Why is the Environmental Champions Programme being set up?
Delivering a cleaner and greener Borough is an important strategic priority for the council and we aim to achieve this as part of Cleaner Greener Hounslow. The overarching context of this programme is the Corporate Plan 2019 to 2024, which outlines our commitment to ensure residents and visitors see a clean and attractive borough, where Hounslow is a destination people want to visit, an appealing place to spend time in and a borough people are happy to call home.
The Hounslow Environmental Champions Programme aims to develop a community volunteering framework around environmental priorities, creating stronger, more empowered and more interconnected communities. The Programme will be a central part of Cleaner Greener Hounslow, ensuring we live up to the commitment of placing residents and communities at the heart of the programme. This will help deliver the Councils corporate plan through building civic pride and stronger relations between the community and the council.
How does the Environmental Champions Programme link in with Community Groups?
We want to work with our Community Groups and use their valued experience, knowledge of the area, passion, dedication and commitment and to get involved with the Environmental Champion Programme in a number of ways, depending on what works for them. Running a Community of Practice session, leading events, creating training sessions etc. are all possible ways the Community Groups could get involved and we are hoping to develop this as the Programme becomes more established.
How can we network with other people who are interested in the environment?
Networking, sharing ideas, getting to know new people who are interested in similar concerns to yourself and collaborating are all things we’d like Environmental Champions to be able to get involved in. We are hoping to set up opportunities to do this via a number of different methods and more information will be on its way to you shortly. GDPR is something we need to ensure we are following correctly and takes some time to organise, and we’ll aim to update you as soon as possible.
When can I start organising/getting involved in activities as an Environmental Champion?
You will need to ensure you have read all documentation and sent back the relevant signed Terms and Conditions before you can start getting involved as an Environmental Champion. Once signed up as a Champion you will receive all of the information you need.
I want to plant a tree nearby/in my local park. Do I need permission and how do I get this?
If you want to plant a tree you will need permission from us. Please let us know what type of tree you wish to plant and where you want to plant it and we will assess if it is a suitable type of tree to be planted in that location. We also may be able to help with the planting if approved so please do keep in touch with us throughout the process.
I want to plant some wildflowers nearby/in my local park. Do I need permission and how do I get this?
If you want to plant wildflowers you will need permission from us. Please let us know what type of seeds you wish to plant and where you want to plant and we will assess if they are suitable seeds to be planted in that location. We also may be able to help with the planting if approved so please do keep in touch with us throughout the process.
I need some equipment to help me. How do I get this?
We are working on putting some Welcome Packs together which will include equipment such as bin bags, litter pickers, gloves, tote bags etc. We’ll let you know when we are ready to distribute these to you. If you need larger quantities of equipment on top of what you receive in your Welcome Pack do let us know and we will do our best to facilitate this.
There is an area of land that I would like to litter pick. Do I need permission to do this?
You will need to know whether the land you intend to litter pick is public or private. If you are unsure please do get in touch and we will be able to advise.
Public - If the land is public then you can litter pick without asking for permission. Please do let us know beforehand where you are collecting, though, so we can record this.
Private – If the land is private then you will need to get permission to litter pick. Just let us know where you plan on litter picking and we can let you know.
I’ve conducted a litter pick and have bin bags full of rubbish and recycling. Where do I put these?
Ideally we’d like separated bags of waste and recycling (cans in one bag, unbroken glass in another, (broken glass needs to be wrapped or go into a street litter bin rather than placed in unsecured bags on the network) plastic bottles in another) so that it can go through our materials handling facility.
If you have collected small amounts of bags please do pop with your normal household waste and recycling and it will be collected as normal. If you think you will have large amounts of bags and recycling please let us know and we can organise for them to be collected close to where you have conducted the litter picks.
To have your collections collected, please use fms.hounslowhigways.org or the Fix My Street mobile application to report this collection as a ’Fly Tip’ – don’t worry we know it’s not! Make sure you’ve separated the rubbish from the recycling, and choose a clear accessible point on the highway to place the bags. Our partners from Hounslow Highways will collect your bags and dispose of correctly.
We’ve conducted a litter pick as part of a larger event. Where do I put what we’ve collected?
For bigger litter picking events we may be able to provide labelled bins on the morning and then collect the bins later in the day. Please get in touch with us if organising a larger event and we can let you know what is possible. If not, please follow the steps above.
