At work...

Energy Saving

The Carbon Trust (0800 0852005) provides energy efficiency advice for businesses and can provide information packs, surveys and tailor made advice.  For more information see the Carbon Trust website.  

Travelling to work

Cycling

To encourage people to cycle more Swindon Borough Council has produced the Swindon Cycle Map and Guide.  A printed version of this guide can be picked up from the central library, Tourist Information, the Council’s receptions at Premier House or the Civic Offices.  It is also available for download from the Council’s website.  Covered bicycle facilities are also available at Swindon Park and Ride facilities.

Car sharing

Every mile travelled in your own car costs at least 23p in petrol, servicing and wear and tear.  According to the National Statistics Office, if every person who regularly travels to work on their own were instead to get a lift with someone else once a week, the number of car journeys would be reduced by 12-15%, which would be great for the environment!  Why not see if anyone else in your offices travels from a similar area to you, and see how much money you can save by car sharing when it’s convenient.

Park and Ride

If you live within driving or cycling distance of north Swindon you could save time and money by using the Copse Park and Ride service off Cricklade Road, or if you live south of Swindon, the Wroughton Park and Ride off the A4361.  For more information visit Swindon Borough Council’s website. 

If you have to drive…

Top tips that will help you reduce your carbon emissions from your car while driving:

• A regularly serviced car produces less pollution
• Most people use lead-free petrol, but cleaner petrol and low sulphur diesel are now available as well
• Driving more slowly can save lives and money – 30% more fuel is used driving at 70mph than at 50mph
• Avoidance of sharp braking and rapid acceleration reduces fuel consumption
• Idling gives zero miles to the gallon – switch off when you stop, and turn off the air conditioning
• Correct tyre pressures save fuel and gives a smoother ride
• Remove roof racks and other accessories if they aren’t being used – a fully loaded roof rack increases fuel consumption by 30%
• Drive in as high a gear as possible – 25% less fuel is used doing 40mph in fifth gear than in third
• Travel light – if it’s not needed, don’t take it!
• Plan the best way to a destination to avoid getting lost and traveling unnecessary miles
• Car share!

Compost!

If your office is anything like the office here at Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, the number of tea bags used each day could be astronomical!

Instead of going to landfill unnecessarily, you could place your spent tea bags and banana skins in a compost bin set up in your office grounds. To balance out these wet items, you could also add your company's shredded private documents. The beautiful compost which is produced can be used to suppress unwanted weeds in the office garden, add goodness to the soil and top dress the grass. If you’d like any advice about composting at work and find out how to get started, contact the Home Composting Volunteer Officer at the Trust, by using the email box below.

Contact us using the email box below

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