Colchester Waste Recycling

Whether we like traffic it is inevitable and neccessary. Although the car is the biggest problem in the environment with regard to congestion, pollution, destroying the natural landscape and using up resources they are a neccesity in many areas. You will never get rid of the car but we can lessen the undesirable effects of them in the following ways.

Walk More

We don't walk enough anymore. If we all made an effort to walk more, particularly for journeys under a mile we would reduce car use in the UK by up to whopping 30 million journeys a week. Can you commit yourself to cutting out just one car journey a week of less than a mile. It could be walking to school or walking to the local shop to get your newspaper. Walking is a beneficial form of excercise so you may even feel & look healthier.

Cycle More

Nearly every form of transport has environmental consequences except the good old bike. So, feel free to use your bike whenever you like. A lot of money is being spent on cycle lanes throughout the country so please support them. In built up areas you will probably find it is much quicker to cycle than use public transport or the car for journeys of up to 5 miles as well. And you should feel fitter and healthier.

Use Public Transport More

Our public transport is not particularly good in the UK being both expensive and inconvenient in many cases. But when you can, please use public transport and support park and ride schemes. Don't forget that in Colchester you can buy a bus rover ticket for only £2 a day. It can cost you more than this for parking in the town centre and you will not have to walk to the car park or be stuck in the rush hour congestion.

Using your car more environmentally

1. If you use the car please ensure you use lead free petrol.

2. Get better mileage (& reduce polltion) by following these simple rules:

make sure your tyres are inflated to the correct pressure (this is up to 10% more fuel efficient) & check them once a fortnight & before long journeys. For safety ensure your tyres are in good condition, not worn or damaged, that the treads & tyre walls have no flaws or sharp objects in them.
drive smoothly anticipating road conditions and avoiding fast acceleration and sharp braking.
make your car as light as possible by emptying your boot of unneccessary items (every 45kg/ 100lbs of unneccessary weight reduces fuel efficiency by 1%).
drive at 55 mph (88 kmph) when it is safe to do so( this is the most fuel efficient speed to drive at & up to 25% more fuel efficient than at 70 mph).
get your car tuned each year (this gives up to a 5% fuel advantage).
use radial tyres (they are up to 4% more fuel efficient than cross-ply).
use quality oil & change it as often as the manufacturer recommends. (The better the quality the more fuel efficient your car will be as engine friction is reduced).

Post your ideas on transport and the environment in the forum. The best ideas will be added to this page.