Exeter City Council, GB

Exeter City Council, GB converts hard-to-recycle plastic waste into park benches

Exeter collects plastic waste including bags and films from household collections, street cleaning, and beach sweeping. The city's Materials Reclamation Facility granulates the plastics and delivers materials to Circular11 for the construction of park benches. City officials note that the benches can be recycled at the end of their useful lives. This project introduces low-value waste into Exeter's circular economy efforts and offers a blueprint for other councils.

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Exeter City Council, GB

United Kingdom

Exeter City Council, GB and regional manufacturers turn beach plastics into new products

Project partner Odyssey Innovation added The Muncher Cruncher to the city's Materials Reclamation Facility. This machine turns collected beach plastics into pellets for reuse in consumer products. Exeter supplies pellets to Circular & Co. for the production of a reusable coffee cup made from 50% recycled plastic. Half of all sales go to a local group that recovers unclaimed fishing gear from beaches. Plymplastics also receives processed beach plastic for the production of the E-comb.

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Exeter City Council, GB

United Kingdom

Exeter City Council, GB undertakes Green Homes Initiative for energy-efficient council homes

Existing council homes in Exeter are undergoing renovations to meet higher efficiency standards. The Green Homes Initiative installs new insulation, windows, and doors that prevent heat loss during winter. Council teams add features like rooftop solar panels, on-site batteries, and ground-source heat pumps for low-emission energy usage. City officials will also use these features in new council homes in its effort to reach carbon neutrality by 2030.

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Exeter City Council, GB

United Kingdom

Exeter City Council, GB builds Sidwell Studios to address housing shortage for young residents

City officials are working with YMCA Exeter to convert an abandoned warehouse into a 26-unit apartment community. These affordable studios are intended for young adults who represent a significant portion of housing waitlists. Sidwell Studios hosts job training from St. Sidwell's Community Centre as well as a communal garden. Exeter is working with the local police's Designing Out Crime unit on measures like bike lockers and cameras to protect residents.

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Exeter City Council, GB

United Kingdom

Exeter City Council, GB works with other councils on district heating network using renewable energy

Exeter City, Teignbridge District, and Devon County Councils are partnering on the project. The Viridor Exeter Energy Recovery Facility will burn non-recyclable energy for heat sent to 2,500 new homes in South West Exeter. These homes will not need gas-powered boilers that will be banned by the national government for new developments in 2025. The district heating network will cut carbon emissions for the development by 70%.

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Exeter City Council, GB

United Kingdom

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Teignbridge District Council, GB

United Kingdom

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Exeter City Council, GB kicks off Passivhaus council home initiative for more sustainable living

City-owned Exeter City Living built nine council homes in Whipton that are compliant with Passivhaus standards. Council leaders plan to build at least 500 Passivhaus homes throughout the city by 2025. Passivhaus homes use features like exhaust heat recovery, passive climate control, and floor insulation to reduce energy costs. Exeter's push for new council homes reduces household emissions in a more cost-effective way than retrofitting older buildings.

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Exeter City Council, GB

United Kingdom

Exeter City Council, GB collaborates with Chamber of Commerce on Exeter Works job support portal

Exeter Works is an easy-to-use website that supports local job seekers and employers. Professionals find local and national resources to develop new skills and shift gears after redundancies. Employers learn how to find qualified applicants, financing, and support services in a challenging economy. A section for residents aged 16 to 24 connects to trainee opportunities, apprenticeships, and a youth training hub.

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Exeter City Council, GB

United Kingdom