What Every Household Can Do For The Environment

Transcription

1 Communities 14 What Every Household Can Do For The Environment

2 This document is available in large print, Braille, audio tape, electronic formats such as CD, or in a different language. For a copy please contact Customer Services at the Council using the following options: Phone: (main switchboard) or (if calling from a Lincoln number) Minicom: Fax: Web: customer_services@n-kesteven.gov.uk Communities North Kesteven District Council Kesteven Street Sleaford Lincolnshire NG34 7EF HSG6300RT 2 Tips for saving energy at home

3 What every household can do for the environment This handbook includes a number of handy hints and tips on how to save money and energy within your home. A number of useful contacts have also been included where you can find more information. These tips will save you money off your weekly bills, save on damaging emisissions and also encourage you to adapt to doing things differently in your home. Tips for saving energy at home 3

4 Tips for saving energy Curtains Shut your curtains at dusk; Make sure curtains don t hang in front of radiators. Your outside wall will keep warm but your room wont; and Use thick curtains that are thermally lined, or use a second pair of curtains to act as lining material. Radiator reflectors Put radiator reflectors or kitchen foil behind radiators and shelves above them. The heat will then be reflected into the room rather than being lost to the wall or ceiling. Standby Don t leave electrical items on standby. When they are on standby they are using 80% of the electricity that they would be using if they were on. Freezers and fridges If you have a big freezer keep it full or else you ll be wasting money on keeping an empty space cold. Fill up any large gaps with old ice cream boxes filled with water. The frozen water will help to keep the rest of the food cold; Defrost your fridge and freezer regularly to make sure they run efficiently; and When loading up the fridge freezer don t keep the doors open for long or the cold air will escape. 4 Tips for saving energy at home

5 Cooking A microwave is cheap to use. If you have one, use it to pre-cook food; and Choose the right size pans for the food and cooker, and keep lids on when you cook this will reduce condensation as well as energy. Washing machines Wash full loads of washing where possible. Use the half load programme for smaller loads; Make use of the cheaper rate of electricity if you have Economy 7 or other off peak tariffs; Dry clothes outside whenever possible; and If you buy a new washing machine make sure it is an energy-efficient model. Lights Switch all lights off when they are not being used; Buy a low-energy light bulb. They use a quarter of the electricity of normal bulbs and last 8-10 times longer; and Although low-energy light bulbs are more expensive than normal bulbs, you will get your money back in terms of electricity saved in the first year. Room heaters If you need an individual room heater for additional heat, the most efficient type is a thermostatically controlled convector heater with timer. Tips for saving energy at home 5

6 Heating controls If you are too hot, turn down the room thermostat or the thermostat on the radiator, rather than opening the window. Turning down the thermastat by 1oc will save 10% on fuel bills. Reduce, re-use and recycle Much of the stuff we throw out can be recycled. Recycling or passing on things you don t need anymore can help other people and the environment. However, the best thing we can all do is try to reduce the amount of rubbish we create in the first place. An additional leaflet titled Refuse Collection Services provides specific details on how and what to recycle. Refuse collection North Kesteven District Council operates a three dustbin system; A green lidded wheeled bin for recyclable items, such as glass, cans, paper and plastic items. A brown wheeeled bin for garden waste, such as grass cuttings, leaves and hedge trimmings; and A black bin for non recycling items, such as ash, nappies, polystyrene and cooked food waste. Contact Customer Services for a more detailed list on what items can be put in each bin. Your bin must be put out on the day of collection and collected after it has been emptied. For tenants that are elderly or infirm we can offer help with collecting your bins. Call for free on the Refuse Hotline Tips for saving energy at home

7 Composting The Recycle Now Home Composting Campaign is a Government funded scheme to encourage people to reduce the amount of organic waste that is sent to landfill. Compost bins are available from the Council and cost from 8, including delivery. To order a Compost bin telephone Household waste recycling Large items that cannot be disposed of in your household wheeled bins, can be taken to household waste recycling centres around the District. This can be done free of charge at any of the following centres: Lincoln Great Northern Terrace Seven days a week, 8am - 4pm Sleaford Mareham Lane Seven days a week, 8am - 4pm Leadenham Pottergate Saturday and Sunday from 8am - 4pm Fri during the summer months Whisby Eagle Road Monday Friday from 8am - 4pm Saturday from 8am - 12pm. Closed Sunday These sites are operated by Lincolnshire County Council and are for household waste only. There are limits to the amount of some items that can be taken in at one time, such as rubble. Tips for saving energy at home 7

8 Bulky waste collection The District Council provides a household bulky waste collection service. A charge applies and concessions are available if you receive benefits. There is a separate collection service for old fridges and freezers. A charge per item is payable and there are no concessions for this service. Flytipping Please remember: Flytipping or the dumping of rubbish is illegal and dangerous, ruins the appearance of the environment, and IT COSTS TAXPAYERS TO CLEAR IT UP! You can be fined if you have not taken care to make sure that your waste is passed on to an authorised person this is called the Householder Duty of Care. If these materials get fly tipped, you could be liable. Any person removing waste from your property must be registered and have a waste carrier number. Contact the Environment Agency on and ask for a Waste Carrier Validation Check. You can also do this online on What do I do if I see someone flytipping? Either contact the Council and explain to Customer Services you want to report a flytipping incident, or report it on-line at We will investigate the incident and arrange for removal of the waste where possible. Please remember, we want this information as soon as possible. 8 Tips for saving energy at home

9 Furniture re-use and recycling Furniture can be re-used if in reasonable condition, which prevents it going to landfill. If you have any unwanted household items you think someone else might want, why not try: Sleaford and District Furniture Recycling Project Operates within a 15-mile radius of Sleaford (not in Lincoln) and will collect reasonable furniture that can be used by other households. The unit is open to the public, please telephone for opening hours. Don t Dump That A website based exchange forum for unwanted household items. Visit for more information. A local charity shop Donate things you no longer need or want to help others. Please note that the above services are not provided by the District Council. How to reduce waste Don t buy goods with excess packaging; Take your own shopping bag with you instead of using a new plastic bag; Reduce your junk mail by contacting the Mailing Preference Service on , or visiting Try using reusable cotton nappies, instead of disposable. For further information about the Lincolnshire Real Nappy Campaign telephone ; Try home composting to make your own compost; Reuse yoghut pots as seed pots; Tips for saving energy at home 9

10 Reuse plastic margarine tubs or ice cream containers for food storage; and Donate unwanted clothes and books to charity shops. SustainNK North Kesteven District Council and the Local Strategic Partnership have launched SustainNK, a campaign giving a local perspective to the global issues of climate change and sustainable development. It understands that our climate is changing and has signed the Nottingham Declaration of interest on Climate Change to lead the District to a sustainable future. SustainNK is here to help North Kesteven residents, businesses, schools and communities to reduce their carbon emissions and limit their impact on the environment. Visit where you can find out your estimated carbon footprint with the online calculator and also see what foods are in season during each month of the year with the interative food wheel. You can also sign up for the fortnightly SustainNK e-newsletter. What can you do to reduce your impact on the environment? Avoid unnecessary car journeys, walk, bike or use public transport. If you would like to use a car, make sure you use it efficiently by planning your trips well, car sharing with others and keeping your speed and revs down to save fuel; Look after your goods and property to make sure they last as long as possible; Get to know how much energy your appliances use and cut down on the wasteful ones. Check your meter regularly and link your usage to rising bills. You can make big cash savings and reduce your environmental impact; 10 Tips for saving energy at home

11 Watch your water use. Pumping water to your home uses a lot of energy so using less means less carbon emissions; Source local foods. Can you become a North Kesteven Locavore and try and eat food grown within Lincolnshire? This helps the local economy, gives you healthier, fresher food, creates less waste, keeps you fit if you grow your own and helps children understand how food is grown. sustainnknk This is a North Kesteven District Council Service Additional advice and information is available from: Lincolnshire Energy Advice Centre Telephone: Energy Saving Trust: National Energy Action: Refuse Hotline Telephone: eco_updates: Tips for saving energy at home 11

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