Written by Hunni Haynes; Local Journalism Student (Guest Writer)
In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the importance of supporting sustainable initiatives for the well-being of communities and the environment, so we proud to share some of the Cambridgeshire and North Herts sustainability initiatives. Our local area increasingly prioritising ways to make our environment greener and more sustainable. And there’s a breadth of ways to impact our local community sustainably! Read on for some of the great Cambridgeshire and North Herts sustainability initiatives taking place.
Funding for Wildflowers
Wildflowers play a vital role in natural ecosystems. They provide habitat and food sources for a variety of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and other insects. These pollinators are essential for the reproduction of many plant species – including the crops that feed our population!
The Biodiversity Strategic Action Plan was produced in response to continuing declines in species and habitat, both locally and nationally. As part of their efforts to increase local biodiversity and wildlife habitats, The North Herts Council has allocated £10,000 in 2024/2025 to develop more bee corridors in the district and to plant more wildlife flowers around the local areas.
Protecting Green Spaces
The ’Green Space management strategy’ is a motivated endeavour aimed at enhancing the natural environment in the region. This project’s primary focus is on the creation and maintenance of green spaces, reducing carbon emissions, and improving overall sustainability. These green space areas provide valuable habitats for wildlife, promote biodiversity, and offer recreational opportunities for residents. The eventual goal is to achieve a net zero carbon district by 2040. This would be an amazing step forward and progress in becoming a better local community. Together, we need to team up to make their plans possible over time.
Reducing Waste
North Herts Council has also joined an urgent crusade to save five common packaging items from being rubbished and keeping them out of the bin and living the circular life, through recycling.
UK households are wasting over one billion items every year that could be recycled. Billions of recyclable bottles, sprays and toilet roll tubes are facing incineration, or landfill instead of being transformed into new products.
Britain’s most binned items include:
- 7.4 million yoghurt pots
- 845 million cleaning product bottles
- 6 million aftershave and perfume bottles
- 526 million aerosols
- Toilet roll tubes
North Herts Council’s new campaign focuses on encouraging us all to recycle these common items, which will lead to a reduction in our overall waste.
Time to go Paperless
Cambridgeshire has also been actively working towards improving the environment with a huge initiative towards the reduction of paper use. The East Cambridgeshire District Council have planned to make further reductions in its paper use and expect a massive 70% reduction by 2031. Tim Phillips & Co. Accountants have already taken the lead in this step by becoming a paperless office and making all information 100% digitalised!
Green Celebrations
Often big celebrations can lead to big waste. From wrapping paper to single use decorations there are many improvements we can make to make ensure our impact is positive. One brilliant example of this is the East Cambridgeshire Council celebrating King Charles III’s Coronation and 75th birthday by donating 75 trees. This timeless gift was shared between parish councils, community groups, and schools. Leaving behind a beautiful, memorable and very green trail.
There are many more things we can do as a community to ensure we protect our beautiful environment and as Councillor Steve Jarvis, Executive Member for Environment and Leisure, states “If we do it individually, it has very little effect, but if we all do it together, it has a big impact. It is all about the contribution.” So whether you’re inspired to plant a tree, reduce your paper trail or start a whole new green initiative, your change will make a difference and it’s never too late to start!
The environment is the most important thing. Earth is one thing that we all have in common, and we should all help to cherish and protect it. Never doubt that each person’s contribution can help protect our world.
“At STONES Magazine, sustainability is a core value we hold close to our mission, and we’re incredibly grateful to Hunni for taking the time to join us and shed light on the impactful local initiatives driving change in our community. Collaborating with passionate individuals like Hunni, alongside the fresh perspectives from guest contributors such as our local journalism student, reminds us why storytelling matters and why amplifying these voices is so vital.” Josh Murphy Editor and CEO of Sanders and Jay
