This article could be a boring table of recycling figures for bin collection etc over the last few years but I think it is more interesting to look at other actions and support being put in place.
Food
The council works closely with Eastbourne Food Partnership on this. The Sustainable Food Places programme works across six key areas; promoting healthy and sustainable food to the public, tackling food poverty, diet related ill health and access to affordable healthy food, building community food knowledge, skills, resources and projects, promoting a vibrant and diverse sustainable food economy; transforming catering and food procurement, and reducing waste and the ecological footprint of the food system. Last year they held a Food Summit with many speakers and discussions looking at how food can impact on our lives and the eco environment.
Community Gardens in Eastbourne are encouraged and they are distinctly different across the borough. They are adapting to growing food in a changing climate. The gardens include a permaculture forest garden, a community allotment and Langney Community Centre Garden which is supported and facilitated by the council.
The future – A plan is coming into place to reduce food waste & increase recycling in Eastbourne with a new food waste collection service beginning in 2026. Capital funding has been provided for vehicles and receptacles. Funding for this is coming from Central Government.
The council is also planning to support initiatives that promote or enable low carbon and nature-friendly farming locally e.g. South East Downs Farm. Cluster by engaging with tenant farmers.
Waste
The council sends regular communications to residents via email and social media platforms to help encourage and educate the public on how to manage and reduce, reuse and recycle waste. The council employs a recycling and engagement officer to deliver workshops, talks, visit schools, events and organisations indeed he has visited Jenny Wren nursery to talk to the children. The engagement officer also supports litter picking groups across the town, helping with equipment and advice. He is able to address concerns and commonly fielded questions the public have and advice on how and where to recycle waste products.
Eastbourne Scrap Store – Langney Community Centre. Opened in October 2024, this is a place where residents can donate and buy cheap recycled arts and crafts materials. Volunteers sort the materials and offer low-cost workshops to learn new skills and make friends. This project has been supported by Environment First.
Plastic Free Eastbourne do a monthly beach clean every 2nd Sunday of the month from 2-4pm starting at 4 different locations in turn. This regular Beach Clean removes waste from the Eastbourne shoreline and helps raise awareness while recycling what they can.
The future – The aims include continuing to reduce waste & increase recycling by help develop local reuse and repair schemes which divert waste, for example Freegle, Freecycle, repair cafes etc.
Reducing litter for improved public spaces and thus reducing the risk of harm to wildlife. This will be done by collaborating with local and national partners, supporting their campaigns e.g. on disposable vapes, and through our own ‘Educate Remind Enforce’ campaign. Neighbourhood First will continue to hold local community litter picking events, run poster campaigns around dog waste, and the recently installed litter bin next to the pier for plastic bottle recycling bin provided in partnership with the charity Green Seas.
Following on from Gordon Harrison’s eco service on Sunday 26th October you might be interested to know that the Council is in talks with the Eden Project to establish a seed bank at a farm, on Beachy Head, that has suitable redundant barns.