Climate and Nature
Reporting on our work in Richmond Council
New Climate and Nature Strategy
Lib Dems are launching a strengthened Climate and Nature Strategy this summer with a focus on addressing the impacts of climate change across Richmond.
Initiatives will include using nature-based solutions to address flood risk, a more strategic approach to tree planting with climate-resilient species, and promoting retrofit of properties to be more energy efficient with more information and support for residents seeking to do the right thing. We’re taking a science-based approach to understand where action is most needed and what we need to do to support the most vulnerable in the borough. To support action by residents, we’re re-launching our easy-to-access Climate Microgrants - small pots of funding of £100-£500 for individuals or groups to deliver sustainability projects locally.
Improved Recycling Provisions
We are investing in recycling provision in the borough by sprucing up our local recycling centres and working harder to keep them presentable.
We’re extending the convenient ways you can recycle electricals locally – in the bright pink on- street electricals bins, or in the kerbside collection, or at libraries. As for textiles and shoes, these are collected by our partners at TRAID either through the black on-street Textiles containers located at many of our local recycling sites, or from your own doorstep. Our popular Mega Skip programme is now scheduled more frequently (look out for flyers through your letter box and keep an eye on your local area Council Facebook page), making it even easier to dispose of items locally for recycling or to help give unwanted furniture an upcycled lease of life through our partners at Richmond Furniture Scheme.
One of the most effective ways to cut the tonnage of waste that the borough sends to our “Energy from Waste” plant, which generates electricity by burning the waste, is to avoid putting any food in the rubbish bin.
The best way to do this is to buy what you need and eat what you buy. And some people do a great job by home composting their veg scraps. But if you do have food items to be discarded, use the separate food caddy which will be emptied at the same time as – but separately from – your general black sack rubbish. The food waste will go to the Anaerobic Digester. Not only does this have environmental benefits in the form of digestate to use as farmland fertiliser and biogas to power trucks that transport food waste, it’s also a cheaper disposal method than incineration and helps Councils keep costs from escalating. Most houses in the borough are now included in the food recycling service. Increasingly, so are blocks of flats. Get in touch with your councillors if you don’t think you’re included in a food recycling round but would like to be.
Food Recycling Service
One of the most effective ways to cut the tonnage of waste that the borough sends to our “Energy from Waste” plant, which generates electricity by burning the waste, is to avoid putting any food in the rubbish bin.
The best way to do this is to buy what you need and eat what you buy. And some people do a great job by home composting their veg scraps. But if you do have food items to be discarded, use the separate food caddy which will be emptied at the same time as – but separately from – your general black sack rubbish. The food waste will go to the Anaerobic Digester. Not only does this have environmental benefits in the form of digestate to use as farmland fertiliser and biogas to power trucks that transport food waste, it’s also a cheaper disposal method than incineration and helps Councils keep costs from escalating. Most houses in the borough are now included in the food recycling service. Increasingly, so are blocks of flats. Get in touch with your councillors if you don’t think you’re included in a food recycling round but would like to be.