SAVE was launched in 1995. It was set up after the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, which encouraged governments and communities to work locally to improve their quality of life.

Since its launch, SAVE has helped to establish a range of community organisations and activities. It now has its own constitution and operates a system of grants and awards to recognise, reward and encourage environmental good practice in Aylesbury Vale.

The SAVE code

You can personally contribute to a better Aylesbury Vale by using the SAVE code.

SAVE is short for Support Aylesbury Vale’s Environment. Here’s what you can do to make a difference. The more people that use the code, the more effective we will be... together.

• SAVE on waste
  Reduce, re-use or re-cycle waste.
• SAVE on driving
  Walk, cycle or use public transport whenever possible.
• SAVE on resources
  Save energy, water and other precious resources around the home or workplace.
• SAVE on chemicals in food
  Buy organic food or grow your own.
• SAVE on transport of goods
  Buy local products.
• SAVE wildlife
  Protect trees, hedgerows, meadows or other habitats from destruction or chemical sprays.
• SAVE in responsible investments
  Use your money to buy products from or invest in responsible companies.
• SAVE in worthwhile groups
  Join organisations who are working for a better environment.
• SAVE by political means
  Lobby or use your vote to persuade Local and Central Government to make decisions which give the environment priority.
• SAVE by word of mouth
  Persuade friends in discussion, children through education and lead by example.

For detailed information about each one of the SAVE code categories above, and dozens of ideas of how you can use it, download the PDF file below.

SAVE’s mission statement

“ SAVE is our own Local Agenda 21 which endeavours to encourage sustainable personal lifestyles and community practices within Aylesbury Vale, which meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

What are SAVE’s goals?

The group’s objective is to achieve sustainability through:

• Education and awareness
• Practical actions and facilitating actions
• An annual SAVE month of events
• Recognition of best sustainable practice by making awards
• Promote and encourage sustainable practice by a grant scheme
• Influence the policies and plans of public bodies.

The aim of SAVE is to tackle those issues that have the greatest impact on quality of life for local residents in Aylesbury Vale.

To ensure that the group remains focused, SAVE’s activities are divided into priority areas:

• Waste
• Transport
• Wildlife and nature conservation
• Planning and land use (including renewable energy and sustainable construction)

SAVE is a personal approach to environmental care. Its ethic is that if we all make small changes to our own lifestyle we can ultimately deliver big benefits for the environment.

What has SAVE achieved?

Since its launch SAVE has helped to establish a range of environmental initiatives and community organisations. SAVE successes include:

• Setting up the Aylesbury Reuse and Recycling Centre, which helps to reduce the amount of waste that is disposed of to landfill
• Establishing Furniture Aid, which reconditions unwanted furniture for use by residents in need of low cost furniture
• Setting up DuckLETS, a local exchange and trading system that trades in skills and knowledge without the exchange of money
• Events including countryside walks and environmental theatre
• The "Out of the Bin" waste education project
• Delivery of SAVE grants and awards to celebrate and encourage sustainability projects

Each year SAVE co-ordinates a number of activities on environmental themes as part of SAVE Month. Ranging from wildlife walks and composting promotions for local residents to environmental theatre and the Recycled Clothes Show for schools, these activities draw together a host of organisations to enhance their promotional activities.

SAVE awards and grants

SAVE grants are awarded to help local residents to establish and run community-based environmental projects.

You may feel, given some support, you (or a local group you are involved in) could initiate or develop a project, which would benefit both your community and the local environment.

SAVE grants offer financial assistance of up to £2000 to assist and encourage such community projects.

SAVE awards are given to local residents who have brought about significant environmental or community benefit.

The awards seek to identify and promote local activity which results in a lasting environmental protection or improvement. This may include:

• community improvements resulting in a better quality of life,
• activity resulting in increased awareness or changed behaviour,
• or a simple everyday action or decision which results in a lasting environmental improvement.

To find out more on either (or both) SAVE initiatives please click here for an online request form.

Date Updated: 05/03/08