Who we are
Greener Kirkcaldy is a voluntary organisation and independent environmental charity established in 2009 to advise people in the Kirkcaldy area on various environmental issues including energy efficiency, micro-renewables, sustainable transport, waste reduction and recycling, water efficiency and sustainable consumption.
Through its work the organisation aims to raise an awareness of people's environmental impact, help to address climate change and promote good practice. The organisation operates through an environmental advice centre which is based in town's High Street.
Greener Kirkcaldy has four paid employees and six committed volunteers, all of whom have an interest in environmental issues and tackling climate change. They also have assistance from other volunteers on a casual basis.
What we do
The aim of Greener Kirkcaldy is to help local people reduce their carbon footprint, reduce their fuel bills and to promote environmentally friendly choices.
The Environmental Advice Centre was established in 2009 after obtaining over £200,000 from the Scottish Government Climate Challenge Fund. The centre provides an extensive range of resources and information on environmental issues and how people can reduce their impact on the environment.
In addition, the staff and volunteers conduct a range of community engagement activities, providing a range of workshops and talks to community groups, clubs, societies and schools, on three key themes:
- Energy Smart Thinking: help to access energy efficiency measures, grants and offers, opportunities to consult an expert on renewable energy, borrow a 'smart reader' to help reduce electricity bills
- Eco-Friendly Food Choices: help to find out where to buy local produce, exchange information with others who grow their own food
- Greener Transport Options: help to learn more about money-saving options such as car-sharing and eco-driving, help to inspire people to get fitter and more healthy by walking and cycling
Greener Kirkcaldy works closely with other local and national groups with an interest in the environment including Fife Council, the Fife Diet, the Energy Saving Trust and Transition Scotland.
The group's recent events have included a 'wild food walk', a guided walk through Beveridge Park with over 20 local people, where they learned to identify and use a range of wild foods including wild garlic and nettles. They have also provided a free bike maintenance workshop designed to help encourage people to get back on their bikes for summer.
What next?
Greener Kirkcaldy is currently planning a series of re-skilling workshops, covering a range of low-carbon and community capacity-building topics, and designed to appeal to a wide range of the local population - not just the usual suspects. Subjects are likely to include - jam-making, keeping chickens, bread-making, basic gardening techniques (in collaboration with Kirkcaldy Allotment Group), knitting, basic sewing and clothes repair.
The group is also in talks with Fife Council about the creation of a community orchard in the town, and has some other exciting food-related project ideas in the pipeline.
Contact details
For more information on Greener Kirkcaldy, please contact:
Greener Kirkcaldy Advice Centre
222 High Street
Kirkcaldy
Fife
Phone: 01592 858458
Email: info@greenerkirkcaldy.org.uk
Website: www.greenerkirkcaldy.org.uk