 More food, less waste; tips to help your groceries go further
 It's Food Waste Action Week, an annual campaign encouraging you to take simple actions that help food last longer, saving you money, time, and stress, while protecting the planet.
UK households create 60% of the nation’s food waste, throwing away 4.4 million tonnes of edible food each year. That’s £17.5 billion lost and 16 million tonnes of greenhouse gases produced. Cutting food waste can help you save money and reduce your environmental impact.
We hope you keep your food waste to a minimum, but even the most careful shoppers and skilled cooks will have some food waste. In East Devon, you can use any single use plastic packaging bag to line your indoor food caddy and keep it clean. Our super-recyclers favour using bread bags, liners of cereal boxes, and vegetable bags.
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Have you downloaded our free East Devon app yet?
Join more than 60,000 residents using our smartphone app and get simple personalised recycling and waste collection reminders, the latest collection updates and tell us about a missed collection. You can download the app through the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
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 Countryside Team welcomes a vibrant start to Spring
 Despite winter storms and flooding, a varied schedule of events and essential conservation work has been prepared by the Countryside Team. This includes wildlife walks, craft sessions, and family activities, alongside key habitat maintenance for species such as Sand Martins and Kestrels. With strong breeding results last year and renewed community engagement, the team looks forward to a successful season across East Devon’s nature reserves.
Keep in touch with the Countryside Team on Facebook and Instagram.
Do you someone who makes a difference in your community?
 The 2026 Make A Difference Awards recognise individuals, communities, and groups who are making a positive difference in Devon. There are eight categories including environmental, fundraising, volunteering, community group, and more. Entries close on Tuesday 31 March 2026 at 5pm.
 Discover how to sculpt a life-size 3D cardboard portrait
 Join sculptor James Lake, who will guide you through creating a life-size cardboard head portrait, along with the skills to repeat the process in your own time. Tickets are £50 (£45 THG Friends), with materials provided.
Thelma Hulbert Gallery, Dowell St, Honiton EX14 1LX thelmahulbert.com
Discover more events in the local area by heading to the East Devon Excellence website
New programme to support start-ups and entrepreneurs
 StartSmart will officially launch with a free event aimed at anyone looking to start a business in East Devon, as well as those who have launched a business within the last three years. Book your ticket for an inspiring half-day of learning and networking on Tuesday 17 March 2026, from 10am–2pm, at the East Devon Business Centre.
Stay up to date with the latest news about grants, opportunities, funding and training for businesses, by subscribing to the East Devon Business newsletter
 Deadline approaching: have your say on the future of Local Government in Devon
 Your councils are changing. The UK Government wants to simplify how local government works across the county. Visit the Devon Local Government Reorganisation website to view the five proposals that have been submitted for Devon and share your feedback.
Share your thoughts in other active consultations and surveys
If you, or someone you know, is unable to complete an online consultation or survey, request a paper version, by emailing engagement@eastdevon.gov.uk. Please submit this request at least four days before the consultation closes, so that the response is received before the deadline.
 Council meetings dates
Over the next week the following East Devon District Council meetings are taking place:
You can watch public meetings live on the council’s YouTube channel.
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Next edition
We plan to send out our next bulletin on Friday 20 March 2026.
Please forward this email to anyone you think would find it useful and encourage them to sign up.
You can also share this update on social media and in any online groups you're part of by using the view it as a web page link at the top of the page.
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