 
This summer we had more community groups from various parts of the borough contacting us to adopt a small piece of bare land or a flower bed near their home to beautify their local area and increase biodiversity.
The 'Woodford Greeners' group said: “We’ve planted up the raised beds on Prospect Road! It has made a big difference to the street. We’ve had positive feedback from local residents and people passing by. The last few times we've walked past there have been butterflies in there as well! We have a watering rota of local residents so are able to maintain it even when it was really hot!”
The community group replanted and are maintaining the rail planters by Ray Lodge School and the floor planters on Snakes Lane East as well, to cheer the local area and provide more space for wildlife.
If you have an unloved patch of land or flower bed near you and like getting together with neighbours and friends to do something meaningful whilst getting some light exercise out in the fresh air, or perhaps you'd like to join an existing gardening group, get in touch with the Neighbourhood team.
We have lots of free workshops on offer this autumn to benefit our community in many ways, from saving money and reducing waste to getting neighbours together:
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Repair Café - if you have a bike, a piece of clothing or small electrical item that needs fixing, why not bring it along? At the event there'll also be free financial advice, a toy swap and refreshments. No need to book, just turn up on the 15th October, from 10:30am to 1:30pm at the Woodford Memorial Hall, 209 High Road, South Woodford E18 2PA.
Free Composting workshops - there is still time to book a space:
- Tuesday 27th September, 5:15 – 6:15pm The Square Garden, Bethell Avenue, Ilford
- Wednesday 28th September, 5:15pm – 6:15pm, South Park, Ilford
- Thursday 29th September, 5:15pm – 6:15pm, Christchurch Green, Wanstead Place
- Saturday 1st October, 10:15am – 11:15am, Christchurch Green, Wanstead Place.
Play Streets webinar - 4th October 2022 at 6pm.
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There's lots on during Great Big Green Week in Redbridge, as you'll see from our news story. Also not to miss - we have a limited number of regular size compost bins available at a 40% discounted price if you purchase one between 24th September and 2nd October. There are only 60 available, so make sure you get in early! To purchase a bin, visit the Get Composting website
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Ever wondered how to become an Eco-School? Or maybe you’re wondering what an Eco-School is?
The team is hosting a webinar tomorrow at 12pm all about the national Eco-schools programme including; where to start, what to do and how Redbridge Council can support your school in your journey to become an Eco-School. Join us for half hour to learn more about the scheme, meet other interested schools and ask your questions.
This webinar is open to teachers, pupils, site staff and senior leaders or active volunteers/PTA.
Can’t join us tomorrow? Eco-Schools are providing free training throughout the year to support schools with their applications, check out the Eco-Schools website for full details.
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Low waste packed lunches are healthy, quick, easy and economical as well as being better for the environment.
By investing in an insulated or re-useable lunch bag, food tiffin/container and water bottle you’ll cut out the cling film, foil and individual drinks cartons/bottles.
If you plan your dinners, you’ll have leftovers for lunch:
- Left over roast chicken and veg can used in a wrap, bap, stir fry or pasta
- Bump up leftovers by turning them into a quiche, or pizza
- Fajitas are a fave
- Chop up left over fruit into a fruit salad
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For more lunchbox ideas and recipes visit the Love Food Hate Waste website.
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They may look like cardboard but Tetrapaks are made up of three different materials (cardboard, aluminium and plastic) which makes recycling them tricky. Food and drinks cartons for orange juice, soup or oat milks look recyclable and often have “recyclable” printed on them, but these items can’t be recycled in your box at home in this borough.
The good news is cartons (Tetrapaks) can be recycled at Chigwell Road Reuse and Recycle Centre, along with take away hot drinks cups which are made of similar materials. Collect up a bundle of cartons to take along or why not repurpose some as a bird feeder or plant pot for window-ledge herbs?
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Check out these easy steps to turn your carton into a planter!
- Cut the top off your empty and rinsed carton or Tetrapak
- Carefully make a few holes through the bottom of the carton
- Fill with soil, plant a seed and water generously to kickstart your new pot
Due to the carton’s materials the container will hold it’s shape even with watering! Want to refresh your Redbridge recycling knowledge? Head over to our website for a full list of what you can recycle at home.
 Since launching our Redbridge Wall of Shame we’ve caught on average an offender a month and we’ve seen a decline in fly-tipping at two hotspot locations that previously regularly featured on our Wall of Shame. Find out more on these positive outcomes.
We also have 9 new clips of grime crime offenders in our latest edition of Redbridge Wall of Shame and need your help identifying the culprits caught on camera trashing our streets. Watch the footage on our Wall of Shame.
Interested in this scheme and want to find out more?
Join our lunchtime webinar with the borough experts on Tuesday 11th October at 12:30pm.
Want to learn and share tips on how to reduce waste, recycle better and save money? Keep up to date with what the Our Streets team is up to?
We have tips, recipes and ideas and would love to hear yours. Tell us what you and your groups are up to. Join us on the Our Streets Facebook page.
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