We had a hugely successful Repair Cafe back in January 2024. We fixed a total of 26 items, prevented 69kg of waste and 230kg of CO2 emissions – that’s like growing 4 tree seedlings for 10 years!

Repair Cafes don’t just save money and reduce waste, they also bring people together. Our repairers are keen to share their skills, stop things going to landfill and reduce the impact that buying new stuff has on the environment. 

We’re looking for general volunteers and repairers to help us on the day and at future cafes. Get in touch with us at info@elyrepaircafe.org.uk. 

Please note that our repairers may not always be able to fix things, but will try their best. 

To find out more about Ely Repair Cafe and to book your items in for repair visit https://elyrepaircafe.org.uk

Find out about other events in the Cambridgeshire Repair Cafe Network: https://cambridgecarbonfootprint.org/repair-cafes

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Experts from East Cambridgeshire District Council will be on hand to offer information and advice to anyone who wants to support the environment and help create a cleaner, greener, East Cambridgeshire.

The Green Fair will take place both on the Cathedral’s grounds as well as the Council’s Palace Green area, immediately in front of the Cathedral. The fair is completely FREE to enter. No need to book, just visit any time between 10am and 4pm.

Interactive displays will be available to showcase different types of energy saving measures – such as solar panels and air source heat pumps – all of which can have a massive impact on the energy efficiency of our homes. Alongside this, the council’s Home Energy Team, with support from environmental charity PECT will be providing information on grants and other support available to local residents.

The climate team will be asking people to vote for which locally endangered animal they would like the council to prioritise for support as part of its Species Recovery Programme.

Residents are being asked to choose between otters, hedgehogs, bees, bats, toads and owls, all of which need help. The animal which receives the most votes will be officially incorporated into the council’s Environment Plan and measures then put in place to enhance and protect their habitats.

There will also be a mini trail for children and a Lego animal building play space.

Rubbish and recycling will be the topic of conversation for visitors to the East Cambs Street Scene’s creative stand. ECSS collects waste on behalf of the council and its experts will be chatting to residents about recycling, how to minimise food waste and future plans to help the district become one of the top performing areas for recycling in the country. There will also be a recycling relay for children.

PECT will also be exhibiting work from local schools that have signed up to the Council’s Eco Charter including King’s Ely primary, Robert Arkenstall in Haddenham and Soham Village College. There will also be educational opportunities for children including planting and crafts.

A full list of the stalls is available on the Cathedral’s website.

Press release from East Cambridgeshire District Council

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Following the success of the inaugural event in 2021, and the unexpected cancellation in 2022 due to the death of HM Queen Elizabeth II, Ely Cathedral’s annual Green Fair is back, and it’s bigger and better than ever.

Over 80 trade stands, exhibitors, local organisations and environment groups will be taking part in this free event on Saturday 5th August in the grounds of Ely Cathedral. 

Demonstrations will be taking place throughout the day and will include: wood turning, weaving, flower arranging and needle felting plus children’s creative workshops by Re-Imagine. 

Visitors can enjoy wandering around the many artisan craft stalls. Food will be a major feature with several local producers alongside street food traders providing a feast of delicious options including Falafel & Halloumi Wraps, New Deli Street Food, Vegan Wraps, Asian Steamed Buns, Wood Fired Pizza, Cakes, Brownies, and locally brewed beer from the Three Blind Mice Brewery.  

National and regional organisations, dedicated to supporting our local communities and the environment, will be on hand to share their knowledge and views including The Wildlife Trust, Cam Cycle, South East Cambs Badger Group, ECDC Climate Change, Therapy Dogs and the RSPB.   

Live entertainment will be provided by Littleport Brass Band, The Riot Border Morris Dancers and Spotted In Ely Radio.  

This free event, which is expected to attract thousands of visitors, takes place on Cross Green and Palace Green on Saturday 5th August from 10.00 a.m. 

Press release from Ely Cathedral

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The Council, which declared a climate emergency in 2019, is the first local authority in Cambridgeshire to sign up to the scheme.

It hopes becoming independently accredited as an Investor in the Environment will help it meet its ambitions to become net carbon zero by 2040.

As part of the scheme, the Council will continue to look at ways it can reduce carbon as part of its day-to-day operations. This will include initiatives such as reducing the amount of paper it uses, encouraging all staff to recycle and exploring ways it can make significant carbon savings by investing in renewable energy or switching to electric vehicles.

The Council is hoping to achieve bronze status during the current year and silver status in 2023.

The highest level – green – will be awarded once the more challenging areas to help reduce carbon emissions are tackled.

Councillor Julia Huffer, Chair of the Operational Services Committee, said: “At East Cambridgeshire District Council we’ve already made some impressive strides towards becoming net carbon zero.

“This has included planting community orchards, looking at ways we can support sustainable transport links and investing in schemes to retrofit houses for people on lower incomes so they are more energy efficient.

“We are also reconfiguring our waste collection rounds so the bin lorries use less fuel – which in turn will help us save the equivalent of 12 tonnes of carbon every year.

“By becoming an Investor in the Environment, we will be able to access national resources and support to help us make our dream of becoming net carbon zero by 2040 a reality.”

To help take its first step, the Council signed up to a new Environment Policy at its Operational Services Committee meeting on 21st March and is now focusing on updating its Environmental Plan which includes 20 actions the Council will commit to over the next 12 months.

This will include tree planting, energy saving measures, working with schools, lobbying government and preparing nature recovery strategies.

Press release from East Cambridgeshire District Council

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It gives schools the fantastic opportunity to showcase their amazing environmental work for the benefit of pupils and the wider community.

This could include improving energy use, reducing paper, plastic or food waste, or maintaining the school grounds for the benefit of nature.

The council is even offering to fully fund the first year of the scheme to the first 10 schools in East Cambs which sign up.

On completion each school will be awarded Eco Charter status and fly an Eco Charter flag, helping it to demonstrate to Ofsted its commitment to the environment and the steps it’s taking to enhance students’ knowledge of sustainability and implement long-term behaviour change.

Developed in consultation with teachers and educators, the Eco Charter will be delivered in partnership with the Peterborough Environment City Trust (PECT).

All primary and secondary schools in the district are being given the opportunity to sign up for the scheme and will receive resources and support to help them achieve it.

Cllr Julia Huffer, Chair of the Operational Services Committee at East Cambridgeshire District Council, said: “We are committed to helping create a cleaner, greener East Cambridgeshire.

“This new Eco Charter is the perfect opportunity for environmentally conscious schools who want to demonstrate their eco status, while meeting Ofsted’s requirements at the same time.

“I would encourage all schools that wish to create greener, happier, healthier places and a smarter future for their pupils and the wider community, to take part.”

East Cambridgeshire District Council declared a climate emergency in 2019 and in doing so agreed to explore a wide range of actions to improve the local environment and help mitigate climate change.

Its Environment and Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan (EnvPlan) outlines the 20 commitments the Council is putting in place to reach its goal of being a ‘carbon net zero’ authority.

Interested schools are being invited to attend a free webinar hosted byEmma-Jane Danielsson, Climate Change Officer for East Cambridgeshire District Council and Heidi Latronico, Environment Education Lead at PECT.

The webinar will explain how the Eco Charter works and the support schools can receive. There will be the opportunity to answer any questions.

An invite to the webinar, which will take place after half term, has already been sent out to primary and secondary schools in East Cambs, however, if you missed it you can still sign up for the ECO Charter Webinar Event here.

For further information about the Eco Charter in advance of the webinar visit www.pect.org.uk/projects/eco-charter

Press release from East Cambridgeshire District Council

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Figures released by the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs show that 56.6% of waste was sent for reuse, recycling or composting the year ending March 2021.

This is a one per cent increase on the previous year and puts East Cambridgeshire in the top 25 local authorities in England, highlighting the council’s strong commitment to a cleaner, greener East Cambridgeshire.

Since the introduction of wheeled bin recycling services in 2013, the district’s recycling percentage has increased from 33.4% (2012/13) to 56.6% (2020/21). Of 320 councils responsible for waste collections in England, East Cambridgeshire has moved from 257th to 25th position in the recycling league table.

Cllr Julia Huffer, Chair of the Operational Services Committee at East Cambridgeshire District Council, said: “The improvement in our recycling rates since the introduction of our wheeled bin recycling service in 2013 has been nothing short of astonishing.

“From a low recycling rate we are now pushing towards our target of 60%.

“We must say a huge thank you to our residents. However, we know we cannot be complacent and will continue to promote and encourage people to recycle with the help of our recycling champion Michael Recycle.”
    
The wheeled bin recycling service involves:

• A blue lidded wheeled bin recycling collection, including paper, glass, food and drinks cans, plastic bottles and hard plastic food containers, cartons and cardboard. This is collected fortnightly.

• A green lidded wheeled bin collection for garden and food waste. This is also collected fortnightly.

• Refuse in black sacks is collected weekly

For more information on the waste and recycling service in East Cambridgeshire please call 01353 665555.

Press release from East Cambridgeshire District Council

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At an East Cambridgeshire District Council Operational Services Committee meeting, it was unanimously agreed that, in principle, ESpace North provided the best opportunity for the Council to kickstart the implementation of its own renewable energy infrastructure.

Further investigation will now be carried out into the costs before a final decision is made by the Council to proceed.

Councillor Julia Huffer, Chairman of the Operational Services Committee, said: “In June this Committee approved the Council’s Environment Plan which included a set of actions the Council aims to undertake over 12 months – one of which was to explore whether the Council could operate its own renewable energy infrastructure with the long-term target of generating enough renewable energy to match the energy used by the Council in its buildings, street lights and storage depots.

“This is the first step towards achieving that and could mean ESpace North becomes a beacon – a shining light – for our future goals here.”

ESpace, which is owned by the Council, was identified as an ideal location for the solar panels following an investigation into matters such as planning, land and property ownership, financial investments and returns.

The venue ticked the boxes for its roof structure, ability to easily fix panels to it, the orientation of the roof, its size and pitch and the prospect of how much energy could be generated.

Councillor Huffer said: “Our preliminary investigations indicate that the solar panels would cost approximately £50,000 to install with an estimated payback on that investment of six to eight years and a lifespan of 25.

“This makes the investment very favourable – allowing us to save around 20 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year – which is 2% of our carbon footprint at the Council – and paying for around 60% of electricity use at ESpace with the potential to sell excess electricity back to the grid later down the line.

“In short there appears a sound environmental and financial basis for progressing this proposal to a more formal tender stage and continuing to strive to meet our objectives as laid out in the Environmental Plan.”

In Autumn 2019, East Cambridgeshire District Council declared a climate emergency and agreed to explore a wide range of actions to improve our local environment and help mitigate climate change.

One such commitment was the preparation of an annual Environment and Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan. This was launched in June 2020, with a second plan approved in June 2021.

You can find the full agenda item on the Council’s website:  https://www.eastcambs.gov.uk/meetings/operational-services-committee-15112021

Press release from East Cambridgeshire District Council

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The plan, which was unanimously approved at last night’s Operational Services Committee, includes the Council’s top 20 commitments for 2021/2022.

The Action Plan focuses on what the Council can do to mitigate climate change and seek to boost the natural environment in the district, with new measures for this year including new tree planting, energy efficiency improvements to buildings and reducing emissions from our waste vehicles.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the Council has reached many of its targets set out in its first action plan adopted in June 2020, including making the switch to a 100 percent renewable energy electricity from 1st October 2020, changing all Council owned street and car park lights to LED lights and the adoption of two Supplementary Planning Documents for the natural environment and climate change.

Councillor Anna Bailey, leader of East Cambridgeshire District Council, said: “Since declaring a climate emergency back in October of 2019, this Council has made tremendous strides to protect the environment and reduce carbon emissions and I am incredibly proud of the progress we have made despite a large majority of time since this being dominated by our COVID-19 response.

“But despite the pandemic, the Council has continued to work tirelessly to deliver the actions set out in last year’s Action Plan and I am thrilled to have made such valuable progress over the past year.

“However, we must not rest on our laurels and now is the time to step up our approach, go further and achieve more. I’m therefore delighted we have agreed our new top 20 commitments for the coming year. 

“Protecting the environment and reducing carbon emissions is a real team effort and by pulling together, we have the opportunity to make a real difference and achieve a cleaner, greener East Cambridgeshire.”

Councillor David Ambrose Smith, Chairman of the Operational Services Committee, said: “Firstly, I would like to thank all residents who continue to get involved with the Council’s Ideas Forum by submitting your suggestions on what the Council could do to tackle climate change.

“We have all seen just how much of a positive impact the environment can have on not only our physical health but out mental health too and I am so pleased to see so many people getting involved in such an important matter.”

Councillor Julia Huffer, Member Champion for Waste and Recycling, as well as Climate Change and the Natural Environment, said: “The approval of our second Environment and Climate Change Strategy Action Plan is a testament to all of the hard work that has been undertaken so far and a reaffirmation of our commitment to the environment.

“We have carried out a great amount of work over the past year and I am really looking forward to continuing our efforts and making tangible changes in the next twelve months.”

A list of 20 commitments for the upcoming year have been detailed within the report, this includes to:

• Over £1m to spend on energy efficiency improvements to at least 100 homes in the district, plus £100,000 to improve the energy efficiency of ECDC’s main office building, The Grange
• implement new grass cutting and wildflower management arrangements in suitable locations, to help support greater biodiversity
• adopt a new Cycling and Walking Strategy for East Cambridgeshire and use that strategy as the basis for influencing change, bidding for funds and for negotiation with developers
• create a new tree-based maze in the district by running a competition with children to design the maze, and then planting out the winning maze design in a suitable location
• Set up an orchard planting programme, whereby ECDC will offer free fruit trees to community groups, schools or parish councils
• develop a preliminary ‘nature recovery strategy’ for East Cambridgeshire, to feed into Cambridgeshire wide nature recovery actions and frameworks
• Reduce emissions from our waste collection vehicles by reconfiguring the routes the vehicles take to reduce the miles they have to travel, saving fuel, emissions and money

You can find the full list of commitments on the East Cambridgeshire District Council’s website here (page 43 of Appendix A):  https://www.eastcambs.gov.uk/sites/default/files/agendas/Agenda%20Item%208.pdf

Press release from East Cambridgeshire District Council

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They’ve come together to hold an Eco-Festival in the countryside just outside Ely, on the weekend of 18th – 20th June.

The event will be one of the first large scale gatherings in the East of England following the majority of coronavirus restrictions being lifted on May 17th.

Hundreds of people are expected to attend, both locals and tourists, as demand for tickets has already been high. 

Organiser Claire Murray, who runs the Mad Hatter’s campsite, which will be the venue, said, “We’ve all been starved of human contact and fun for so long. This is the moment to mark the return to normal life with family, friends, and the rest of society. 

‘I can’t wait to see people smiling and enjoying themselves again. I’m particularly looking forward to the bands, and doing some dancing!”

The event is designed to appeal to people of all ages, so no one is excluded from the celebration of finally beating Covid.  

It features live bands, building a giant bug hotel, delicious vegan food cooking demonstrations, a kids’ disco, outdoor cinema, a storyteller, a magician, a Mad Hatter’s tea party, a range of stalls, and beware of your valuables… a pickpocket! (But don’t worry, he gives his ill gotten gains back.) 

The government has said it wants the UK to have a “summer of fun” following the bleak days of the pandemic.

“I’m very much up for that,” Claire says, “And I know so many others are as well. It’s time to return to normal and enjoy life.” 

A key feature of the Eco-Festival is that it’s designed to offer environmentally friendly entertainments and activities, with a range of eco-alternatives for every lifestyle. 

For example, it will showcase how to repair clothes and repurpose electrical items, instead of throwing them away, and use products such as beeswax wraps instead of cling film around the home. 

Florists Martha Waterhouse and Sharon Hellyer are exhibiting at the festival. Both grow their flowers, including dahlias, zinnias, cornflowers, in an environmentally friendly way just outside Ely.

They want to demonstrate how people can have beautiful flowers about the house without the need for mass-production and shipping from overseas.

“The festival is a great opportunity to meet like-minded people, and restart our businesses,” Martha says. 

“Everything has been so quiet during coronavirus, with no events like weddings, and this offers a great chance to get going again. It will also be wonderful to socialise with people once more. We have really missed that.”

Claire adds, “As well as being one big party, we want to make people think about how they can live more environmentally friendly lives in future. It’s not as hard as some believe, and could be an eye opener for many. The festival is all part of building a better future after coronavirus.’

The event will also raise money for a range of charities attending the festival, along with the Addenbrooke’s Hospital Trust, in recognition of the work of the NHS during the coronavirus pandemic. 

The festival will follow all current coronavirus precautions.  If any new Covid restrictions are imposed, and the festival has to be postponed, it will be held next year with all tickets carried over. 

For more information, email Claire on clairemurray50@gmail.com or call 01353 676233. 

Press release from Mad Hatters Campsite

Photos: Claire Murray. Martha (in field of flowers) and the Festival Site

The post Kicking Back from Covid With Environmentally Friendly Festival Fun appeared first on Spotted in Ely.

This is great news for Ely and Cambridgeshire Companies, as this new service provides a “True Closed Loop” recycling service for compostable packaging from restaurants and workplaces to help companies reduce landfill.

Envar Composting and Countrystyle Recycling Ltd have partnered with Vegware to launch collections for compostable food service disposables in Cambridgeshire. This follows the recent announcement of Countrystyle Recycling’s expansion into the Cambridgeshire area, through operations at its Thetford depot and from the St Ives composting facility of its sister company, Envar Composting.

Countrystyle’s new trade waste collection service and Envar’s composting capabilities together bring sustainable solution waste management to catered offices, college restaurants and schools. All used Vegware containers, cups and cutlery (made from plants using renewable, lower carbon, recycled or reclaimed materials) can now go in the Countrystyle food waste bin. Within a maximum of 10 weeks of collection, Envar Composting’ processes will transform these materials into high quality compost for application to local horticulture and farmland.

Collections will be made using one of Countrystyle’s dedicated dual pod vehicles, which has the added benefit of reducing the carbon footprint of collections and limiting waste miles to Envar Composting’s treatment facility at St Ives.

Vegware’s Senior Waste Management Consultant, Eilidh Brunton, commented that: “Foodservice wants hygiene and sustainability. Vegware disposables are ideal for socially distanced catering, but also meet the desire of diners for an environmentally sustainable solution to disposable waste. Vegware holds the deepest set of compostability certifications in the sector, and now our clients in Cambridge can compost their used Vegware products. We are delighted to be working with Countrystyle Recycling and Envar Composting to ensure our customers can meet their sustainability goals.”

Countrystyle’s Business Development Manager, Joe Hemsley-Rudd, added: “This new partnership enables Vegware to deliver its commitment to ‘Close the Loop’, a solution for foodservice customers in the Cambridgeshire area. Countrystyle’s close working connections with Envar Composting enable us to deliver a truly local closed-loop recycling solution”.

Envar’s Managing Director, Andy Sibley commented: “We have worked closely with Vegware for some time recycling products from their customers in London and the South East, to ensure effective composting to our required quality standards and to feedback ways in which contamination can be reduced. We look forward to rolling out this established partnership in the Cambridgeshire area.“

Countrystyle’s dual pod collection vehicles are already making their rounds in the Cambridgeshire area and our team is on hand to take enquiries about Vegware and any food waste collections.

Countrystyle Recycling and Envar Composting are part of the family-owned Heathcote Holdings Group of resource management companies and Countrystyle’s operations are based out of Envar’s flagship composting facility at St Ives, Cambridgeshire. This facility produces quality PAS100 and CQP certified soil conditioner for the agricultural, viticultural and horticultural markets, as well as manufacturing quality biomass fuels.

For more information get in touch: Joe.Hemsley-rudd@countrystylerecycling.co.uk

Press release from Countrystyle Recycling

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Annual data, which reviews recycling in local authority areas, is published by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). 

The latest data shows that East Cambridgeshire has improved its recycling rate, beating all other local authorities in Cambridgeshire for 2019/20.

Councillor David Ambrose Smith, Chairman of the Operational Services Committee, said: “Our improving recycling rate and position nationally is a testament to all of the hard work being undertaken by our residents.

“We are incredibly proud of this position however, we must not rest on our laurels and we will continue to strive for a higher recycling rate of 65% which is set out in our 2020-23 corporate plan.”

Compared with DEFRA’s figures from 2010/11, the district has seen their recycling rate increase by more than 20%, up from just 37.3% to 56.5% and black sack waste reduction by 134.1kg, from 502.3kg to 368.2kg per household.

Councillor Julia Huffer, member champion for waste and recycling, said: “This is a great achievement for East Cambridgeshire and one that every resident should be proud of as it is their daily efforts that secured us these amazing results.

“More and more of us take our responsibility for looking after the environment very seriously and as a Council, will we continue support our residents’ ambitions to reduce waste and recycle more which will help us progress to a greener future.”

The overall household recycling rate 2019/20 for England is 45.5%.

The findings from the DEFRA report can be found on gov.uk here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/local-authority-collected-waste-management-annual-results

Press release from East Cambridgeshire District Council

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East Cambridgeshire District Council’s commitment to reaching net zero carbon emissions has been illustrated by the green goals it has reached this year.

Following the declaration of a climate emergency, the Council created an Environment and Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan which set out the authority’s top 20 actions for tackling climate change in 2020/2021.

Despite the coronavirus pandemic, the Council has still made significant strides towards meeting their goal and completing a number of actions set out in the plan.

After public consultations, both the Climate Change and Natural Environmental Supplementary Planning Documents were approved by the Council’s Finance and Assets Committee, making the area’s environmental aims a formal consideration in all future planning decisions.

In addition to this, the Council has also begun to implement a culture of homeworking to lower carbon emissions from business travel.

Plans to make some of the Council’s own land assets richer in biodiversity have been enacted after the Wildlife Trust identified three areas for tree and meadow planting that can now be taken forward by East Cambridgeshire District Council.

Alongside the Council’s switch to a 100% renewable electricity contract at its headquarters, all street and car park lights in areas managed by the Council have been switched to LED bulbs over this winter.

With the term of the first Action Plan coming to an end in June this year, the Council has relaunched its Ideas Forum to give residents an opportunity to offer their ideas on how the Council could further reduce their carbon emissions and aid the natural environment in 2021/2022.

Until 28th February, residents can submit their thoughts to the Ideas Forum before they are collated and considered by the Council to help form the next annual Action Plan.

Once created, the 2021/2022 strategy will be presented to the Operational Services Committee in June 2021 for formal adoption.

Councillor David Ambrose Smith, chairman of the Operational Services Committee, said: “The Council’s dedication to reducing carbon emissions across the district has been underlined by the progress we have made towards meeting the goals we set out last year.

“While we are incredibly proud of the work we have done so far, we know that we must not rest on our laurels and the creation of the second Action Plan will allow us to keep up the momentum we have gained since declaring a climate emergency.”

Councillor Julia Huffer, Member Champion for Climate change and the Natural Environment, said:

“The reopening of the Ideas Forum provides our residents with the perfect opportunity to continue to have their say and send the Council their ideas on how we can tackle climate change and boost the natural environment.

“I would urge all of our residents to submit their suggestions to the Ideas Forum before the deadline on 28th February.” 

Residents can submit their ideas in a number of ways including online, by visiting the East Cambs website, emailing climatechange@eastcambs.gov.uk or by calling the Customer Services Team on 01353 665555 during office hours.

Press release from East Cambridgeshire District Council

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East Cambridgeshire District Council is relaunching its Ideas Forum to give residents an opportunity to submit their thoughts on how the council could reduce their carbon emissions and boost the natural environment.

The relaunch allows residents to submit their ideas ahead of the creation of the council’s second annual Climate Change Action Plan.

The Ideas Forum was first launched in December 2019 following the Council’s decision to declare a climate emergency.

The aim of the Ideas Forum was and continues to be, to provide residents with the opportunity to share their ideas with the Council to help reduce carbon emissions and, ultimately, become a net zero carbon emissions organisation.

The Ideas Forum is also the place to offer suggestion how we could boost the local natural environment of East Cambs.

The annual deadline for residents to submit ideas to the forum is 28th February.

Responses will be collated and considered by the Council to help create the next annual Action Plan which will be adopted by the Operational Services Committee in June 2021.

Councillor David Ambrose Smith, chairman of the Operational Services Committee, said: “The Council has a considerable role to play in reducing its own carbon emissions, as well as helping a reduction across the district as a whole, and this is something we take very seriously.

“Since declaring a climate emergency last year, we have already undertaken a large number of steps towards our goal of becoming carbon neutral.

“We want to continue to engage with our residents to gain their ideas for our next action plan and are urging everyone to submit their suggestions to the forum by 28th February to be considered by the Council.”

The Council has already completed several of its top 20 commitments for 2020/21 (which it set itself in June 2020) including, installing LED lights in all Council-owned car parks and streetlights, switching to 100% renewable energy electricity tariffs at the Council’s head office and commercial buildings and prepared and consulted on climate change and natural environment supplementary planning documents.

Residents can submit their ideas in a number of ways including online, by visiting www.eastcambs.gov.uk/climatechange, emailing climatechange@eastcambs.gov.uk or by calling the Customer Services Team on 01353 665555 during office hours.

Press release from East Cambridgeshire District Council

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East Cambridgeshire District Council’s Climate Change Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) is now open for comments from its residents, businesses and organisations within in the district.

It follows a unanimous vote by members at the Finance and Assets Committee, who voted in favour of the Climate Change SPD going to public consultation for six weeks.

The Climate Change SPD aims to help the planning system achieve development which has a lower impact on the climate and to encourage developers to help mitigate the impacts of climate change.

The consultation details the proposal of four new policies, which include:

* Reducing carbon dioxide emissions by ensuring development proposals incorporate sustainability measures

* Reducing energy demand in existing buildings by encouraging developers to look for wider energy efficient improvements to buildings

* Making development more resilient and adaptable to increasing temperatures and future change

* Safeguarding renewable and low carbon energy sources so that there is a continued operation of renewable energy generating technology.

The Climate Change SPD will work in unison with the Natural Environment SPD, which has already been approved for adoption.

Councillor David Brown, Chairman of the Finance and Assets Committee at East Cambridgeshire District Council, said:

“East Cambridgeshire is a growing area and with growth comes a responsibility to balance competing demands and mitigate the negative impacts of that growth as far as is reasonably possible.

“We would like to urge residents, businesses and organisations to take part and have their say on this SPD during the consultation period.”

The consultation is open for comments until November 23rd 2020.

To view the Climate Change SPD and take part in the consultation, visit our current consultations page (https://www.eastcambs.gov.uk/consultations/current-consultations) or our SPD homepage at: https://www.eastcambs.gov.uk/local-development-framework/supplementary-planning-documents

 Press release from East Cambridgeshire District Council

The post Climate Change SPD Consultation – Have Your Say appeared first on Spotted in Ely.

East Cambridgeshire District Council is making its next steps towards net zero carbon emissions by making two big green energy switches for its buildings and carparks.

Since 1st October, the Council’s head office, the Grange and its commercial buildings based in Ely and Littleport have switched to a 100 percent renewable energy green tariff electricity contract.

This is in tandem with the council changing the lights in all of its owned car parks to have LED bulbs.

The moves to switch to renewable energy sources and LED lighting are two of 20 commitments of the Action Plan that forms part of a long-term vision to mitigate climate change and boost the natural environment in East Cambridgeshire.

It comes two weeks after council members voted in favour of adopting a new Natural Environment Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) and agreeing to consult, from 13th October, on a Climate Change SPD. 

Other commitments on the action plan include embedding a greater culture of home working to reduce commuting (which is already in full force due to COVID-19) and to investigate the potential to expand electric car charge points in the district.

Councillor David Ambrose Smith, Chairman of the Operational Services Committee at East Cambridgeshire District Council, who is the committee responsible for the Council’s action plan said:

“We are pleased that there is tangible and regular progress being made towards our ambitious actions.

“By pushing forward with these commitments, we are ensuring that East Cambridgeshire remains a great place to live, work and visit for years to come.

“I’m looking forward to seeing our continued progress over the next few months.”

Councillor David Brown, Chairman of the Finance and Assets Committee at East Cambridgeshire District Council, who is responsible for the council’s buildings and car parks, said:

“We must make changes in all the different ways we can, including our assets.

“These changes to 100 per cent renewable energy for our electricity and LED lighting is just two of the many actions we, as a council, are taking to ensure East Cambridgeshire reaches net zero carbon by 2050 or earlier.

“We hope other councils follow suit to help tackle climate change and boost the natural environment.”

The council is now looking at its gas usage to see if the carbon emissions arising can be offset through tree planting or other measures, as well as replacing the council-owned street lighting to LED bulbs.

To find out more about East Cambridgeshire District Council’s strategy and action plan to help mitigate climate change and boost the natural environment, visit: https://www.eastcambs.gov.uk/content/climate-change-0

Press release from East Cambridgeshire District Council

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East Cambridgeshire District Council is forging ahead with its commitments to the environment by taking the next steps in progressing its climate change and natural environment supplementary planning documents (SPDs).

At last night’s Finance and Assets Committee, all members voted in favour to adopt the council’s new Natural Environment SPD and also approved the Climate Change SPD to go to public consultation.

The Natural Environment SPD aims to increase biodiversity via new development, aid in the management, protection, enhancement and creation of priority habitats, and promote the creation of an effective, functioning ecological network throughout the district.

Now that the Natural Environment SPD has been approved for adoption, it will be used by the Council’s Planning Committee and become a material consideration when making decisions.

The document provides advice on policy requirements relating to issues such as: ‘net gain’ in biodiversity through development proposals, protection of existing nature sites as well as the protection and provision of trees.

It also offers helpful guidance on the information that should be submitted with a planning application where there is likely to be impact on the natural environment.

The council’s Climate Change SPD, which will be going to consultation following last night’s meeting, aims to help the planning system achieve development which has a lower impact on the climate and seeks to ensure developers play their part and help address the climate emergency when planning their development schemes.

The document looks to ensure that all future planning decisions have the environment as a priority consideration. It also provides necessary guidance to those building in the District as to their responsibility to the environment.

The Climate Change SPD proposes four new policies which cover the following key issues:

• Reducing carbon dioxide emissions
• Safeguarding renewable and low carbon energy sources
• Reducing energy demand in existing buildings
• Resilient and adaptable design to climate change

Cllr David Brown, Chairman of the Finance and Assets Committee at East Cambridgeshire District Council, said:

“The primary purpose of the new Natural Environment SPD is to make sure new development in our District both protects the natural environment and creates new areas for wildlife to thrive.

“We are fortunate to have many wildlife areas in East Cambridgeshire, of both national and international importance. We want to do all that we can to protect them, as well as create new habitats for wildlife to flourish.

“The Climate Change SPD compliments this, seeking to ensure that developers play their part and help address the climate emergency in the planning of their development schemes. Now it has been approved for public consultation, we can obtain resident feedback on this important issue.

“We are fully aware that as well as taking actions to mitigate climate change, we need to ensure we protect our natural environment and it is our vision that these two important documents will work together do this.”

Both SPDs form part of the Council’s Environment and Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan and progress on both areas is one of the 20 commitments for 2020/2021.

The Council’s Climate Change SPD will now go to public consultation over a six-week period, running from mid-October to the end of November 2020.

Press release from East Cambridgeshire District Council

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A prominent building and tourist attraction in East Cambridgeshire will shine green in a joint effort of support for the nation’s Recycle Week. 

For the first time, East Cambs Street Scene (ECSS), the trading company owned by the district council and responsible for providing recycling and waste services across the district, and Ely Cathedral have joined forces to celebrate WRAP’s Recycle Week campaign by lighting up the lantern of Ely Cathedral green for residents and visitors to see during the evenings of 21st and 27th September.

Ely Cathedral will join other well-known landmarks such as the London Eye and Blackpool Tower to mark the occasion.

Councillor David Ambrose Smith, chairman of the Operational Services Committee, said:

 “By partnering together, East Cambs Street Scene and Ely Cathedral have joined other landmarks across the nation to literally shine a light on such an important subject.

“It is the first instance this has happened and its timing couldn’t have been more perfect. This is a something light-hearted for all to enjoy.

“We hope that residents will look out for it and share it with friends and family alongside the message that we can all do our part to recycle.”

Rev’d Dr Jenny Gage, Minister for Social Justice at Ely Cathedral, said:

“Ely Cathedral is committed to safeguard the integrity of creation and renew the life on earth.  

“We believe that working in collaboration will help us achieve this as well as raise awareness.  

“The local council, the Cathedral and other influential organisations and businesses must come together to help sustain the earth.

“By using the world’s resources as if they are infinite, we are dishonouring God and his creation.

“We held an Environment Vigil to mark the start of Recycling Week and, through our commitment to recycle, reuse and reduce, we also demonstrate how our prayers and concerns are transformed into worthwhile actions.”

This year’s Recycle Week theme, ‘Thanking the nation: Together – We Recycle’, also looks to thank recycling and waste key workers who have carried on during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as acknowledge residents for their support and continued recycling efforts.

Councillor Julia Huffer, Waste Champion for East Cambridgeshire District Council, said:

“I am very proud of the resilience of our street scene team. Although they rightfully so made changes to adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic, the waste service to residents was not affected.

“I am also very thankful to our residents, who have not only shown their appreciation to ECSS operatives, but also continued to recycle throughout the pandemic.

“As a council we have a strong ambition to become a cleaner, greener East Cambridgeshire and it’s the efforts of all over the past few months which fills me with hope that together we can achieve this.”

For more information about Recycle Week visit: https://www.wrap.org.uk/content/recycle-week-2020

Press release from East Cambridgeshire District Council

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Work towards East Cambridgeshire District Council’s vision of its operations reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050 or earlier is already providing green shoots.

Following the welcome approval of the Environment and Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan in June, the Council’s Operational Services committee were presented with an update on the progress so far against the Council’s top 20 actions for 2020/2021.

Three months into the plan, there are many actions that are already in full-force. Most notably, making the switch to a 100 percent renewable energy green tariff electricity contract from 1st October 2020. What is more, energy assessments on Council buildings, such as The Grange and E-Space North, are planned for the autumn to identify additional measures to reduce energy consumption and potentially utilise renewable energy sources.
The council has also changed most of its street and car park lights to LED, with the remaining few to be replaced by the end of 2020.

Progress has been made towards cutting carbon emissions through the reduction of staff business travel. Although this action was accelerated as a result of COVID-19, the council will continue to keep the levels of staff business mileage low to cut carbon emissions. Part of this includes fostering a culture of homeworking.

Plans are also underway to transform some of the council’s own land assets into more biodiversity rich areas. Assessments are currently taking place to pinpoint areas where tree and meadow planting can commence during the 2020/21 planting season.

A new Natural Environment Supplementary Planning Document (SPD), which includes advice on policy requirements relating to issues such as: ‘net gain’ in biodiversity through development proposals, protection of existing nature sites, protection and provision of trees will be recommended for adoption at the Council’s Finance and Assets Committee on the 24th September.

At the same meeting, the Council will be asked to approve for consultation, a further SPD relating to Climate Change, which seeks to ensure developers play their part and help address the climate emergency when planning their development schemes.

Cllr David Ambrose Smith, Chairman of the Operational Services Committee at East Cambridgeshire District Council, said:
“The Council has made significant progress in just three months towards achieving its top 20 goals on its action plan, but we are very aware that we have more to do.
“We are committed to working with residents, local organisations, parishes, the County Council, the Combined Authority and central Government so that together, we can be successful in tackling climate change and boosting the natural environment.
“We will review our progress and targets every year, and update the Environment Plan every June.”

East Cambridgeshire District Council is working with a variety of partners to utilise available funding to improve existing cycling and walking infrastructure. It is also assessing the findings of the bus, cycle, walk review undertaken earlier this year, to help lobby for further funding to increase and enhance bus, cycling and walking infrastructure in the district.

Press release from East Cambridgeshire District Council

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Following a motion passed at a Full Council meeting on 16th July, East Cambridgeshire District Council has banned the release of helium filled balloons and sky lanterns from Council-owned land.

The motion, which was passed unanimously, aims to protect the environment and wildlife from litter and other potential problems caused by helium balloons and sky lanterns.

An estimated 200,000 sky lanterns are released every year in the UK with an increasing number of incidents relating to this including fires and animal deaths.

Cllr Alan Sharp, who proposed the motion, said: “After hearing about the damage that the release of helium balloons and sky lanterns could do, I felt compelled to bring this motion to Council”

“East Cambridgeshire is a rural area with many farm animals as well as a wide and diverse mix of wildlife which we want to protect.

“By passing this motion, the Council has committed to another way of safeguarding our beautiful district from the dangers that helium balloons and sky lanterns present.”

The motion also resolved to encourage other organisations to take part and pledge their support to the cause.

Cllr David Ambrose-Smith, Chairman of the Operational Services Committee, said: “I am delighted that East Cambridgeshire District Council has taken this action and I would urge organisations to get on board and show their support too.

“Signing up for the charter is quick, simple and can be done via the East Cambridgeshire District Council website. All you need to do is fill in the short form and show your commitment to the cause.

You can sign up for the charter by making your pledge on the Council website: https://www.eastcambs.gov.uk/content/sky-lanterns

Press release from East Cambridgeshire District Council

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The Finance and Assets Committee has last night unanimously approved an annual budget of £100,000 to deliver the 20 commitments set out in the councils’ Environment and Climate Change Strategy.

Following the declaration of a climate emergency in October 2019, the Council adopted its first Environment and Climate Change Strategy Action Plan as part of its commitment to embedding a ‘think climate, think environment’ approach in East Cambridgeshire.

Anna Bailey, Leader of East Cambridgeshire District Council, said:

“The unanimous approval of this budget demonstrates how important the Environment and Climate Change Strategy is to every single Member of this Council.

“We promised a cleaner, greener East Cambridgeshire and this funding will enable us to deliver it.

“We have already achieved some of our objectives as set out in the plan, and now we have given a clear commitment to our residents that we are serious about achieving the commitments as detailed in the EnvPlan action plan..”

Finance to support the strategy will come from an annual in-year draw from the Surplus Savings Reserve.

 Press releases from East Cambridgeshire District Council

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Ely Cathedral has been awarded an Eco Church Silver Award, in recognition of the steps the Cathedral is taking in implementing a more environmentally friendly approach in its day to day operations and ministry.

The Silver award is part of the Eco Church scheme created by A Rocha UK, a charity committed to mobilising Christians to care for nature. The award, which is renewable every 3 years, provides a unique online survey enabling churches to gauge their contribution to the environment and society and grades their responses accordingly. In 2019, Ely Cathedral was aiming for a Bronze award but ongoing improvements and awareness meant we were able to go straight for the Silver award. 

Awards are based on performance in the areas of worship and teaching, buildings, land, community and global engagement, and lifestyle. For example, the Cathedral was recently able to officially acknowledge that all the energy used to keep the building working and functional, comes from renewable resources. 

The Revd Dr Jenny Gage, Minister for Social Justice at Ely Cathedral, is particularly delighted with the news –   “We are all very happy that Ely Cathedral has been awarded the A Rocha silver eco church award, which recognises our commitment, as part of our mission​, to safeguard the integrity of creation, and to sustain and renew the life of the earth.  This reflects dedication from all areas of the Cathedral community – congregations, volunteers and staff. However this work is ongoing.  Next step – Gold! “

The Very Revd Mark Bonney, Dean of Ely said  “We should all be immensely proud of the work that has been done, and continues to be so, by the Ely Cathedral Environment Group, Renew. The projects they are involved in are varied from organised monthly litter picks around the city to planning for sustainable wildflower meadows and orchards and other exciting plans to help us become carbon neutral within 10 years. “

For further information on the Cathedral Environment Group, Renew, please visit the website www.elycathedral.org/social-justice/social-justice-and-the-environment/renew

Press release from Ely Cathedral

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Join us in the fight against climate change!

Since 2018, we’ve planted over 2000 hedge and tree plans on and around our campsite, and we’d love your help in planting more!

Join us on Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd Feb between 11am – 1pm to plant your very own tree on our campsite.

We’ll also be making a name sign for each tree planted, so you can dedicate yours to someone special.

Press release from Mad Hatters Campsite

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On Saturday 1st February, Babylon Gallery opened their new environmental exhibition, ‘Submerged’ and invited visitors to create their own creatures to add to the underwater scene.

The gallery had over 130 visitors in the first weekend and, with submissions from local schools, including the art club at Ely St. Mary’s Junior School, the shoal of river creatures swimming through the gallery has already started to grow.

The environmental exhibition invites visitors to imagine that the gallery has been submerged, including an underwater installation made using recycled materials such as plastic drinks bottles (that will be recycled afterwards), information from the ‘Fen Project’ provided by the Environment Agency and poetry from one of the Fenland Poet Laureate Award winners, Kim Allen. 

Claire Somerville, chief executive commented: “There is growing awareness of the water management systems and structures that are in place to drain the Fens and manage the waterways. This exhibition is a creative exploration of what it could mean if the water levels rose.”

Claire added “This is very much a community exhibition, we’re so pleased to have already had lots of visitors getting involved. We would like to invite everyone to visit the exhibition and to add your own creature to the underwater scene”.

The exhibition is supported by City of Ely Council, D S Smith and Ellgia Recycling. 

The Submerged exhibition is on until Sunday 23rd February.

The Babylon Gallery is open Tuesday to Sunday, 12pm to 4pm. 

Press release from Babylon ARTS

Related Article: Make your own Fish

The post Babylon Gallery has been Submerged! appeared first on Spotted in Ely.

We’re imagining that the river levels have risen and that the Babylon Gallery has become submerged, in this new exhibition developed by Babylon ARTS.

There is growing awareness of the water management systems and structures that are in place to drain the Fens and manage the waterways. This exhibition is a creative exploration of what it could mean if the water levels rose.

The exhibition will include an underwater installation, information from the ‘Fen Project’ provided by the Environment Agency and poetry from one of the Fenland Poet Laureate Award winners – Kim Allen.

As part of the exhibition we’re asking people to make a fish (or several fish!) to join our ever growing shoal of river creatures swimming through the Gallery. The fish should be made from a plastic drinks bottle, that would otherwise have been recycled. We will be recycling the bottles after the exhibition. We’ve created a guide for how to make your fish – take a look!

This exhibition is funded by City of Ely Council. 

With thanks to DS Smith and Ellgia Recycling for providing materials for the underwater installation and to the Environment Agency for the information and display materials.

Press release from Babylon ARTS

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Residents are being urged to share their ideas on how the district council can protect the environment and cut emissions.

In October, East Cambridgeshire District Council (ECDC) joined more than 200 councils across the UK to declare a climate emergency at its Full Council meeting.

As a result, the Council has today (Monday 16th December) launched an Ideas Forum where residents can submit their ideas to help the authority deliver net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Councillor Anna Bailey, leader of ECDC, said: “The Council has a significant role to play in helping all of us to reduce emissions and to protect and improve the environment for future generations.

“Everyone has a part to play in making this happen.  We all need to make changes and we are keen to hear ideas from our residents about what they think the Council can do to help us achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and protect and enhance our natural environment.

“We are asking residents to submit as many ideas as they can – they will all be considered by the Council.”

On Thursday 19th December, ECDC will be running an Ideas Forum stall at Ely Market from 10am until 3pm where residents will be able to submit their ideas.

The Council has already committed to several actions to work towards achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and wants to hear from residents about what else should go into the Action Plan due to be adopted in April 2020.

Councillor David Ambrose Smith, Chairman of ECDC’s Operational Services Committee, said: “We are proud of the work the Council is already undertaking to reduce our impact on the environment.

“We are keen to work with our residents on their ideas and the Council is dedicated to delivering net zero carbon emissions by 2050.”

Ideas from residents will be used to form part of ECDC’s Environment and Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan which will be considered at the Operational Services Committee meeting in April 2020.

Residents can submit their ideas in a number of ways: visit www.eastcambs.gov.uk/climatechange or email climatechange@eastcambs.gov.uk or by calling the Customer Services Team on 01353 665555 during office hours.

Press release from East Cambs District Council

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Thirteen Sixth Formers were part of a green-fingered team from King’s Ely who removed a huge area of weeds and prepared the soil ready for Isle of Ely Primary School pupils and staff to start planting their new garden.

The Sixth Form students were accompanied by Chris Youngs and Will Temple, who are members of the King’s Ely Garden and Grounds Team; Jane Halls, Sixth Form Supervisor at King’s Ely; and Celia Etchegoyen, King’s Ely’s Director of Outreach.

Annie Hunter, Outdoor Education and Science Lead at Isle of Ely Primary School, said: “We have put a big push into revamping our environmental garden here at Isle of Ely Primary School recently. It had run a bit wild so taming it has been a big challenge for our little hands! When we were told about volunteers from King’s Ely offering to help, we were delighted that other members of our community could also join in making our school more eco-friendly. They cleared a huge area of well-established weeds, which will make way for tyre beds filled with berry bushes for autumnal harvests. Thank you so much to the volunteering team at King’s Ely, we would love you to come back and try our berry jams next year!”

The volunteering was organised under the umbrella of the Cambridgeshire Educational Partnership, of which both King’s Ely and Isle of Ely Primary School are members. The partnership was launched in May this year to bring together school headteachers, education professionals and young people from across Cambridgeshire.

Its aim is to work together for the mutual benefit of all pupils, in both independent and state schools, and to provide opportunities for students from schools within the partnership to gain access to a variety of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths), MFL (Modern Foreign Languages), Arts, Sport and Enrichment activities.

The partnership also aims to create opportunities for collaboration and dissemination of good practice within the teaching community, to develop, support and retain the best teachers in our schools, and to raise the aspirations and accelerate the progress of our young people.

To find out more about the Cambridgeshire Educational Partnership, please contact Celia Etchegoyen by emailing: CeliaEtchegoyen@kingsely.org

Press release from King’s Ely

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East Cambridgeshire District Council has joined over 200 Councils around the UK in declaring a Climate Emergency.

The council took the decision at last week’s Full Council meeting (Thursday 17 October), following the submission of a petition signed by local residents.

Cllr Anna Bailey, leader of the Council said: “We welcomed the petition and thank residents for calling for action. Having listened carefully to the details of the petition, we acknowledge that the Council has a significant role to play in protecting and improving the environment for future generations and so we made the decision to amend our own climate change motion to formally declare a climate emergency.”

“We are proud of the work we already do as a Council to reduce our impact on the environment and we welcome the opportunity to join over 200 other Councils across the UK who are also working to fight climate change. On behalf of our residents, we as a Council will be taking the appropriate actions.”

The most ambitious piece of work already underway by the Council is the development of a joint bid with Cambridgeshire County Council to Innovate UK to design an energy system to deliver net zero carbon emissions from energy use in East Cambridgeshire by 2050; the project focuses on shifting transport, gas and oil use to electricity and to grow the electricity network to cater for the change. 

Officers will now work on a strategy and action plan which will build on the plethora of initiatives already in place across the District. The strategy and action plan will include specific and measurable targets to combat climate change and will be considered by the Operational Services Committee in six months.

Initiatives to which the Council committed at the meeting include launching and publicising an online ‘Ideas Forum’ for residents to submit their ideas for consideration on how the Council can tackle climate change.

The agenda for the Full Council meeting, which includes the motion on climate change and initiatives to which the Council will commit can be found here:

https://www.eastcambs.gov.uk/sites/default/files/agendas/171019%20Agenda.pdf

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A new scheme which will see children learn about the importance of recycling has been launched.

East Cambridgeshire District Council’s (ECDC) waste team is going on tour over the next two-and-a-half months and will be visiting numerous primary schools to highlight why recycling should be on everyone’s radar.

The project was launched yesterday with the first visit being carried out at Wilburton Primary School in Carpond Lane, Ely.

ECDC’s recycling superhero, Michael, dropped in to encourage the children to recycle and the youngsters created their own bird feeders out of old drinks cartons to take home and put in their gardens.

Councillor Julia Huffer, member champion for waste, health and wellbeing at ECDC, said: “Working with schoolchildren is a wonderful way to spread the message about the importance of recycling.

“We are delighted to be visiting primary schools and working with teachers and pupils to get youngsters involved with protecting the environment.

“It is the younger generation who will benefit from our recycling efforts now and who will be continuing the green initiatives in the years to come.”

The children were also excited to see a refuse collection truck, and each were given a Michael activity book to complete filled with puzzles, wordsearches and colouring.

David Aston, headteacher at Wilburton Primary School, said: “It was absolutely brilliant to have Michael in school inspiring and teaching the children about recycling.

“We hope that what the pupils have been taught by the council’s waste team will stay with them.”

The council’s waste team will be visiting further primary schools across the district until the end of the year.

Councillor David Ambrose Smith, chairman of ECDC’s operational services committee, said: “These visits to schools are integral to reinforcing the importance of recycling waste.

“We take pride in East Cambridgeshire being a great place to live, work and visit.

“So, it’s important to be teaching future generations the same message.”

The council is proactive when it comes to environmentally friendly measures. It has the highest recycling rate in Cambridgeshire, has a purge on plastics commitment and offers guidance to residents in relation to energy efficiency.

Press releases from East Cambridgeshire District Council

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East Cambridgeshire District Council (ECDC) has teamed up with East Cambs Street Scene to provide all of their employees and elected members with a water bottle and coffee cup.

All reusable water bottles and coffee cups were handed out to staff by ECDC’s recycling superhero, Michael, last week.

Councillor Anna Bailey, leader of ECDC, said: “We are committed to reducing single-use plastics across the district and would encourage others to do the same.

“The environmental impact of plastic bottles in the UK is phenomenal. Recent statistics have revealed that the average person uses 150 plastic water bottles a year – around three per week.

“It is imperative that we all do our bit to reduce single-use plastics and, in turn, protect the environment.”

The statistics, from Water UK, also estimate that around 700,000 plastic bottles are littered every day in the UK.

The initiative follows the Council’s purge on plastics in which it committed to several pledges including eliminating unnecessary single-use plastic packaging, helping to ensure all plastic packaging is reusable, recyclable or compostable and help increase the ease in which plastic packaging can be collected and recycled across the district.

Previously, ECDC had to send coffee cups to a specialist company to be recycled at a further cost. The cups contain a thin film of plastic which had to be removed prior to recycling.

Councillor Julia Huffer, member champion for waste, health and wellbeing at ECDC, said: “We are delighted to be able to offer our reusable bottles and coffee cups to our staff.

“The scheme proves that we are serious about reducing plastic bottle waste by encouraging everyone to refill their water bottles and coffee cups to reduce the impact on the environment.

“It is part of a wider initiative to encourage people to bring their own bottle to meetings and encourage visitors to the planning committee or full council meetings to also bring their own bottle.”

As part of the commitment to the purge on plastics, all cups will be removed from the Grange from October 1 for all committee meetings.

Press Release via East Cambridgeshire District Council

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If you were to ask 100 people their top ten holiday destinations, you’d expect to find some similarities, wouldn’t you. But why? The world so big and we are so different that we should be able to travel on our globetrotting expeditions and never bump into each other. The world is a big place but with lower-cost air travel and the popularisation of bucket lists, we are congregating ever more densely in certain areas in a phenomenon known as “Over-tourism”; crowding celebrated landmarks in order to tick destinations off and move onto the next without ever stopping to connect. Travel has the potential to connect the world like nothing else while engaging in immersive travel brings cultures together and we have so much to learn from each other. So, while clocking up the air miles might increase your carbon footprint, we need to strike a balance between cutting back and being cut off from the world.

As long-haul specialists, Archer & Gaher Adventures are perfectly placed to take your holiday off the beaten track and alleviate the over-tourism of densely populated destinations around the world which are at risk of being damaged by tourist footfall. Instead, take your own path of exploration into the wild and see what you discover.

Sustainable travel is all about connecting with others and that connectivity starts at home. We love our Ely and Cambs community and are always looking to engage with local residents and businesses and would welcome you getting in touch to discuss sustainability. This is why we are hosting an event showcasing Sustainable Travel at the Poets House in September. Travel #beyondtheiconic postcard picture moments to truly explore off the beaten track destinations of the world. This event will focus on those hidden gems and how to travel sustainably to lower your carbon footprint while discovering the world’s most exciting destinations.

• Snacks and refreshments to welcome you
• Prizes to be won throughout the event
• Destination and holiday experts on hand to answer your questions

Come and join us on the 15^th September and share your hidden gem experiences on social media with #beyondtheiconic. Welcome to your next adventure.

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Hayley Ellis, founder of Eco Ely, was featured on BBC Look East on Thursday 8^th August 2019 for the work she has been doing to try and make Ely a Greener City. 

Eco Ely is a community group aimed at like-minded residents of Ely and surrounding villages, who are interested in environmental issues, sustainability, recycling and making a difference where we live.

The Facebook group has been going for just 12 weeks and has over 2000 members. As well as the group they have a Facebook page, Twitter and Instagram social media platforms.

Hayley said: “A member of Eco Ely told me that BBC Look East were doing some segments about Eco things that are happening in East Anglia and suggested I get in touch. I sent a brief email, got a call and then the filming was arranged. 

We were able to film at the Lighthouse Centre, where we had the support of Ely Nappy Library and some local mums with their babies in cloth nappies which were a great addition to the filming and they were all so well behaved! Disposable nappies make up a huge amount of the daily waste so we wanted to showcase this as an alternative for people. 

I then had a one to one interview with Emma, and she said I was very enthusiastic and inspiring and she was going to look into recycling her crisp packets through TerraCycle in her area!

The new Ely shop Prospects Trust Unwrapped were also featured, and we got to showcase their new green grocers which is opening in September, selling organic produce from the Prospects Trust Farm in Reach. They will also have a refill wall for liquid refillables and dried goods, a café serving homemade cakes and seasonal light bites, and Pods for local sellers to showcase their local products.”

Eco Ely will be holding a fundraising event at Littleport Leisure Centre on Sunday 18^th August at 7pm with a quiz and a raffle. Hayley will be showcasing some eco swaps for people to look at.

The first official Eco Ely meeting will be on Wednesday 4^th of September at 7pm at St Mary’s Church Hall in Ely. 

Hayley says “Please come and hear more about Eco Ely, bring any ideas you have or changes you would like to see. Everyone is welcome and we are open to any ideas or suggestions. We are particularly keen to set up a committee, and if you have any skills or support you would like to offer, we would love to hear from you!”

For further details of Eco Ely please find us on social media, or email ecoelycambs@hotmail.com or call Hayley Ellis on 07793 671728.

Press release from Eco Ely

You can follow all the Eco Ely news here on the Spotted in Ely website.

The post Eco Ely reaches out to the Region on Look East appeared first on Spotted in Ely.

On Thursday 25th July we attended the Megahertz Electric Vehicle Open day on Lancaster Way Business Park with members of Eco Ely.

The morning consisted of listening to various speakers from Megahertz, Mercedes Benz and EV-Box who all shared information about the future of electric vehicles and how the technology is developing and changing quickly to suit the needs of the electric car market. 

After lunch, the afternoon was spent having a short tour of the factory floor to see how Megahertz kit out vehicles for outside broadcasting and to see one of their electric vehicles on site complete with electric charging point. 

There was also the opportunity to drive a single seater Renault Twizy, owned by Cambridge University and a ride around in a Mercedes Benz eVito Tourer. Mercedes will be providing fleet vehicles for DPD and the Post Office in the very near future so you may see some in your neighbourhood soon!

Hayley Ellis from Eco Ely, was interested in attending to learn more about this eco-friendly way of transportation and said, “There are currently 14 electric vehicle charge points within close proximity to Ely. This needs to increase rapidly for us to meet the government recommendations. It was interesting to hear that 50% of the vehicles on the road are fleet vehicles so I hope the change starts with companies. It was exciting to hear that National Grid is developing an ultra-rapid charging network along the existing motorway system. Hearing Mercedes Benz talk about encouraging people to rent electric vehicles will help to make them more accessible financially to the general public.”

Steve Ellis from SE Electrical Services, a local Electrician, also attended and said , “It is an exciting time for the future of electrics. The forecast is for 2,000,000 electric vehicles and 186,000 charging points in the UK by 2020. Anywhere that has more than 20 parking spaces will need charging points, as well as new builds. There are government grants for Workplace Charging Schemes (WCS) and Electric Vehicle Homecharge Schemes (EVHS) and I am looking forward to attending my Accredited installation course in October to be able to install these locally.”

Spotted in Ely would like to thank Megahertz for their hospitality during the Open Day, especially the surprise ice cream as it was one of the hottest days of the year!

Photo Credit Megahertz and Spotted in Ely

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Prospects Trust Unwrapped, in partnership with Lighthouse Ely, are hosting a tabletop 2nd hand Toy Sale on 20th July 2019, from 11.30am to 2pm at their new shop location, 13 Lynn Road, Ely, CB7 4EG. 

With the start of the school summer holidays, Prospects Trust wanted to share its eco-aims with the younger generation.  

Prospects Trust Unwrapped will open its new venture at Lighthouse Ely in September but the team want to showcase their recent improvements to the shop front while helping parents and carers give their toy cupboards and children’s bookcases a good clear out for the Summer Holidays while providing local children the opportunity to re-home pre-loved toys that just need a new owner.  

The sale will be open to the general public in the Main Community Hall at The Lighthouse Ely and there will be an opportunity to sneak a peek at the new Green Grocery & Refill Larder during the event. 

Tom Cockerton, Unwrapped Manager said, “as a parent to three children I am aware of just how much plastic waste is connected to our young consumers.  Every child should have the joy of a new toy but it does not always need to be brand new. A local re-sale event is providing an opportunity for toys to find new homes and create more joy, without breaking the bank”.

Table Top Pitches can be booked at https://prospectsunwrappedtoyre-storysale.eventbrite.co.uk

Press release from The Prospects Trust

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The Prospects Trust will open its GREEN grocery, Farm Food Servery and Refill Larder this September in Ely.

Eager to fundraise for the first stock of the shop and to create a series of Eco/Local events, Eco Ely, Spotted in Ely and the expertise of Ely Swishers have come together to host the first fun fundraiser for Prospects Trust Unwrapped – THE BIG GREEN SWISH 2019

Prospects Trust Unwrapped will open its new venture in Ely in September, but on the 19^th July, an evening event of ‘Swishing’ will be held in the recently converted store front and community room at the Lighthouse Centre, Ely (13 Lynn Road, CB7 4EG).

Doors open at 7pm, with homemade cakes and bakes, refreshments and a raffle. Entrance fee of £5 will be donated (minus booking fees) to Prospects Trust (Registered Charity 1048584) and Eco Ely to create a programme of other Eco-events for Ely.   

For more event details please visit: https://www.facebook.com/EcoEly/   Swishing tickets can be purchased online: https://elysbiggreenswish2019.eventbrite.co.uk

Tom Cockerton, Prospects Trust Unwrapped Manager said, “I have been amazed by the local support, volunteers, donated goods and offers of help I have received since we took over the shop renovation in June.  The Swishing Event was suggested at our Public Consultation Events held in May and I am delighted to say our shop conversion is now at a phase where we can host our first ever shop out of hours event.”

Hayley Ellis, Eco-Ely Founder said, “Eco Ely is a group aimed at like-minded residents of Ely and surrounding villages, who are interested in environmental issues, sustainability, recycling and making a difference where we live. With help from Spotted in Ely this group has reached over 1300 members in just 2 months. We are hoping to increase eco-awareness in Ely and work with a wide variety of people in the community to improve our city.  We would love to raise funds to put on local events, eco-friendly workshops and raise awareness”.

Mark Cooney, Editor of Spotted in Ely, “I was delighted when Hayley contacted SiE about her Eco Ely idea and it’s been a pleasure to work with her to develop this group. We’ve worked together on an interactive recycling map for the area and we are honoured to be co-hosting and promoting this local eco-friendly event.“

This event will showcase local businesses, handicrafts and Eco products, adding more fun to an exciting evening of Swishing. Stalls will be in the main community hall of the Lighthouse with clothes rails for the Swish dotted around the new Unwrapped shop.

Ruth Buckley, the Ely Swish Co-ordinator said, “Swishing is an exchange of those pretty, classic and barely worn items we all have hiding in our wardrobes and finding something new instead! Clothes Swapping gives you all the excitement of something new to you to wear while taking an eco-step forward to avoid throw away fashion.  Do your bit and have some fun! To participate in the Swish, bring up to 10 items of clothes, shoes or Accessories. These must be wearable, ironed where relevant and clean. My rule of thumb is if you would lend it to a friend you can Swish it. The points system is as follows: 10 points for high street names, 20 for premium high street and up to 50 points for outfits, suits, evening dresses and designer items.  The check in volunteers are experienced and fair. When you check in your items, you will be awarded points according to what you have brought and your “Swicket” will be stamped in multiples of 10 points. This event welcomes previous Swishers and new people who wish to trade their clothes, rejuvenate their wardrobes AND do their bit for the environment.”

Prospects Trust Unwrapped will be a new social venture offering a Green Grocery to the shoppers of Ely and real retail experience to people with additional needs.  Prospects Trust will offer a supported training package for young people and adults to learn food hygiene, retail and customer service in their shop. The shop will stock local, seasonal and eco product ranges alongside the organic vegetables, fruits and preserves from Snakehall Farm.  A refill wall of pantry staples and a refill service of household liquids will enable Ely consumers to shop single-use-plastic-free.

Press release from The Prospects Trust

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Today, we are please to announce a new Interactive Recycle Map for East Cambridgeshire here on the Spotted in Ely website. All of the data was collected the group associated with us, Eco Ely.

With products ranging from Clothing to Electrical and from Dental to Plastic, there is now always somewhere to recycle ethically within our region.

You will always be able to find the map under the Eco Ely tab on the menu or simply click here: https://www.spottedinely.com/eco-ely/recycling-points/

The post Where to Recycle Made Easier appeared first on Spotted in Ely.

Eco Ely, a Facebook group started by local lady Hayley Ellis, and supported by Spotted in Ely has grown in the two months it’s been running to over 1200 members!

One of the main objectives of Eco Ely is to look at the way the community can reduce single use plastics, ditch the disposables, increase awareness of reusing, and reducing what ends up in landfill sites. Therefore their first project has been launched!

Eco Ely Party Packs has its own Facebook page www.facebook.com/EcoElyParty, where you can make bookings to hire a Party Pack for FREE! They just ask for a £10 returnable deposit, if everything is returned back, and is clean. However, if you don’t have time to clean it, that’s also OK, they will provide you with a 50% return on your deposit, if it’s dirty, and they will clean it for you!

Hayley said, “At present we have two main party packs; one kindly donated by Becky English, and can be collected from Littleport. This is enough for 30 people, and includes plates, bowls, cups and cutlery.

The second has kindly been donated by funds from SE Electrical Services and Jessica May Betson Childminding and will be based with Jessica May Betson in Soham. This Party Pack is a little bit smaller in size and contains smaller cups, bowls, plates and cutlery sets and is great for smaller children; this set can currently cater for 16 children.  

We have also had a kind donation from MACC Media and have been able to buy some additional items like spare plates and cutlery for bigger booking, some jugs, serving bowls, serving plates and some decorative bunting to add to our items that can be hired out.

We are looking for any donations of items which can be used in our party packs, we are also looking for anyone who wishes to sponsor a pack, and anyone who wishes to host any new locations. We are hoping to launch one in Ely and Little Downham/Pymoor next.

Our hope is that every village in the Ely area will have these packs so that as a city we can Ditch The Disposables!“

For more information, please visit our Eco Ely Facebook page and group, or you can call Hayley Ellis on 07793671728 or email ecoelycambs@hotmail.com 

Press release from Eco Ely

The post Eco Ely Party Packs have been Launched appeared first on Spotted in Ely.

A local council has been the talk of the county after filling up a Zero Waste Box to the brim in just four weeks.

East Cambridgeshire District Council, who installed the box for seemingly unrecyclable items such as crisp packets and sweet wrappers at The Grange, will send the contents to Terracycle to safely recycle all the collected materials.

Once with Terracycle, the waste is separated into fibres and plastics. The fibres are recycled or composted, and the plastics are extracted to be made into recycled plastic products.

East Cambridgeshire’s Environmental Services team have been at the forefront of installing the Zero Waste Box.

In the four weeks, the box had been filled with 1,118 packets and wrappers.

Councillor Anna Bailey, leader of East Cambridgeshire District Council, said: “This is fantastic news for our district.

“Having installed just one of these boxes in reception, the turnout has been incredible.

“This is something all organisations should utilise from Terracycle, who are able to recycle items that ordinarily would go to landfill.”

With the success of the Zero Waste Box for crisp packets, the Environmental Services team at East Cambridgeshire District Council have now installed a Zero Waste Box for coffee pods.

Much like the crisp packets, the coffee pods will be sent to Terracycle and separated by material.

All plastic from the pods will undergo extrusion to eventually be moulded into new plastic products.

To find out more in recycling and waste, visit the ECDC website: https://www.eastcambs.gov.uk/content/recycling-and-waste-ecss

To find out more about Terracycle, visit their website: https://www.terracycle.com/en-GB/

Press release from East Cambridgeshire District Council

The post Local Council Wastes No Time in Recycling the Unrecyclable appeared first on Spotted in Ely.

Witchford Village College recently welcomed Jon Crisp from Amey, at Waterbeach. He held an assembly with our Year 8 students about recycling and reducing waste. He informed them about the waste that goes to landfill and how long it takes to break down. He then gave them information about recycling and waste reduction.

Jon was also here to launch a pilot project with fifteen of our students who went on to visit Amey’s Waterbeach site and see first-hand how waste is dealt with. Students then chose a small item of wooden furniture from the recycling centre and returned to College with it.

Workshops were then held over two days for students to up-cycle their furniture using recycled materials. They were shown how to apply the paint, use stencils and re-upholster chairs by Nikki DiGiovanni, a local artist who specialises in upcycling and reusing. They used fabric scraps and recycled paint from CCORRN, Cambridgeshire Community Reuse and Recycling Network at March.

The project culminated in an assembly where furniture was displayed for all Year 8 students to see what their peer group had achieved. Parents of the students involved were invited and the Managing Director of Amey, Paco Hevia told the students how impressed he was with the outcomes. He presented the fifteen students with certificates and an Amazon voucher for their efforts. The furniture will be put up for sale on our website.

The scheme has been set up to show students how easy it is to recycle everyday household items and that a profit can be made. It is hoped that Year 8 have gained a full understanding of the waste and recycling issues the country faces and now have ideas that they can put in place at home and at school.

Press release from Witchford Village College

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A local council has been working with a school in Ely to make thrown-away waste into an art display.

East Cambridgeshire District Council’s (ECDC) waste team organised the event at Lantern Community Primary School in Nene Road to produce a giant school of fish structure out of items commonly-found in litter.

The council have also enlisted the help of Fred White, who is a local artist and regularly utilises rubbish to inspire his creations. 

Previously, Fred has created a giant Temnodontosaurus Platyodon (an extinct species of marine reptile) for Wisbech Museum out of littered materials with the help of local school children.

On the event, Fred said: “I’ve worked on similar projects like this in the area for many years and it still brings me such joy to see these waste materials being made into something amazing.

“The children were fantastic and creative. I think there are a few budding artists amongst them.

“The masterfully-created fish is now swimming in their roof space from one classroom to another – it looks magical.”

ECDC’s recycling hero, Michael even made an appearance and helped to create the masterpiece.

Jessica Wyatt, a year 3 teacher at Lantern Community Primary School said: “The students have had a wonderful time creating the school of fish.

“It’s been an excellent period of learning and we hope that what they have been taught this week will stay with them.”

Jo Brooks, director of ECDC’s trading company East Cambs Street Scene, said: “Events like these are integral to showing young people the importance of recycling waste.

“The creativity of the children shows that there are plenty of inventive ways to make the most of leftover materials, something I know our recycling hero approves of.

“We pride ourselves on East Cambridgeshire being a nice place to live, work and visit, and it’s great to be teaching future generations the same message.

“We can’t wait to see more events like this in the future.”

Press release from East Cambridgeshire District Council

The post Local School Gets Creative with Waste appeared first on Spotted in Ely.

With climate change and energy efficiency a hot topic in the news at the moment, businesses are invited to learn more about how they can be more sustainable and reduce their carbon outputs at a free energy efficiency workshop at the e-Space North business centre in Littleport, Ely on Tuesday 11th June, 8.30-10am.

The breakfast event is being hosted by the Business Energy Efficiency (BEE) programme, in partnership with Enterprise East Cambs.

Businesses will hear from industry experts who will provide an overview of the business case for investing in energy efficiency, explaining the importance of measuring, monitoring and managing energy use, highlighting best practice with key industry examples and exploring the grant funding opportunities available to your business to make significant cost and carbon savings.

Since the (BEE) programme launched in Spring 2017, the programme has supported over 200 SMEs, identifying cost savings of over £1.2million and potential carbon reductions of over 6,000 tonnes.

Using funding secured from the European Regional Development Fund, BEE offers grant funding up to £20,000 in financial support for a number of measures including; LED Lighting; Heating & Cooling; Insulation; Solar PV & Battery Storage; and Electric Vehicles.

The project is being delivered by the environmental charity PECT, in partnership with Nwes.

Businesses are urged to contact BEE before 31st July, whilst funding is still available.

Sign up to the Energy Efficiency Workshop at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/workshop-cut-carbon-cut-costs-tickets-59229618383, email info@beecp.co.uk or call 01733 882549.

Press release from the Peterborough Environment City Trust

The post East Cambs Businesses are Invited to Cut Carbon at Free Workshop appeared first on Spotted in Ely.

The property next door to the Townhouse, in the city centre, has been leased to an independent sustainably focused start-up who have taken the keys and already begun work on getting it ready to launch in mid June.

68 Market Street will be running a seasonally focused and locally sourced menu devised by local award winning and renowned Chef, Stuart Tuck and we can expect a wonderful array of beautiful plates and a quick changing menu with something new to look forward to each time you visit. Ensuring that their produce suppliers are local independents where possible, is also part of this exciting new venture’s beliefs and supporting local is key to what they’re about.

68 Market Street are aiming to not only hold their own in regards to the food and drinks they serve but also in all aspects of their business practice – from their energy being carbon neutral to their waste being lifted by local heroes Ellgia.

The interior refit is being undertaken by a small group of people who hold reuse and repurpose as their core values – and any furniture which is not being made bespoke for the building has been sourced from the wonderful Emmaus for instance, along with plates and glassware.

The venue, when opened will also play host to guest chefs – serving their own menus too, and have spoken with local community artists about using the place for all sorts of ideas. So this is set to be an exciting and inclusive space.

With a launch date set for mid June and lots to say about their journey getting ready to open the beautiful door for trade we recommend you take a look at their social media profiles 68marketstreet on Facebook and 68_market on Instagram and Twitter to keep up to date with where they’re at as they go along.

Press release from 68 Market Street

The post New Eco-Friendly Restaurant to Open on Market Street appeared first on Spotted in Ely.

Come and meet the team behind Prospects Trust unwrapped and share our vision at two consultation events on Thursday 9th May at the Lighthouse Ely.

Prospects Trust Unwrapped will open its new venture at Lighthouse Ely later this year but the team want to unwrap their plans with Ely residents, retailers, traders, shoppers and community stakeholders to shape their shop.  Hosting an informal Cuppa and Chat session 11am to 1pm on Thursday 9^th May, the Prospects Trust staff, volunteers and Trustees will be opening up the empty shop to share their plans with local people and potential wholesale suppliers. On display will be a range of produce from Snakehall Farm (The Trust’s 18-acre organic farm in Reach, Cambridgeshire), social enterprise products, layout plans for the new store and an interactive customer survey to help people have their say.

In the early evening, 6:30 to 7:30 The Prospects Trust team will host a Showcase Presentation on the story behind The Prospects Trust Unwrapped, join us for an interactive hour to learn about the social enterprise and our passion for “growing differently”.

Both events will be informal and friendly but in order to brew the right amount of tea please book a place at Eventbrite: https://prospectstrustunwrapped-cuppa-chat-events.eventbrite.co.uk

Maz Baker Development Manager said “We see this new initiative as a great opportunity to help people with additional needs into future employment. We have always dreamed of bringing our organic edibles to Ely and we know that now is the time to offer an affordable, sustainable and local way to shop seasonal produce.  We are keen to work with other local growers and producers too, creating a destination shop with a difference”.

Giles Cornell of the Lighthouse said “We are excited to be working in partnership with The Prospects Trust to create a real social enterprise that has community at the heart of its trading.  The Prospects Trust has over 30 years of experience in growing people with additional needs alongside growing organic produce. We have shop front ripe for local consumers and are looking forward to opening our doors to this new venture.”

The Prospects Trust is a socially inspiring enterprise supporting people with disabilities to take an active role in farming & growing on an accessible 18-acre organic farm in Cambridgeshire. Established in 1989 the charity provides supported work and training to over 60 Co-workers (adults with learning difficulties, physical disabilities and varying health needs) every week on the farm site and on an offsite on the Garden & Projects Team. The charity also provides an accessible learning centre for schools, groups and volunteers to play an active role on a real working farm.  

Prospects Trust Unwrapped will be a new social venture offering a Green Grocery to the shoppers of Ely and real retail experience to people with additional needs.  Prospects Trust will offer a supported training package for young people and adults to learn food hygiene, retail and customer service in their shop. The shop will stock local, seasonal and eco product ranges alongside the organic vegetables, fruits and preserves from Snakehall Farm.  A refill wall of pantry staples and a refill service of household liquids will enable Ely consumers to shop single-use-plastic- free.

Press release from The Prospects Trust

The post Eco-friendly Farm Shop Bringing the Zero Waste Revolution to Ely Late Summer and You Can Help appeared first on Spotted in Ely.

Removing plastics is a cultural change that many businesses around the world are doing to become more friendly to our planet.

From compostible cups and lids to wooden cutlery. From paper straws to bleach free napkins.

Owner Nigel hopes the introduction of the enviro-friendly products will be a small step to changing the habits of the business and customers.

The post Tea for Two leads the way in enviro-friendly products appeared first on Spotted in Ely.

Kathy told us:

“I have been a member of Terracycle since November 2018, initially signing up to be a public drop off point for crisp packets. That has now grown to include cracker/biscuit wrappers, Aqua Pura water filters, Ellas food pouches (plus other makes) and just recently to include toothbrushes and toothpastes.  I am on a waiting list to be able to collect Pens and Pet food packets.

The three Primary schools in Soham have just recently started working together, sharing knowledge on how best to collect and package these ‘hard-to-recycle’ items. With all three schools being involved in this initiative I am sure the amount of landfill from Soham will be significantly reduced.

I have three collection points in Soham that I have set up. A collection box is at St Andrew’s Primary school reception, Jak Hibs along the High street in Soham, and my house.

While the main aim of my recycling is to reduce waste and increase awareness of this recycling initiative, it is also making money for St Andrew’s PTA – a registered charity.

This is great news for people in Soham wishing to reduce their contributions to landfill sites.

If you know anyone else who’s doing great things towards recycling and making a difference, please get in touch via email: alison@spottedinely.com

The post Soham Leading the way in Recycling appeared first on Spotted in Ely.