Latest news with #sustainableLiving
BBC News
08-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Construction in Wolverhampton of energy efficient homes begins
The construction of more than 20 new energy-efficient council houses in Wolverhampton is under way, the authority detached houses, bungalows and flats at the rear of Old Fallings Crescent in Low Hill are to have electric vehicle charging points and solar homes will also have timber frames, which reduces the carbon footprint and energy consumption, the council 24 homes are part of the latest phase of more than 80 new council properties being introduced in the city. The two, four and five bedroom homes are being built to future adaptability standards and the bungalows to wheelchair standards, the authority development has been supported by a £1.74m grant from Homes Steve Evans, deputy leader and cabinet member for housing, said he was pleased to see the timber frames being erected at the site."This development helps address the local area's housing needs by providing a variety of council homes that will enhance the surrounding neighbourhood and foster a vibrant and inclusive community." Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Zawya
08-07-2025
- Health
- Zawya
"HKL Care Reward Club Program" Launches
A New Rewards Program Themed at "Sustainable Healthy Living" Providing a Wide Variety of Health Information, Games, Rewards and Latest Offers HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 8 July 2025 - Hong Kong Life is committed to raising public awareness on healthy living and is now proud to announce the launch of the "HKL Care Reward Club Program" ("the Program"), a rewards program centered around the concept of sustainable healthy living. The Program provides users with a variety of health information, games, rewards and the latest promotion offers, encouraging the public to enhance their physical and mental well-being while establishing sustainable healthy habits. Participants can also earn HKL Care Points to redeem diverse rewards, stepping to healthy living with more fun. Registration for the "HKL Care Reward Club Program" is completely free. The public can access the Program's webpage ( and scan the designated QR code of the Program for free registration in Hong Kong Life's official WhatsApp account. Upon successful registration, users can participate in periodic mini-missions to earn HKL Care Points, which can be directly redeemed for rewards within WhatsApp, including e-Coupons of merchants and health-related benefits. Sign Up Now for the "HKL Care Reward Club Program" and May Enjoy Multiple Rewards: Welcome Reward: First-time registrants will receive a welcome reward of 2,000 HKL Care Points Limited Reward: Complete a simple survey on or before 31 July 2025 to receive an additional 200 HKL Care Points "Care Reward Birth Celebration Bonus": To mark the launch of the Program, the first 3,800 users who successfully register, will receive a HK$10 7-Eleven e-cash voucher. E-cash vouchers are available while stocks last. "HKL Care Reward Club" Program: Complete mini missions anytime anywhere to earn the Points Participate in mini missions via WhatsApp on mobile and earn points with ease Accumulate the Points for Rewards Redeem the choice of rewards with HKL Care Points Exclusive Rewards and Updates Receive fabulous rewards and real-time updates on mobile device Birthday Treats Enjoy a bonus of HKL Care Points during the birthday month as a thoughtful gift for the special day. Mr. Jonathan Ko, Chief Marketing Officer of Hong Kong Life, said, "In recent years, people have become more health conscious. Maintaining sustainable healthy living not only requires self-discipline but also mutual encouragement among peers. As a life partner, Hong Kong Life has always committed to raising public awareness of healthy living, launching various promotional campaigns and sponsored activities, to highlight the importance of physical and mental health. The design of the 'HKL Care Reward Club Rewards Program' aims to make health information accessible while allowing users to accumulate points through interactive mini-missions and the point-based system, adding fun to their health journey and moving towards sustainable living. We will continue to introduce more engaging missions and exciting rewards soon." Sign up now to start earning the Points and receive the latest offers! "HKL Care Reward Club Program" is subject to the terms and condition. Please refer to for details. Hashtag: #HongKongLife #HKLCareRewardClub The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. About Hong Kong Life Established in 2001, Hong Kong Life Insurance Limited ("Hong Kong Life") was founded by five local financial institutions including Asia Insurance Company Limited, Chong Hing Bank Limited, CMB Wing Lung Bank Limited, OCBC Bank (Hong Kong) Limited and Shanghai Commercial Bank Limited, which laid their foundations and have been serving people in Hong Kong for more than 50 years in average. Through our extensive network of around 130 distribution points comprising Chong Hing Bank, CMB Wing Lung Bank, OCBC Bank (Hong Kong) and Shanghai Commercial Bank, we offer an integrated one-stop service of insurance and financial planning to customers. Hong Kong Life Insurance Limited
Malay Mail
08-07-2025
- Health
- Malay Mail
"HKL Care Reward Club Program" Launches
A New Rewards Program Themed at "Sustainable Healthy Living" Providing a Wide Variety of Health Information, Games, Rewards and Latest Offers Welcome Reward: First-time registrants will receive a welcome reward of 2,000 HKL Care Points First-time registrants will receive a welcome reward of Limited Reward: Complete a simple survey on or before 31 July 2025 to receive an additional 200 HKL Care Points Complete a simple survey on or before 31 July 2025 to receive an "Care Reward Birth Celebration Bonus": To mark the launch of the Program, the first 3,800 users who successfully register, will receive a HK$10 7-Eleven e-cash voucher. E-cash vouchers are available while stocks last. Complete mini missions anytime anywhere to earn the Points Accumulate the Points for Rewards Exclusive Rewards and Updates Birthday Treats HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 8 July 2025 - Hong Kong Life is committed to raising public awareness on healthy living and is now proud to announce the launch of the "HKL Care Reward Club Program" ("the Program"), a rewards program centered around the concept of sustainable healthy living. The Program provides users with a variety of health information, games, rewards and the latest promotion offers, encouraging the public to enhance their physical and mental well-being while establishing sustainable healthy habits. Participants can also earn HKL Care Points to redeem diverse rewards, stepping to healthy living with more for the "HKL Care Reward Club Program" is completely free. The public can access the Program's webpage () and scan the designated QR code of the Program for free registration in Hong Kong Life's official WhatsApp account. Upon successful registration, users can participate in periodic mini-missions to earn HKL Care Points, which can be directly redeemed for rewards within WhatsApp, including e-Coupons of merchants and health-related in mini missions via WhatsApp on mobile and earn points with easeRedeem the choice of rewards with HKL Care PointsReceive fabulous rewards and real-time updates on mobile deviceEnjoy a bonus of HKL Care Points during the birthday month as a thoughtful gift for the special Jonathan Ko, Chief Marketing Officer of Hong Kong Life, said, "In recent years, people have become more health conscious. Maintaining sustainable healthy living not only requires self-discipline but also mutual encouragement among peers. As a life partner, Hong Kong Life has always committed to raising public awareness of healthy living, launching various promotional campaigns and sponsored activities, to highlight the importance of physical and mental health. The design of the 'HKL Care Reward Club Rewards Program' aims to make health information accessible while allowing users to accumulate points through interactive mini-missions and the point-based system, adding fun to their health journey and moving towards sustainable living. We will continue to introduce more engaging missions and exciting rewards soon."Sign up now to start earning the Points and receive the latest offers!"HKL Care Reward Club Program" is subject to the terms and condition. Please refer tofor #HongKongLife #HKLCareRewardClub The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. About Hong Kong Life Established in 2001, Hong Kong Life Insurance Limited ("Hong Kong Life") was founded by five local financial institutions including Asia Insurance Company Limited, Chong Hing Bank Limited, CMB Wing Lung Bank Limited, OCBC Bank (Hong Kong) Limited and Shanghai Commercial Bank Limited, which laid their foundations and have been serving people in Hong Kong for more than 50 years in average. Through our extensive network of around 130 distribution points comprising Chong Hing Bank, CMB Wing Lung Bank, OCBC Bank (Hong Kong) and Shanghai Commercial Bank, we offer an integrated one-stop service of insurance and financial planning to customers.
The Sun
07-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
I'm a super-saver who pockets £600 a MONTH with easy cost-cutting hacks… it's amazing what people will give you for free
A SUPER scrimper manages to save herself £600 a month with her savvy lifestyle. To maintain her tight budget, she grows 85% of the food she eats, and even furnished her entire home for free. 4 4 4 Sharon Shaw, 58 is proud to have cut her expenses to just over £300 a month. It's part of a lifestyle that means not spending money on anything that isn't essential. This included furnishing her home in Chorley, Lancashire, for free using Facebook Marketplace. She even bagged herself a TV, sofa and king-sized bed worth £400. She bought her four-bedroom home for just £21,500 in 1987, and paid off the mortgage in 2015. The currently-unemployed mum-of-four has managed to cut her expenses to just £300 a month. This includes £118 for gas, electric and water bills, while she spends just £40 on food she hasn't grown or got for free on the Olio app, as she otherwise shops in the reduced section. She said: "I don't buy anything - everything is mostly free in my home. "I use sites like Facebook Marketplace and food apps like Olio, which have changed my life. It's amazing, and you'd be surprised what you can get for free. To cut down on food costs, she grows most of her own produce in an allotment, doesn't buy takeaways, and gets any remaining essentials from the reduced section. Free data roaming abroad and HUGE council tax bill reductions The allotment includes potatoes, plums, pears and apples, leaving her with "plenty of food". She also has 10 hens which she collects eggs from, some of which she sells to put towards sugar and tea. She said: "I make money from selling my eggs, and use the change to get small essentials like sugar and tea or my partner will drop sugar and tea bags round mine. She added: " All the furniture in my home is free from Facebook Marketplace - including my bed, bedside table, and mirror." Her savvy habits developed after she grew up in a family without much money. Sharon adopted her mum Jean's mantra: "if you don't have it, make it", passing the Brownies group leader's message to her own children. However, she said Philip, 37, Daniel, 33, Alex, 27, and Anna, 23, aren't a fan of her frugal lifestyle. Sharon said: "They can't really understand it and they think I'm silly. "I've tried to get them into my lifestyle, but they aren't. "For Christmas and birthdays, I make all the cards and some of their presents. "They do roll their eyes when they see that something has been made. I don't feel guilty at all, it is still a present." Her inspiration also comes from The Good Life, a 1980s comedy in which the couple Tom and Barbara Good are self-sufficient. She said that her partner Terry, 73, also struggles to adapt to the lifestyle. "He thinks I'm mad. He can still see the logic in why I have to do what I do, but most of the time, he thinks it's a load of rubbish," she said. Terry does help out with decorating the house, saving her even more money. However, she's still looking for someone to re-tile her bathroom, which she's hoping to do for as cheap as possible. She said: "If I need anything, I'll look online to see if anyone will give it to me for free. "My house is furnished entirely from being resourceful - all the furniture in my rooms is either from free sites, given to me, or handmade." Household bills are a somewhat unavoidable expense, although Sharon has found ways to cut down on these. To save money on electricity she has swapped out her hoover for an old-fashioned Ewbank carpet sweeper; while she cuts down on heating costs by using blankets. After Sharon's dad Frank, 85, passed away in April of this year she inherited three of his classic cars - a Citroen C1, Citroen ZX and Citroen CV2 - all worth £21,000 which she has kept for their sentimental value. She also has a bike for shorter journeys. Overall, she said her motto is "if you don't ask, you don't get", saying she has "no shame about asking for freebies". Ultimately, "It's all about being resourceful. People waste so much money that it amazes me." In addition to second-hand furniture, she gets most of her clothes from her daughter or for free on Facebook Marketplace. She just wants to educate others on saving money as she is "proud" of her ways.
Telegraph
05-07-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Flat-pack houses made from hemp spark outcry in Essex
Plans for thousands of flat-pack 'eco-homes' built with hemp have sparked a backlash from local residents in Essex. Net zero construction company Hemspan has put forward proposals for a 2,000-home new town on 320 acres of green belt land in Rochford, promising the world's first large-scale 'climate-positive' neighbourhood. Homes would be built with modular panels made from hemp mixed with structural timber, produced by a factory on the same land. Production would also require 5,000 hectares of land in Essex or nearby counties to grow hemp on. The developer said these homes would have net zero carbon emissions as well as remove additional carbon dioxide from the atmosphere because CO2 is absorbed by hemp as it grows. Called Rochford Park, the project would also include a swanky four-star spa hotel, a school for children with special educational needs and a supermarket built with the same materials. Matt Belcher, founder of Hemspan, said the plans had a 'natural alignment' with Labour's housing development drive, which involves freeing up lower-quality green belt land for developments and setting compulsory housing targets for councils. Labour has increased Essex's housebuilding target by 37pc to 14,088 homes a year. 'They're taking their chances' However, some locals have objected to the plans, raising concerns about a lack of critical infrastructure for the thousands of homes proposed. Lee Ellis, a resident launching a campaign against the proposal called Stop Rochford Overdevelopment, said that 'everyone is viewing this project as a direct threat to the way they live their lives'. He said: 'We simply don't have the infrastructure for it. How would this area, the roads and even the sewage system cope with an additional 2,000 homes? It's unthinkable.' He added: 'This is all a function of Labour's new policies – it's very clear. I think developers are smelling a bit of blood in the water in regards to what can be done, and they're taking their chances.' Judy Hathaway, who lives in nearby Ashingdon, said the plans would 'obliterate the green belt'. She said: 'Rochford is a historic town, with a protected greenbelt that is being disregarded in favour of big housing companies.' Ms Hathaway added there was a 'saturation point' at 'which the quality of life for existing residents is negatively impacted by more housing'. She said: 'Doctors are full, dentists can't take on any more NHS patients. If you have an accident, make sure you time it right, because Southend A&E is always full and overflowing.' Mr Belcher said he was engaging with landowners to explore the creation of a 'new north-south connection' to prevent negative impacts on the town, and vowed to 'deliver the community infrastructure that's required'. He said there was a 'deep history of hemp farming in Rochford and in the South East', adding that the landowner was the biggest grower and processor of hemp in the 1990s and 2000s. Mr Belcher added that local opposition had been overplayed on social media and said even some opposing the project had told him that if homes had to be built there, they would rather have his team build them 'instead of the PLC housebuilders'. The developer intends to file a formal planning application early next year.
