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Silver Eco Church (A Rocha) award for All Saints

Eco Church is A Rocha UK’s award scheme for churches who are active in expressing care for God’s world in worship and teaching; in looking after our buildings and land; in engaging with our local community and in global campaigns, and in the personal lifestyles of our congregation.

Congratulations and thanks to all of you who have participated by meeting the individual monthly challenges. Special thanks go to our gardeners who work so hard. We are facing an unprecedented global climate crisis which is highlighted in the media on a regular basis.

As Christians we have a duty to care for God’s creation and ensure a reduction in carbon emissions. Our aim is to continue our efforts and ‘Go for Gold’ with A Rocha and play our part to benefit the environment and secure young people’s future on planet earth.

Reverend Andrew Colmer –  office@allsaintschildwall.org.uk | 0151 538 5973

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Eco Church Group – local recycling

Most of us are now well used to recycling via our local council kerbside collection or charity bags and shops. Many places now have recycling bins which raise money for charities.

Aldi. Batteries

Asda, Smithdown Road. Glass. Clothes and shoes (for Tickled Pink). Clothes and shoes (for the Salvation Army). Clothes, shoes and textiles (for Cash for Kids).

Calderstones Park car park. Glass. Clothes (for Claire House). Clothes (for Variety Children’s charity)

Co-op, Bentham Drive. Clothes and shoes (for Salvation Army)

Morrisons, Belle Vale. Batteries. Plastic bags (including bread and cereal bags, bubble wrap, plastic wrappers and ring joiners from multi- pack cans, plastic wrapping from toilet / kitchen rolls and magazine / newspaper wrap)

Sainsburys, Woolton. Paper. Glass. Cans. Plastic bottles. Plastic bags. Books, music, DVDs (for OXFAM). Clothes, shoes and accessories (for OXFAM)

Tesco, Mather Avenue. Glass. Shoes (for Variety Children’s Charity). Bagged clothing, shoes, belts, bags (for Children’s Air Ambulance). Clothing shoes and textiles (for Christie)

Tesco, Woolton. Glass. Paper and card. Clothes and shoes (for Salvation Army)

Dobbies Garden Centre Plastic plant pot & tray return service

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Ten Ways to Reduce Greenhouse Gases

Burning fossil fuels such as natural gas, coal, oil and gasoline raises the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, and carbon dioxide is a major contributor to the greenhouse effect and global warming. You can help to reduce the demand for fossil fuels, which in turn reduces global warming, by using energy more wisely. 

The following is a list of 10 steps YOU can take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions:

  1. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
    Buying products with minimal packaging will help to reduce waste. By recycling half of your household waste, you can save 2,400 pounds of carbon dioxide annually. 
  2. Use Less Heat and Air Conditioning
    Adding insulation to your walls and installing weather stripping or caulking around doors and windows can lower your heating costs more than 25 percent, by reducing the amount of energy you need to heat and cool your home. Turn down the heat while you’re sleeping at night or away during the day, and keep temperatures moderate at all times. Install a programmable thermostat because setting it just 2 degrees lower in winter and higher in summer could save about 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide each year. 
  3. Replace Your Light Bulbs
    Wherever practical, replace regular light bulbs with compact florescent light (CFL) bulbs. Replacing just one 60-watt incandescent light bulb with a CFL will save you $30 over the life of the bulb. CFLs also last 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs, use two-thirds less energy, and give off 70 percent less heat. If every Canadian family replaced one regular light bulb with a CFL, it would eliminate 90 billion pounds of greenhouse gases, the same as taking 7.5 million cars off the road. 
  4. Drive Less and Drive Smart
    Less driving means fewer emissions. Besides saving gasoline, walking and biking are great forms of exercise. Explore the York Region Transit system and check out options for carpooling to work or school. 
    When you do drive, make sure your car is running efficiently. For example, keeping your tires properly inflated can improve your gas mileage by more than 3 percent. Every gallon of gas you save not only helps your budget, it also keeps 20 pounds of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere. 
  5. Buy Energy-Efficient Products
    Home appliances now come in a range of energy-efficient models, and compact florescent bulbs are designed to provide more natural-looking light while using far less energy than standard light bulbs. 
  6. Use Less Hot Water
    Set your water heater at 120 degrees to save energy, and wrap it in an insulating blanket if it is more than 15 years old. Buy low-flow showerheads to save hot water and about 350 pounds of carbon dioxide yearly. Wash your clothes in warm or cold water to reduce your use of hot water and the energy required to produce it. That change alone can save at least 500 pounds of carbon dioxide annually in most households. 
  7. Use the “Off” Switch
    Save electricity and reduce global warming by turning off lights when you leave a room, and using only as much light as you need. And remember to turn off your television, stereo and computer when you’re not using them. It’s also a good idea to turn off the water when you’re not using it. While brushing your teeth, shampooing the dog or washing your car, turn off the water until you actually need it for rinsing. 
  8. Plant a Tree          
    If you have the means to plant a tree, start digging. Trees absorb carbon dioxide and give off oxygen. A single tree will absorb approximately one ton of carbon dioxide during its lifetime. 
  9. Get a Report Card from Your Utility Company
    Many utility companies provide free home energy audits to help consumers identify areas in their homes that may not be energy efficient. In addition, many utility companies offer rebate programs to help pay for the cost of energy-efficient upgrades. 
  10. Encourage Others to Conserve
    Share information about recycling and energy conservation with your friends, neighbours and co-workers, and take opportunities to encourage public officials to establish programs and policies that are good for the environment. 

These 10 steps will take you a long way toward reducing your energy use and saving you money. Less energy use means less dependence on the fossil fuels that create greenhouse gases and contribute to global warming.