserves run out or become uneconomic to extract renewable energies are the only option - even if there were not other considerations The main problem with fossil fuels is not that they are running out, but that they release carbon dioxide when burnt - the main cause of global warming and climate change. Other forms of pollution - sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide -are also emitted by fossil fuels.
Alternatives to the fossil fuels are all around us. Boundless energy can be harvested from the sun, the wind, flowing water and other natural sources. These renewable energies won't run out and what's more, they don't cause pollution.
The ability to generate energy for use in your home by your home is known as Microgeneration. There are a number of different microgeneration technologies which include solar thermal which uses the sun's energy to heat water and photovoltaic panels which use the sun's energy to generate electricity.
The cost of these technologies vary greatly but the cheapest form, solar thermal can cost as little as £1500 and there are Government grants available. Details of the different types of microgeneration and the grants that are available can be found at the Low Carbon Buildings Programme.
Make the switch - to a green energy supplier
One way of demonstrating your support in the fight against climate change is by switching your electricity supplier to one that supplies 'green energy'. A large number of electricity suppliers now offer electricity from renewable sources such as wind, solar and hydro power. Changing to a green energy can also save you money. There are a number of different websites which allow you to compare prices of green energy suppliers.
Energy Efficiency
Local Food
Buying local food is important for several reasons
- It is good for the environment- less road and air transport, less packaging, less pollution, less waste
- It's good for your local economy - keeps money in your local area, creating jobs and businesses locally and giving farmers a bigger cut of the price-tag you pay
- It's good for your community - making links between people in urban areas and the countryside
- It's good for your health - fresher food, with improved nutrient levels, containing fewer contaminants
Shop locally for fresher, healthier, less-travelled food and support your local producers and shop-keepers.
For information about Farmers Markets in the Charnwood area contact Markets and Fairs on 01509 634624
Fairtrade
Fairtrade does what it says on the label; it guarantees a better deal to producers in the developing world.
This means a stable price which covers their production costs, along with a premium that their organisation will be able to reinvest either in the business or social and environmental schemes among the wider community.
Too many farmers in the developing world have to contend with fluctuating prices that may not even cover what it costs to produce their crop.
So Fairtrade can make a big impact on their day-to-day life. And on their future and that of their family.
Charnwood Action For Fairtrade (CAFF) and Charnwood Borough Council have been working together to promote Fairtrade and encourage local shops and cafes to stock Fairtrade. The culmination of this work has been achieving Fairtrade Borough status for Charnwood.
For more information about Fairtrade visit the Fairtrade Foundation website.
Grow your own / allotments
Contacting Us
Growing your own fruit in veg is good for you in more ways than one. Firstly you know where the food has come from and what treatments it has received. And secondly it's a great way to exercise in the sunshine!
If you don't have a back garden of your own why not rent a local allotment? For more details contact the allotments team at leisure@charnwood.gov.uk or by phoning 01509 634704