Draft plans for nature’s recovery across Cheshire & Warrington launched

A draft Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) for Cheshire and Warrington has been published recently, with a vision to help wildlife thrive, improve our ecological network, to target investment in nature, help the area adapt to climate change and improve places where we live and work. Residents, organisations and businesses are encouraged to review the plan and share their views before Monday, 31 March 2025 through an online survey. There are also a number of drop-in sessions taking place throughout the borough.

Read more about the LNRS and drop-in sessions

New regulations require businesses to separate recyclable materials from general waste

From 31 March 2025 businesses in England will need to separate recyclable materials, including glass, metal and plastic, cardboard and paper, and food waste as a dedicated collection. The new guidelines apply to all businesses, healthcare establishments and academic institutions but small businesses with fewer than ten full-time employees are temporarily exempt until the 31st March 2027

Support for businesses around the new regulations

Explore green careers during National Careers Week

National Careers Week takes place between 3 – 8 March 2025 and provides an opportunity to explore the growing career paths within the green sector. With a national commitment by the Government to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, the demand for skilled professionals in sustainable industries is rapidly increasing. Find out about the local opportunities in west Cheshire as we aim to reach our local net-zero targets.

Find out more

Get involved with the Great British Spring Clean 

The Council is promoting Keep Britain Tidy’s Great British Spring Clean campaign , which takes place from 21 March to 6 April, with the Your Streets team organising a number of litter picking events across the borough during this period. Residents can pledge to pick up a bag of litter – or more, by joining one of the organised events or borrowing one of the borough’s litter picking toolkits.

Find out more and how to get involved

Chester Green Weekend 2025: A celebration of sustainability

Chester Green Weekend is back for its second year, transforming Chester city centre into a hub of sustainability during 7 – 8 June 2025. The festival will include interactive workshops, engaging events and hands-on experiences designed to show how we can all live more sustainably. If you are a business or organisation passionate about sustainability there are a range of ways to get involved. 

Find out more about this year’s event

Devolution Minister sees great opportunity in visit to Cheshire and Warrington

Local Government and English Devolution minister, Jim McMahon, visited Ellesmere Port earlier this month, meeting with the leaders of Cheshire East Council, Cheshire West and Chester Council and Warrington Council. Whilst in the town, the Minister visited Cheshire College South and West’s Ellesmere Port campus, meeting learners and staff and hearing more about their on-site eco-house which gives students hands-on experience with sustainable technologies.

Read more about the visit

Have your say on sustainability in Chester

Eco Communities and Chester Residents Association are assisting a University of Chester student to gather important insights on sustainability in Chester. The BA International Tourism Management student is conducting a research project focusing on resident priorities for sustainable development in the city. This research will also contribute to the Chester One City Plan and Chester Tourism Plan, helping shape a greener and more sustainable future for all. The questionnaire, open until 14 March 2025, provides you with an opportunity to share your views on this important topic.

Find out more about the research and complete the questionnaire 

Share your views on The Mersey Forest’s latest plan before 2 March

The Mersey Forest, Cheshire and Merseyside’s Community Forest, is developing their new Forest Plan, shaping their work for years to come as they support people, nature and climate. You can view the plan on their website and share your views through a short online survey until Sunday 2 March. Your feedback will help refine the plan to better enrich people’s lives and livelihoods, help nature flourish and strengthen climate resilience.

View the plan and have your say

Student and staff research day focuses on sustainability

Students and academics at the University of Chester shared ideas and best practice on sustainability at a research day recently, when the internationally significant research profile of the Faculty of Science, Business and Enterprise was showcased. From playing a lead role in industrial decarbonisation research, to the conservation of endangered species, to advanced and sustainable engineering covering renewable energy, the Faculty’s diverse array of pioneering research is leading the way to a sustainable future. 

Read more about the research day

Grant funding for £58m waste plastics recycling facility given green light

Funding has been approved for a new plastics recycling facility in Ellesmere Port which is set to create 80 full time jobs and inject £4.5m a year into the Cheshire economy. Cheshire Joint Committee approved a £1m grant application from specialist polyethylene terephthalate (PET) recycling company Enviroo, backed by infrastructure asset manager Reichmuth Infrastructure, to deliver a £58m facility at Peel NRE’s £165m Protos Plastic Park.

Find out more about the new recycling facility