Category Archives: Lifestyle

Disposing of Disposable Vapes: Environmental Impact and Responsible Solutions

A disposable vape is a pre-filled, electronic cigarette designed for one-time use. They have become a convenient alternative to cigarettes in recent years due to their affordability and availability. It is now predicted that over 360 million disposable vapes are thrown away in the UK every year, but only 17% of users recycle them in the correct recycling bins (Material Focus, 2023). This blog will explore the environmental dangers posed by these devices, while providing guidance on how to correctly dispose of them.

Image: Disposable vapes are often encased in colourful plastics, contributing to their detrimental impact on the environment (Source: Waste Managed, 2024).

Why are disposable vapes an environmental problem?

From the 1^st of June 2025, the sale of disposable vapes will be banned in the UK to protect children’s health as they have become increasingly popular among young people. But why are these devices so bad for the environment? Let’s explore the key reasons…

They’re made of plastic

Disposable vapes contribute significantly to the growing problem of plastic waste. Vapes left on the street are likely to break down into microplastics that flow into drains and pollute water systems (Truth Initiative, 2021). They’re also very difficult to recycle as they are made of many different parts including batteries and circuit boards, as well as plastic – components that must be separated. Moreover, plastic takes hundreds of years to breakdown, meaning that your vape will most likely outlive you!

They contain harmful chemicals

Vapes are made of plastic casing, lithium batteries, copper wire and other components. Separating these materials during the recycling process is both labour-intensive and expensive. Additionally, the toxic compounds in vapes, are also prone to leach into soil and water systems, contaminating animal habitats.

Both lithium and copper are finite resources. They are necessary for infrastructure, electric vehicle batteries and charging stations (Sky News, 2024). Using these elements in vape production wastes valuable materials that are essential for advancing green technologies.

They can cause battery-related fires

When vapes are crushed, their lithium can overheat and ignite fires. The London Fire Brigade has responded to more than 200 fires caused by lithium batteries in the last two years (BBC News, 2024). If disposable vapes are disposed of in the general waste bin, they are more prone to being crushed and compressed, and therefore more likely to cause fires on waste vehicles and in waste facilities, potentially endangering waste workers and causing unnecessary damage.

How to dispose of vapes responsibly?

Up to 80% of a disposable vape can be recycled, and there are two main ways you can dispose of your vapes responsibly: organising a collection, or taking your vape to an electronics recycling station.

See below for some key recycling points in Newcastle. As shown, most Tesco Express stores have electronic recycling points. Many points are also near the University campus, making it extra convenient for disposal!

Image: Some key locations around Newcastle that contain bins for electronic devices, e.g. vapes.

A second option for disposal is arranging a Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment (WEEE) collection to your house. These are free for all Newcastle City Council residents who have their own front door access on the ground floor. Simply book a day online, and leave your vape(s) on your doorstep inside a plastic bag the night before. Your items will be collected and disposed of safely.

Final thoughts

In conclusion, while purchasing a disposable vape may seem convenient, its disposal is far from simple. As their banning date becomes imminent, it is essential to ensure that any remaining devices are disposed of responsibly. An item that may only last you a week, could be harming the planet for decades!

For more information on recycling items on campus, check out our Waste A-Z. If you would like to search for your nearest electronic recycling point, use the handy Recycle Your Electricals search engine. To book a WEEE collection, visit the Newcastle City Council booking page.

Reference List:

BBC News. (2024). The environmental impact of disposable vapes. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy943vpr7vgo

Material Focus. (2023.). Disposable single-use vapes thrown away have quadrupled to 5 million per week. https://www.materialfocus.org.uk/press-releases/disposable-single-use-vapes-thrown-away-have-quadrupled-to-5-million-per-week/#:~:text=Material%20Focus%20has%20found%20that%20UK%20adults%20report,could%20instead%20be%20powering%20nearly%205%2C000%20electric%20vehicles

Sky News. (2023). Why are disposable vapes bad for the environment? https://news.sky.com/story/why-are-disposable-vapes-bad-for-the-environment-13059299

Truth Initiative. (2021). The toxic plastic problem: E-cigarette waste and the environment. https://truthinitiative.org/research-resources/harmful-effects-tobacco/toxic-plastic-problem-e-cigarette-waste-and-environment

Waste Managed. (2024). How to dispose of vapes: Are they recyclable? https://www.wastemanaged.co.uk/our-news/recycling/how-to-dispose-of-vapes-are-they-recyclable/

Food Waste Bins Are Coming to Your Kitchen!

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Food waste is a major driver of climate change, contributing to 8% of the UK’s total greenhouse gas emissions. Starting this January, Newcastle University will be introducing food waste bins in every university-owned accommodation kitchen. Look out for a small green caddy in your kitchen, along with a roll of bin bags to get you started. Here’s everything you need to know…

Image: The new food waste caddies. The left bin has a capacity of 7.5 litres, while the right bin holds 5 litres.

What Can Go in the Food Waste Caddy?

You can put almost any type of food waste into the bin, whether it’s cooked or raw. Here are some examples:

Grains, pulses, and vegetables
Meats, pastries, and eggs
Bones and small teabags

What Should Stay Out?

There are a few items that should never go in the caddy:

Packaging of any kind (even if it’s food-stained or says its biodegradable)
Tinfoil or glass
Liquids (these can make a mess!)

Using the Bin Liners

We’ll provide you with bin liners for your food caddy, which are removed during processing. If you run out of liners, please ask at your reception for a refill.

Taking Out Your Food Waste

When your caddy is full, follow these steps:

Tie the bag tightly to prevent spills.
Head to your accommodation’s rubbish site.
Look for the red wheelie bin marked “FOOD WASTE” near the recycling stations and place your bag inside

Where Does Your Food Waste Go?

Once collected, your food waste is transported by our waste contractor, Biffa, to GAP Organics in Gateshead. There, it’s transformed through an anaerobic digestion (AD) process into fertiliser and green energy, contributing to a more sustainable planet.

Image: The different CO2 impacts of food waste disposal via landfill, composting and anaerobic digestion. Source: Biffa.

This is the life cycle of your food waste! Keep an eye out for your new green caddies and remember to follow the guidelines. Let’s work together to reduce waste and make a positive environmental impact.

If you have any questions about the caddies, or waste, check out our Waste A-Z or contact us at sustainable-campus@newcastle.ac.uk.

Happy New Year!

Colleague Volunteering: National Trust Gardeners for the Day

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On Friday the 25^th of October, 14 colleagues from Estates and Facilities took a trip to Seaton Delaval Hall to work as volunteer gardeners for the day under Newcastle University’s colleague volunteering scheme. It was a really rewarding experience, so read on to hear more about our day!

Seaton Delaval Hall is a National Trust grade 1 listed building in Northumberland, with stunning formal gardens and relaxed, biodiverse woodlands. The property was designed in 1718 for Admiral George Delaval.

Our role

The lovely team of gardeners briefed us on our role for the day – to assist with digging, weeding and pathway edging in the Oval. The Oval Garden was once the location for the notorious Delaval parties, but today it is a perfect space for a peaceful walk or picnic. We made our way around the perimeter of The Oval using shovels, lawn edging tools and leaf rakes to create a border between the lawn and the hedge. Volunteering provided a great opportunity to spend some time outside and we also spotted a variety of wildlife including pheasants, a 22-spot yellow ladybird, and a lot of worms! It was great to get stuck in, and (especially as a new member of the team), get to know everyone a bit better in a relaxed setting.

After a coffee and lunch break at the on-site Brewhouse Café, we got back to work and finished off the job. As a thank you for our help, Senior Gardener Sarah Peilow gave us a tour of the grade 2 listed Seaton Delaval Hall gardens, where we got to see the Halloween decorations around the hall, and the vibrant garden.

Benefits of Volunteering

It is a fulfilling way to spend the day!
You can chat to new people and gain valuable skills.
It can make a positive difference to our local community.
It can strengthen your teamwork abilities!
It can enhance your mental and physical wellbeing.
If you partake in volunteering outdoors, it can provide opportunities for colleagues to build a connection with the environment and local wildlife.

Thank you so much to the team at Seaton Delaval Hall for being so welcoming and supportive throughout the day, and for the work they do to keep the site so beautiful. Also, thank you to James Adshead for organising the day! I would highly recommend for other colleagues at the university to take advantage of the volunteer scheme which offers two paid volunteering days with a charity each year. More information on the colleague volunteer scheme can be found here, and find out how you can volunteer at Seaton Delaval Hall here.

References

National Trust, 2023. Seaton Delaval Hall. Available at: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/north-east/seaton-delaval-hall?awc=3795_1730111269_89f2fe73ec40fc50fb7dc0077ab113f5&campid=Affiliates_Central_Mem_AWIN_Standard&aff=271445&dclid=CIKW-NzusIkDFe9GHQkdq8su6w (Accessed 4 Nov, 2024).

Second Hand Santa: and other sustainable swaps for your office

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Well it’s come around again – what some claim is the most wonderful time of the year! But amongst the lights, sparkles and glad tidings there is a less merry reality to our festive celebrations… the waste they create. So why not shake it up this year and start a new sustainable tradition? Take a look at the ideas below!

Second Hand Santa

According to Hubbub’s poll last year (2023) £280 million was spent on Secret Santa gifts for colleagues. However, only a third of these were reported as useful. Many of these gifts didn’t even make it home from the office party!

Buck the trend this year by opting for a Second Hand Santa. It operates identically to a Secret Santa apart from one detail. ALL gifts are thrifted, regifted, or handmade. Charity shops are the gift that keep on giving here. Practical and genuinely useful gifts are the most sustainable, and charity shops can offer a spark of inspiration for truly thoughtful presents that actually stick to the Secret Santa budget! If gifts to provide a laugh are more your métier don’t worry! Charity shops also provide a long list of weird and wonderful items you can entrust to your colleagues to treasure.

Thriftmas Jumper Day

Have you previously been a victim of Christmas Jumper day? Many of us have found ourselves making a last-minute jumper purchase that we know we will never ever wear again. But we bought it anyway to avoid becoming the office Grinch.

Why not take the pressure off this year? With plenty of early warning and an active encouragement to wear already owned, thrifted, borrowed, and festively adapted jumpers, sustainable festive fun is possible! Extra points if you can source an authentic ugly or vintage Christmas jumper lovingly knitted for a festive season long ago.

Positive Party Planning

Excited to celebrate the past year of hard work? Why not add to the reasons to celebrate by making some sustainable swaps to your seasonal shindig? You could:

Organise carpooling / lift sharing to and from the event
Make sure the menu has a GOOD plant-based option (so it’s more likely to be chosen)
An entirely vegetarian/ vegan menu (or even just the sides/ starters)
Encourage colleagues to bring Tupperware to take any leftovers home
Consider skipping crackers and just buy paper party hats instead!
DIY/ purchase 2^nd hand/ rent festive decorations

Check out Hubbub for more ideas and resources for this December (and the new year). Happy celebrating!

3 Ways to Upcycle and Update your Wardrobe this November

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This month, it is Nothing New November. Nothing New November is a campaign founded by Keep Britain Tidy to combat the issue of impulse buying, especially during Black Friday. The challenge encourages people to buy nothing new for a month, excluding essentials like food and medication. So, sign-up to the challenge, give it a go, and reduce your carbon footprint!

Fast fashion is arguably the most common impulse buy. Fashion production is detrimental to the environment, being responsible for 10% of total global carbon emissions (Business Insider, 2019.) We live in a world where trends last for less than a month, forcing us to constantly change our wardrobe. In this blog, I will be sharing 3 different ways you can update your existing wardrobe using household items and thereby reducing your impact on the earth!

Attach a patch

Patches are the perfect way to fix a hole in your favourite jeans or to decorate a plain top you haven’t worn in a while. A current trend I’ve been seeing a lot recently is star patches on clothes. Instead of buying into this microtrend, I will try to DIY my own version…

Firstly, find a piece of scrap fabric in your house- this could be from an old bag, tablecloth, or jeans.

I’m going to trace my patch design onto a piece of paper and cut it out.

Place the patch template onto your fabric, pin it in place and cut around it.

Pin the patch into place over the hole you want to fix or the area you want to embellish.

Finally, using a simple running stitch or more advanced blanket stitch, secure your patch into place.

Quick and eco-friendly!

Fun with fur

With winter on the rise, faux fur is becoming a staple in people’s wardrobes. Instead of buying new, you can upcycle an old coat with scrap fur. If you can’t find any fur at home, I recommend looking for any offcuts or old pillows in charity shops- remember it’s Nothing New November, so buying second hand is encouraged!

I’m choosing to embellish my old leather jacket. Try find an item you haven’t won in a while or an item you find plain. Next, decide what aspects you are going to add fur onto, e.g. the collar, the pockets, the cuffs, etc…

You’re then going to trace a rough outline of these components onto a scrap piece of paper – it’s always better to overestimate outlines.

Cut the templates out and pin them to your fur.

Just like the patch, cut around the paper outlines into your fur and pin the fur sections to their corresponding sections on your jacket.

To keep the fur in place, use a whip stitch, or running stitch, securing the fur to the edges of your collar or cuff. Fur is a very forgiving fabric, so don’t worry too much about being neat!

This tip is both trendy and cozy!

Embroider and embellish

Embroidery is a quick and easy way to add a motif or design to any plain pieces of clothing. To add an extra touch, you could include leftover beads or buttons to your design.

It’s always helpful to sketch your design first, choosing what colours and what type of stitch your design will use. I’ve seen this cherry design all over my Pinterest feed!

Next, do a rough outline of your design onto the clothing fabric. This outline will be covered by stitching later, so don’t worry about leaving marks.

For this DIY, find your thickest thread, or double your thread up before putting into the needle.

Use small stitches to fill up your design.

If you want to challenge yourself, experiment with French knots, chain stitches or cross stitches to decorate your design.

What a cute look!

The best thing about these three projects, is that they can easily be reversed. If you decide you’re no longer keen on a star patch, simply unpick the stitches and change it out. The same goes for the fur or the embroidery. By constantly customising the pieces in your wardrobe, you can keep up with trends, save your money, and reduce your environmental impact.

For more tips on eco-friendly fashion, see our sustainable fashion tips blog here. To find out more about what we do at Sustainable Campus, click here.

Thanks for reading!

References:

McFall-Johnsen, M. (2019) The fashion industry emits more carbon than international flights and maritime shipping combined. here are the biggest ways it impacts the planet., Business Insider. Available at: https://www.businessinsider.com/fast-fashion-environmental-impact-pollution-emissions-waste-water-2019-10 (Accessed: 07 November 2024).

Reuse, Refill, Recycle

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Could you buy nothing new for just one month?

Nothing New November is a UK wide challenge that calls the public to fight overconsumption and impulse purchases by buying nothing new for one month (excluding essentials like food etc). The aim is to waste less, make the most of the stuff we already own, and cut our carbon footprint (Keep Britain Tidy, 2024).

As part of Nothing New November, we have been thinking of ways to shop for essentials in a more planet friendly way! So, this month I have been exploring the independent, sustainable shops in and around Newcastle. I hope this blog will encourage others to pay these amazing little shops a visit, and we can all try to be a bit more mindful about the things we buy, and the waste we create.

How to use a re-fill shop?

Using a re-fill shop can seem a bit daunting if you haven’t done it before, so I’ve put together some tips to help first time shoppers:

Collect some empty containers, glass jars work well. Often the re-fill shops have some you can buy too so don’t worry if you don’t have any.
Take a list of items you’d like to buy with rough measurements of how much you need, and head to the re-fill shop with your clean, empty containers.
When you arrive, speak to the staff! They are always so helpful and explain the process to you. But normally they weigh your empty jars before you fill them up.
Then just fill up your jars with whatever you please and the containers will be weighed again, and price totalled up at the till like any other shop.
Enjoy all your plastic free goodies!

Re-fill shops around Newcastle

109 General Store, Heaton

109 General Store is a family run low-waste general store located on Heaton Park Road. They have a variety of green cleaning products, sweet treats, fruit, veg, local eggs and fresh bread from Northern Rye. The in-store staff are friendly and are happy to help customers, or you can order food online for click and collect. I often do my weekly shop here then pop next door to their sister shop Heaton Perk for a coffee, Newcastle’s only coffee shop exclusively using glass bottled dairy milk.

2. Ernie, Stepney Road, Ouseburn

Ernie is a small deli shop located in Ouseburn which sells organic veg, household refills, and unique local cooking items and gifts from sustainable and small businesses. You can order locally sourced fresh produce to your door using Ernie’s fresh delivery service, delivered on Fridays by bicycle!

‘Real people, real food, less is more, buy less, buy better – making a difference is always within reach.’
(Ernie Ouseburn, 2024)

3. Buy the Kilo, Tynemouth

Buy the kilo is another family-run refill shop located on platform one of Tynemouth metro station. After a walk on the beach, I stopped off to check out this shop and pick up some oat milk. The shop is hidden down a little alley of independent businesses in shipping containers, which if you’re not looking for you probably would never notice! It was my first time visiting the shop, and the ladies working in the shop were more than happy to help and walked me through exactly how to work the weighing system. The shop also exhibits artists’ work that highlights issues about the environment, making it a must visit if you’re in Tynemouth!

Thank you for reading this blog, I hope you enjoyed it! A big thank you to the owners of these shops for all their efforts in reducing waste. Let us know in the comments if you visit any!

The 2024 Christmas Switch Off at Newcastle University

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What is the Christmas Switch Off?

The Christmas Switch Off is a University-wide campaign where we encourage staff and students to turn off any electrical items that can be switched off instead of leaving them on standby over the Christmas break.

Why is the Christmas Switch Off important?

By turning off everything that can be turned off, we will reduce our energy consumption across the campus. The Christmas Switch Off campaign has been run for a number of years to minimise energy wastage and contribute to our carbon reduction targets.

We also hope that promoting of the Christmas Switch Off will promote positive behaviour change more widely and remind colleagues and students to minimise their energy wastage by remembering to switch off what they can every day.

Who participates in the Switch Off?

We would like everyone at the university to participate if they are able to, that includes staff and students across labs, offices, and accommodation. The advice on what to turn off will vary for each location – guidance on what should be switched off is in this blog post.

When switching off your work area, it can be helpful to organise a switch off team that can check each area after most people have left for the term to ensure everything that can be switched off, has been.

Here are some examples of items that could be switched in various area across campus:

Staff working in offices: Lighting, computers, monitors, printers and photocopiers, kettles and fridges (after they have been emptied and cleaned). Also, it is important to make sure that all windows have been properly closed.
Labs and medical buildings: All the above can be applied in addition to drying cupboards, fume cupboards and fridges/freezers that will not be in use over the break (please do not turn off equipment that is in use).

Many students leave their accommodation over the Christmas break, meaning their accommodation will be empty over the holidays. If you are going away over the winter break, there are a few things that you could do before you leave:

Clean out and defrost your fridges and freezers the day before you leave by turning them off at the wall and popping a towel underneath to soak up the melted ice.
Turn off your kettles and toasters at the wall.
If there is a wall switch for your oven this is also a good thing to turn off easily, as well as lights and plug sockets.

For more switch off information, visit the Sustainable Campus website: https://bit.ly/3OP5yLN

If you have any questions or ideas about the Christmas Switch Off, please email the Sustainability Team at sustainable-campus@ncl.ac.uk

Thank you for reading!

Green Impact Launch and LEAF update!

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At Newcastle University, we recognise that the climate crisis must be addressed communally, and we cannot meet the sustainability targets set out in our Climate Action Plan without the efforts of all our colleagues and students.

Green Impact and LEAF are two amazing programmes available for our colleagues at the university, with the opportunity for participants to win bronze, silver, and gold awards for sustainability. Earlier this month, the Environment Awards recognised and celebrated the achievements of our colleagues and students over the past year, with 11 teams receiving Green Impact awards and 10 teams receiving LEAF awards. A massive congratulations to those teams!

So, read on to find out how you can get involved in the next programme of Green Impact or LEAF, and play your part in increasing environmental sustainability on campus!

Green Impact

Green Impact is a United Nations award-winning programme which promotes environmentally and socially sustainable behaviour across organisations. At Newcastle University, colleagues can sign up to Green Impact and create teams within their work area, with actions assigned to complete in the online toolkit. The toolkit is aligned with the UN Sustainability Goals, with themes such as energy, water, waste, travel, biodiversity, communication, and wellbeing.

This is a great opportunity to improve your knowledge on environmental issues and contribute to meaningful sustainable change in your workplace, whilst collecting some awards to display!

How to get involved:

Sign up to Green Impact online from the 11^th of November.
Chat to your colleagues in your work area about Green Impact teams and either join one that’s already been created or create a new team.
Email sustainable-campus@newcastle.ac.uk to join the Green Impact Teams channel, and chat to other teams!
Work through your assigned actions. Each action grants a certain number of points which then add up to the bronze, silver, and gold awards.
Our friendly student auditors will come round to check your progress later in the year.
The Environmental Awards will be held in June, with engraved recycled slates for teams that made it to Bronze, Silver, or Gold.

LEAF

Our laboratories are essential in enabling the groundbreaking research conducted at Newcastle University, and scientific research is vital in mitigating the climate crisis. However, traditional laboratory practices can come with unintended environmental impact (Freese et al, 2024).

LEAF, or the Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework, is an online platform for laboratory users designed by UCL to improve the sustainability and efficiency of laboratories. Similar to Green Impact, lab teams work through sustainability actions to reduce waste, water, and energy along with improving the efficiency of other resources. There is an upcoming refresh of the LEAF actions and criteria, so sign up now to be a part of this updated programme.

Image: Diversity of Life Lab Session (Biology & Zoology). Photo Credit: Chris Bishop.

How to get involved?

Sign up on the LEAF login portal
Register with your institutional email, then login and either join an existing lab, or request a new lab (if your lab is not already listed).
After your account is verified, work with your team through the bronze, silver, and gold criteria. Members of the Sustainability Team will assess your progress along the way, and certificates will be awarded at the Environmental Awards!
Every year, progress to a higher certificate, or re-audit to keep your accreditation.

Key dates:

Relaunch of Green Impact on Monday the 11^thof November
Criteria Update of LEAF on Monday the 11^th of November.
Green Impact Launch Webinar on Thursday the 14^th of November, Sign up here.
LEAF teams channels launch on Friday the 1^st of November.
Celebrating Success Environmental Awards: June (date to be announced later).

Thank you for reading, and we look forward to welcoming some new teams to Green Impact and LEAF this year!

References

Freese, T., Elzinga, N., Heinemann, M., Lerch, M.M. and Feringa, B.L., 2024. The relevance of sustainable laboratory practices. Rsc Sustainability, 2(5), pp.1300-1336.

Nature Positive Student Ambassador Programme

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Nature Positive is a term that refers to the reversing of nature loss and encourages ecosystem recovery. The Nature Positive Universities network is comprised of over 500 higher educational institutions worldwide who have all committed to protecting biodiversity by signing the Nature Positive Pledge. The network was jointly founded by the University of Oxford and the UN Environment Programme in December 2022. If you’re interested in finding out more about Nature Positive and how as a student you can get involved, keep reading!

Image: The aim of the Nature Positive Universities group; reversing the biodiversity loss curve. Credit: Nature Positive Universities.

What is the student ambassador programme?

If you are a student and interested in the Nature Positive ethos, check out the Student Ambassador Programme. Every year, Nature Positive Universities welcome students to apply for this program, giving them the opportunity to play a part in #GenerationRestoration while collaborating with students from other universities on a global scale.

The programme is an exciting blend of practical and collaborative activities, with no two days being the same!

Some benefits you will gain upon joining the programme:

Experience volunteering with mentors at University of Oxford

A chance to make a difference on our campus

Networking with a global community of environmental activists

Resources and training to help you organise events and activities

A certificate documenting your role

A chance to exercise your personal skills such as social media, communications, design, organising events, translation and biological identification and survey techniques

Image: Nature Positive student ambassadors volunteering in a field. Credit: Nature Positive Universities.

How can I apply?

Applying for the programme only takes 10 minutes and could seriously boost your CV, if you are interested in working within the environmental or urban planning sector.

Sign-ups for the 2024/2025 Nature Positive Student Ambassador Programme are currently open and the deadline to apply is the 10th November 2024.

Link to apply: https://www.naturepositiveuniversities.net/become-an-ambassador/

To find out more on what the sustainable campus team are doing to fulfil the Nature Positive Pledge, check out our blog post on Biodiversity Net Gain, or visit the Biodiversity page on our website!

Keep Cosy, Cut the Costs, and take Climate Action this Chilly Season

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Only 1.8% of UK homes meet the top energy efficiency ratings, making them some of some of the biggest energy-wasters in Europe. As the colder months approach and the East wind begins to bite, keeping your flat, house, or halls warm can become increasingly challenging. This guidance outlines some ways that you can tackle rising energy costs whilst also taking climate action!

Home Energy Advice North East (HEANE)

A new local authority led service HEANE is here to help you cut costs and stay cosy. Even if your energy bills are included in your rent, their advice can help you avoid exceeding any cap set by your landlord. Whether you’re living in Newcastle City centre or further afield, there’s a range of free support available to help you boost energy efficiency, save money, improve living conditions, and reduce your carbon footprint.

HEANE is working in partnership with charities and organisations like Groundwork and Community Action Northumberland to offer help in Newcastle, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Gateshead, Durham, Sunderland, and Northumberland, prioritising those who’re struggling to pay bills or keep warm.

How can HEANE help?

Provide immediately implementable energy saving habits. These insignificant changes can add up over the university year! If you’re not convinced, check out their website for energy (and money) saving habit ideas paired with concrete stats showing the potential difference it could make to your pocket!
A knowledge bank of useful info (e.g. how to understand your energy bill, how to tackle condensation and damp, and how to stay in control of your heating). University is often the first time many of us deal with the responsibility of bills and home maintenance. For most of us it’s a venture into the unknown, so reliable and expert tips on how to navigate this new realm is seriously valuable.
Impartial in-person advice. Sometimes it’s easier to show than tell. And when it comes to a house or flat you’ve only recently moved into for the academic year a second pair of eyes and opinion can be really useful to create a next steps plan.
Personalised recommendations (no obligation home assessments to make it a more energy efficient space). Not all advice is equal! Getting advice appropriate for your living situation and budget helps put you on the road to action more than generic pointers.
Help applying for energy improvement funding and finding local certified installers (available to your landlord if you rent). Not owning your home doesn’t mean you have no control! Making your landlord aware of the advice, resources, and recommendations given by HEANE could result in some real change making.
Ongoing support at every step – Have you received some advice or information, and you are not sure what to do next? Don’t let your questions go unanswered! Whether it’s the 1^st or 100^th query, make use of the experts available.

Energy and water reduction guidance for your home

You might think you’ve heard all the energy-saving tips before. For example, not leaving devices on standby, avoiding overfilling the kettle, turning off lights and using a low temperature setting on the washing machine could already be part of your routine – great job! These actions alone can save you £67 a year. But did you know saving water can also reduce your energy costs? And advice to take control of your heating can be especially useful when renting, as lowering your thermostat by just 1°C can save £80 a year.

In short, make use of this resource! Keep cosy, cut the cost, and take climate action. What could be a better start to the chilly season?