"Rubbish" way to get green message over (14-Sep-07)
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Full article: "Rubbish" way to get green message over (14-Sep-07)
The Labour group on Bedford borough council has suggested that council employees stop picking up litter for one day, in the hope that this will emphasise how much the authority does to keep the streets clean. In addition to this, car sharing is being encouraged, and energy-saving light bulbs delivered to housing association properties. The idea is that if enough people get involved, a real difference could be made to the carbon footprint of the borough.
There are also thoughts of utilising photo-voltaic cells and combined heat and power technology for council facilities, which would allow excess energy to be fed into the national grid.
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Labour suggests leaving waste on streets for a day.
Rubbish could be left out on the streets as a temporary measure in Bedford town centre – in a bid to make the borough a greener, cleaner place in the longer term.
A suggestion from the Labour group on the borough council would see council employees stop picking up litter for one day, to emphasise how much the authority does to keep the streets clean.
It is one of several ideas which have been put forward to try to make the town a beacon of eco-friendliness.
Coun Dave Lewis, leader of the Labour group, said: "This has been trialled elsewhere in the country. We just want to get the green issue really moving in Bedford.
"This might seem like an unusual idea, but a lot of the things we are suggesting are really simple, like encouraging car sharing or delivering energy-saving lightbulbs to housing association properties. If enough people do this, it can really make a difference to our carbon footprint. If we work together, we can achieve anything."
Other proposals which will be put forward by the Labour group include measuring the Town Hall's own carbon footprint, instigating a campaign to re-use furniture and other household goods, and appointing a climate change officer with an appropriate budget and responsibility.
The ideas will be presented to Bedford Borough Council's executive sustainability committee on Monday.
Coun Lewis added: "The council can also make a difference but first we need to understand our impact on the environment, and to do this we must measure our carbon footprint and undertake an honest audit of our 'greenness'.
"We should also look seriously at photo voltaic cells and combined heat and power technology for council facilities. Energy produced in these ways can be used for our buildings but also any excess can be fed into the national grid."
- Source: bedford today
