Imagine a fabulous new community and cycling centre in St Albans. Well, you can help to build it! See https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/cottonmill-centreContinue reading A Great Boost for Cycling in St Albans!
Volunteer to help St Albans reach net zero by 2030
When St Albans District Council declared a climate emergency in 2019 they set a target for the district to reach net zero as 2030. The Sustainability and Climate Action Plan needs the community to make a significant reduction in C02 to reach this target. Based on data currently available this amounts to an average ofContinue reading Volunteer to help St Albans reach net zero by 2030
Sustainable St Albans proud to support Community Business Awards 2021
Sustainable St. Albans was very proud to sponsor this year’s St Albans District Chamber of Commerce Community Business Sustainability Award. It was a great pleasure to meet new friends and old at this glittering occasion. These five finalists have each put sustainability into the heart of their businesses: • Box Local, distributing local fruit andContinue reading Sustainable St Albans proud to support Community Business Awards 2021
#PostcardFromCOP – A personal view from the Glasgow COP26 Climate Conference
Read about #COP26 from the point of view of an ordinary person who attended the conference in Glasgow. Our trustee tells all. #PostcardFromCOP. #CountdownToCOPContinue reading #PostcardFromCOP – A personal view from the Glasgow COP26 Climate Conference
Pick one step. Learn about it. Do it (with our help).
What action will you take during COP26? Pick one climate action from Count Us In, check out our blog and resources and then take that step today. #CountdownToCOPContinue reading Pick one step. Learn about it. Do it (with our help).
How to green your money so it helps the planet
Simon Grover discusses various ways we can green our money to make our pensions, banks and investments help the climate. #CountdownToCOPContinue reading How to green your money so it helps the planet
Top tips for an eco and fun Halloween in St Albans District
Playing Out introduce their Halloween 2021 St Albans District competitions with St Albans Rainbow Trail and offer tips for a sustainable spooky season.Continue reading Top tips for an eco and fun Halloween in St Albans District
3 ways to speak up at work about the climate crisis
Dan Fletcher shows us 3 ways to speak up at work about the climate crisis and make our voices heard by our businesses. #CountdownToCOPContinue reading 3 ways to speak up at work about the climate crisis
5 steps to tell politicians you care about climate change
Jess Simmons shows how your voice counts when it comes to climate change – 5 steps to tell your politicians that you care. #CountdownToCOPContinue reading 5 steps to tell politicians you care about climate change
Easy ways to wear clothes to last
Emily Southcombe explains how to wear clothes to last – both by buying second-hand and also by repairing and upcycling what you already own.Continue reading Easy ways to wear clothes to last
How we insulated our Victorian home
Judith Leary-Joyce tells the story of how she turned her late Victorian end of terrace house from cold to cosy with insulation and draught-proofing.Continue reading How we insulated our Victorian home
Fly less and explore more with YHA
James Blake tells us about the great holidays available in the UK by hostelling with YHA and how we can fly less and explore more.Continue reading Fly less and explore more with YHA
How to dial down your home energy consumption
Ian Yenney gives us tips on how to reduce our home energy consumption, particularly the simple trick of dialing down our home’s thernostat.Continue reading How to dial down your home energy consumption
How to Repair and Reuse
Philip le Riche tells us about his lifetime of repairing all sorts of items, Restart Parties, and how you can learn to make repairs yourself. Continue reading How to Repair and Reuse
The Road To My First EV: “I’ll never own an electric car!”
Shaun Williams tells us why he went from never wanting to drive an electric car to loving his secondhand Tesla. Continue reading The Road To My First EV: “I’ll never own an electric car!”
How to Eat Seasonally for the Climate and for your Health
Juliet Foxwell gives us her tips for altering the food we buy so we eat seasonal fruit and vegetables, helping our planet and our health at the same time. Continue reading How to Eat Seasonally for the Climate and for your Health
Quick and Easy Ways to Eat More Plants
Becky Alexander shows us how we can introduce more plants into our meals, cutting our carbon footprint while exploring delicious new dishes. Continue reading Quick and Easy Ways to Eat More Plants
Leave the Car at Home: How to Start Walking and Cycling More
Susheel Rao looks at getting past the barriers that stop us leaving the car at home – particularly how we can get cycling more.Continue reading Leave the Car at Home: How to Start Walking and Cycling More
10 Easy Ways to Reduce Food Waste
Caroline Wilson gives us 10 top tips on reducing food waste at home – cutting both our carbon footprint and our living costs at the same time.Continue reading 10 Easy Ways to Reduce Food Waste
Switch Your Energy
Ian Yenney looks at how switching your energy may be the easiest step you can take to reduce your CO2 emissions – and how it can make a BIG difference.Continue reading Switch Your Energy
5 good reasons not to talk about climate (and why you should anyway)
Catherine Ross examines why talking about climate change can make us feel awkward and encourages us to have a Climate Conversation.Continue reading 5 good reasons not to talk about climate (and why you should anyway)
We’re in – are you? make the changes that matter in the #Countdown To COP
Make the changes that matter and protect what you love. Learn about our 16 week climate action campaign #CountdownToCOP, based on the 16 highest impact steps you can take. #CountUsIn #StAlbansCANContinue reading We’re in – are you? make the changes that matter in the #Countdown To COP
Saving the Planet from the Laundry Room
Saving the planet from the laundry room or the art of sustainable washing – In this guest blog, Terry Over looks at the environmental impact of this everyday task.Continue reading Saving the Planet from the Laundry Room
Fruit, Veg & Wildlife in a Smaller Garden
Insects are attracted by profusely flowering plants such as the hot-lips salvia, while bug and bee hotels offer them the chance to stay and to hibernate. Similarly, the small pond attracts newts and frogs and a nearby pile of old wood and tiles gives them somewhere to over-winter.Continue reading Fruit, Veg & Wildlife in a Smaller Garden
Sustainable Market and more Sustainability Festival events
Don’t miss these SustFest21 events this Thursday to Sunday. Jonathon Porritt, 2040 film and Local to Global talk all coming up. And then #shoplocal the Sustainable Market on Sunday.Continue reading Sustainable Market and more Sustainability Festival events
Sustainable Shopping in St Albans
St Albans is a great destination for sustainable shopping. So for plastic-free produce, sustainable fashion and locally grown produce at independent restaurants, be inspired with our top eco-shopping picks.Continue reading Sustainable Shopping in St Albans
#SustFest21 Festival-long Activities and Offers
So many events to do any day you like during SustFest21. From self-guided trails around the district to our recycling challenge, from sustainable gardening or plant-based food support to special offers, don’t miss out on these great ideas for this week!Continue reading #SustFest21 Festival-long Activities and Offers
#SustFest21 Week 2 highlights
Some fantastic events happening 30th May – 6th June, week 2 of Sustainability Festival 2021. Don’t miss out on a talk by Jonathon Porritt or leaning how to grow Asian herbs – get clicking and booking today!Continue reading #SustFest21 Week 2 highlights
Causing A Splash to Save the River Ver
Now that IS excessive water use! This incredible 10,000 litre bathtub will be in the town centre on Thursday 27th and Friday 28th May 2021 during #SustFest21. It is all part of Affinity Water’s new movement SOS: Save Our Streams, calling on people in St Alban’s to waste less water to save our streams. AffinityContinue reading Causing A Splash to Save the River Ver
World Leading Aecom events for SustFest21
Gold Sponsor of #SustFest21, AECOM, talk about their FIVE world-leading #SustFest21 events including one about “How to make your business more sustainable”.Continue reading World Leading Aecom events for SustFest21
#SustFest21 Sustainable Shopping
Shop sustainably and shop local! From the sustainable markets to offers from sustainable local businesses, there’s plenty to find in the St Albans District this festival.Continue reading #SustFest21 Sustainable Shopping
Book these #SustFest21 events soon
Sustainability Festival events that are in-person and/or need booking ASAP due to deadlines. Join in! From bug hunting to litter picks, there’s lots to do!Continue reading Book these #SustFest21 events soon
Be a Sustainability Expert #SustFest21
Jill Watson, chair of #SustFest21 shares her pick of events for the festival. “In short, it’s a crash course in becoming your own sustainability expert” Continue reading Be a Sustainability Expert #SustFest21
Octopus EV talk about Powerloop
Claire Miller of Octopus Electric Vehicles introduces this blog which explains how their technology, known as Powerloop, is revolutionising the future of energy as we know it.Continue reading Octopus EV talk about Powerloop
Chemicals Down The Drain
I remember a light bulb moment a few years ago when my children were younger; “Keep out of reach of children” was the warning on the laundry detergent. So, if it is not great for our children, why are we using it to wash their clothes and then sending the rinsed water down the drain to the rivers and the sea? Continue reading Chemicals Down The Drain
Towards a Wilder St Albans
It couldn’t come a moment too soon. The Trust’s ‘Hertfordshire State of Nature’ report was launched in March 2020, highlighting the immediate need for action to address the ecological and climate crises, and to reach our target to secure 30% of land for wildlife by 2030.
Continue reading Towards a Wilder St Albans
Wonderful Winter
Wrapping myself up in many layers, I go out into the fresh and invigorating air, crunching over frosty grass, hardened mud and cracking through frozen puddles. The way the early sunshine lights up the dried seed heads of spent plants is simply stunning, and I now consider it one of the most beautiful sights of the year…Continue reading Wonderful Winter
The Road to 2030 – a year at a time
We all need to half our net greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. So, how could our fairly normal UK household achieve such a radical reduction?Continue reading The Road to 2030 – a year at a time
one womans journey #veganuary
“Like most people, I knew I could do more, but I wasn’t ready to commit to something which I felt so intimidated by…”Continue reading one womans journey #veganuary
#ShowTheLove with green hearts in your window
Join us in supporting the Climate Coalition’s #ShowTheLove Green Hearts campaign this February. Show the Love for everything you want to protect from the climate crisis.Continue reading #ShowTheLove with green hearts in your window
Hassle Free Veganuary
Don’t give up, be different, show some sticking power. To hopefully help with your Veganuary pledge I’ve included some tips for getting through it. Continue reading Hassle Free Veganuary
Reduce Energy Use At Home
At Sustainable St Albans, we have two thermal imaging cameras for loan. They have been borrowed by over 300 people across the district over the last six years..find out what you can discover with the camera – and how to borrow it!Continue reading Reduce Energy Use At Home
SADC Climate Crisis Strategy Event follow-up
We all need to start thinking about ways to implement the Council’s Sustainability Strategy so that we all stand a chance of living in a more environmentally sustainable district.Continue reading SADC Climate Crisis Strategy Event follow-up
Support our local shops this christmas
Did you know? Almost half of small business owners say if everyone just spent £5 extra per week it will help to keep them open long term. Continue reading Support our local shops this christmas
Decorate Your Window for Festive Streets
“Decorate a window”. For some people, it’s pure pleasure – an artistic joy they were born to produce. Yet, for others, it’s a hugely daunting task and they wouldn’t know where to start. If you fall into the latter category, read on!Continue reading Decorate Your Window for Festive Streets
low impact celebrating
This year may be more strange than normal, if so it will go with the rest of 2020. Strange or not, it is good to think about our environmental impacts when preparing for a celebration..Continue reading low impact celebrating
Awesome Autumn
Like spring, autumn is a time of change. Though, unlike spring, it is not a time of awakening; instead, it is a time of falling slowly into a deep slumber…This week’s blog written and fully illustrated by Chloé Valerie HarmsworthContinue reading Awesome Autumn
Ideas For Halloween 2020 – Playing Out St Albans District
Find out how you can create a community atmosphere in your part of St Albans District and satisfy your kids’ cravings for fun and treats while celebrating the Spooky Season in a sustainable way.Continue reading Ideas For Halloween 2020 – Playing Out St Albans District
The Low-Maintenance Food Garden
Perhaps you’re coming to the end of a glorious growing season in your garden or allotment, or maybe it didn’t go so well and you’re wondering how to do better next year. Maybe you’ve yet to try it and it all looks a bit too much like hard work.Continue reading The Low-Maintenance Food Garden
Sun 25 Oct St Albans Sustainable market
Come and enjoy our Sustainable market day 11-4pm Sunday 25 October. Local eco businesses, food, drink and music. Make it a day out! Partnership with St Albans BID. Safety counts. PPE available. Continue reading Sun 25 Oct St Albans Sustainable market
Let’s slow it down – why it’s time for 20mph zones for all
Would you like vehicles to drive more slowly down your street? I don’t think I’ve spoken to a single person for whom the answer is ‘no’. And if traffic should travel slower on your street, why not on everyone’s street? Amanda Yorwerth, co-ordinator of St Albans Friends of the Earth speaks out for 20’s PlentyContinue reading Let’s slow it down – why it’s time for 20mph zones for all
Recycling right
‘Sorted by machine’ sounds easy but it’s not because we include all sorts of things in what we put out for recycling that hamper the process and spoil the end product. Along with a lot of other households in St Albans and its villages, I could do better. Continue reading Recycling right
Our Eco Church Journey – St Paul’s church, St Albans
St Paul’s church’s eco journey began in the early 2000s, when a group of us talked about ways in which the church could be more sustainable in use of energy and resources…Continue reading Our Eco Church Journey – St Paul’s church, St Albans
All that Glitters…sustainable jewellery..
Making it, Buying it, Loving it. Do you love jewellery? Is it the choosing, the buying, or the wearing that you really like, or perhaps all three! Or do you want to make your own? Then there is the guilty bit, “where has it come from, how do I know it has been ethically sourced;Continue reading All that Glitters…sustainable jewellery..
Sustainable market 23 Aug 11am – 4pm
Come and enjoy the Sustainable Living market Sun 23 August 11am to 4pm with local businesses, loads of food and drink!Continue reading Sustainable market 23 Aug 11am – 4pm
Part 5: Plastic-free desk and gifts
So if you don’t want your pen lid to end up inside the stomach of an albatross chick (this has happened), check out this guide to plastic-free things on your desk and giving plastic-free gifts.Continue reading Part 5: Plastic-free desk and gifts
How to go #plasticfree Part 1: Plastic-Free Kitchen
The Big Picture: why do we need to go Plastic Free? Plastic-Free July is a great time to start or continue down your journey to cut out single-use plastic. I’m sure many of you are keen to do this, but when faced with supermarket aisles full of plastic, it is very hard not to justContinue reading How to go #plasticfree Part 1: Plastic-Free Kitchen
Organise a Playing Out scheme or a street party now and bring sustainability to your street!
Organise a Playing Out scheme or a street party now and bring sustainability to your street! Come to one of our free information session across St Albans District and find out how!Continue reading Organise a Playing Out scheme or a street party now and bring sustainability to your street!
One School’s Journey to Cutting Single-Use Plastic
Six year-old pupils on a school Eco Team complained to their teacher about the waste generated by the free school milk programme so their teacher, Andrea Bootle, decided it was time they took action.Continue reading One School’s Journey to Cutting Single-Use Plastic
Ver Players talk to Sustainable St Albans
The Ver Players – a ukelele group playing in St Albans – are dedicating their annual 2019 Charity Fund-raiser to Sustainable St Albans. We were thrilled – and decided to have a chat to find out more about the group… What are the Ver Players, when did they first get going, and where do theyContinue reading Ver Players talk to Sustainable St Albans
St Albans District streets celebrate World Car Free Day
Seven streets in St Albans and Harpenden closed for up to 3 hours on Sunday 22nd September for World Car Free Day.Continue reading St Albans District streets celebrate World Car Free Day
Global Climate Strike St Albans
Friday 20 September saw hundreds of school children and supporting adults on strike for the Climate. Continue reading Global Climate Strike St Albans
Climate Emergency declaration 55 – 0 at St Albans District Council
Climate Emergency report back Wed 9th Oct- see you there! St Albans District Council is holding a full council meeting at 7pm Wed 9th October 2019 at the council offices, St Albans – they will be reporting back on the Climate Emergency work. Anyone who is interested is welcome to attend this meeting. You mayContinue reading Climate Emergency declaration 55 – 0 at St Albans District Council
How to grow food in a small garden
This garden packs in a wide range of fruit and veg in just 10 square metres. A great opportunity to explore something very special with a pond, raised beds, fruit trees, compost bins and shaded seating areas. Continue reading How to grow food in a small garden
What can you do, to make a difference?
So, you’re worried about climate change, you’re aware of the issues, and you want to act. That’s a great place to start .Continue reading What can you do, to make a difference?
Ayletts growing sustainability
Ayletts Nursery invite you to recycle your unwanted plastic garden pots – but did you know how much they are doing to reduce their carbon footprint?Continue reading Ayletts growing sustainability
What makes our city sustainable?
A change from ‘want/have’ economics to ‘need/ consider’ economics: the desperate and hysterical consumption of the 80s and 90s now looks decidedly distasteful and is being replaced by a borrow/reuse/packaging free/fewer-better kind of purchasing.Continue reading What makes our city sustainable?
I dare you to care: a Climate Emergency in St Albans
Anna Hardisty dares you to care about the climate emergency and tells you why you should sign the petition to St Albans District Council.Continue reading I dare you to care: a Climate Emergency in St Albans
What difference can one person make?
There are people who are really good at this stuff. They cycle everywhere, never go abroad, eat vegan food, and recycle everything. This blog is for those of us who know we could do a bit more. Sounds like you? Here are 10 painless ways to make a difference:Continue reading What difference can one person make?
How do you cope with the nappies, wet wipes, sippy cups, plastic spoons….
Parents face an ecological dilemma with baby products – Mama Bamboo have come up with exciting way to reverse the #plasticpollution damageContinue reading How do you cope with the nappies, wet wipes, sippy cups, plastic spoons….
ECOED Challenge and Green Living
why not join in the ECOED challenge for #SustFest19 – http://www.ecoedlife.com/ download the app before Thursday 9th MayContinue reading ECOED Challenge and Green Living
Could you go veggie? St Albans-based food writer Becky Alexander tells us how she got on
Until 18 months ago, I ate meat – not loads, but usually a roast on a Sunday with the family (we have two teenage daughters) and the occasional midweek chicken curry or pork chop or sausages. And then that changed.Continue reading Could you go veggie? St Albans-based food writer Becky Alexander tells us how she got on
Heading for Extinction (and what to do about it)
Dr Emily Spry tells you why, as a mother, she is involved with Extinction Rebellion in St Albans.Continue reading Heading for Extinction (and what to do about it)