What can I do?
Together we can look after the planet, even little changes can make a big difference.
Changing the way we travel, power our homes and get rid of our waste makes an impact on our output of greenhouse gases contributing to climate change.
You can find out more about climate change this simple guide from the BBC.
Travel Sustainably
Travel sustainably by using public transport, car sharing or zero emissions alternatives when possible such as walking or cycling. This will benefit the environment by reducing congestion, avoids the stress of parking and your helps your pockets by saving on parking expenses- don’t forget walking is free!
Walking and cycling regularly is also great for your health, helping you reach the NHS recommended 30 minutes of exercise a day.
Support to make your home energy efficient
There’s schemes and organisations who can help you make your home more energy efficient. Not only will improving your homes efficiency save you money and reduce carbon emissions, it also has a positive impact on the environment too.
Find available Energy Saving grants and funding at www.tameside.gov.uk/EnergyEfficiency/Energy-Saving-Grants-and-Funding
If you Think Green you could save money…
We can all make small changes to save energy and money.
You can make changes like using an air fryer or slow cooker to cook, washing clothes at lower temperatures then air drying and swapping a bath for a shower.
Check your homes energy efficiency and making small improvements like draught proofing can cost very little but can save you around £70 a year. Don’t forget, there’s support to make your home more energy efficient is available through local services, grants and funding.
The Helping Hand One Pot at a Time Recipe booklet contains simple energy saving tips that can help you save money and the planet. There’s also budget slow cooker recipes which can also save on energy costs too.
Helping Hand is Tameside’s one-stop-shop for cost of living support and advice.
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Get involved by volunteering
We welcome the support and dedication of volunteers who help us care for the various Countryside sites and Parks across Tameside.
There’s also many Friends groups across Tameside who are always looking for volunteers.
Find out more about Greenspace and local community volunteering as an individual or as a business.
Switch to a reusable water bottle and use re-fill stations.
Water bottle re-fill stations are located across Tameside. Refilling your re-usable water bottle is great way to reduce plastic pollution and save money- you can download the Refill app and find your local Refill Stations.
If you have a business in Tameside you can help to reduce plastic pollution by getting a re-fill station installed on your premises for staff or residents to use.
Visit https://www.tameside.gov.uk/refill-scheme to find your nearest refill station and for more information on getting involved.
Start home composting and make sure to recycle.
There is little effort needed to compost but it makes a big positive impact on the environment.
With a Bokashi bin you can reduce your food waste. Composting is better for our plants, pockets and planet! Kick off your composting journey using your kitchen and garden waste to make compost you can use to help feed your flowers, plants and vegetables.
Recycle for Greater Manchester (R4GM) can help you get a discounted Bokashi composting bin to start composting at home- even if you live in a flat you can compost in your kitchen or on your balcony. Visit www.recycleforgreatermanchester.com/community-post/lets-compost-now/ to find out more.
Visit www.recycleforgreatermanchester.com/buykeepeatrepeat/ to find out more about composting and reducing food waste.
More information on recycling and which bin to put it in can be found at www.tameside.gov.uk/RefuseandRecycling
Are you In The Loop? Reduce, recycle and repurpose
Recycling, repurposing and reusing things to avoid them going into general waste is one of the easiest ways to make a positive impact on the environment.
Have you ever wondered where your waste goes? Does it actually get recycled? Yes it does!
The Recycle for Greater Manchester In the Loop campaign explains your part and how you can benefit by being part of the circular economy when you reduce food waste, recycle and repurpose things that would otherwise be waste.
Find out more about how circular economy can benefit you and how to get in the loop at www.recycleforgreatermanchester.com/in-the-loop/
Let it Bloom!
Did you know 70 of the 100 crop species that provide 90% of food worldwide are pollinated by bees?
Pollinators are important part of food production and our ecosystems and include bees, butterflies and moths.
We need to look after our environments to make sure they can do their very important job. You can do this by getting into the garden, allotment or even by using your balcony or window boxes to and plant flowers, shrubs and trees. Letting flowers bloom will help to create a biodiverse environment for pollinators, it’s important we provided flourishing spaces for them to live, eat and reproduce.
You can help your garden flourish and protect pollinators by:
- grow more flowers, shrubs and trees
- let your garden grow wild
- cut grass less often
- don’t disturb insect nests and hibernation spots
- think carefully about whether to use pesticides
Click here to find out how to create a bee friendly garden
Switch to reusable or biodegradable sanitary products.
Instead of using traditional sanitary towels and tampons, other more eco-friendly options are available. You can consciously choose to use biodegradable and responsibly sourced period products. Investing in reusable period products such as period underwear, moon cups, and reusable tampon applicators which can also save you money.
If you or someone you know is struggling to get hold of sanitary products, Active Tameside Centre’s and Children Centre’s across Tameside have partnered with Hey Girls. Hey Girls is helping combat period poverty across the UK, as 1 in 10 people in the UK still cannot access or afford period products.
All Children’s Centre’s in Tameside have a stock of towels, tampons, moon cups, reusable pads. These products are out in all toilets for people to use and there is also stock for people who may need extra supplies.
Active Tameside have also recently partnered with Hey Girls and now provides free sanitary products in all of their venues. People who visit the centres can discretely ask for a bag of products at reception by asking for Vera (pads) or Violet (tampons). Alternatively, people can take from the available stock in all female, unisex or accessible toilets if they are ‘caught short’ or are too embarrassed to ask. These products are stocked up as often as toilet roll so they are always available for everyone.
