by Michael Smith (Veshengro)
The annual EMAS (Eco-Management and Audit Scheme) report shows that energy use in the council has fallen by 15 percent since 2002 saving £164,000 a year. Water consumption at the council has also dropped – falling by 29 percent from 2001 levels, saving £63,000 a year.
Councillor Colin Hall, Executive Member for Environment and Climate Change on Sutton Council, said: “This is a staggering amount of money to save in one year. It proves that it makes economic sense to continue to make Sutton more sustainable.”
Most of the energy savings in council buildings have been achieved through simple measures, such as better control of heating installing thermostatic radiators and loft and pipe insulation. Other measures have included using energy efficient lighting and changing the voltage of electricity coming into council buildings to the minimum required. Around 75 per cent of the energy used now comes from green supplies.
Water use has also been reduced substantially by installing water efficient toilets and through quicker identification and repair of leaks, particularly at allotment sites.
Councillor Hall added: “Measures such as installing insulation and energy efficient lighting have made all the difference. These are exactly the same measures that residents can take in their own homes to save money and tackle climate change.”
The London Borough of Sutton, in many cases, appears to be very much in the forefront when it comes to green issues in the south-west of London and in Surrey, of which, theoretically, Sutton still is a part.
Sutton, unlike many other councils, also gives composting bins to its residents, for free, and residents can get free compost (produced by the recycling services) and other such products, including free wood chips.
© 2010
