Householders in the Highlands are invited to take part in the Smart Living event taking place at the Eastgate shopping Centre on 7th and 8th May.

The event will showcase information, demonstrations, displays and shows on a wide range of “green” issues, from food waste to energy, furniture recycling to nappies.

Local groups taking part are RoWAN, New Start Highland, New Start Bikes, The Highland Council, The Real Nappy Project, Energy Saving Trust and RoWAN Master Composter Scheme all involved in a programme of interactive displays, demonstrations and talks with the grand finale, a real nappy fashion show starring lots of cute tots in cool real nappies.

New Start Highland, who support homeless people through the provision of donated furniture, will have a living room setting on display to show people that what they donate can be re-used to help give someone else a new start in life and will hold a charity auction of the items on display.

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The local Energy Saving Trust are challenging us to be greener drivers with their eco-driving simulator, which gives an effective, hands-on experience of how eco-driving techniques can save you fuel and money, whilst reducing your Co2 emissions. In addition to free energy saving advice they will also be giving away free energy efficient products.

The Highland Council will have their Waste Aware vehicle on display in Falcon Square with a “mountain of black bags” to illustrate the average amount of waste thrown out each year by a family.

Staff will be on hand to give advice on how to reduce, reuse and recycle our waste, in addition to promoting the national Love Food Hate Waste campaign, which highlights the shocking statistic that Scottish households throw out 570,000 tonnes of food and drink each year, most of which could have been avoided if it had been planned, stored or prepared better. In an average household this equates to £430 every year and for families with children it rises to £550, a significant chunk of the family budget, so why not visit the stall for lots of hints, tips and recipes to help you cut down your waste and save money.

RoWAN Master Composters will be inviting the public to undertake the ‘Compost Challenge’ and win a composting advice tea towel and view the Amazing Travelling Worm Circus. They will also have a display a range of government subsidised compost bins in Falcon Square with local Master Composter volunteers on hand to answer questions and provide advice on home composting and explain why choosing peat free compost is an important decision gardeners can take to help combat climate change.

Over the two days it is hoped that visitors to the Eastgate shopping centre will learn how to reduce their waste by making a few simple changes and choices which can not only help them save money but will also help the environment.

(GK)