Waste Watch
We are inspired by many innovative and often community-driven initiatives to win the war on waste. A family enterprise The Bin Chicken wins an award, the EPA's new food saving campaign for school lunchtimes is launched and charities urge responsible donations.
The Bin Chicken wins environmental award
A Western Sydney community recycling project called The Bin Chicken has been named the 2022 NSW Environmental Citizen of the Year by the NSW Government on World Environment Day (5 June).
Minister for Environment James Griffin congratulated the winner and all the nominees for their initiatives that help protect and conserve the environment while growing community spirit.
“Grassroots initiatives are what make our communities great, and the Environmental Awards encourage community champions, everyday individuals and local organisations that are improving our environment,” Mr Griffin said.
Alexis Bowen started The Bin Chicken initiative in the Campbelltown region two years ago after picking up litter with her children every evening while on a walk.
Within five weeks they had collected more than 5,000 single use drink containers.
The Bin Chicken aims to reduce recyclable material entering landfill and inspire the community to use Return and Earn to return more money to local sports clubs, day care centres and a community pantry that contains food to help those in need.
For more information visit the winner The Bin Chicken and the Australia Day Awards.
Nothing goes to waste in brilliant new campaign!
There’s never been a better time to get creative and experiment in the kitchen with your favourite meals using items you already have in your fridge and pantry.
Be inspired to make the most of your food with our Love Food Hate Waste program’s new campaign, Lunch out Loud, which aims to highlight how easy it is to keep food out of the bin by using up leftovers for lunch, eating the wonky fruit and using up all your foods. Keep an eye out on our Facebook and Instagram for short videos about how to get the most out of your ingredients in the most delicious way possible.
There are many advantages to becoming a lunchtime food waste legend including saving money and time and keeping food out of landfill.
Check out our top tips for a waste-free lunch
Responsible donations to charity
With the winter months here, many of our community donate clothing, blankets and other items to those in need. Knowing how to donate responsibly, means those gestures really do count.
Illegally dumped, damaged and poor conditioned donations are significant issues for NSW charities, costing them millions of dollars a year for clean-up and disposal, and detracting from their core works.
Research also shows that 50% of people who leave items outside charity shops or beside donation bins don’t realise they often end up in the bin.
The NSW EPA and Charitable Recycling Australia encourage all donors to take a minute to make sure they’re donating responsibly.
Head to our website for more information and watch a short video for tips on how charities would like you to donate.
Plastic-free July
Plastic Free July® is a global movement that helps millions of people be part of the solution to plastic pollution – so we can have cleaner streets, oceans, and beautiful communities. A great mate to NSW’s ban on light weight plastic bags!
Find out more if you would like to participate