 
Sometimes we receive a gift that we don't need or want, even if we appreciate the effort someone has gone to. Why not share these ideas with friends and family to make sure gifts hit the spot and don't end up as clutter or waste?
- Give the gift of time; whether it’s babysitting, cleaning or walking a dog. Help a loved one out with a household task, we’re sure they’ll appreciate it.
- Share your skill; cook a meal, help with gardening or painting; give a gentle head massage, or teach a friend the guitar. It costs nothing but could mean the world!
- Gift an experience; theatre, concert or a sports match. There are lots of wonderful experiences that don’t require a physical present!
- Giving doesn’t have to cost the earth, literally. Indoor or outdoor plants make wonderful gifts and provide oxygen! Short of funds? Why not take a cutting from a plant you own for an extra special gift.
- Gift a consumable. Who doesn’t love chocolate at Christmas? Or what about a chutney or jam? You could have a go at making something yourself. Look out for items with minimal packaging or reusable containers (like glass jars).
Want more ideas for a more sustainable festive season? Make sure to like our Facebook page as we’ll be sharing special festive daily tips for cracking down on cost, clutter and carbon this Christmas.
 We are launching a new campaign today urging owners to pick up dog poop. Make sure you don't miss the updates on our Facebook page.
Dog fouling is not only deeply unpleasant, but also dangerous. Whilst rare, contact with dog excrement can cause toxocariasis – a nasty infection that can lead to dizziness, nausea, asthma and even blindness or seizures.
It’s no wonder dog fouling is such a problem – there are estimated to be more than 8 million dogs producing more than 1,000 tonnes of mess every day in the UK alone.
While most dog owners are responsible individuals, there are still some people who do not clean up after their pets. Anyone who fails to clear up after their dog can be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice of up to £100. If the case goes to court this could cost the owner or person in charge of the animal up to £1,000.
Join us in spreading the word about dog fouling and help make our streets a cleaner place!
 With only three weeks until the closing date for our much loved Adopt a Tree Pit scheme don’t miss your chance to make your area a cleaner, greener place! So far over 200 residents, community groups, schools and businesses have adopted tree pits in their area for 2023. Apply today to receive your free wildflower seeds.
Applications close at midnight on Sunday 18 December. All successful applicants will receive a confirmation of adoption letter by 20 January 2023, which will include their seeds and tree pit label(s).
Already adopted a tree pit? Why not take the next step and sign up to our brand new Pollinator Pathways scheme? We can support your street if you've collectively adopted all tree pits to take on weeding on the street too, eliminating the need for chemical spraying. Email us or visit our website for more information.
 Don't forget to check your dates for bin collection over the festive period as there will be changes to your regular collection day.
Make sure you get your recycling right, find a complete list of what you can recycle on our website.
If you have items like paint, bikes, hard plastic or textiles you want to clear out at the Chigwell Road Reuse and Recycling Centre, don’t forget to check the long range of items that can be recycled and opening hours over the festive period.
 Enthusiastic local gardening group, the Woodford Greeners are working to create a brand new community garden in Ray Park within the 18th century walled garden. The area has become overgrown and the 'Greeners' are looking to raise funds to restore a small section with help from local volunteers.
The new garden will include an area for medicinal plants and a growing patch of colourful perennial flowers which will be grown from seed. When ready, these flowers will be moved to public planters around the Woodford neighbourhood to brighten up the area for residents, as well as feeding local bees. The group will also erect a timber gazebo where they can hold regular workshops in gardening, arts & crafts and food growing for local residents.
Please help them to create this community garden, any size pledge is welcome.
 We love sparkly things, especially around the festive season, but did you know that glitter is a type of micro-plastic? It’s toxic for our wildlife in the sea and on the land, and it spreads very easily. It can be found in cosmetics, Christmas and home decorations, arts and crafts, greeting cards, wrapping paper, food decorations, just to mention a few. Bio-glitter is also litter, as it still contains aluminium and sometimes even a small layer of plastic! So why not choose to go #GlitterFree this Christmas and try more natural, plastic free products instead?
 With winter round the corner, you may see our gritters out and about.
Winter maintenance is one of the many services the Street Cleansing department deliver to keep Redbridge clean and safe.
When the Gritters are deployed, 8 rounds are covered by 4 drivers, 1 loader and a duty supervisor/ senior team leader. Each vehicle covers about 100km per trip out!
Our dedicated staff ensure all the 'Gritted Routes' are treated in good time. There is a massive amount of work involved behind the scenes as well as what you see on the front line. If you see the team out, be sure to say hello!
Wayne here is getting ready for duty, and has even remembered his reusable water bottle!
 A further 2,000 pupils across the borough now enjoy healthier and safer school journeys as Redbridge’s successful School Streets Programme was rolled out at an additional four schools in October.
Highlands Primary School, Manford Primary School, Farnham Green Primary School and Our Lady of Lourdes R.C. Primary School are the newest additions to the programme, which came into effect from Monday 31 October.
The initiative means motor vehicles from outside the zone are not able to enter the streets surrounding the schools, for around an hour, at the start and end of the school day during term time to eliminate dangerous traffic hotspots near the schools.
 We hate fly-tippers as much as you so let’s work together to catch the culprits. Head to our November edition of Redbridge Wall of Shame and let us know if you recognise any of the offenders caught on camera making a mess in our borough: https://wallofshame.redbridge.gov.uk/
You can leave information via: cleansing.services@redbridge.gov.uk
We are also looking out for our first footage of dog fouling to add to the wall and catch the culprit!
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