Ideas

Introduce more canned food into supermarkets. This would eliminate packaging waste that is associated with supermarkets as metal food cans are 100% recyclable. This would also decrease energy being used for freezing or cold storage. What are people views on canned food?

Idea by Tom Gilbert
Submitted on Tuesday November 17 2009

Related principles: Local and Sustainable Food Local and Sustainable Materials

Thank you for your response Rachel. It's been so long since the last contribution here that I figured most people felt their ideas would not avail. If Shrewsbury could do it (use of plants and flowers to embelish an area for those that missed this part :-) ), why not Sutton? Especially for the only town it intends to mark as a flagship and landmark for its sustainability/eco-friendly program. I particularly like this sentence of yours "all the shop keepers in the town centre have hanging baskets in the summer and there are council owned and managed planting areas in the town square". It denotes that a collective effort from both local businesses/people and government is required to make it work. However, the local government must first approve such a move, and I am at a loss of where to start to make them understand that, as you've so accurately stated, "it's all about pride in an area". This should not just be limited to Hackbridge; but, as it is the focal place of the council's ambition to demonstrate what it can do, it would be a shame to solely focus on its plan of turning it into a vibrant district center (which I support) without due care for aestheticism. Basically, a place where you can both do your shopping, and enjoy a stroll. This would be an achievement worthy of the "flagship" coining as visitors to the town will not be carrying a carbon level measuring equipment with them, but will most certainly equate "eco-friendly" with green.

Idea by William
Submitted on Friday January 30 2009

Related principles: Culture and Heritage Health and Happiness

Hi this is a response to William, I totaly agree that flowers and plants make a place beautiful to live in and on some level send out a green message, even if it doesn't make much difference to carbon emissions. It's all about pride in an area. I come from Shrewsbury orginally and along with our annual flower show, all the shop keepers in the town centre have hanging baskets in the summer and there are council owned and managed planting areas in the town square. Let's get it happening!

Idea by Rachel
Submitted on Wednesday January 28 2009

Related principles: Culture and Heritage Health and Happiness Natural Habitats and Wildlife

Jacqueline and I recently visited Ashley Vale housing development in Bristol. I wondered if there might be something in this for Hackbridge / Sutton i.e. giving over a brownfield site for self-build wouldn't that be wonderful? - providing an example of creativity and inspiration - providing diverse styles of housing - providing local employment and development of new skills - providing opportunities for people to visit them - etc, etc. This could be a centrepiece for sustainable Hackbridge / Sutton. If Bristol can do it, then why not us?! Websites which you might like to visit are: www.ashleyvale.org.uk and www.ecomotive.org

Idea by George Dow
Submitted on Wednesday September 03 2008

Related principles: Culture and Heritage Equity and Fair Trade Health and Happiness Local and Sustainable Materials Sustainable Water Zero Carbon Zero Waste

Could someone help me understand the animosity towards supermarkets? Perhaps the fact that I am not a shopkeeper makes it hard for me to appreciate the unfair competitiveness presented by a mega store. From a strictly consumer perspective, I would be glad to have a local Sainsbury or Tesco for the sheer convenience of having it all under one roof. Some might appreciate having a butcher, bakery, etc... but let's face it, there is not enough shop on the High Street to accommodate them all. Having a super Tesco or Sainsbury where Felnex is will not only promote local employment for many more than would smaller shops, but it would also enhance the self sufficiency of the community.

Idea by William
Submitted on Friday June 06 2008

Would anyone be interested in helping to set up a community farm in Sutton? The idea would be to find some under-used green land, hopefully get funding for farm equipment and farm manager and work with the local community to grow food together. This could then be sold via a local box scheme or market and / or potentially be bought by local schools and hospitals. It would reduce food miles, increase local growing skills and mean more people had access to affordable fresh, healthy, low impact food. If you are interested please get in contact: anna@oneplanetsutton.org

Idea by Anna Francis
Submitted on Wednesday May 28 2008

Related principles: Equity and Fair Trade Health and Happiness Local and Sustainable Food Natural Habitats and Wildlife

It would not take much to enhance the overall appearance of Hackbridge by the end of this year. Flower pots, hanging street plants, and planting trees as suggested by Penelope VH, and Jon are the easiest way to improve the overall visual aspect of an area. It is quick and cheap to implement. The French have understood this a while back and many town/villages in France are visually splendid simply because the local council adorned the area with beautiful plants and fountains. Why would the highways council object to it in Hackbridge which is home to the only BedZed in the country (if I'm not mistaken) is beyond me. The place deserves to be embellished, if only by beautiful plants, in order to cement the notion it is an eco-friendly village. In terms of transport, I would agree that Hackbridge has huge potentials with a train station connecting it to the city. However, how about a night bus, or a bus from Hackbrige high street (London Road) straight to East Croydon station for greater transport link? The tram is great but as stated by Bonjo Nelson, it is quite a walk for most people living in Hackbridge. How about a frequent shuttle connecting the Tram stop to the high street, Hackbridge train station and a few streets within the area as the only alternative so far is the elusive bus 151? Now if only Felnex could be replaced by a commercial/retail/entertainment center similar to Valley Park, Hackbridge would be the hub of Wallington. For now, can the owners not be summoned to tidy up their facade? The council hosted talks pertaining to the future of Hackbridge last year and had a follow up this year; but, I am not seeing anything done to improve the look of the area. Is Sutton council all talk and gimmicks or would plans to implement some ideas with a concrete timetable be brought forward soon?

Idea by William
Submitted on Wednesday May 28 2008

Make Sutton the first borough to stipulate that all new-build housing has solar panels for water-heating and rainwater collection for lavatory flushing and plant irrigation. These are not expensive technologies to incorporate at the build stage and make a real difference in environmental terms. If other boroughs followed suit, the resulting boost to these industries should bring down the cost of these technologies to make them more accessible to all.

Idea by Richard Williams
Submitted on Saturday April 05 2008

Related principles: Sustainable Water Zero Carbon

Because of increasing car derived air pollution due to population growth in London you must be very careful about proposing community heating schemes based on woodfired boilers.The particulates that cause disease, PM0.18s,are unfilterable in practical terms and will add to already unhealthy pollution levels which are currently disguised (see the WHO recommended levels,which are now being exceeded).

Idea by Dr. S. Prokop
Submitted on Friday April 04 2008

Related principles: Health and Happiness

An annular inflatable cuff whose inner diameter is hosepipe sized.When a hosepipe with the cuff is inserted into any downpipe,and the cuff inflated,all rainwater can be guided to whatever part of the garden needs topping up.This not only copes with older cast iron pipes,but also for sites not suitable for butts.

Idea by Dr. S. Prokop
Submitted on Friday April 04 2008

Related principles: Sustainable Water