Features

	NORTHFIELD ECOCENTRE BUILDING Northfield Ecocentre, owned by the Central England Quakers used to be a second hand bookshop. Since the tenant handed back the lease the building has been completely refurbished & designed to be as energy efficient as possible. We are monitoring our building use to find out our impact on the environment. We have a range of data monitors for this purpose and are developing our energy policy. Everything we do is a working demonstration to find out what works and what is practical to produce less carbon. Here are some of the features of our building. To find out more come to visit us.
	Sustainable Christmas Tips We are here to help you to save energy, reduce waste and spend less money this Christmas. 1. Christmas Trees: Don’t use artificial trees, yes, you can reuse them, but they are plastic, non recyclable, and have probably been shipped great distances! Instead why not plant your own Christmas tree and pot it for Christmas, and use it every year. Make sure you choose one with roots. 2. Recycle and reuse your wrapping paper and Christmas cards. Avoid buying glossy or foil wrapping paper as this is more difficult to recycle. Why not send an e-card instead? It’s free and they can be personalised. 3. Make your own wrapping paper: You can also make your own wrapping paper from brown bags or butcher paper and clippings from newspapers and magazines. You can decorate it further with sponge or rubber stamps dipped in paint. Let children draw pictures on the wrapping paper for a fun, personalised look. 4. Recycle: Over 80,000 tonnes of old clothes will be thrown away this Christmas as people get new wardrobes as presents! Make sure you give your old clothes to a charity shop. 5. Go organic: Buy an organic turkey, and local products as much as possible for your Christmas dinner, to minimise your carbon footprint. Farmers markets sell great food produce that is locally sourced. Use our LOAF (Local, Organic, Animal-friendly, Fairtrade) recipes to create a delicious and sustainable Christmas dinner. 6. Don't waste your leftovers: After dinner either freeze or compost the leftovers, don’t just throw them out. 7.Turn your lights off: Turn off your Christmas tree lights when you go out. Lights left on for 10 hours per day over the 12 days of Christmas releases enough CO2 to inflate 12 balloons! Try switching to LED lights, or installing more energy efficient light bulbs in your home to offset the extra energy usage. 8. Presents! Buy local or buy less. Buying locally not only reduces your carbon footprint (4000 tonnes of products are shipped from China each Christmas) but you are also helping the local community. Do you have to buy gifts? Why not buy an experience, such as cinema tickets, club memberships, gift tokens etc. Everything that’s made has a carbon footprint, why not get someone the ultimate indulgent gift of a massage, facial or spa treat. 9. Turn down your thermostat by a few degrees and put on a Christmas jumper! 10. When you go Christmas shopping, take the bus or the train and take old bags with you, instead of using new ones.
	AIR SOURCE HEAT PUMP Extracts heat from the outside air, & uses it to warm our building. It is three times more efficient than an electric fire.
	SOLAR PANEL. Saves money & reduces carbon by using the sun to heat our water.
	INSULATION Saves us money by reducing heat loss through our walls, ceiling, windows & floor. The average Birmingham semi spent £850 on gas in 2008: £150 on hot water and £700 on heating. If you are looking to take the first step in reducing your own carbon dioxide emissions and saving yourself money INSULATE FIRST. Heat loss comparisons: Windows 10% heat loss = £70 per year lost Doors & droughts 15% heat loss = £100 per year lost Roof 25% = £180 per year lost Walls 35% = £250 per year lost Floor 15% = £100 per year lost

Northfield Ecocentre is owned by The Central England Area Quaker Meeting Charities

Registered Charity Number 224571