How you can help make a difference

Climate change is already effecting our everyday lives and urgent action is needed. As a council we aim to do everything that we can to ensure we can work towards decarbonisation. However, in order to achieve this to the highest possible standard there are many ways in which you can help.

What you can do to help

Transport 

• When possible, walk or ride your bike. This helps to reduce our carbon emissions
• Consider switching to electric or hybrid vehicle if you are replacing your car as this can save 2 tonnes or carbon per year. If this is not affordable then choose more efficient petrol or diesel vehicles as this could save 0.9 tonnes of CO2 each year.
• Think of how your travel patterns have changed during lockdown and make an effort to continue these habits.
• Eat locally produced, fresh food as this reduces carbon emissions of processing, storing and transportation.

Food and drink 

• Do not put hot items in the fridge or freezer. If you let them cool before putting them in the fridge, less energy is required from you fridge to keep them cold. Fridges are one of the biggest household consumers of energy in homes, so any added efficiency helps.
• Clean out your fridge weekly but don’t leave it too empty, otherwise it won’t maintain its cold temperature.
• The most environmentally friendly way of cooking is using a stove top or microwave.
• Try to grow your own fruit, vegetables and herbs at home.
• Try to make an effort to eat less meat or even go vegetarian or vegan. Reducing meat and dairy intake reduces carbon emissions.

Water 

• Consider having solar PV panels or solar hot water at home
• Use a reusable water bottle, both at home and out. Plastic production leads to a lot of carbon emissions. By using a reusable water bottle you’ll be lowering both your water and carbon footprint.

Waste 

• Give any unwanted items you want to throw away to someone in need or an organisation. Wastesavers operate a “New Lease of Life” Re-use shop at Unit 20 Merthyr Industrial Park, Pentrebach where items can be donated and purchased.

These items can be reused and redistributed to someone in need.

• Reduce, reuse and recycle as much waste as possible. This can include recycling old clothes. By reducing the amount of waste you produce and recycling more, emissions from an average home could fall by 0.25 tonnes each year.
• Consider composting uncooked food in your garden, such as vegetables or fruit peelings rather than using the council composting services. All leftover cooked food has to be put in the food waste bins for collection.

The environment and housing

• Check your loft insulation, doors and windows to prevent heat loss, which helps reduce your carbon footprint. If you live in rented accommodation you can check your landlord is aware on how to keep the building energy efficient.
• Switch to green energy tariff. This involves choosing a supplier and tariff that only sources energy from renewable generators such as wind, solar or anaerobic digestion. This could reduce emissions by 79%, saving 1.25 tonnes of carbon each year for the average home.
• Consider how much energy you are using. Try and see where you could use less or switch off appliances to save carbon. This will also save you money on monthly bills. Turning down your heating by 1 degree Celsius can save 3% off your energy bills.
• Make more use of your garden area by growing fruit and vegetables as an alternative to paving, artificial grass or decking.

Energy 

• Get a smart meter to help you understand and manage our energy consumption and costs.
• When drying clothes try to dry your clothes using a clothes line or airier rather than a tumble dryer.

 Green infrastructure 

• Make more sustainable use of your garden by planting trees or bushes in your garden where you have suitable space.

Join a Love Where You Live volunteer group to help the community you live in.