Here are this month’s green sharings – provided by St Ives Eco Café:
1 Banning Wet Wipes containing plastic – The UK Government is introducing the ban in May 2027 with the aim of reducing plastic pollution in drains, sewers, rivers, seas and the wider environment. The change is particularly relevant to products such as baby wipes, cosmetic wipes and household cleaning wipes, but not wet wipes as a whole. See the details on the Government and Water UK websites. Good news but fewer exemptions are still needed.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/plastic-wet-wipes-ban
https://www.water.org.uk/news-views-publications/views/one-year-go-upcoming-ban-plastic-wet-wipes
2 A first for recognising ‘Rights for Trees’ – Lewes, in East Sussex, Town Council has adopted a charter for the rights of all trees, granting the trees several rights, including the right to life, to flourish, to be restored and complete natural life cycles. It encompasses hedgerows, woodlands and forests as well as individual trees. See more details in these two links.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwvgy1rpr4r2o
https://www.forestryjournal.co.uk/news/26550520.lewes-becomes-first-recognise-rights-trees/
3 Participate in a survey about flooding along the River Great Ouse – we have been approached direct from a PhD student, Megan Hatton, at the University of Nottingham, who is undertaking a hydrology research project and would appreciate you taking her survey about your own past flooding experiences as well as current and future flood risks in St Ives. Here is the link and her contact details if you have queries. It would be good to give feedback and help her research.
https://nottingham.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eg7NDEvdTh2STps?Q_CHL=qr
4 National Emergency Briefing screening, Histon on 4 November – as yet not another screening in St Ives so here are details of one at St Andrew’s Centre in Histon at 7.00pm, see details including booking details.
https://www.standrewscentre.org.uk/events/peoples-emergency-briefing/
5 How to live on earth – a new film narrated by Benedict Cumberbatch, that explores our vital connection to nature and its role in our future. The film presents a hopeful vision of a future within reach, one in which nature thrives as well as us. We do need optimism. You can watch it on YouTube via the link.
https://howtoliveonearth.net/about
https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2026/sep/15/benedict-cumberbatch-how-to-live-on-earth-obama-venison?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other