For the past few years the
Environmental Strategy Team has been commissioning
various mini environmental projects within Suffolk County Council
to help raise awareness of environmental issues and to promote
environmental best practice. Short summaries of some of the
projects that have been undertaken are below.
Energy efficiency measures at Haverhill Fire Station and
Kerrison Conference and Training Centre
Haverhill fire station undertook a project to increase
their energy efficiency at their station. A timer switch and a
dehumidifier unit were installed in their fire kit drying
room to help the drying room work more efficiently and reduce its
energy use.
At Kerrison Conference and Training Centre a project was
undertaken to improve their lighting systems and to install
energy efficiency light bulbs to reduce their energy consumption.
Staff at Kerrison stated "We now have a much brighter and more
efficient Kerrison".
Lehman House residential home for the elderly
and Stowmarket Respite Centre reduce their environmental
impact
This year Lehman House residential home for the elderly in
Wickham Market and Stowmarket Respite Centre, received some money
from the fund to carry out some environmental projects at their
site.
Lehman House purchased 4 water butts and stands, 3 watering
cans and a compost bin. These were all purchased locally
in Wickham Market. They also purchased some low energy light bulbs.
This project has helped them to conserve water, increase their
recycling and reduce their energy use.
Stowmarket Respite Centre purchased some water butts to collect
rainwater to water the garden plants rather than using mains
water.
Water efficiency and composting at Davers Court Home
for Older People
At Davers Court Home for Older People water butts have been
installed to collect rainwater to provide water for the garden
rather than using tap water. Composting facilities have also been
introduced through this project to increase their recycling.
Recycling project
More recycling bins were bought as one project and have
now been distributed to more of our sites across the county to
increase our recycling rate and to encourage the practice of
recycling at more of our locations. Over 100 of our sites
now have recycling facilities.
Environmental awareness raising in Children Young People and
Endeavour House
In Children and Young People, officers developed a Green Booklet
for staff informing them of various environmental issues such as
energy efficiency, sustainable transport and recycling.
In Endeavour House signs for the doors onto each of the office
areas have been made to encourage staff to keep the doors shut so
that the air conditioning works optimally and is not forced to work
harder and use more energy.
Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service - foam tank bunding
Within the Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service a project has been
undertaken to bund their four foam tanks to promote best
practice when storing chemicals. This bunding of the tanks helps to
protect the tanks against a possible spillage of their contents
into the surrounding environment.