Shop locally and in season

By shopping locally and in season you can cut down on food miles. The less miles food has to travel to reach the shelves of local shops, the more carbon we can all save.

Flintshire town centres offer a choice of independent and high street shops, supplemented by vibrant street markets offering a range of fresh fruit, fish, meat, vegetables and baked goods. You can find more information on local markets here: https://www.flintshire.gov.uk/en/Business/Town-Centre-Regeneration/Markets.aspx

If you are unsure what produce is in season in what month here is a useful website: Seasonal calendar - BBC Good Food.

When going shopping, it’s also a good idea to:

• Plan all your meals before you leave your house.
• Check your cupboards so that you only buy what you need.
• If you have leftovers, don’t throw them away, plan what to do with them.
• Save waste by checking ‘use by’ dates over ‘best before’ dates.
• Freeze leftovers or batch cook.
• Check packaging to see where food is sourced from. The closer to home the better.

Grow your own food

Growing your own food can be a great way to reduce your carbon.

If your outdoor space is limited don’t be put off - it’s surprising how much you can grow in containers, on patios, balconies, and windowsills or in window boxes. Follow the links below for some hints and tips on how to get started:

https://www.gardenersworld.com/plants/vegetable-crops-for-beginners/

https://www.gardenersworld.com/plants/windowsill-veg-container-ideas

Our Domestic Energy Efficiency Team are available for advice on reducing your energy use in the home, what funding might be available to you, and signposting for further support.

You can contact them on 01352 703443 or by emailing deepadmin@flintshire.gov.uk

Further info available here: https://www.flintshire.gov.uk/en/Resident/Energy-Saving/Energy-Saving.aspx

Energy consumption can be one of the main causes to a high carbon footprint, see below for ways to reduce your emissions; 

• Switching your bulbs to LED
  • “This could reduce your carbon emissions by up to 40kg per year….lighting makes up around 11% of your average household emissions”. (Figures from April price cap) According to the energy saving trust. (Guide to energy efficient lighting - Energy Saving Trust)
• Research switching to a green tariff
  • A green tariff is an energy supply from renewable energy sources rather than energy generated by burning fossil fuels. It’s important to do your research on each type of green tariff and how much renewable energy is used, before making a decision.
• Electrical devices
  • Appliances such as TV’s, charging outlets and fridges/freezers use a lot of energy even when they are not in use. Make sure with TV’s and charging outlets they are turned off at the mains.
  • Fridge/freezers are more energy efficient when they are full. Always wait for things to cool down before putting them into the fridge/freezer to make it more energy efficient.
• Insulate your home
  • The more heat you can keep inside your home, the less energy you will use. Heat escapes through windows, doors, walls and roofs, so by getting these insulated you can keep your house warmer for longer.
• Consider installing a SMART meter
  • These meters show you how much energy you are using and where you are using it as well as keeping track of your energy spending. This can help you identify which appliances are using the most energy so you can be more energy efficient in your home.

Other ways you can reduce your emissions in the home:

• Closing curtains to keep heating in.
• Switching lights off, when it’s unnecessary.
• Closing doors to stop the cold air travelling through your home.
• Keeping the heating down by one degree can really make a difference.

There are many benefits to leaving areas of your garden to go wild by mowing your lawn less often and leaving areas to flower and seed. Energy is saved by not using the mower, and bees, butterflies and birds all enjoy the wildflowers.

If you have a garden with the space, planting a small tree, bushes or a vegetable patch can help to reduce your carbon impact.

Trees and shrubs absorb carbon and release oxygen. Their roots absorb water, reducing the effects of flooding. Planting enough trees and shrubs in urban areas can save energy by providing shade and lowering temperatures. Growing fruit and vegetables provides cheaper, tastier food and eliminates food miles. Bushes, hedges and trees create corridors for wildlife.

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/plant-trees/advice/where/

FCC have an ongoing tree planting and monitoring programme, we are working across departments to improve the biodiversity value and carbon sequestration of our landholdings and public realm.

Find out more here – https://www.flintshire.gov.uk/en/LeisureAndTourism/Countryside-and-Coast/Nature-in-Flintshire.aspx

If you have any additional questions, contact biodiversity@flintshire.gov.uk

Walking or cycling

In Flintshire we are continuing to introduce active travel routes making walking and cycling an easier and safer alternative option

https://www.flintshire.gov.uk/en/Resident/Streetscene/Active-Travel-Integrated-Network-Map-Consultation.aspx

Sustrans maintain and look after the national cycle network which connects the countryside with towns and cities all over the UK. Find out more about the work of Sustrans here: Our work in Wales - Sustrans.org.uk

Check with your employer if they offer a cycle to work scheme, not only would it reduce your emissions but it’s also a great way to stay healthy. Find out more here: https://www.cycle2work.info/employees

Instead of buying brand new consider buying second hand – there are second hand bike schemes available which will increase your carbon savings by also contributing to the circular economy

Public transport

Whenever possible plan your journeys using public transport. For more information and to plan your journey by bus go to https://www.flintshire.gov.uk/en/Resident/Streetscene/Bus-timetables.aspx

With train stations at Buckley, Caergwrle, Flint, Hawarden and Shotton you can integrate your travel plans to reach destinations across Wales and the whole of the UK. For train times and route planning go to https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/

Electric/hybrid cars are powered either solely on a battery or combination of battery powered and petrol. Researching into electric cars is the first step into trying to reduce your emissions “Battery-powered cars create 40% less CO2 than petrol engines” - The AA (https://www.theaa.com/driving-advice/electric-vehicles/electric-hybrid-car-guide)

• Check with your employer, they might offer an electric car salary sacrifice scheme.

Changing your travel patterns

Leaving work a little earlier or later to avoid rush hour can reduce your engine idling time: Engine idling - why it's so harmful and what's being done | RAC Drive

Reduce the number of vehicles on the road by commuting with a work colleague and taking it in turns to drive each week.

A circular economy

Instead of buying a product and throwing it away when it’s either broken or of no use any more adopt the principle of reduce, reuse or recycle instead.

Reduce

• Instead of buying single use plastic bottles buy a reusable bottle and refill it at a tap. Mold has a refill scheme, where you can fill your bottle up in a selection of shops and cafés (https://moldplasticreduction.org/more-info/refill-your-drinks-bottle-the-refill-scheme/)
• Shop for clothing brands that use natural fibres that last longer e.g. cotton, wool.

Reuse

• Where you can – buy secondhand. Refurbs in Flint offer quality affordable household items, and there are many other outlets on the high street and online for buying secondhand items.
• Clothing, bags and accessories can be hired online and returned for someone else to enjoy over and over again.
• Before throwing any broken items away, Refurbs Flintshire have a repair café in Buckley where volunteers will do what they can to repair broken or damaged items for you. There are also workshops where you can learn to make simple repairs yourself.
  • https://www.groundworknorthwales.org.uk/refurbs/about/refurbs-outlets/
  • https://www.facebook.com/RefurbsBuckley/
• If you no longer want or need certain items, instead of throwing them away you could pass them on to someone who might. You can sell unwanted, undamaged items online or donate them to a local charity.

Recycle

Recycling should always be the last resort when an item can no longer be used at all.

In Flintshire, residents can recycle lots of items at the kerbside.

• Plastics, glass, paper and cardboard (https://www.flintshire.gov.uk/en/Resident/Bins-Recycling-and-Waste/What-can-and-cannot-be-recycled.aspx)
• Food scraps, fruit and vegetable peelings (https://www.flintshire.gov.uk/en/Resident/Bins-Recycling-and-Waste/What-to-put-in-your-bin.aspx)
• Garden waste which is turned into compost at Greenfield Household Recycling centre (HRC) and can be collected from Household Recycling Centres throughout the year (https://www.flintshire.gov.uk/en/Resident/Bins-Recycling-and-Waste/Garden-Waste-Collection-Service.aspx)

You can find out where your kerbside waste goes to by visiting My Recycling Wales https://myrecyclingwales.org.uk/local_authorities/flintshire

In addition to kerbside recycling the council operates five household recycling centres in Buckley, Greenfield, Mold, Sandycroft and Rockliffe, where you can recycle additional items such as white goods, carpet, paint, wood, hard plastics, etc. (https://www.flintshire.gov.uk/en/Resident/Bins-Recycling-and-Waste/Household-Recycling-Centres.aspx)

You can arrange for bulky items and furniture waste to be collected by Refurbs Flintshire: https://www.groundworknorthwales.org.uk/refurbs/services/bulky-waste/

Advice on how to reuse, repair and recycle your unwanted items: https://www.walesrecycles.org.uk/how-to-recycle/how-to-recycle-at-home-getting-started