Our approach to environmental sustainability

Overview of key findings from the Environmental sustainability consultation, July 2022.

Executive Summary

General

• A resident’s survey asking about sustainability ran throughout March 2022
• Participants were invited via email, and a link was published in our borough newsletter and via social media channels
• 1,079 responses were received, with a good spread across genders and age groups, although the youngest (18-24) were under-represented (13 out of a target of 90)
• 71% of respondents were homeowners in detached (37%) and semi-detached (34%) houses

Headline findings

Energy

• Good uptake of energy efficiency measures (insulation), less on low-carbon energy (green tariffs, heat pumps, solar)
• High awareness of heat pumps and solar but no plans to install, low awareness of green tariffs
• Main barrier to most home energy measures is cost, followed by perceived lack of ROI and not enough knowledge about how to implement
• Nearly half of respondents have high levels of confidence in making changes to their home to reduce energy use

Water

• Good uptake of some water measures (dual-flush toilets, water butts and water-efficient shower heads)
• Limited knowledge around flow-restrictors

Travel

• 38% typically (for shops/work/school) use a car, and 80% of cars are petrol or diesel (9% electric or hybrid-electric)
• 33% typically use active forms of transport (28% walking, 5% cycling), with 23% usually using public transport (15% train, 8% bus)
• The main barriers to purchasing electric vehicles are cost, range and availability of charge points

Waste

• 79% recycle all they can through the council; 66% use kerbside food waste recycling for all food waste (18% don’t use this service at all)

Garden

• 85% have a garden or courtyard area; more than half of respondents already do some form of ‘green gardening’; barriers include cost, lack of time or someone else’s responsibility

Demographics

Gender

Age

House type

Contact

Email: Sustainability@reigate-banstead.gov.uk