Green light for eco-friendly living

Basingstoke Green Week returns this month showcasing environmentally-friendly living in the borough.

Taking on a different look to previous years, the popular annual awareness week from Saturday 19 September to Sunday 27 September will promote eco-initiatives through a number of socially distanced events.

Also included in the Green Week programme, online at www.basingstoke.gov.uk/green-week is a directory of environmentally-friendly businesses to encourage more people to shop local.

Green Week is organised by local volunteers and supported by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.

Reduce, Reuse, Refill is the message of the first event, on 19 September, at Village Green – Tools for a Natural Home, a business based at Herriard which stocks natural household cleaning products.

Visitors are asked to bring some empty bottles to refill with cleaning products and make the transition to a more sustainable home.

Northdown Orchard at South Litchfield has an open day on 20 September where visitors can enjoy guided tours to view the field crops. These include flower strips growing as part of the Organic Research Centre trials to attract insects. There will also be a produce and veg box stall, herb teas and plant sales.

The award-winning Inspero Community Garden in Stratton Park will open its gates on Friday 25 September, from 10am to 1pm – all welcome to find out how they create a sustainable growing space for local people.

There will also be free events in Whitchurch, Oakley and Overton – to find out more, visit www.sustainableoverton.org.uk/green-week

Please check with the organiser ahead of attending any event, rather than just turning up, in case of last minute cancellation or changes.

The Green Week programme also highlights the benefits of electric vehicles and directs owners to the EV charge points installed by the borough council in Basingstoke town centre at www.basingstoke.gov.uk/vehicle-charging-point

The Love Food Hate Waste campaign team is challenging local people to choose three pledges to make an eco-improvement to their lives during and after Green Week. This could include checking your fridge is set at the correct temperature and batch cooking and freezing an extra meal each week.

Cabinet Member for Environment and Enforcement Cllr Hayley Eachus said: “Green Week is now in its eighth year and promotes the importance of being environmentally friendly and making sustainable choices.

“Despite the COVID-19 restrictions, we can look forward to an inspiring and informative event which is safe for everyone.

“I would encourage people of all ages to get involved to find out more ways to make a positive difference to our lives and the planet.”

For more information about the action the council is taking on climate change visit www.basingstoke.gov.uk/climatechange.