Around the grounds
A marketplace of news and activities from around the state including upcoming roadshows, grant news, asbestos safety tips and more.
The 2022 EPA road shows start off in late March
EPA’s 2022 Roadshow series announced
Our regulated stakeholders, including council staff and licensees, will have the opportunity to meet, discuss and ask questions with our senior staff this year following the highly successful series of roadshows held around the state in 2021.
The first in the series of nine will take place in Sydney on 30 March and the final session in Ballina on 7 June.
EPA litter reduction grants include Take 3 for the Sea and Surf Lifesaving's Little Nippers
Surf lifesaving litter champions Take 3 for the Sea
With the support of our Community Litter Grant program, Take 3 has now made it easier than ever for surf life saving clubs to make positive environmental change in their communities.
The program’s new online resources and educational videos empowers surf clubs, our Aussie Nippers and their communities to be part of the solution to litter and plastic pollution, an issue impacting beaches all around Australia. Key to the program is the four levels of partnership for surf clubs to choose from: Bronze, Silver, Gold and Local Litter Champions. This gives surf clubs the freedom to start small with beach cleans or develop community wide litter reduction Initiatives.
EPA Annual report is out in new online format
Check out our digital annual report which provides a summary of our activities and performance for the year 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021.
One in four residents try to get rid of asbestos on-site or in bins
Research shows that there is more to be done to educate the community on the safe disposal of asbestos
Research commissioned by the EPA has found an alarming lack of knowledge around how to deal with asbestos by homeowners and trade professionals.
Almost 50% of adults in NSW currently live in properties containing asbestos but don’t know how to deal or dispose of it safely.
A survey of 2,000 people found more than one in four reported they disposed of asbestos in unsafe or illegal ways, including leaving it on-site once it had been removed or putting it in a kerbside waste collection bin.
The researchers also found less than a quarter of trades professionals sought advice from licenced asbestos professionals, and less than half wore protective equipment when they found it.
“Our research shows people often overestimated their skills and knowledge, which puts themselves and others at risk,” said the EPA’s Sharon Owens.
“These findings will help inform our awareness campaign later this year that aims to encourage homeowners and tradies to plan and prepare for asbestos before they commence work.” Read more
Hot tips
Before you start your renovations check out our handy hints and use the Asbestos Checker tool.
EPA taking part in upcoming environmental events
We hope to see many of you at these two major upcoming conferences:
- 9-10 March The No Time to Waste Conference, Wagga Wagga. Acting CEO NSW EPA Jacqueleine Moore will address a plenary session.
- 22-24 April The Australian Association of Environmental Educators NSW Conference, Ourimbah. The EPA’s Organics, State of the Environment and Return and Earn teams will present at the plenary session, facilitate workshops, and field educators’ enquiries at information stands.
It’s great to donate but …
Unwanted Christmas gifts or a Marie Kondo declutter with items that no longer bring you joy? We agree that it’s great to donate, especially upcycling goods to those who need them.
However, remember that charities can’t manage or pass on items that are in poor condition. Dispose of damaged or damaged items correctly and, if possible, through recycling. Never leave unwanted items on the kerbside unless you have booked a council collection.