Make a difference
At East Lothian Council, we provide high-quality services across one of Scotland's fastest growing areas.
In a challenging financial climate for all councils, we're working hard to continue delivering services efficiently and effectively as possible for the benefit of customers, while reducing inequalities and protecting and enhancing the environment.
Find out more about our Council Plan and vision
One of East Lothian's greatest strengths is our community spirit and strong partnership working. We want to continue harnessing this - enabling everyone, including existing and new residents - to play their part in, for example, keeping East Lothian clean and attractive and helping to tackle climate change.
Find out more about our Climate Change Strategy
Our Make a Difference campaign highlights how residents, groups and businesses can take simple steps to help us create the more sustainable and successful East Lothian we all want to see.
There are a number of ways in which you can get involved and help Make a Difference:
Get involved with a community group or volunteering
Volunteering is a great start to add to your skills, finding an opportunity that's right for you and giving something back to the community. Find out more volunteering opportunities in East Lothian.
Join our Citizen's Panel
The East Lothian Citizens' Panel is an important way for organisations such as the Council, NHS, Fire & Rescue Service and Police to gather feedback from local residents, helping them to plan and make improvements to the services they deliver. Find out more about how to get involved.
Reduce, reuse and recycle
Help cut the amount of waste produced in East Lothian by recycling as much as possible, reducing the amount of single-use items you buy, and reusing before buying new things. Recycling means the waste from your home can be put to good use - garden waste is turned into compost, food waste is used to produce energy and fertiliser, and paper, plastic, glass and metal are turned into new items. Find out more about recycling.
Cut your food waste
Reducing the amount of food you waste in particular can make a big difference. Scottish households throw away 630,000 tonnes of food waste every year according to Zero Waste Scotland. By planning your meals, shopping smartly and reducing your leftovers, you can cut your food waste and could save money too.
Shop locally for in-season food
Eating local, in-season food reduces the amount of food needing to be brought in from further afield. Food which hasn't had to travel far will have a lower carbon footprint, and you'll also be supporting local businesses and employment. Luckily East Lothian has lots of great local food businesses - you'll be spoiled for choice!
Make greener travel choices
Sometimes it seems easy to just jump in the car but if you're not going far, try walking or cycling instead. If it's a longer journey, try the bus or train. And if it's time to get a new car, switching to an electric vehicle can have a big impact on your carbon footprint. East Lothian's growing network of publicly available chargepoints means it's easier to top up when you're out and about.
Be energy savvy at home
Being careful not to waste energy at home can also save you money on your bills. Energy Saving Trust say turning your thermostat down by just one degree could save you £80 a year. You could also make savings by turning your appliances off instead of leaving them on standby, hanging clothes outside to dry instead of using the tumble dryer, and only filling your kettle with as much water as you need.
