There are many different groups and organisations in Linlithgow doing their part for climate change and this section will serve to list as many as we can find to show you the diverse range of activities going on.

Town Wide :
Cittaslow - Their core vision is about slowing and enjoying life. This compliments with our environmentalist views, as we can all benefit from stepping off the roundabout of consumerism. Among many projects, Cittaslow are working to reduce the number of plastic bags issued, so why not join the movement and support them in this good cause. More info on their website/Blog.

ECO Schools :
All schools take part in various environmental activities. They organise ECO committees, who then work with a dedicated teacher to raise awareness throughout the school. Examples include : litter campaigns, saving paper, recycling bins, playground veg plots, cycling to school, switching off un-used appliances, etc. Schools can participate in the green Flag scheme, and many have already been given awards for their excellent work.
Linlithgow Bridge Primary - 2nd Green Flag June 2007
Linlithgow Primary - 1st Green Flag February 2008
Low Port Primary - 2nd Green Flag May 2007
Springfield Primary - 1st Green Flag June 2007
St Joseph's Primary - 1st Green Flag 2008

Green Flag at Home Project :
To start in Jan 09. Funded by the Scottish Government funded Climate Challenge Fund.
Coordinated by parents of Linlithgow Primary School and Equal Green Partnership CIC. Education will be crucial to tackling climate change, and it makes perfect sense for local children to be "Eco-Reps" in their own homes, helping their parents cut their bills and save the planet at the same time."
Helen Brown, director of Equal Green Partnerships, added:
"Thanks to the Climate Challenge Fund, we can work together to deliver an innovative project that will inspire and empower people and communities to make a difference across all sectors appropriately in the area.

"Enlisting the support and monitoring behaviour change at a household level has proved a common barrier for the public sector, so we welcome the chance to not only lower our CO2 emissions, but to strengthen communities through encouraging cluster groups and discussion forums to share experiences with neighbouring communities or collated onto a website.This will support the all important sustainability and long term effects of the project and we will look to replicate a successful formula in other areas."

Churches :
One of the many ways in which church members respond to their belief is through a concern for the environment. The Eco Group at St Michael's Parish Church for example, has held an educational meeting and a service on the theme of climate change; has been looking at and improving heat, power and water conservation in the church premises and improving waste management; and publishing articles and “green tips” in the Parish Newsletter “Crosswind”.

St Michael’s is one of over 180 church congregations in Scotland who have joined Eco-Congregation Scotland. Also involved locally are the congregations of Pardovan, Kingscavil and Winchburgh Church; and Torphichen Kirk. St John’s Church Linlithgow, though not part of the network, is also active in environmental issues.

Food :
The Linlithgow and District Allotment Society has formed with the task of generating a Proposal which has been put before local councillors and WLC panels, recommending that an allotment is setup. The group eagerly await a formal reply from the Council.
Bonnytoun Farm Shop - sells local produce. Meat / Veg / Eggs open Fri 3pm or Sat a.m.

Waste and Recycling :
West Lothian Council use a 3 bin system [Brown=garden compostables] [Blue=P1/P2 Plastic bottles, Tetrapacks, clothes and paper] [Grey=General Waste], as well as providing a Council Recycling Centre, for clothes/bottles/cardboard/electronics/wood/metal/rubble and general household waste.
In addition there are two main Charity Shops - Cancer Research, British Red Cross, who gladly accept donations of books, clothes, shoes, games, DVD's videos, etc.
Additional Bottle & Textile Banks are located at the rear of Sainsbury's Car Park, and the council are trying to resolve matters with the bottle banks which were removed from behind Tesco's. - more on this later.

Businesses :
Sun Microsystems - Corporate Social Responsibility Report, and a lot more. We are working with Sun to learn more about their current and future plans. Watch this space for more news.
Tesco & Sainsburys - These two supermarkets have now swapped in longer life re-usable bags at the tills.
Sainsburys - is actively campaigning for a change in European regulations to allow misshapen food to be sold.

Green Tourism Business Scheme [website]
Gold - Linlithgow Palace
Gold - Blackness Castle
Silver - House of the Binns
Silver - Arden Country House B&B
Bronze - Belsyde House B&B