Zero Waste Week
Our commitment to the environment
We’re on a mission to keep our beautiful spaces healthy and happy for everyone to enjoy— we made a 999 year commitment and we've got every intention of sticking to it!
We believe that every little action makes a big difference when it comes to caring for our planet. From protecting nature to reducing waste, we’re doing our bit to make sure Nene Park Trust creates wonderful spaces for all. And we’d love for you to join us on this journey!
Small changes can make a big difference
We're always looking at ways to be kinder to our environment. That means making smart choices that protect our planet and delivering creative ways to reuse and repurpose all sorts of things!
Plus, we want to spread the word on easy, everyday ways to live more sustainably. So, as part of Zero Waste Week, we'll be sharing easy hints and tips every day that you can start to do at home to make an impact.
What We're Doing to Address Our Environmental Impact
Now, we would never be the type to tell you what to do and not do it ourselves, so here's all the things we're doing at Nene Park Trust to positively change our world:
- Solar panels that power our Visitor Centre, Ferry Meadows Café, Nene Outdoors, Lakeside Bar and Kitchen, and our workshop
- Solar panels on our main toilet block that heat our hot water
- Colleague engagement activities in place including a cycle2work scheme, a car share scheme, several pool bikes and an electric pool car to minimise the environmental impact of travel
- Recycling facilities and a compost bin at head office to reduce our impact on landfill
- Sensor lights in the office to only have lights on when we need them
- Charging points available to encourage electric vehicle use
- A trial of bus into Ferry Meadows to promote more sustainable methods of transport
- A hybrid working policy to encourage less travel to the office
- Nene Nursery, our community horticulture nursery, reuse lots of materials, including repurposing old park bins into new planters and cold frames (that's a 2 for 1!)
Get involved for Zero Waste Week!
For Zero Waste Week, we’re inviting all our visitors and friends to practice the 5 R's of waste management. These simple steps can help us all cut down on waste and look after our planet. Read on for some helpful hints and tips on each step and what you can try at home:
Refuse
Let’s start with REFUSE! Sometimes, the best way to deal with waste is to not create it in the first place. Here at Nene Park Trust, we say "no thanks" to things like single-use plastics and unnecessary packaging. You can do the same! Next time you head out, bring along a reusable coffee cup or water bottle. It’s a great way to keep our park clean and save a bit of money too!
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Reduce
Now, let’s talk about REDUCE! Using less is one of the easiest ways to help the environment. We’re all about finding ways to use less of what we don’t need. At home, try reducing food waste by planning your meals in advance or maybe you could try having a "Meatless Monday." And don’t forget to compost any scraps—that's how we keep our park gardens blooming! Every little bit helps!
Reuse
Now, let’s focus on REUSE! Reusing is all about making the most of what we already have. We like to encourage everyone to pick items that can be used again and again, like sturdy water bottles, coffee cups, and shopping bags. How about choosing rechargeable batteries instead of single-use ones? They last longer and help cut down on waste. By reusing what we’ve got, we can all do our bit to keep waste out of landfills and keep our green spaces looking beautiful. Let’s stick with the things that stick around!
Repurpose
Next up is REPURPOSE! Sometimes, all it takes is a bit of imagination to turn something old into something brand new. We’ve used fallen branches to create natural play areas and even built bug hotels from scrap wood! Got an old ladder lying around? It could be your new plant stand or bookshelf! Let’s think outside the box and have some fun repurposing!
Recycle
And finally, let’s RECYCLE! Recycling is a big part of keeping our park beautiful. We sort all our waste carefully and make sure everything that can be recycled, is. You can do your part by checking out your local recycling rules and making sure to separate your waste properly. And remember, some items like batteries and electronics need special recycling. Together, we can make a big difference!
