Hull in print

Disasters such as last summer's floods could become more common if the world gets warmer by just a few degrees, say scientists.
They say it could get warmer because of increased carbon dioxide (CO2) which is emitted from vehicle exhausts, aircraft, and from the burning of fossil fuels such as coal and oil to make electricity for our homes and businesses.
The CO2, along with other greenhouse gases, forms a layer in the atmosphere which traps in too much heat – rather like the glass in a greenhouse, hence the term 'greenhouse effect.' "Although climate change is a global issue, people in Hull have a big part to play," says Cllr Dave Woods, portfolio holder for the environment at Hull City Council.
"Hull was the worst hit place in Britain during last summer's floods – and now we can set an example for the rest of the country in the measures we take to prevent climate change.
"As a council, we've set ourselves a target of reducing our carbon emissions by 60 per cent by 2015 – even though the date set by the Government is 2050.
"By doing this we're leading the way - not just for other major employers in the region - but for other councils up and down the country."

1. Lessons to be learned

One Hull school is setting an example to the rest of the country by planning to generate its own electricity from two wind turbines.
Fifth Avenue Primary, in north Hull, also collects rainwater to flush its toilets and draws natural heat from the earth to heat classrooms.
And now the £4.3 million school building, designed by Hull City Council architects and engineers, is changing its name to Green Way Primary in recognition of its commitment to cutting carbon emissions.
The wind turbines are expected to be erected in the next couple of months, subject to planning permission being granted.
"This is truly a vision of the future," says Cllr Woods.
"It's a fantastic example of how schools up and down the country - as well as homes and businesses - could be developed to help the environment."

2. Tree-mendous

Meanwhile, more than 1,000 trees are being planted in the city every year through an initiative set up by the council in partnership with local businesses, schools and the Woodland Trust.
Like all green plants, trees absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) - in fact research shows that a single hectare of urban woodland can remove 900kg of CO2 from the atmosphere in just 12 hours.
That's the equivalent to 9,000 party balloons.
By contrast, a return journey from Hull to Leeds by car would emit 32kg of CO2 from the petrol (the equivalent of 300 party balloons).
It's hoped therefore, that the initiative will minimize the environmental effects of the council's 800 fleet vehicles - hence the name - the Fleet Woodland Carbon Sink Initiative.

3. Go by bus and bike

Eastfield primary pupils with Dalton, the council's recycling mascot, at the Wiltshire Road site

And there's more good news about reducing carbon emissions in Hull, because more people are travelling by bus.
Residents and workers made 23.8 million bus journeys in the city last year – that's 714,000 journeys more than the previous year.
And now the Paragon Transport Interchange is in full swing, it is hoped that bus usage will continue to increase.
Hull City Council is investing in real time passenger information which will provide up-to-the minute bus arrival times on selected routes.
Bus arrival times at bus stops in the city can also be found out through SMS text messaging.

4. Most modern in Britain

Landfil sites also emit greenhouse gases which can increase global warming

Greenhouse gases including methane (from which the global warming potential is twenty times greater than CO2) are also given off by the thousands of tonnes of rotting rubbish including paper, card and kitchen and garden waste which is buried in landfill sites every year.
That's why the council has set up recycling facilities for all Hull residents to divert waste that can be sorted and recycled away from landfill.
Certain types of waste such as bottles and cans don't emit greenhouse gases if thrown into landfill - but we still need to recycle this waste to save energy and raw materials which, in turn, leads to a reduction in carbon emissions.
Empty cans and bottles – along with tins and textiles - are just some of the waste types which can be recycled through the council's black box collections, while newspapers and magazines can be recycled through the blue bin collections.
Other types of waste, including cardboard, electrical goods and scrap metal, soil, and rubble, can be taken to any of the three household waste recycling centres in Hull - at Burma Drive, off Marfleet Lane, at Wilmington, near Stoneferry Roundabout and at Wiltshire Road in Gipsyville.
And a brand-new £1.5 million centre is due to open next month on Amsterdam Road, Sutton Fields.
Similar to the ones at Burma Drive and Wiltshire Road, the undercover centre will be one of Britain's most modern household waste recycling centres.
It has largely been built from recycled materials, and will be powered by solar panels.

5. WEEE-LY good idea

Electrical and electronic waste is one of the fastest growing types of waste in Hull, but previously it wasn't possible to recycle smaller electrical goods such as hairdryers, toasters and electric toothbrushes.
Now, however, it's possible to recycle anything with a plug or batteries at any of the city's household waste recycling centres.
This is a new initiative following guidance under the Government's Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) regulations.
Electrical items contain heavy metals and precious metals which have a monetary value – so this initiative is more about making good use of the Earth's resources than reducing greenhouse gases.

6. Brown bins

To cut landfill even further, the council is giving out more than 90,000 brown wheelie bins next spring, when it starts free regular collections of garden waste from all Hull households.
The £3 million scheme means residents can have all manner of green waste, including grass, leaves and hedge clippings, collected for free every fortnight.
The waste will be taken away and turned into high quality compost – and could be offered back to the public to help gardens grow.
The brown bin plan follows the success of a trial, started last summer, which continues to run in pilot areas, including Bricknell Avenue, Summergroves Way, Longhill, the Avenues, Sutton Park, Orchard Park, Victoria Dock and Garden Village.
Consultation showed that 97 per cent of participants responding to a customer satisfaction survey said they were 'happy' or 'very happy' with it.
"It's what the public want and it will be an excellent way to direct the waste from landfill and to help cut greenhouse emissions which are emitted from landfill sites," says Cllr Woods.

7. Life's a breeze

Meanwhile, wind turbines could soon start appearing on houses across Hull.
That's because the council is helping residents across the city to access government grants to make their homes more energy efficient.
Most of the money available is for upgrading central heating and insulation in both privately-owned and council properties – but some money will be available for installing wind turbines and solar panels, where appropriate.
For information contact Hull Warm Zone on 300300.

8. Energy efficiency

Wind turbines could also appear on more and more council buildings across the city.
That's if the council goes ahead with plans to generate all its own electricity – a plan which could lead to a 40 per cent reduction in its carbon emissions.

9. One of the first...

The council is one of the first in the country to begin the process of giving all its 300 buildings (including schools) an energy rating on a scale of A – G, which will be displayed on a certificate near the entrance.
Where buildings are not energy efficient (as is expected to be the case with some older buildings), the council will take steps such as re-designing central heating and air conditioning systems.

10. Sustainable development

Hull City Council is launching a new document to help private building developers consider environmental issues when applying for planning permission.
The document, entitled the Sustainable Development Supplementary Planning Document (SPD), will help developers consider energy efficiency, water management, waste and recycling, biodiversity and natural habitats, among other factors.
The public will be able to comment on the document later this summer before the final version is published.

info

Many of the above initiatives are part of Hull's Climate Change Strategy, drawn up by Hull City Council in association with ONE HULL (a partnership which includes public, private, community and voluntary sectors).
For more information, visit www.hullcc.gov.uk or call 300300.


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