Author: ecoadmin

For today’s Green Tips Advent Calendar we open a window on renewable power. We’re now facing unprecedented heatwaves, polluted air, and unbelievable health issues caused by fossil fuels. In Addition to this issue, fossil fuels are about to run out if we continue to burn them uncontrollably.

Renewable energy sources are our best chance to stop the current trend and make the world a better place to live. Therefore, governments are considering using renewable energy sources to generate electric power.

The good news is that the world has already reached a tipping point in price and performance for wind and solar power. In many places wind and solar are cheaper than the fossil fuel alternatives. There are many reasons to choose renewable energy, including:

• Environmental benefits

Renewable energy is a clean source of energy that produces fewer greenhouse gases than fossil fuels. It can help reduce global warming and improve public health by reducing air and soil pollution. 

• Economic benefits

Renewable energy can create jobs and boost the economy. The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that the transition to net-zero emissions could create 9 million new jobs in clean energy by 2030. 

• Sustainable

Renewable energy sources are sustainable because they either replenish faster than they are consumed or are limitless in supply. 

• Reliable

Renewable energy sources are not subject to the same disputes and wars that fossil fuels are. 

• Affordable

Renewable energy can be cheaper than fossil fuels. For example, solar panels can save homeowners up to 70% on their electricity bill. 

• Stable prices

Renewable energy prices are more stable than fossil fuel prices. 

• Low maintenance

Renewable energy technologies require less maintenance than fossil fuel power stations. 

Change to Renewables

If the growth of wind, solar and energy storage continues at the best of the rates seen early on, the world’s energy emissions are on track to halve by 2030. To ensure this happens, we as ‘energy consumers’ can play an important part by using our purchasing power for good. The most significant action we can take is to start producing our own clean electricity, e.g. by adding solar panels onto the roofs of our houses.

However, if your housing situation doesn’t allow for that, the second-best solution is to compare the options from different utility providers in your community and select an electricity contract with 100% renewable energy certificates (RECs). This ensures that the electricity you use is powered by renewables and that it financially supports the shift away from power generation using fossil fuels, such as coal or natural gas.

Here are 7 types of alternative energy sources available out there:

Solar Energy

Solar energy is the only type of renewable energy you can easily harness at home. You need to buy either solar water heaters or solar panels to use solar energy and reduce your energy bills. There are different types of PV panels and you can choose the best one for your home according to the price, efficiency, and other criteria.

Wind Energy

To utilise wind, we need to build large turbines. Wind farms can help rural and remote areas to have green electricity. For example, offshore and onshore wind in the UK is generating around 30% of the UK’s electricity.

Hydroelectric

Hydroelectric power is similar to wind energy technology except for the working liquid, water instead of air. Building large dams and using turbines might be expensive, but it will produce a great amount of electricity.

Geothermal Energy

Geothermal energy is another clean and renewable energy that can be regarded as a sustainable power source. It is the heat within the planet Earth that can be harnessed in some areas.

Biomass

Biomass energy is the heat we can derive from organic waste by burning it. It’s regarded as a renewable energy source because we always regenerate organic materials, mostly plants.

Tidal Energy

Tidal or ocean energy is the hydropower energy we can get from tides. This energy is sometimes sorted under the category of hydropower, not in a separate one.

Hydrogen

Hydrogen is the most abundant element available on our planet, two-thirds of which is water. This element can be used as a zero-carbon fuel if we separate it.

In 2023, individual renewables contributed the following¹:

• Wind power contributed 29.4% of the UK’s total electricity generation.
• Biomass energy, the burning of renewable organic materials, contributed 5% to the renewable mix.
• Solar power contributed 4.9% to the renewable mix
• Hydropower, including tidal, contributed 1.8% to the renewable mix

The UK has some of the best renewable energy sources in the world. Our islands, battered by wind and waves, are perfect for tapping into these power sources. Even solar energy has a role to play; solar panels are more efficient in direct sunlight but can generate power even on a cloudy day.

In 2023, wind turbines in the United Kingdom generated 82.3 terawatt hours (TWh) of electricity and heat. This was enough to power over 20 million homes. Here are some other details about wind power in the UK:

• Wind capacity: The UK’s total installed wind capacity is around 30 gigawatts (GW), with about 15 GW each from onshore and offshore generation. 
• Renewable energy: In the first quarter of 2023, 42% of the UK’s electricity came from renewable energy. 
• Growth: Wind energy generation has grown substantially since 2009. 
• Government targets: The UK is aiming to reach a 50 GW wind capacity target by 2030. 
• Grid connection delays: Some new solar and wind sites are waiting up to 10 to 15 years to be connected to the grid.

Not only are fossil fuels and global warming damaging our wildlife and environment, they are also having a seriously detrimental effect on our health. Renewable energy sources such as wind power, solar panels and hydroelectric energy, on the other hand, are much more natural, and therefore ensure cleaner air. Choose a cleaner, greener and more sustainable energy source; have a great Christmas everyone!

For today’s Green Tips Advent Calendar, we are picking up litter! Just like we do on the last Saturday of every month for our Two Hour Tidy Up, and this month is no exception; why not join us for a very special Christmas Clear up with Wellie Wombles next Saturday in Croyland Park? Meet at our Recycling Station on Kingsway Car Park which sets up from 9:30 for litter picking between 10am and midday.

Joining in with a litter pick guarantees conversation, meeting new people, or perhaps reconnecting with some familiar ones. Our Two Hour Tidy Ups can be a great opportunity to share your thoughts and feelings, talk about the weather, or have a laugh about the unusual pieces of litter you find. Litter picking is accessible to anyone who can walk short distances, use a litter picker, and carry a bag.

Why Pick Up Other People’s Litter?

There are many reasons to pick up litter, including: 

• Positive impact: Litter picking can make a positive impact on the world and your local community. 
• Sense of pride: Litter picking can help you feel a sense of pride and responsibility for your local area. 
• Mental health: Litter picking can be therapeutic and improve your mental health. 
• Physical health: Litter picking can improve your physical health by getting you outside and moving around. 
• Connection with nature: Litter picking can increase your connection with nature. 
• Sense of community: Litter picking can bring communities together. 
• Wildlife: Litter harms wildlife and picking it up can help. 
• Wasted resources: Litter is a wasted resource. 
• Fun: Litter picking can be fun, especially when you receive appreciation from passers-by. 
• Sense of achievement: Litter picking can give you a sense of achievement, especially when you see the before and after. 

When you consider once discarded, litter remains in our environment for decades, making its way from land into our waterways and oceans – plastic bottles can last around 450 years – the more of it we can tidy up, the better! And that’s what Wellingborough Eco Group and Wellie Wombles have done. We have litter picked over 11,000 bags full of litter over the past five years! We have also reported 250 fly tips!

Be a Wellie Womble

Wellie Wombles are a litter picking group from Wellingborough Eco Group, started on Facebook by Freddie Harris in February 2021, also as the Wellingborough and East Northamptonshire group of Northants Litter Wombles, both of whom have been set up to encourage people to litter pick.

Wellie Wombles are individual litter pickers who, like the TV Characters, go Wombling free tidying up after the everyday people. We do suggest that you start near where you live but you can litter pick whenever you want to, and pretty much wherever you want to. As a group we simply offer you help, supplies and guidance, plus give you the chance to share photos with each other of what you have picked.

To help you, we can loan litter pickers, hi-vis and hoops, and to give away bags at ECO HUB and from Wellingborough Library. You can also purchase a variety of pickers and hoops from us, and we are available to help and give guidance when needed

Litter Picking Guidelines:

– When litter picking, only do so on public land such as parks, footpaths or local streets.

– Never put yourself or others at risk, always avoid rivers, steep banks and busy roads.

– Wear suitable clothing including hi-vis vests, covered footwear and protective gloves whilst out on a litter pick.

– Never pick up sharp objects, including needles and glass. Do not touch hazardous items, including asbestos and bottles of chemicals or urine, report if found.

– Don’t attempt to move large items or clear up fly tipping, report if found.

– Always use the red/orange in North Northants.

– We also supply clear bags for clean recyclables, but please note these need to be emptied into your recycling wheelie bin at home.

– Bags need to be left by a public highway, either on a path or verge for collection. Please do not leave bags by a public bin or on private land, as this could be reported as fly-tipping.

Reporting bags and other items:

– To get bags collected, if you live in North Northants simply report on our website at https://wellingboroughecogroup.org.uk/eco/litter-picking/bag-report/

– Alternatively call you can call North Northamptonshire Council with their location on 0300 1263000

– Typical timescales for collecting bags is 3/4 days.

– If you can, download the ”What3Words” app to report exact locations of bags and other items.

– To report the location large items, fly-tipping, hazardous or sharp objects, call North Northamptonshire Council on 0300 1263000

– Alternatively you can use apps. To report fly-tipping use ‘Fixmystreet’ and to report an abandoned trolley use ‘Trolley Wise’

– For areas not within North Northants, please obtain bags and report to your local council service.

Last year Wellie Wombles launched CLEAN (Litter Educate Advise Northants ) have spoken to 1657 young people this year. CLEAN presentatations are available to all schools and childrens groups free of charge and include the opportunity to go out litter picking afterwards with one of our Wombles! You can find out more about CLEAN on our website or by calling Freddie.

Join us for our monthly Two Hour Tidy Up!

Croyland Park has been chosen by Victor, who is a local councillor, he has reported that the park is heavily littered and will be join us next Saturday. We have tidied up this area before, but unfortunately due to some messy people there’s a lot to do. It could be cold, so free refreshments including tea and coffee will be available.

To help us and keep us safe at this and future litter picks, Wellingborough Eco Group have purchased some litter pickers, hi-vis vests and safety equipment including road signs, so everything is provided but please bring your own gloves and do dress up in festive outfits if you can. Join in, bring your friends and family, see you one Saturday 28^th December from 10-12, ALL WELCOME! Merry Christmas everyone!

Today’s Green Tips Advent Calendar window opens to challenge people, businesses and organisations to ditch their car and choose other ways to travel, such as catching a bus, getting on your bicycle and walking. Called Alternative Transport, it is a way of getting around that is often more sustainable and environmentally friendly, and it has other benefits too.

The need to take action on climate change is more pressing than ever. Transport is one of the main causes of the problem: making up a quarter of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions. There are easy ways to reduce emissions and have a positive impact on our health and on the wider environment.

Although the UK’s carbon emissions have dropped slightly since 1990, gains in some areas have been undermined by transport growth. Emissions from cars, lorries and aeroplanes continue to rise, and the problem is not limited to climate change. Traffic pollution leads to tens of thousands of early deaths and thousands more are killed in road accidents.

In the UK there were 330.8 billion vehicle miles in 2023, of which 33.5 million private cars drove 251.3 billion miles. In comparison, bicycles rode just 3.6 billion vehicle miles, just 1.4% compared to cars.

About 40% of the UK’s transport emissions come from private cars. An astonishing 6 out of every 10 cars on our roads contain just one person; for commuting or business journeys, about 85% carry only the driver. To reduce your impact, use your car less!

What is Alternative Transport?

Alternative Transport is the use of modes of transportation other than the single passenger motor vehicle including:

• Walking and biking, also referred to as Active Travel, are considered the most important alternative transportation options for health, space and capacity reasons. Other active travel options include scooters, rollerblading and skateboarding.
• Public transportation is an alternative that includes buses, trains and tramways.
• Carpooling is another alternative to driving alone.

Why Take Part In Alternative Transport?

Here are some reasons to choose to leave the car at home:

• Fitness

Cycling or walking to work is better for your fitness and doing it when you’d ordinarily be in a car, saves times and money.

• Wellness

Walking and cycling is better for your health and fitness and travelling by bus is more social and care free. Getting out of our cars means more fresh air and connection with our environment.

• Environment

Most greenhouse gas emissions come from road transport. Reducing the number of cars on our roads will have a dramatic effect on our ability to reduce our overall emissions.

• Convenience

Using a car necessitates parking and additional costs. Using a bike or walking means you can get closer to your ultimate destination. Travelling by bus and walking means you don’t need to worry about parking.

• Social

Walking, cycling and bussing inherently involves more people engagement, meaning that as a community we come together better rather than being isolated in our own cars.

• Infrastructure

Without cars and car parking dominating our infrastructure we can claim back that space for gardens and open spaces for everyone to enjoy. Emergency and delivery vehicles can operate with less hindrance and cost.

• Cost

Maintaining cars and parking is very costly. Whilst walking and buses don’t require any maintenance or parking, even a bike comes with free parking and much lower initial outlay and maintenance costs.

• Safety

If travelling to a destination is dominated by cars, it puts the safety of all other route users in danger, even if using a pavement. Rebalancing the focus on travel routes to pedestrians (including children), cyclists, horses and other vulnerable users makes all routes safer for everyone.

And whilst studies have found that a lack of infrastructure is deterring people from cycling with congested roads having huge safety issues for vulnerable cyclists, in Wellingborough (and in the other towns in Northamptonshire) we have lots of good cycle paths and most of them are away from busy roads. You can find all of the cycleways, and cycle parking sites in Wellingborough on Wellingborough Eco Map (see below or wellingboroughecogroup.org.uk/map)

Change together

There are many ways to choose alternative transport methods together, including Walking Buses at schools, walking and cycling clubs, and schemes at work that incentivise getting to work by bicycle or car sharing for example. There are also campaigns for alternative transport, including Critical Mass and Brightwayz.

Critical Mass are cycling events that happen in towns and cities all over the world on the last Friday of every month, including in Wellingborough. They are gatherings where everyone rides together as one big group. They are an opportunity to celebrate cycling but also to protest for change. Join Wellingborough Critical Mass rides on the last Friday of the month (except December) meeting 6:30pm and leaving 7:00pm from outside Castello Lounge.

Brightwayz is a social enterprise with ‘active travel’ expertise, they are a campaign company that offers products and information to engage, motivate and keep inspiring others to travel actively. In Wellingborough and Rushden they have recently teamed up the North Northamptonshire Council and others to engage with people to work on an active travel plan, including at ECO HUB, where they brought maps and serviced bicycles.

So, if you yearn to live in a less car-dependent society with cleaner air and safer, pleasanter street space; and you care about reducing the UK’s biggest source of CO2 emissions – transport, ditch your car for an alternative mode of transport. However you choose to get around during the festive period and beyond, have a great Christmas!

The Advent Calendar window Green Tip is from Judy today, and she would like to tell you about fermenting and preserving food. With Christmas being the season of excess, and hopefully a bit of time off, this could be a fun and productive way to save food. Why not get the family involved?

We hear a lot about how wasteful our society is these days and about the vast quantities of food that go to waste. Although some of this waste can only be prevented by farmers and supermarkets changing their systems, a great deal of it is food that has been left at the back of household fridges and forgotten about until it has gone off and has to be thrown away. So in order to avoid wasting fresh food, maybe surplus food that we’ve grown ourselves, or perhaps just food that we’ve bought and know we won’t get round to eating before it goes off, there are many different ways to use it to make delicious ferments and preserves to spice up future meals and eat as healthy snacks.

Of all the ways to preserve food, such as: pickling, jam making, chutney making, freezing, which are all great, fermentation, when used as a method of preserving, is in a class of its own. Not only does it require no cooking, thus saving the associated cost and carbon emissions, but its nutritional value is also enhanced by the micro-organisms responsible for fermentation. Out of produce, which could have otherwise gone to waste, you can create a real feast for the senses.

If you can put the time and effort into preparing home preserved fruit and vegetables, the flavours are just amazing. You will have food that tastes far superior to anything commercially produced, and which includes none of the added chemicals used to prolong the shelf life of shop bought foods. You can make a whole range of sweet, sour, salty, pungent, aromatic, and spicy flavours. But the list of foods that can be fermented doesn’t end with colourful jars of fruit and veg. There are crusty sourdough breads, creamy yogurts and cheeses (both dairy and vegan) and fizzy or still soft drinks and even alcoholic beverages. The possibilities of fermenting are endless and the results can be delicious and nutritious.

Fermented food contains beneficial bacteria and is good for your gut micro-biome, but don’t overdo it. You need to get used to new, fermented foods gradually, so you don’t overwhelm your digestive system. Small amounts to start with are best. The BBC Good Food website has lots of recipes for pickles, jams and chutneys as well as
ferments. Here’s a link to a simple sauerkraut recipe https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/
recipes/simple-sauerkraut

If there is enough interest, we hope to run some sessions next year on fermenting and preserving in conjunction with growing food at the Community Allotment. It would of course involve lots of tasting of the end products. If you would be interested in coming along to learn about either growing or fermenting and preserving or both, then please get in touch and let us know, so we can keep you informed of any courses planned. Contact us via email, social media, on 07311 705705 or at ECO HUB. Have a great Christmas everyone!

Today’s Green Tips Advent Calendar windows opens to stop using plastic. You’re probably well aware of all the headlines about the catastrophic effects of plastic pollution, but as well as being a major contributor to pollution and climate change, it also kills marine life and potentially us too!

So, no more plastic straws?

Single-use plastic isn’t just damaging, especially for our oceans, it’s also unnecessary; the first thing to do is to ditch the plastic straws and get yourself a metal one. If you really want to go the extra mile, you can ask your local pubs and restaurants to only serve plastic straws upon request. You can also replace plastic cutlery with reusable options. 

Buy a reusable bottle or cup

There’s no need to buy plastic bottles of water from supermarkets. Why not buy a reusable bottle instead? You can even download Refill – an app which shows you where your nearest refill station is! While you’re at it, buy a reusable coffee cup. Some coffee outlets will actually charge you a little less if you bring a reusable coffee cup, so everybody wins.

Packed lunches, not meal deals

You’ve probably been psyching yourself up to start doing this for a while now, so let this be the last little boost you needed. Perfectly recyclable pasta pots and sandwich boxes often end up in the bin if we’re racing through the centre of town, so do the planet (and your wallet) a favour and start making packed lunches. This means that you can bring your own metal cutlery, too.

Buy loose veg

When you are choosing between buying loose or packed veg, always go for loose. Not only are you forgoing unnecessary plastic, you’re also buying just what you need. Less plastic, less waste. Simple.

Buy in Bulk

Buying office supplies in bulk or even food in bigger packets can also reduce plastic waste and save money. 

Don’t be caught without a shopping bag

Many of us will be making far too many trips to the supermarket over the festive season, so make sure you always keep a sturdy shopping bag folded up in your car or rucksack. This way, when you inevitably pop in on the way home, you’re prepared.

Beware Teabags

Some teabags contain hidden plastics such as glues used to seal the bags, in the fabric of the bag itself, or in the packaging. For this reason, not all teabags can go into garden compost as they won’t break down (or may break down into microplastics). And some alternative bags, such as those made from polylactic acid (PLA), can’t go in your council food waste collection. Always check what you can put in your food bin where you live, using your council website. To avoid these plastics, try loose leaf tea which can be used with a strainer, or reusable teabags. Alternatively, look for brands that are taking action to remove plastic from their tea – try bags that are unbleached and organic, in cardboard packaging.

Find refill stations for detergents and food

Big brands are starting to take this refill concept seriously; you should, too. When your anti-bacterial spray or washing up liquid runs out, look for refill pouches or stations – don’t just grab a new bottle!

Go one step further and shop at a refill store, we have an excellent one in Wellingborough, called Food for Thought in Nene Court where Kerry and her team will help you with all sorts of foods, including treats and yes, even detergents!

Support companies that are committed to sustainable packaging

One of the most important things that you can do to help reduce plastic pollution: support companies that package their goods responsibly, and avoid those that don’t, i.e. avoid products with excess or unnecessary plastic packaging. These days, companies succeed by aligning themselves ethically with their target market. This a consumer-driven trend with a positive impact on the environment, so we should keep it alive.

Ditch the cling wrap

Unlike cling film that cannot be recycled, consider alternatives such as aluminium foil which can be recycled. If you are using foil, make sure you clean it and put it in the recycling bin after use. Another alternative is Beeswax Wraps. Made using 100% cotton, pine resin, jojoba oil and various waxes they are a reusable and sustainable alternative to cling film, and no nasties will leach into your food while it’s stored. Other alternatives include reusable lunchboxes, or elasticated fabric bowl covers which are useful for storing bowls of food in the fridge.

Give up gum

In England, around 87% of streets are stained with gum (Keep Britain Tidy) so always make sure you dispose of chewing gum in an appropriate bin, never on the floor. Did you know conventional chewing gum is made from plastic? This makes it take longer to decompose and it will break down into microplastics. Several plastic-free alternatives are now on the shelves, so look for brands that detail the ingredients of their gum and are committed to ending plastic pollution.

Glitter, the one member of the party that NEVER leaves!

All glitter is made from plastic. Due to its size and composition, glitter can last for many years in natural environments, breaking down into smaller microplastics and being ingested by wildlife. Even biodegradable glitter is a myth. There is no legal limit on how long it takes to decompose in the natural environment before it is called ‘biodegradable’, so many of the biodegradable glitters could last as long as plastic. It also has the same impact on wildlife and the natural environment – small particles are easily ingested by wildlife and could have harmful effects. Instead, steer clear of all glitter and opt for alternative decorations instead. Similarly Avoid products with microbeads. Microbeads are tiny plastic particles that contribute to ocean plastic pollution too. 

Plastic pollution is the most visible example of the havoc we’re causing to our planet. From our local beaches to the remote Arctic, it is choking our oceans and killing wildlife. We need everyone to stop using plastic, but if it’s too daunting to know where to start, try making one small change at a time and committing to it. For example, could you switch to a glass ketchup bottle instead of a squeaky plastic one? When you’re finished, wash it out and reuse it, refill it, or recycle it appropriately.

And if removing plastic from your life completely is unfeasible, make your plastic containers go further. For example, when a plastic bottle finishes, try your local refill shop and fill those containers with new products including wet and dry goods. We can also reuse containers like old butter and ice cream tubs as sandwich boxes, useful tubs for screws or nails, or planters for seedlings. How ever you stop using plastic, have a Merry Christmas everyone!