Everyone in North Lincolnshire is being urged to do their bit for the environment and make green pledges this New Year.
It could be a simple change such as washing clothes at 30 degrees, walking the kids to school more often instead of driving, vowing to stop using plastic bags – or all three.
Families, community groups and businesses can all commit to help protect the future by filling in their green pledges, created by North Lincolnshire Council in a bid to capture everyone’s efforts.
Cllr Rob Waltham, leader, North Lincolnshire Council, said: “We started last year with an ambitious pledge to be net zero by 2030 – this is now embedded into the heart of everything we do as a council, protecting and enhancing our natural environment now and into the future.
“Our net zero plans are genuine, ambitious, achievable and aligned to business growth, job creation and improving living standards.
“But for us to be able to make the difference we need to, so that future generations have a better environment, we all must do our bit – we are directly asking people in North Lincolnshire to get involved and make pledges to change.
“There are lots of little things people can do to get involved; while we can have a massive impact as a council, the impact will be super-charged if everyone gets involved.
“I have started composting at home, reducing my heating to 18 degrees, not buying plastics and using a refillable water bottle.”
The green pledge campaign is part of the Green Future strategy, an ambitious policy launched by North Lincolnshire Council earlier this year.
Cllr David Rose, cabinet member for environment, said: “I’ve made my pledge, to do more litter-picking, recycle everything I can and turn off lights I don’t need. I’m urging everyone in North Lincolnshire, including businesses, schools and community groups, to think about what they can pledge.
“It may just be a small thing, but it will make a big difference to the environment.”
Simple pledges that can be made today include:
- Take plastic bags and film to local supermarkets for recycling
- Use rechargeable batteries
- Buy a compost bin – go to our Grow Don’t Throw webpage
- Walk, cycle or use electric vehicles – the council are installing charging points across the area
- Apply for a litter-picking kit – email neighbourhoodservices@northlincs.gov.uk – and help clean up your local community
- Join a ‘Friends of’ group to protect local parks and woodlands – or set one up yourself
- Switch electrical items off at the mains
- Buy fewer new things and donate or recycle your old gear when you upgrade – you can take everything from books to batteries to the council household recycling centres
- Swap your light bulbs for energy-efficient LED ones
The council’s Green Future strategy encompasses four themes and eight aims, embraces decarbonisation, puts clean growth at the heart of the local economy, prioritises net zero travel, cuts waste, protects the natural environment and enables the wider community to join in, take responsibility for the environment and take action.
To pledge visit the Green Futures page on our website.