• Businesses
• Children & Young People (aged under 25)
• Partnerships & Community Groups
• Schools
• Sustainable Urban Design

You can apply online or download an application form. Deadline for entries is 31st January 2012.

• Free cavity wall insulation for all properties up to 120m in size (with a normal 75mm cavity)
• Free loft insulation for all properties up to 80m in size (that have less than 60mm of insulation existing – ie. FREE 200mm and 250mm top ups).

Please note that this promotion closes on 31st December 2011. For further information please contact Rockwarm Insulation on 0800 132689.

This change will take place from Tuesday 1^st November. From this date the Waste Collection crews will be operating on a zonal basis with the district divided into four collection zones (North, South, East and West).

“Remember, Remember the first week in November"

New calendars will be delivered to all local residents by the end of October. So make sure you:

Read it, check it, keep it!

Approximately 4 million householders in the UK do not have mains gas and have to rely on more expensive, higher carbon forms of heating, such as heating oil and electric fires. The scheme will mainly focus on these households.

The following technologies will be available through the scheme:

• Ground Source Heat Pump - £1,250 grant (for homes without mains gas heating).
• Biomass boiler - £950 grant (for homes without mains gas heating).
• Air source heat pump - £850 grant (for homes without mains gas heating).
• Solar thermal hot water panels - £300 grant (available to all households regardless of the type of heating system used).

Grants will be available on a first come, first served basis and the scheme will close on 31 March 2012.

The initial training will focus on Home Composting, Love Food Hate Waste (a National campaign to help reduce food waste) and Recycling. Additional training modules will be available in areas such as Real Nappies, Reuse and Packaging if you are interested in expanding your knowledge further. As a Waste Action Volunteer you will be asked to complete 30 hours of volunteering in the first year. The course is open to all Leicestershire residents (excludingLeicesterCity) aged 18 years and over. The deadline to apply for the scheme, which includes training, is Friday 2nd September.

For more information visit the Less Waste website, call 0116 305 7005 or email wasteprevention@leics.gov.uk.

• reduced electricity use through the installation of gas combined heat and power (CHP) units at both leisure centres
• reduced electricity use through staff behaviour campaigns such as the Big Switch Off
• improved electricity and gas monitoring by installing automatic meter reading equipment
• improved how our council fleet operates, resulting in fewer trips and less fuel consumed
• run green-driver training sessions for our Housing staff
• reduced staff business mileage by installing teleconferencing equipment at our main offices

All proceeds from the event will go to HOPE, the Leicestershire-based cancer research organisation and the Wheatcroft family chosen charity. So pump up your tyres, dust off the saddle and get your helmet - whether you are a serious road cyclist, a motorsport fan, or just looking for a fun way of spending a Friday evening with the family.

• June - Putting the brakes on car litter louts: Working in partnership with McDonald’s, drive-thru staff will write car registrations on till receipts so if customers drop restaurant litter, the Councils will be able to trace and prosecute offenders through the DVLA.
• July - Clipping the wings of fly-tippers: The Councils will use covert cameras, intelligence and tip offs to target fly-tippers and bring them to justice.
• August - Barking mad at dog fouling: The Councils will use covert cameras and increase patrols at designated dog fouling hotspot areas to target dog foulers.

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service is the highest award given to volunteer groups across the UK for outstanding work done in the local communities. The Friends group, a previous Green Footprints winner, has won the award for its strong community leadership. In particular members of the group were recognised for their village planting schemes, litter picking, blue plaque scheme, guided walks, historical research and community events. Congratulations to everyone involved!

It's not long until Recycle Week, 20^th-26^th June, and North West Leicestershire District Council (NWLDC) is urging everyone to remember to recycle wherever you are, whether at home, at work or out and about. Many are recycling more at home than ever before, as three-quarters of us now report we are recycling as a way of life. The great news is, the recycling rate for NWLDC now stands at over 44%.

You can find out about how to recycle more at home and away by visiting www.recyclenow.com, or to find us on facebook search ‘Recycling NWLeicestershire’. We will also be at the following sites from 2-6pm during Recycle week, to offer advice, recycling containers and answer any questions you can throw at us about recycling at home and away.

• Coalville Morrissons (Wed)
• Castle Donington Co-op (Thu)
• and finally Ashby town centre (Fri),

Dr Simon Thurley, Chief Executive, English Heritage, says: “Heritage Open Days is about people and places; it celebrates community and reflects the importance of the built environment in our lives and to our quality of life. It is organised by local people who dedicate their spare time to opening properties and staging activities, and it is their knowledge and enthusiasm that makes Heritage Open Days happen.”

• have the objective of saving or generating energy locally
• are supported by their local community
• will benefit the local community and have a tangible and lasting impact.
• some aspect of the project is realistically achievable within one year
• will inspire even more community renewable projects