In Autumn of 2023 the Thornbury Benefice Eco Church team sent out an Eco Lifestyle survey. Here are the findings…….

Everyone (100%) is now using Energy saving light bulbs, reducing, reusing and recycling as much as possible and cutting down on food waste by freezing or reusing left overs.  Everyone also takes their own reusable bags when shopping - all issues which have been highlighted in Thornbury and nationally for many years so have obviously become second nature to us now. 

96% of people also donate and buy second hand clothes.

80% are using less plastic in the garden, composting their garden and kitchen waste and using a water butt. 

Only 8% of those who responded owned electric cars now, about half of the others were considering buying one.  Some were not car drivers. Other comments explained why they had not considered buying.

Checking our carbon foot print scored only 16% - probably because it can be a very complicated procedure on some websites – so something for Eco Champions to look into.

Difficulties were highlighted – e.g. in finding places to buy loose produce free from packaging.  Only 28% could do this at present although others were willing.  26% succeeded in buying refillable cleaning products.  Answers indicated that we need to promote where environmentally products can be bought. 

A big thank you to everyone who completed and returned the recent Lifestyle surveys.  This has helped the Eco Church team enormously. 

Particular thanks to those who added really useful comments.  We will be helping address some of the issues raised in the survey and continue to raise awareness and give practical advise when possible.