Watford Observer

A town with a high quality environment

The Sustainability Task Group began meeting in summer 2006 to develop ways to help Watford residents and businesses become more sustainable. The Watford Sustainability Promises were launched in December 2006, and the first half of 2007 saw the group focus on different issues such as recycling, water conservation and using the car less often. The next area of focus will be around finding out what support businesses in Watford need to become more sustainable. Look out for more information on that initiative here on this website.

Focus for June

Get on your bike! One Watford encourages residents to go green by cycling instead of using the car, as part of the town’s Bike Watford day on 24 June.

• On your bike in Watford town centre (27 June 2007)
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Focus for May

Pupils, parents and special guests put their best foot forward and joined in with Walk to School Week (21 – 25 May). On Wednesday 23 May, pupils from Field Infant School were joined on their walk by Mayor Dorothy Thornhill, Chair of One Watford, and a very special guest, to help remind everyone of the benefits of walking instead of driving to school every morning.

• We walked to school with Harry (30 May 2007)
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• Walk to school week – Reducing the school run (16 May 2007)
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Focus for April

Residents and businesses are encouraged to save water (and money!) by using a toilet hippo (supplied by Three Valleys Water) to reduce the amount of water used every time they flush.

• Rehydrate with a hippo (10 April 2007)

Focus for March

Watford residents have been offered subsidised home composters to help reduce waste and create compost for their gardens – and the first 100 to take up the offer will get their money back through the One Watford-funded cash back scheme.

• 100 free compost bins for Watford residents

Focus for February

For the first time in February 2007, One Watford supported two new Audentior awards which celebrate the achievements of community-spirited individuals and organizations in the town, and the addition of a Sustainable Living Award (for residents) and a Sustainable Workplace Award (for businesses, community groups and other organizations) demonstrates the importance of behaving in a sustainable way now to protect the future of the town. Find out more about the awards by downloading this leaflet and look out for details for the next round of awards in the new year.

• An awarding night for Watford residents (27th March 2007)

Focus for January

Become more energy efficient, and see the difference that it can make to the environment and your pocket.

• Illuminating energy efficiency in Watford (10th Jan 2007)

Focus for December

Reduce waste, reuse what you’ve finished with and recycle, not forgetting that after the festive period you can also recycle your Christmas cards and trees.

The launch of the Sustainability Promises was marked by the distribution of reusable biodegradable drawstring bags at Watford FC’s Club Shop by Mayor Dorothy Thornhill and Chairman of the Football Club Graham Simpson on Saturday 9 December. The bags were part of the focus for December on reducing waste and reusing or recycling materials.

• Saturday shoppers delighted with gift of reuseable bags (13th Dec 2006)
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