Policies

Lutton Parish Council acknowledges that some activities may have an adverse impact on the environment and that we can take steps to minimise those impacts. We continue to strive to make a positive contribution to protecting and enhancing the local and global environment through implementing the following measures:-

Waste and Recycling

Reduce:

Non-essential documents and emails will not be printed.

We will endeavour to avoid using disposable cups and food packaging where possible.

We will use phone, e-mail or face-to-face discussions for communications wherever possible to reduce paper use.

Re-use:

Wherever possible we will try to find a second life for items through local charitable re-use schemes or donations to local voluntary organisations (ie. furniture, computers, mobile telephones and other electrical goods).

Scrap paper used on one side only will be used for printing internal and draft documents and for making note pads. Envelopes, stationary will be purchased as re-used, packing will be re-used where possible. Items that can be repaired will be so unless it has to be replaced.

Recycle:

Paper, cardboard, cans, plastic, glass, textiles, ink and toner cartridges, batteries and electrical equipment will be recycled whenever possible.

We will compost our green and organic waste where possible.

Purchasing and Travel

Purchasing:

We will purchase fairly-traded goods where available.

We will buy organic, locally produced goods where possible.

We will strive to increase the proportion of goods and serviced purchased which are less harmful to the environment, within financial limitations.

Purchasing decisions will be based on the choice of materials or products that have the lowest environmental impact in production, transportation, use and disposal.

We will influence our indirect environmental impacts by 'greening' our supply chain e.g. encouraging the supply chain to take up initiatives such as adopting environmental policies and providing environmentally friendly products.

Travel:

We will promote walking or cycling to local meetings.

We will promote the use of public transport where possible.

Car sharing will be encouraged where possible.

Resources

Energy:

We will seek to minimise the use of energy in all our activities.

Standard light bulbs will be replaced with those that are more energy efficient.

Lights and equipment will be switched on only when in use and not left on 'stand-by'.

Heating will be kept to a minimum and the thermostat will be regularly checked to ensure that it is not set too high. New electrical goods purchased will be of the 'A' rating where available.

Water:

We will conserve water where possible.

Biodiversity:

We will endeavour to protect, restore and enhance biodiversity.

When possible, native, wildflower friendly species will be used for planting schemes.

To prepare for potential climate change impacts, drought tolerant species will be used wherever possible.

Hazardous Materials and Chemicals:

We will take all possible measures to not expose the environment to chemicals that can harm people or nature