Our Green Future: Council take huge steps towards improving environment

In the Our Green Future report, considered by Cabinet last night, the Council evidenced their commitment to the green agenda, with detailed progress updates on the waste strategy, net zero and the natural environment.  

The Report included updates on some of the physical changes that have been made, including replacing 94% of the street lighting in the borough to LED, a more renewable source of energy and grant funding to decarbonise council buildings.  

On top of this, extensive works have been carried out across Grimsby and Immingham to improve drainage and reduce flood risk. The Sustainable Urban Drainage Scheme (SUDS), also promotes the growth of wildflowers and is part of a wider programme led by Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). The scheme is being carried out over six years with further SUDS being installed.

Funding received from the Forestry Commission was used to support the ‘Greening Up Our Place’ Project supported community led tree planting across the borough. . , 416 trees were planted in 2023 / 24, with a further 400 trees planted in 2024/25 across 10 tree planting events.  

The Council also made a successful grant application to the National Lottery Heritage Fund to develop and deliver a successful partnership project centred around protecting and enhancing Cleethorpes Saltmarsh. The DUNE Project will also look to educate younger generations on the vital role the saltmarsh plays to protect us from the impacts of climate change and the wildlife that inhabit it.

Aside from the work within the Council, the report also acknowledged the efforts across the borough to support the wider green agenda. This includes projects centred around skills, transport, housing and flooding, all made possible through strong partnership working.  

Waste Services have also made huge steps towards achieving their environmental goals  through effective management of waste disposal, reduced waste to landfill and an improved use of the Community Recycling Centres (CRCs).

There has been an overall reduction in domestic waste since 2020 with only 35 tonnes of waste being sent to landfill in 2024. Operating at below 1% for waste sent to landfill, this is well below the 2030 target and the lowest amount ever seen in a year for the borough.

2024 also saw an increase in the number of visitors to the CRC. visits increased by 11,764 to a total of 223,981 visits at the CRC sites using the site for recycling plastic, cardboard, general waste and even mattresses.

Councillor Henry Hudson, Portfolio Holder for Environment and Net Zero, said: “This report is proof that this Council and its partners are dedicated to making the borough a greener and more environmentally friendly place to live and work”.