Bee-keeping, smoothie bikes and seed swaps - Stockton's new Environment Fair comes to town

Pedal for power on the smoothie bike, pick up some wildflower seeds, and get advice and tips on how to live and travel more sustainably - all of this and more will be on offer at Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council's new Environment Fair next weekend.

The debut fair takes place at the High Street Car Park North on Stockton High Street from 9.30am to 3pm on Saturday, 15 June, where people can speak to a range of Council services and green organisations aiming to be more environmentally friendly, improve biodiversity and promote sustainability.

The special event is part of national Great Big Green Week which celebrates community action to tackle climate change and protect nature.

Reuben Kench, the Council's Director of Community Services, Environment and Culture, said: "The Council is always looking for ways to reduce our carbon footprint and do all we can to help fight climate change in Stockton-on-Tees, but we can only do that collectively with people across the Borough. The Environment Fair will host a range of organisations with information and fun activities for people to learn more about reducing their own carbon footprint and living more sustainably - plus there's also going to be information on walking and cycling routes, as well as electric cars for anyone looking into greener travel options.

"It's the first event of its kind in Stockton so I'd really encourage people to come down for the day and meet the different stallholders."

More than 20 organisations, charities and Council services will be in attendance.

Here's what's on:

Stallholders

• Bright Minds Big Futures (BMBF)
• Catalyst
• Cleveland Beekeepers Association - demo hive, candle rolling, bee-themed arts and crafts
• Climate Coalitions
• Co-Op
• Ecologico - shop and refill household items such as dried foods and cleaning products.
• The Council's Environmental Health Team
• The Council's Environment Team - get information on home energy efficiency and funding for new boilers and other home energy improvements. 
• Festival of Thrift Fix It Café on Silver Street - bring something to fix and the café's experienced fixers will help you 'find your fix'. From kitchen appliances, analogue electronics, hi-fi's, garden tools, cameras and more! 
• Groundwork NEC - arts and crafts, seed potting
• Inspiron Learning - learn about hydrogen cars
• J&B Recycling
• KIA electric vehicles
• Kit Out the Borough children's sports clothes donations.
• Litter picking groups - get information about the groups' work and find out how to join.
• Parks & Green Spaces - wildflower seed giveaway, walking routes and information on the Borough's green spaces.
• Stockton District Advice and Information Service (SDAIS)
• Sow Northern - seed swap, games and planting activities.
• Stronger Shores - get information on this North-East led project working to make British coastlines and communities stronger in the face of flooding, coastal erosion and climate change.
• Sustrans - smoothie bike, Dr. Bike bicycle safety check, route-planning, and route maps. Find out about activities and events to get into active travel.
• Tees Valley Fairtrade - purchase a range of Fairtrade crafted items.
• Tees Valley Wildlife Trust - get information about the charity and membership details.
• Fairer Stockton-on-Tees - school uniform collection, community food and Here to Help cost of living advice and support.

Uniform drop-off

Make a difference to parents and carers by dropping off new or unwanted, washed school uniforms at the Environment Fair.

All donations will help the A Fairer Stockton-on-Tees team to stock a pop-up, free pre-loved school uniform shop at the Going for Gold Summer Family Fun Day on Stockton High Street on Saturday 20 July.

The uniforms will help families meet the costs of kitting their children out for the next academic year.

Are you a business owner? Join Stockton Business Climate Coalition

Show your commitment to helping the Borough achieve net zero by 2050 by joining Stockton's business climate coalition.

Stockton's Remember Me Tea Rooms and Thai restaurant Tuk Tuk In are just a couple of the retailers which are joining the fight against climate change. 

Tuk Tuk In's owner, Sopee Harris said: "At Tuk Tuk, we are trying to make our restaurant better for the town and planet. Thanks to the help from Stockton BID and support from the Council, we have started to use real plants, stopped using single-use cutlery, and are changing how we recycle. These are small steps, but we feel are important for our community. We encourage other businesses in Stockton to join us in this effort to create a greener town centre. Hopefully all businesses can work together for a sustainable future."

Businesses can sign up on the day and will receive a window sticker to display.

For more information about the Environment Fair visit the Stockton-on-Tees Environment Fair webpage.

Do your bit by recycling at home!

Remember you can also do your bit for the environment by recycling at home. From batteries to aluminium foil and even telephone directories, residents livingacross the Borough can recycle many household items. For more information on what you can recycle and to find out your waste and recycling days, visit Council's 'what can I recycle?' webpage.

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