15 February 2012
Saturday 25 February sees the launch of a new project to help householders in the North Area of Cambridge (Arbury, King’s Hedges, and East and West Chesterton) live well for less.
The Green Key project is about making the most of resources like water, money, food and energy so they are not wasted. For many people this means changing the way they do things.
To see how easy (or difficult) it is for people to change little habits for new, more sustainable ones, householders are invited to complete a short survey about their attitudes to different environmental issues, for example recycling or driving a car.
Over the next few months Green Key participants will choose the topics of special talks, demonstrations and workshops with other local residents sharing their skills and experience. From DIY, growing food, or lower fuel bills to caring for wildlife or natural cleaning – we will aim to organise events based on the most popular topics.
Cllr Catherine Smart, Deputy Leader of Cambridge City Council, said: “Some people say that a time of economic difficulty is not the time to make changes. I disagree. It is exactly the time to make changes to the way we waste money, heating, food and lots of other things.
“The Green Key project is a small but positive step towards better and easier living. It is not just for ‘green’ people – it is for anyone who wants to make their money go further, have a comfortable home and leave the world in a fit state for the next generation to inherit – and that’s most of us!”
Project participants will be asked to complete a second survey in late spring. The two sets of results will be compared to see whether people’s attitudes towards sustainable living have changed – hopefully for the better, with new sustainable habits becoming second nature and less pressure on householders’ budgets.
The Meadows Community Centre on St Catharine’s Road, Arbury will host the project’s launch event on Saturday 25 February. Between 11am and 4pm local experts will be on hand to talk about everyday but important things like shrinking your gas and electricity bills, cooking with leftovers or make-do-and-mend skills.
Drop in for a cup of tea, complete a survey and claim your free goodie-bag of useful items to kick-start greener habits (for the first 100 households, one bag per household). You can also:
- meet your local recycling champions
- bag free water-saving goodies
- enjoy a bike-powered smoothie
- get inspired to grow your own grub
- make a ladybird hotel
- repaint your home for less
- build a bird nesting box
Anyone wishing to take part in the project but who cannot come to the launch event will still be entitled to their free goodie bag, if they are among the first 100 householders to register.
For more details about the Green Key project and the event at the Meadows Centre, please contact sustainablecity@cambridge.gov.uk, or call 01223 457046.
