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GREENER BOROUGH
eastleigh.gov.uk
Council changes to ‘greener’ hand tools
The Council’s StreetScene team are now using battery operated hand tools to undertake nearly all their work including strimming, grass and hedge maintenance. By March 2021 all their hand tools will be battery powered.
The battery-operated hand tools have replaced the old petrol driven ones and are much better for residents and nature as they reduce noise and local pollution. They are also much better for the operatives as they reduce hand/arm vibration when they are being used over long periods. Cabinet Lead for Environment, Cllr Rupert Kyrle, said: “This is a fantastic initiative and the 100% renewable electricity powered tools are another great example of the Council responding to the climate and environmental emergency. Moving all our hand tools from fossil fueled to battery-operated will save thousands of pounds a year and is better for the environment, our operatives and residents. I fully encourage residents and businesses in the Borough to consider taking similar steps.”
Green Flag award recognises Itchen Valley Country Park’s role in wellbeing Having a beautiful green space on your doorstep has been particularly important for the wellbeing of Borough residents over the past six months – and Itchen Valley Country Park is amongst the best in the country.
run to the highest possible standards, with excellent facilities. The Council-operated park is in its second decade of success in the scheme, which is a nationally recognised mark of quality.
The park is once again flying the Keep Britain Tidy charity’s Green Flag Award that is a sign to visitors that the park is well maintained and
Reduce wood burning to clear air It’s the time of year when we want to feel warm and cosy in our homes. For some, this might mean putting your feet up by an open fire or wood burning stove. But did you know fumes from your fire increase pollution in the local atmosphere and could make symptoms worse for you, your family and neighbours with breathing difficulties such as asthma? quality of life and premature death in people with existing conditions. Eastleigh Borough Council is teaming up with three nearby local authorities (Southampton, Winchester and the New Forest) to give residents in the area information and advice on household burning, with the aim of cleaning up our air, thereby improving our health. Backed with a £60,100 Air Quality Grant from the government, the campaign kicks off this winter and is funded for two years. It will ask residents to reduce the amount of burning they do, and to use cleaner fuels and more efficient appliances when they do.
Reducing local pollution is particularly important given the impact cononavirus has on people’s ability to breathe. Nationally, household burning is the biggest contributor to particulate matter, which is linked with several heart and lung problems and can contribute to a reduction in
Remember, you can avoid burning garden waste by using our garden waste collection service. Find out more at eastleigh.gov.uk/ gardenwaste. Find out more: eastleigh.gov.uk/airquality
CLIMATE CHAMPIONS
CLIMATE CHAMPIONS
Energy Efficient Local Climate Champion, Ben Earl is the Director of Sustainability, Energy & Water Efficiency at Skewb Ltd. In both his personal and professional life, he is passionate about helping the environment. As part of his commitment to tackling climate change, Ben has retrofitted his house for energy efficiency; some of the changes include LED lighting throughout, cavity wall insulation and a solar hot water system. He switched to a 100% renewable energy provider and took part in a community project to encourage households to use the brown food waste recycling bins. As part of a previous initiative, the Council assisted Ben by providing an energy performance certificate, allowing him to update the energy efficiency rating of his property. He encourages people to get together and help the environment through the Eastleigh Sustainable Vision - a welcoming group of social media connected residents wanting to take action to improve the environment. He is now working with the Council to deliver long-term improvements associated with new housing developments to make them both water and energy efficient. Ben said: “I would like people in the area to get involved in tackling climate change themselves, starting with small, simple changes, such as replacing old light bulbs for energy efficient equivalents and look at what grants are available to support more difficult measures.” Find out more: eastleigh.gov.uk/climatechangechampions
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