Breaking old habits is hard. Anyone who has tried to give up smoking, or cut down on cakes, or reduce their screen time will know this.  

That’s why experts advise us to change how we think. Don’t give something up – instead, replace one habit with another.  

It is much easier to make a swap than it is to come to a hard stop. 

And that’s the theme of Great Big Green Week! It’s all about making “Let’s Make Swaps Together - for Good!” 

People and communities around the UK have been making some innovative swaps to benefit nature, wildlife and the planet. Check out some of these great stories, and get inspired – share your own swaps on social media and use #GreatBigGreenWeek so others can find you and boost your message. 

 Cheshire 

 In Prenton, on the Wirral near Birkenhead, there’s a thriving local community who love and care for their area. 

And one rather large swap they’ve made over the past year or so is a pretty dramatic change to the local landscape: an old claypit is becoming a nature reserve – and it’s already home to a rare species of butterfly. 

The Prenton Dell Claypit has been supported by the team at Cheshire Wildlife Trust and many other organisations including Wirral Wildlife, the National Grid and Prenton Rugby Club. They’ve had public bioblitzes and have a lively, active facebook page where you can find out more.  

 Radnorshire 

 Radnorshire Wildlife Trust is small but perfectly formed! They have a strong team of staff and volunteers, and they’ve been making some small swaps that might inspire you or your workforce: 

  Volunteers have swapped individual journeys for car sharing 

• Swapped plastic tree guards for alternative plastic-free solutions 
• Swapped fossil fuel vehicles for use of an electric van 

  Find out more about Radnorshire Wildlife Trust on their website. 

 Leicestershire 

 The area surrounding Mountsorrel and Rothley Community Centre in Mountsorrel, south of Loughborough in Leicestershire, has been slowly restored over the years and recently the volunteers turned their eye on the disused quarry near to the site. 

Now it’s been transformed – swapped, if you like – for a butterfly and moth garden! 

There’s a cafe at the centre and they’re entirely self-funding so please do read their full story and if you’re in the area, pop along and see for yourself! 

 The Community Hub 

 Visit our Community Hub online for dozens more stories just like these! And then get swapping in your own area, and share those stories with everyone using #GreatBigGreenWeek.