In this edition, we’re celebrating the success of the Food Recycling Project, and highlighting the roll out of rigid plastic recycling across a number of Essex’s recycling centres.
And don’t miss out on the key details of the new Waste Strategy for Essex and see how the Essex Waste Partnership is working together to embrace the circular economy.
Some peel good news for Essex
Amazing news! Residents living across nine areas in Essex have shown a highly positive response to the Food Recycling Project. There was an average 21% increase in the food recycled in the first three months after the project rolled out compared to the previous year.
This is not only fantastic news for the environment, but it also helps to produce energy for our homes and fertiliser for farming.
Having your friends and family over to enjoy the sunny weather is what summer is all about. With Freegle, you can reduce the hassle and remove the expense of getting your home ready for guests.
Maybe you need some new garden furniture, or to clear out household and garden clutter. Freegle allows communities to circulate their pre-loved stuff.
Every item passed on is a positive step toward sustainability. It’s not just about kitting out or tidying up; it’s about creating an ecosystem where old stuff can find a new purpose.
Recycle your rigid plastic at our recycling centres!
The rigid plastic recycling scheme is currently in place at the following recycling centres: Braintree, Brentwood, Clacton, Chigwell, Colchester, Harlow, Saffron Walden and Witham. It will soon be available at Burnham-on-Crouch, Rayleigh and Mountnessing.
A wide range of items that cannot be recycled at the kerbside are accepted. This includes plastic buckets, storage boxes, garden furniture, toys and plastic plant pots.
Previously, rigid plastic items were being sent to landfill. This initiative is a great opportunity to recycle rigid plastic items that are no longer needed and that cannot be reused.
Since the start of the scheme in May 2024, over 64 tonnes of plastics have been sent for recycling. This is the equivalent of roughly 5 double decker buses!
What’s in and what’s out of your compost?
When it comes to composting, it’s important to get the right mix of materials in your bin. You want to aim for a 50:50 mix of ‘green’ and ‘brown’ materials to stop it being too wet or too dry.
Green materials are rich in nutrients and compost quite quickly. These include coffee grounds, grass clippings, fruit and vegetable peelings, nettles and soft prunings.
Brown materials are rich in carbon, absorb excess moisture and provide structure, but take longer to compost. These include cardboard, dry leaves, shredded paper and twigs.
You can find out more about what to compost and how to make the most of your compost bin on our new website.
Update on the new Waste Strategy for Essex!
On 23 July, Essex County Council adopted the Essex Waste Partnership’s new Waste Strategy for Essex! This is the second authority to adopt the strategy following Uttlesford Council’s decision earlier in the month.
The waste strategy sets out the partnership’s plan for how to manage recycling and waste in the county for the next 30 years.
The vision of the strategy is simple: We are rethinking our waste – by everyone working together, we will reduce, reuse and recycle more. This will protect the environment and save resources.
The other 11 councils in the partnership will be taking decisions on whether to adopt the strategy over the next couple of months.
Find out more about the vision, targets and commitments of the Waste Strategy for Essex and how it will affect you.
Discover hidden gems with Second Hand September
This September, take a stand against fast fashion and join Oxfam’s Second Hand September campaign. By pledging to buy only second hand clothes for 30 days, you can help reduce waste and combat climate change.
By embracing Second Hand September, you can help cut down on the fashion industry’s massive carbon and water footprint and help bring about a circular economy.
Have you discovered the health benefits of elderberries?
It’s very likely that you will have passed an elderberry bush recently, but did you spot them? A few months ago, the bushes will have been abundant with elderflowers and now is the time to reap the rewards of the berries!
Full of vitamin C, antioxidants and immune boosting goodness, elderberry syrup is a fantastic recipe for the autumn/winter colds.
Try this recipe from the Woodland Trust to create your own delicious syrup. It’s great on yoghurt, ice cream, porridge and more!
Warning: Do not eat raw elderberries or their bark, leaves and seeds, as they can cause sickness and diarrhoea.
Want to learn more about how you can take action on climate change?
Join thousands of users in Essex by registering for the Carbon Cutting Essex app. The app is a fantastic way to keep track of your carbon footprint and discover actions you can take to reduce it.
This month, the theme is ‘Climate Change in Essex’. This is a great opportunity to broaden your knowledge on coastal erosion. Learn about how it impacts Essex as well as how households can reduce their risk of flooding.
The app awards points for positive environmental actions that can be used to enter prize draws or donated to good causes.
CRESSING PARISH COUNCIL
