Switching off with you – giving carbon emissions the elbow

Staff at Bury Council have been taking the lead in saving energy, cutting bills and reducing carbon emissions.

The local authority held its Switch-Off Fortnight in the run-up to Christmas, aimed at promoting good habits such as switching off lights and computers and not leaving equipment on stand-by.

Those who took part received raffle tickets with a chance of winning a £50 price donated by the Mill Gate centre in Bury, and prizes including an eco kettle, standby savers, energy monitors, LED light bulbs, and solar garden lights.

Figures show that electricity and gas usage in council buildings produced 12,222 tonnes of CO2, down by 1,395 tonnes compared to 2014/15. This contributed to the council making savings of £142,000 on energy bills and Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) carbon allowance payments.

Councillor Alan Quinn, cabinet member for the environment, said: “Since 2008 we have reduced our carbon emissions by 22%, thanks to measures including installing energy efficient boilers, improved insulation, LED lighting and controls, solar electricity generation and increasing use of renewables in building projects.”

Marie Gribben, Mill Gate centre manager, said: “Mill Gate is delighted to support Bury Council with their switch-off fortnight campaign. As winners of a recent national award for best practice, all staff and retailers within the shopping centre are fully aware and supportive of conserving energy. Everyone involved in the campaign should be proud of the contribution they have made to protecting the environment and improving sustainability in Bury.”

ENDS

Press release issued: 23 December 2016.

Picture: Cllr Alan Quinn and Santa draw the winning raffle tickets at the Mill Gate centre, with Cllr Trevor Holt, chair of the health and wellbeing board.