Celebrate World Sustainability Day in Newcastle

On October 29th it will be World Sustainability Day. Around the world, individuals will be taking steps that can reduce their carbon footprint, increase their recycling and engage with their governments, councils and communities on how to take the best care of our planet for future generations. World Sustainability Day is also the ideal opportunity to take advantage of some of the sustainability initiatives in and around Newcastle. 

Green Street is an initiative aimed at supporting small businesses in becoming more sustainable, reducing their carbon footprint and becoming more planet friendly.

Green Street Newcastle Pioneers have signed the Green Street Manifesto, which means that they are pledging to reduce their energy consumption, prevent, recycle and reuse as much waste as possible, reducing the amount of packaging they use, eliminating as much single use plastic as possible, and stocking locally sourced and more sustainable products.

Green Street Newcastle Pioneers include businesses like Big River Bakery, Block & Bottle, Elder Beer, Flea Circus, Humphrey and Wilson, The Old Coal Yard, Ouesburn Farm and Tchibo Cafe. You can find the full list of Green Street Newcastle Pioneers here.

Newcastle City Council was one of eight Cycle Ambition Cities in England, and as such has a number of great cycle routes; perfect for getting outside and enjoying autumn. As part of the Streets for People project, we might also be seeing some more cycle routes across Heaton, Ouesburn, Jesmond, Arthur’s Hill and Fenham in the future.

If you want to get on your bike with some fellow cycling enthusiasts, you could join a Social Ride with Newcastle Cycle Campaign. Newcastle Cycle Campaign is an independent organisation advocating for safer cycling throughout Newcastle. On the second Friday of every month, they meet at Newcastle Civic Centre and cycle around 3 - 5 miles, ending up at a local pub.  

If you’re passionate about creating better cycling infrastructure, you could also consider joining the team as a Ward Champion for your local area, an Employer Champion in your workplace or a Community Champion across multiple areas. Newcastle Cycle Campaign are often looking for volunteers to support their cause.

Thanks to the Clean Air Zone, there’s never been a better time to ditch your car, and take a walk in the city. The Clean Air Zone, or CAZ, was introduced in January 2023. The initiative is designed to reduce illegal levels of pollution by charging those who use non-private vehicles that do not meet the required standards for emissions. The Clean Air Zone covers Newcastle and Gateshead, and since it was introduced in 2023, levels of nitrogen dioxide across Newcastle have dropped by 9%. 

If you’re still looking to upgrade your vehicle, there is funding available to help; taxis can get up to £3,500, wheelchair accessible taxis can get up to £4,000, light goods vehicles can get up to £4,500, and heavy goods vehicles, buses and coaches can get up to £16,000. You can use the UK Government’s online service to check whether you’re entitled to a grant.