Recycle Week | |
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Happy Recycle Week!
This year marks the 22nd Recycle Week, led by Recycle Now, with this year’s theme focusing on ‘Rescue Me, Recycle’, with the aim of telling a story about eight commonly missed recyclable items. They will be welcoming back five characters from last year’s campaign, and also saying hello to three new ones: Al’Ominium the foil ball, Shamper the shampoo bottle and Minty the toothpaste tube.
How can you encourage friends and family to recycle right this Recycle Week? Take a look at our Lesswaste website to find out what can and cannot be recycled here in Leicestershire and share that messaging far and wide. One small action can have a large environmental impact!
For more information about Recycle Week 2025, follow us on Facebook @LeicestershireRecycling and visit Recycle Week 2025 | LessWaste.org.uk.
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Halloween | |
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Halloween celebrations are popular across Leicestershire, but they can also generate a surprising amount of waste — especially when it comes to themed decorations and costumes. According to Hubbub, half of all Halloween costumes are only worn once before being thrown away. Activities like pumpkin carving and trick-or-treating can also add to the waste if we’re not mindful.
The good news? You can still enjoy a fun and spooky Halloween while keeping waste to a minimum—and even save money with a little planning.
Here are a few tips to help you kick-start your low-waste Halloween:
For more spooky tips on how to enjoy a less wasteful Halloween, check out our website: Halloween | LessWaste.org.uk.
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Swift conservation update |
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A two-year project has seen the successful installation of over 360 swift nesting boxes in buildings across Leicestershire to help boost numbers of the threatened birds, thanks to a grant from Natural England’s Species Recovery Programme, awarded in 2023.
The Swift Action for Swifts project aimed to help reduce the further decline in numbers of the migratory birds by helping householders across the county to create nesting sites. Swifts are in severe decline across the UK, down by 53% between 1995 and 2016, due to loss of breeding sites and the reduced numbers of flying insects caused by the use of pesticides, and climate change.
A total of 364 swift boxes were installed in locations where swifts have been recorded, as well as 150 swift callers, which emit a sound designed to attract the birds to nest in the boxes.
As part of on-going swift conservation efforts, LCC will also be re-launching the Swift Partnership, an online forum of partners and volunteers who meet quarterly to share news, updates and projects dedicated to local swift conservation. The first meeting back will take place online on Wednesday, 24 September, 7.00-8.30pm.
If you would like to join the meeting, or be added to our mailing list for future meeting's please contact our Environment Policy and Strategy Team: EnvironmentTeam@leics.gov.uk.
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Get composting this autumn |
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Home composting is a simple, cost-effective way to reduce waste and enrich your garden. By composting your garden and kitchen scraps, the average UK household can divert up to 150kg of organic waste from the bin each year—producing the equivalent of four bags of compost!
To help you get started, we’re running a series of free composting workshops across Leicestershire, including online sessions. Whether you're a complete beginner or looking to improve your composting habits, there's something for everyone.
Workshop themes:
These relaxed and friendly sessions are open to all Leicestershire residents. If you're curious about composting or need a bit of guidance, we’d love to see you there!
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This year, International Repair Day falls on Saturday 18 October, which also happens to be National Reuse Day.
Repair is a very important part of reuse, and both help to keep items in use for longer, reducing the demand for buying new items and saving money in the process.
International Repair Day is an annual event organised by members of the Community repair network. It raises awareness of the benefits of repairing and emphasises the power of repair to bring communities together to reduce our impact on the planet, and to learn new skills. Repair cafes and groups are on the increase in Leicestershire and it’s wonderful to see them thriving. Remember to keep a lookout for repair cafes near you or check our Waste prevention map | Lesswaste.org.uk.
For further information on International Repair Day, see International Repair Day | LessWaste.org.uk.
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International E-Waste Day |
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Most of us have a drawer full of old chargers, cables and broken electricals we no longer use.
Apparently, 15 cables per UK household is the average and each one of these cables contains valuable, critical and finite materials like copper. However, copper is infinitely recyclable and essential for many things we take for granted, such as phones, transport and medical equipment.
International E-Waste Day is challenging the UK to tackle the millions of cables and other electricals sitting idle in our homes, to save the copper from going to waste.
For further information see E-Waste Day | LessWaste.org.uk.
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Local Nature Recovery Strategy |
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Following the launch of the first-ever Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) for Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland, we are now in the process of preparing our delivery plan and establishing a number of working groups to support delivery of actions, particularly with farmers and landowners and to address opportunities in relation to our priority species.
In addition, work will take place to establish suitable monitoring and reporting processes, to enable measurement of delivery to take place.
We will also be working with partners to develop toolkits and guides etc to help partners and stakeholders to deliver on the priorities and actions of the LNRS, improving our communications and engagement on the LNRS, including improving our web presence.
We already have links to a range of management plans and good practice guides which may be of interest to local groups and residents. These can be found on the link in the button.
You can find out more, read the strategy and explore the local habitat map on Local Nature Recovery Strategy | Leicestershire.gov.uk.
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| Read our guidance here
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Community Energy Roadshows launch across Leicestershire |
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Residents across Leicestershire are invited to attend a series of Community Energy roadshows this autumn, aimed at helping households save energy, reduce bills and showcase the benefits of community energy projects. The events follow the launch of the Community Energy Grant Scheme, which awarded funding to local groups to kickstart energy-saving initiatives.
Organised by Community Energy Pathways in partnership with Leicestershire County Council, with roadshows are being held at the following venues: - Coalville CAN, Memorial Square, Coalville – Saturday 20 September, 10.30am-3pm
- The Three Swans, High Street, Market Harborough – Saturday 27 September - 10.30am-1.30 pm
- The Stockyard, Scalford Road, Melton Mowbray – Tuesday 21 October 11am - 3pm
- Burbage Millenium Hall, Burbage – Saturday 8 November - 2-4pm
- Ground floor, Hugh Aston Building, De Montfort University, Wednesday 12 November - 6pm – 8.45pm
The initiative is part of the GreenerFuture Leicestershire project funded by Innovate UK and aims to empower communities to develop renewable energy and efficiency projects.
Whether you're looking for practical tips, inspiration, or ways to get involved, these events offer a great opportunity to connect and contribute to a more sustainable Leicestershire.
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| For more information
| | Relaunch of Nature Network |
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Wednesday 10th September saw the exciting re-launch of the online ‘Nature Network’, formally the Parish Nature Network.
The Nature Network is for councillors, parish representatives and other active community members that come together to learn about what they can do locally to help nature conservation.
Our online meetings provide an opportunity to hear the latest news about wildlife and habitats across the county, share information and learning and ask questions to council staff about how local groups can act for nature.
The network is hosted by the county council, and contributions are welcome from everyone. We provide information on a range of topics, including tree warden activities, invasive and non-native species, the urban wildlife verge scheme, and conservation projects.
The first meeting back focused on Water Vole recovery across the county, including an informative talk and Q&A session. Meetings will take place on a quarterly basis with seasonal themes throughout the year.
If you are interested in joining the Nature Network or would like to find out more, please email: EnvironmentTeam@leics.gov.uk
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Warm homes - register to be notified of future grant schemes
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Following the successful delivery of the Home Upgrade Grant scheme, Leicestershire residents are encouraged to register their interest for the next local grant funding scheme supporting energy efficiency improvements, anticipated in the Autumn of 2025.
Register for the Warm Homes newsletter to be notified when future funding schemes become available: Sign up for our warm homes newsletter | Leicestershire.gov.uk.
Information about current offers and advice on maintaining affordable warmth can be found at home energy grants | Leicestershire.gov.uk.
To get free advice from our service, complete the Self-Referral form | Leicestershire.gov.uk or telephone 0116 305 2524 and one of our friendly advisers will be in touch.
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Environment Matters newsletter sign up |
If there is anyone you know that would be interested in signing up to Environment Matters, please forward them the website link below. |
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