Hello and welcome to our December Environment and Climate Newsletter!
Welcome to the very last edition of our Climate Newsletter for 2024. As we step into this festive season, we are excited to bring you the latest updates, insights, and tips about climate action and sustainability. Whether you are a seasoned environmentalist or just beginning your journey, we are here to inspire and inform.
The holidays are a wonderful time to come together with loved ones, but they can also lead to an increase in waste and energy use. This month, we will explore ways to enjoy a joyful yet eco-friendly Christmas. From sustainable gift ideas to creative ways of reducing holiday waste, we have got you covered!
Here’s a sneak peek of what’s in this month’s newsletter:
- Green Gift Guides: Thoughtful presents with the planet in mind.
- Energy-Efficient Festivities: Tips to reduce your carbon footprint while keeping the lights twinkling.
- New Year, Greener Resolutions: Setting meaningful sustainability goals for 2025.
- Global Climate News: Updates on key environmental initiatives happening around the world.
If you know someone who would love this newsletter? Share it with them! The more of us working toward a greener future, the merrier.
Wishing you and your loved ones a Happy, Greener Christmas and all the best for the New Year! Together, let us make 2025 a year of positive change for our planet.
|
 We are proposing changes to kerbside waste and recycling collections to ensure a fairer and more efficient service across the region. These changes aim to harmonise services, improve reliability, and align with environmental goals.
The consultation document is quick and easy to complete online. It is available online, and paper copies are available at libraries across the Cumberland area, as well as at Allerdale House in Workington, Cumbria House, and the Civic Centre in Carlisle or the Market Hall in Whitehaven.
Image reads: Have your say! Take part in our Cumberland waste and recycling survey
 We are helping residents and businesses prepare for the colder months with its ‘Winter Ready’ campaign, offering essential advice and tools to stay safe, warm, and prepared this winter.
The campaign provides:
Councillor Denise Rollo encourages everyone to prepare early, saying, “Taking small steps now, like getting your flu jab or winter-proofing your car, can make a big difference when winter hits. Cumberland Council is ready to support you!”
Visit the ‘Winter Ready’ webpages for detailed information and follow our social media for updates. Winter Ready | Cumberland Winter Ready
Image reads: Are you winter ready?
 The festive season is a time of giving, but it’s also a perfect opportunity to think about sustainability. Here are some top tips to help you reduce waste, recycle more, and enjoy a greener Christmas!
Getting Prepared
-
Organise your bins: Keep your recycling bin near your general waste bin to make taking out the rubbish easier.
-
Check collection dates: Christmas can affect your bin collections. Be sure to check for any changes to your local schedule. Changes to our bin collection dates are outlined further down this newsletter.
-
Recycle glass jars: From cranberry sauce to baby food jars, most glass containers can be recycled. Just give them a rinse – no need to remove labels, they’ll come off during recycling.
Party and Gift Tips
-
Wrapping paper: Avoid shiny, plastic-coated wrapping paper as it’s not recyclable. Instead, try using brown paper or reuse old gift bags.
-
Food waste: When hosting Christmas dinner or a festive party, don’t forget to compost uncooked fruit and veg scraps.
-
Portion planning: Use something like the Love Food Hate Waste portion planner to avoid over-catering and food waste.
-
Save leftovers: Leftover party food like quiches and sausage rolls can be frozen for packed lunches later.
Gifts that Give Back
-
Clear out before Christmas: Donate unwanted items to charity shops or give them away Facebook marketplace.
-
Buy pre-loved or refurbished: Consider giving or receiving second-hand items or experience-based gifts instead of new ones.
-
Eco-friendly packaging: Choose gifts with recyclable or reusable packaging. Gift bags can be used year after year!
-
Homemade gifts: Why not make something special this year? Baked goods or handcrafted items add a personal touch.
Festive Food Tips
-
Plan ahead: Make shopping lists to avoid over-buying and reduce food waste.
-
Fridge temperature: Keep your fridge at a cool 1-5°C to ensure food stays fresh longer.
-
Freezing leftovers: Freeze any uneaten food to enjoy later. Most festive foods, from turkey to Christmas puddings, freeze well!
-
Leftover recipes: Visit Love Food Hate Waste for great ideas on how to use up leftovers like turkey and ham.
Home Composting in Winter
-
Compost easily: Small paper and cardboard items like party hats and cracker tubes can be composted.
-
Kitchen waste: Collect fruit and veg peelings, teabags, and eggshells in a kitchen caddy for your compost bin.
-
Wrap veg scraps: Use newspaper as a ‘brown’ material for your compost bin when preparing Christmas dinner veggies.
-
Christmas tree disposal: After the holidays, recycle your real Christmas tree! Check out the below article for details of how to do this.
For more details on your local bin collections, visit: Cumberland Council Bin Collection
Wishing you a joyful, sustainable, and waste-free festive season!
Image is of someone wrapping Christmas presents
 When it's time to dispose of your Christmas tree, there are many sustainable options to consider! Reach out to a local charity for collection, take it to a recycling centre, or drop it off at your local Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC). You can also turn your tree into a wildlife habitat by using the branches for shelters or habitat restoration. By choosing eco-friendly disposal methods, you help reduce waste and contribute to a greener festive season.
Hospice at Home offer a service where they will collect your Christmas tree for you and recycle it, no fuss, no branches all over your car! Find out more here Hospice at Home, Christmas Tree, Tree Collection, Carlisle, North Lakeland, Just Helping, Help, Voluntary, Charity
Image is of a Christmas tree
Please be aware that your bin collection day might be effected by the Christmas period. Please see the changes to the schedule below!
Image is a table of the bank holiday bin collection dates
Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) will remain open during the festive season except for Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day when they will be closed. Additionally, all HWRCs will close at 4 pm on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
 In the last six months, an unbelievable 3 million toys have been thrown in the bin. These could have been reused, repaired or recycled.
All parents know that children quickly outgrow things and toys can easily pile up — in our cupboards, under the bed, in the toy chest! Research from Recycle Your Electricals revealed that toys are one of the electrical items most likely to be gathering dust in the nation’s cupboards – with nearly 7.5 million unused Barbie dream houses, remote control cars, baby toys and electrical kids toys across the UK!
If you are still searching for gifts this festive season, why not consider pre-loved toys and games? Pop into your local charity shop to see what treasures you can find—it’s a fantastic way to save some money and support a good cause at the same time.
Have broken toys or gadgets at home? Take them along to your nearest repair café, where skilled volunteers can help bring them back to life. It’s a brilliant way to reduce waste and give your items a second chance!
Image is of some toys lined up
 Community Rail Cumbria has worked in collaboration with Flimby Primary School and Northern Trains Ltd to deliver a festive treat.
The Flimby pupils created a number of Christmas designs, some of which were chosen for the annual Christmas banner, a project kindly funded by Northern Trains Ltd. The wonderful banner and decorations are on display at their local station.
Headteacher Tanya Peers said: "We are delighted to be displaying some of our children's Christmas drawings on our annual banner at Flimby Railway Station. The winning designs are colourful and festive to welcome all visitors travelling on the train. The wreaths that we have also displayed alongside the banner add the finishing touch. Be sure to head down and check it out!”
Warren Birch - Community Rail Partnership Officer said: “It’s one of my favourite times of the year helping judge the wonderful artwork created by the pupils of Flimby Primary School, the banner brings a festive cheer to the railway station for all to enjoy.”
Image is of some children from Flimby primary school next to their design
 The hosted Waste Disposal team held an in-person meeting at the Aspatria Library on Tuesday 5 November. We discussed a range of subjects including policy updates and legislative changes on the horizon. We were joined by Cumberland Council staff who gave a presentation and question and answer session on Social Value and also an insight into the modern library service in Cumberland and the evolution of community hubs including the library’s place in current trials.
The team also were given training about the Waste Inter-Authority Agreement between Cumberland and Westmorland & Furness Councils and a summary of learnings from contract procurement work carried out during the year. The next meeting will be in the early New Year, and we will aim to meet quarterly using venues which are operated or associated with both councils.
Image is of Aspatria library
 After 20 weeks of hard work, the Mirehouse cycleway is ready to roll! We’ve widened the footway to a spacious three meters, tackled drainage issues, upgraded streetlights, and added security fencing at the Stanley View underpass for a safer, more enjoyable journey.
While one small section near the railway bridge awaits permit approval for future upgrades, the majority of the improvements are complete. Look out for new signs being installed in the coming weeks.
Check out the above photos to see the impressive changes!
Image is of Mirehouse cycleway
 We are kindly asking drivers to follow road closure signs after a council worker was injured at Sebergham Bridge when a driver entered a worksite despite clear warnings.
Road closures aren’t just there for show—they’re vital for everyone’s safety, including our workers, drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists.
To help ensure a safer environment, we’ve introduced measures like:
- Friendly reminder boards featuring our highway team members and their families.
- Bodycams for some team members to record unsafe or disrespectful behaviour.
- Mobile cameras to monitor roadwork areas.
Let’s all do our part to make roadworks safer by respecting closures, slowing down, and following signs.
We appreciate your cooperation—thank you for keeping safety a priority!
Image is of a road ahead closed sign
Our Fleet team is making strides toward a greener future by trialing alternative fuel vehicles across various service areas. Recent demonstrations include:
- Fully electric vans (small, medium, large) tested by Property, Highways, ICT, Green Spaces, and Enforcement.
- A fully electric 3.5-ton pickup, trialed by Grounds, Property, and Highways.
- A fully electric nine-seat people carrier, used by the Community Transport Operations Team.
- Hybrid cars trialed by Highways.
Excitingly, we’re out to tender for three fully electric medium-sized vans for the Property team. Once delivered, the Civic Centre-based Property division will operate 100% electric vehicles, joining the three Citroën e-Berlingo vans delivered in October for Enforcement and Green Spaces teams.
With the Fleet Strategy approved and its Green Fleet Action Plan ready for release, we’re setting ambitious goals to reduce fleet numbers and carbon emissions, while keeping sustainability at the heart of our operations. Stay tuned for updates!
Image is of some of our fleet vehicles
 With Christmas just around the corner, now is the perfect time to declutter your home and make room for new gifts. If you’re thinking about clearing out your children’s toys, why not consider donating them to local charity shops before the festive season begins? Many children outgrow toys long before they lose their charm, and by donating them, you can give those pre-loved items a second life.
Charity shops are always in need of good-quality toys, especially in the lead-up to the holidays. Your donation could make another child’s Christmas brighter, while also reducing waste and promoting sustainability. It’s a great way to teach your children about generosity and giving back.
So, before the festive season arrives, take some time to sort through those toy bins and shelves. A simple act of kindness can bring joy to another family—and give you a clutter-free home for the holidays.
Image is of a Christmas tree infographic
 Throwing batteries in the bin instead of recycling them properly can lead to serious problems. When batteries get damaged or crushed in waste collection vehicles or landfills, the chemicals and metals inside—like lithium and lead—can spark fires. These fires are dangerous for waste workers, can destroy equipment, and are extremely tough to put out, sometimes burning for days.
Even worse, these fires release toxic fumes that harm both people and the environment. Over time, batteries left in landfills can leak harmful substances into the soil and water, polluting ecosystems and even impacting drinking water.
It’s easy to avoid these risks! By taking used batteries to designated recycling facilities, you’re ensuring they’re handled safely and even giving their materials a second life. It’s a simple step that makes a big difference for safety and the planet. Let’s all do our part!
Image is of a pile of batteries
Launched in March, the baa-ttery campaign is a collaborative initiative between Renewi, Valpak Limited, Cumberland Council, Westmorland and Furness Council and Plus3K.
It seeks to address a pressing environmental issue: a staggering 3.2 million batteries are thrown away in Cumbria each year - the equivalent to the weight of more than 3,650 Herdwick sheep!
To drive awareness and participation, a competition has been launched encouraging children to 'herd' their used batteries into Cumbrian schools for recycling.
Schools in both council areas will compete for the top three spots and the chance at winning some prizes, with the deadline to collect the most batteries set for the 6 December, keep an eye out for the winners in our next newsletter!
Image is of a cartoon sheep
|
We need your creativity to name our gritters that will keep our roads safe this winter! These hardworking vehicles, operated by our Highways team, play a key role in ensuring 42% of our roads stay clear and passable.
Previous names like Gritney Spears, Spready Mercury, and David Ploughie have been successful. Now, it’s your turn to suggest fun, clever names to be proudly displayed on our gritters.
Schools are encouraged to join in - winning entries will see a gritter visit their school for a special celebration!
With 8,100 tonnes of salt ready and 17,600 grit bins across the region, we’re well-prepared for winter.
Image is of a Cumberland Council gritter
 Communities across Cumbria are set to benefit from new woodlands following a record-breaking tree planting season! Between November and March, the Raise: Cumbria Community Forest team, together with partners, planted over 111,000 trees across 87 hectares— equivalent to the area of Buttermere!
This effort included 47 tree and scrub species planted on 23 sites spanning from Carlisle to Barrow, and engaged over 1,500 people. Projects took place on farmland, school grounds, public parks, and private estates, with all schemes co-designed with landowners and communities to meet their needs and visions.
Supported by the Trees for Climate Programme, funded through Defra’s Nature for Climate Fund, the scheme offers grants covering up to 100% of costs, including maintenance.
Director James Cobbold highlighted the project’s collaborative approach, noting its focus on accessibility and inclusion, particularly for groups facing barriers like neurodivergent communities.
With this season’s planting set to begin soon, the team looks forward to another impactful year! Follow their progress on social media.
Image reads: We have planted 87.2 hectares of trees... that's an area equivalent to the size of Buttermere!
Earlier this month, Rebuild hosted its Second-Hand Christmas Market, delighting the community with festive spirit and sustainable shopping opportunities. The event attracted over 200 visitors, who browsed an array of stalls featuring pre-loved decorations, books, regifted items, Christmas jumpers, and locally crafted products from talents like RDM Woodturning, Emilia's Soaps, and Reca.
Guests enjoyed two hands-on workshops—woodturning and visible mending—alongside family-friendly craft activities and cosy hot drinks. The market was designed to spark inspiration for sustainable gifting and highlight the joy of second-hand shopping.
Rebuild hopes the event not only helped visitors discover unique treasures but also raised awareness of its mission to promote reuse and sustainability in the community.
Image shows some bird box kits being sold at the Rebuild Christmas market
 We’re rolling out new bus timetables and enhancements to journeys which started Monday 4 November. This work is being carried out in partnership with Stagecoach.
Check out the updates:
-
Route 60 (Silloth – Maryport): Reintroduced.
-
Route 64 (Rockcliffe – Durdar): Restored and improved.
-
Route 300 (Workington – Carlisle): Increased to every 30 minutes.
-
Route 30 (Egremont/Frizington – Maryport – Sunday): Increased to every 30 minutes.
-
Route M1 (Millom Town – including Haverigg): Reintroduced.
-
Route 22 (Cleator Moor – Whitehaven Hospital): Improved for better accessibility. The Road improvements on the A5086 Main Street, Cleator have now been completed therefore the bus service route diversion is no longer in place.
Additionally, Route 217 (Frizington – Lamplugh – Dean – Cockermouth) has been extended until March 2025.
Single fares for bus journeys in the Cumberland area will remain capped at £2 for a single journey until 31 December 2024, after which the cap will increase to £3 in January 2025.
Shape the future of bus services
We’re gathering community feedback on preferred destinations, frequency of routes, and ideal travel times. Your input will guide improvements and help ensure that public transportation meets the needs of all residents.
By taking part, you’ll help us refine current routes and plan for future services. Your voice matters—complete the survey today and help make public transport better for everyone! Please find the link here.
Image is of two Stagecoach busses
 Covering approximately 9,500 hectares across the Cumbria/Northumberland border up to Scotland, this major partnership project aims to reverse the decline of nature while supporting sustainable agriculture and land use. It will establish a new model for integrated land management focusing on Peatlands, Rivers, Invasives, Species Recovery, and Meadows (PRISM). Read more here - PRISM – landscape recovery in the Upper Irthing
Image is of a field with part of a river running through
Communities across the Cumberland area are celebrating blooming great news after scooping several awards at this year’s ‘Cumbria in Bloom’ Awards.
After a summer of judging visits, the winning entries were honoured at a series of award ceremonies across the region.
Among the standout achievements this year, Whitehaven earned a Gold Medal and the prestigious Rose Bowl Award in the ‘Pride in Your Community’ category.
Workington also picked up a ‘Pride in your Community’ Award with a silver gilt medal.
Several other areas in Cumberland also celebrated notable triumphs at the awards. Beckermet, Dalston and Wreay were among the communities recognised for their outstanding contributions to enhancing local green spaces, each earning well-deserved prizes.
Image is of some of the team at the Cumbria in Bloom awards
 We are encouraging local businesses to upgrade their broadband to meet increased festive demand. Over 95% of the region has access to superfast broadband, with 62% able to connect to gigabit-capable speeds, thanks to a £400m investment in digital infrastructure.
Upgrading to faster broadband can improve productivity, streamline operations, and ensure smoother online transactions during the busy Christmas period. Businesses are urged to check for gigabit service availability and explore funding opportunities for upgrades.
If you have any questions regarding connectivity in your area, please direct these to info@connectingcumbria.org.uk
Image is of a shop window
 We are pleased to announce the appointment of Story Contracting as the lead contractor for the Iron Line project, a flagship initiative of Millom’s £20.6 million Town Deal. This £10 million project will transform the RSPB Hodbarrow Reserve into an accessible coastal corridor with over 7 km of walking and cycling paths, a new welcome centre featuring a café and events space, and unique art installations.
Designed to enhance health, recreation, and economic growth, the project will rehabilitate 150,000 m² of land, expand greenspace, and restore the historic Hodbarrow Beacon. Once complete, it will provide new jobs and create vibrant opportunities for community engagement, showcasing the natural beauty of Millom and Haverigg.
Upon completion, the Iron Line project will deliver:
- Over 300,000 square meters of improved greenspace and outdoor areas
- 150,000 square meters of rehabilitated land
- 5 kilometers of improved or new walking and cycling paths
- Restoration of Hodbarrow Beacon, a significant heritage feature
- A new community hub welcome centre
- Eighty additional parking spaces
- Six art installations along the route
- 120 trees planted
- Eight new jobs at the welcome centre, with up to twenty-six jobs supported during construction.
Visit Millom Town Deal to learn more
Image is of a CGI of the Iron Line Project
 ACT, Cumbria’s rural and community charity, is gathering views on key rural challenges like housing, transport, and poverty. We’re keen to hear about the issues that matter most to you. Your input will help shape our campaigns and work towards reducing rural disadvantages.
For this survey, "rural" refers to communities of 10,000 or fewer people, covering most of Cumbria except Carlisle City, Barrow, Kendal, Workington, and Whitehaven. Responses are anonymous, and we welcome additional suggestions on topics that need attention.
In the new year, we’ll host online and in-person sessions to discuss findings. If you’d like to participate, email Info@cumbriaaction.org.uk with "Survey Sessions" in the subject line. Results will be shared in our newsletter and on our website.
Please take a moment to complete the survey and share it with your networks. Your voice can help shape a brighter future for Cumbria’s rural communities!
Image is of a rural landscape in Cumbria
 Good Food Local – Cumberland Council is in the top 3 across 13 local authorities!
Over the past year, 13 Local Authorities / Food Partnerships across the North East and Cumberland have established Good Food Local for our region with a shared ambition of reducing health inequalities and making healthy and sustainable food more accessible. The first Good Food Local: The North East North Cumbria report is out now, shows work already being done by us to bring that ambition to life, highlighting work to tackle food poverty, food waste and consumption, food for the planet, support a flourishing local food movement and to reduce high levels of unhealthy weight in local communities. Read the full results here.
The Good Food Local benchmarking report has now been published on Sustain’s website. You can see how we’re rated on a range of sustainable food indicators. Food Cumberland Partnership would like to thank all partners who contributed to this work.
We have our local Cumberland recommendations report now from Sustain which gives us a clear focus on the areas we are doing well in and areas where we have more to do in 2025.
Image is the bronze Sustainable food places award
Three local authorities working together to unlock stalled house-building due to nutrient neutrality rules have welcomed a £16.4 million grant from government to tackle the issue.
Westmorland and Furness Council, the Lake District National Park Authority and Cumberland Council – the three local planning authorities in Cumbria – have been awarded a capital grant of £15.2m and revenue of £1,231,346 from the Local Nutrient Mitigation Fund to progress plans to mitigate nutrient neutrality issues in affected catchment areas.
Cumberland and Westmorland and Furness councils have agreed to progress discussions with the Government on devolution in Cumbria.
Devolution gives regions more powers and decision-making over what happens on matters such as transport, employment support, planning, and housing. Cumberland and Westmorland and Furness Councils submitted a joint expression of interest in September and have continued to discuss opportunities that might be created by a devolution deal.
Your voice matters. You are experts about this place. We want to know what is important to you and where you feel nature in Cumbria needs our help the most. We want this strategy to reflect what is important to the people of Cumbria and want to hear, why and where habitats or species should be prioritised. Your views will help shape our Local Nature Recovery Strategy, the issues it could address and what we could do to tackle them.
Please follow the link below to get started. The survey should take around 20 minutes to complete and your input is greatly appreciated.
Image is of a survey clipboard graphic
 We have started essential works along the River Caldew near Sheepmount Bridge on Monday, 25 November, with plans to finish by Christmas. The work aims to tackle erosion and protect the area, ensuring continued access for local residents, businesses, and park visitors.
The project, managed by Metcalfe Plant Hire Limited, will include rock bag deliveries, tree pruning, ecological surveys, and steps to protect the eroded riverbank. Work will take place Monday to Friday, from 8am to 5pm, over the next four weeks, with no weekend work. Traffic management will be in place on Mayor’s Drive, and the informal car park will be closed for the contractor’s use. Pedestrian and cyclist routes won’t be affected.
We are working to minimise disruption while improving the Sheepmount area as a community hub. For more info, residents can contact the Highways Hotline at 0300 373 3736 or visit our website.
Image shows the works happening at the sheepmount
We are seeking your input to shape our budget for the next financial year. Rising costs and increasing demand for services like adult social care and children’s services mean tough decisions are ahead.
Residents can share their views on proposed changes through an online survey, or pick up a paper copy at council offices or libraries. Don’t miss this chance to have your say!
Your feedback is vital in helping the council deliver sustainable, high-quality services.
|
