About Neil

I'm the one on the right (my fantastic niece is on the left)

 

Hello and welcome to Sustainable UK Limited. My name is Neil Franks, though you’ll find me called ‘Mr Sustainable’ in the forums. I am 28 years old and originally from Jarrow (ever hear of a famous march?), a town located in South Tyneside, North East England. I spent four years studying for a BEng (Hons) degree in Energy and Environmental Engineering at Napier University, Edinburgh and spent a further two years working there. I have now moved to Droitwich, Worcestershire and have finally settled into a house with my wife.

For as long as I can remember I have been interested in environmental issues. Unfortunately (or fortunately, it gets confusing thinking about it) the attitude of environmentalists made me think there must be a better way of going about things. I then discovered a whole new world when I found ‘sustainability,’ a world of optimism and realistic solutions. Since then I have come to believe that a sustainable future can only happen when every individual takes it upon themselves to make a difference. I just hope this website helps those individuals to make better informed decisions on the way forward.

When I got my own flat in Edinburgh I started to make real changes to my lifestyle. What I found was that it takes time to adjust your lifestyle and it is best to take on one project at a time. The sustainable lifestyle I managed before selling my flat was:

• Put in Double glazing

• Put gas central heating into the flat, run by a Sedbuk A condensing combination boiler (ethically selected)

• Put in energy-efficient lighting

• Use rechargeable batteries for use in smoke alarms, remotes etc, bicycle lights, etc.

• Old furniture and clothing given to charities

• Wash (where applicable), separate and recycle materials i.e. paper, ink cartridges, cardboard, tins, glass, plastics, textiles

• Reuse materials - plastic bags, ink cartridges (where possible)

• Purchase 100% renewable energy tariff

• Cycle many journeys to keep transport CO2 emissions to a minimum

• Purchase Fairtrade products i.e. coffee, tea, sugar, wine, juice, bananas, chocolate and even roses

• Compost as much as possible i.e. vegetable and fruit left-overs, tea bags, egg shells, egg boxes, dead house plants/flowers

• Use plant-based products for washing dishes, clothes (except fabric softener), toilet and multi-use cleaning

• I also bank on-line which saves paper and envelopes. My bank also has a strict ethical policy meaning my money isn’t used to do wrong

• Started to purchase more ethical products

• Donate platelets at the local blood donor centre

• Purchased a B-rated washer dryer (A-rated at washing) when my old one broke down

• I have set up a comprehensive recycling system at work and introduced a selection of fair-trade tea, coffees and sugar.

• Created ‘Sustainable-UK’ with Jimmy in order to help others.

 

Since I moved to Droitwich I have been working to get back on track and live the sustainable lifestyle. For the simple, no- or low-cost lifestyle changes I have implemented most of them already, but have bigger plans when it comes to making the house energy-efficient and carbon-neutral. You can find out how what I have been up to on the Sustainable UK Forum (link at the top).

 

If I were to offer some advice to an individual wanting to live a sustainable lifestyle it would be the following:

• The first is not to rush the changes to your lifestyle. It takes time to make long-lasting solutions and rushed changes generally don’t often last (yes, that is personal experience talking). It has taken me over three years to get this far and I still have a lot to do.

• Secondly, don’t be afraid to ask about anything on the Sustainability UK Forum. I’m sure the people online will be more than willing to help. If you think that the question you want to ask is a bit simple and a bit stupid then just ask because I guarantee it won’t be as daft as the questions I want to ask when I get the chance.

• Thirdly and probably the most important – Enjoy, have fun and be proud of yourself for making a difference.

 

HOPEFULLY I’LL GET A CHANCE TO MEET YOU ON THE FORUM