Climate Change Information
We pledge as a Council to assist as many residents to make changes to improve our Carbon Footprint, as well as doing so ourselves. No matter how small the change, we can make a difference individually. Here is a list of ideas for you to change through the year. We are asking you to change one thing per month. Start with the easiest as you will need to do this for 12 months and the most difficult in December 2022. We are hoping these changes will just become part of our daily routine and last a lifetime. Let us know how you are getting on by visiting and posting photos on our Town Council Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/cranbrooktowncouncil
Reduce, Reuse & Recycle campaign for change
Energy
- Change to energy-efficient light bulbs
- Wash clothes at lower temperatures
- Hang-dry clothes when the weather is nice
- Install a programmable thermostat
- Unplug computers, TVs and other electronics when you’re not using them
- Look for the Energy Star label when buying new appliances
- Drop your heating by 1 degree
- Only wash clothes with a full load
- Have shorter, colder showers under 4 minutes
- Use the microwave for cooking times under 5 minutes
Cranbrook Town Council has been certified as having an Eco Energy Supply.
Households
- Recycle or sell old clothes
- Stop using products with micro beads
- Learn how to upcycle one thing or more if you enjoy
- Donate all good quality furniture or household items to charity
- Use eco-friendly washable nappies
- Use dishcloths instead of paper/kitchen towels
- Print two-sided copies
- Repair Electrical equipment
- Do not use plastic bags and invest in cloth ones
- Hold garage sales monthly and invite your street
- Invest in an eco laundry egg and save money
- Repair toys, appliances and furniture
- Invest in a compost bin and use in the garden
- Buy Second hand
- Use cloth gift bags
- Use Water Butt to harvest water
- Update your computer or donate old computers to charities for regifting
- Use Cloth napkins
- Donate unwanted craft items to schools or craft clubs
- Avoid buying aerosols
- Use recycled material for pet bedding
- Recycle unwanted candles to the recycled Candle Company
- Extend the life of your clothes – Organise a swap party with friends
- Insulate your home as much as possible
- Thicker curtains, blankets and rugs
- Keep room doors closed
- Use draught excluders
Food
- Become vegan or vegetarian twice a week
- Buy organic and local food whenever possible
- Don’t waste food – freeze or donate as much as possible
- Grow your own
- Don’t buy single use plastic
- Use Cloth bags for shopping, fruit and Veg
- Eat local seasonal fruit and vegetables
- Use reusable coffee cups and water bottles made of recyclable material
- Buy in bulk where possible to avoid multiple trips to the Shops
- Avoid goods that are over-packaged
- Refill as many products as possible using sustainable jars
Travel
- Holiday locally!
- Consider electric and hybrid travel
- Walk, cycle or take public transport for all journeys under 2 miles
- Leave your car at home
Work
- Reduce paper and implement a paper free policy
- Switch to a green pension and an ethical bank
- Print on double sided paper
- Use recyclable paper
- Use green cleaning products
Read on to find out what’s been happening in Cranbrook
Before many organisations declared climate emergencies, the Town Council had developed an environment policy and established a climate change working group. It has been operating paper-free since its creation, generates renewable energy and plants hundreds of trees across its 35-hectare Country Park, nature reserve and other public open spaces. It commissions an electric vehicle and is installing electric vehicle charge points across the town. Staff deliver countless campaigns and events to connect people with the natural environment on their doorstep and deliver education in schools.
We are working on many more initiatives so please watch this space and if you have any ideas on how we can combat climate change together at local level we would love to hear from you.