Sustainability in a small town - part one

Reporter Savannah Cobb-Thomas has been investigating the facilitating factors for sustainability in Fort William and the potential drawbacks. In the first of a three part series she has visited Lochaber Environmental Group to find out how they are working to provide cost-effective and sustainable ideas to Fort William.

 

"attachment_1023484" "" "225"] Savannah Cobb-Thomas.

 

Making a conscious effort towards sustainability can be challenging at the best times, especially when living in a small town, writes Savannah.

 

Relative isolation raises a plethora of issues such as increased transportation costs, longer travel times for perishable goods, and a reliance on local initiatives to tackle these issues.

 

One local environmental charity that has been working to bring sustainable alternatives to the town is the Lochaber Environmental Group (LEG), from transport to cooking, LEG is always working to provide cost-effective and sustainable ideas to Fort William.

 

Lesley Hawkins, a spokesperson for LEG told the Lochaber Times: "We want to help people to reduce their impact on the environment and do this in a number of ways."

 

The first of several projects LEG have on the go is The Bike Kitchen, where the group has worked to refurbish a huge range of bikes for Ukrainian refugees and people with little to no disposable income.

 

This scheme not only facilitates low cost access to cycling and transport, but also prevents the bikes from becoming landfill, which is a huge triumph as it is currently estimated a staggering 15 million bikes end up in landfill each year.

 

But LEG has not stopped there, Lesley Hawkins adds: "A library of e-bikes, tools, and accessories can be borrowed for free.

 

"Maintenance classes and Fix Your Own Bike sessions are available to teach people the skills required to keep their bikes running safely and smoothly.

 

"LEG urges people to get in touch to try an e-bike or learn to fix their existing bike."

 

LEG is also working alongside eight other organisations across the Highlands, coordinated by Keep Scotland Beautiful, focusing on the reduction of waste.

 

In conjunction with this, Lesley has recently partnered up with Lochaber Hope, Voluntary Action Lochaber, and UHI West Highland to provide access to two different four-week courses to aid people in reducing their food waste.

 

More information on these courses can be found under the Love Food Hate Waste Campaign, which also provides users with recipe ideas, pasta portioning measures, fridge/freezer thermometers and ideas on how people can use their freezer to help reduce food waste.

 

Of course, not all food waste is avoidable which is why LEG has set up composting classes for residents and provided access to their own flat-packed compost bins.

 

LEG not only helps residents with dealing with their food waste but also provides people with local and organic produce through their Food Lochaber scheme.

 

For more information visit lochaberenviro.org.uk,  www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/highland-community-waste-partnership and www.foodlochaber.org