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Next week it’s Keep Australia Beautiful Week

Activism, Crowd sourced, Events, News, Plastics Comments Off

Aug 192016

Hi everyone,

Nearly every day is Keep Australia Beautiful for me. I pick up bottles, cans, plastic bags and other rubbish while I’m out and about walking to the train station, around the park and along the beach etc. I find it really hard to walk by knowing that it could end up in our beautiful waterways.

Next week it’s Keep Australia Beautiful Week. The campaign is a great reminder of the importance of the responsible disposal of rubbish. This year’s campaign will see the revival of “Do the Right Thing” which some of you might remember from years gone by. The main focus will be tackling cigarette butt litter. Cigarette butts might be small but they have a huge impact on our environment with millions littering our planet all over the world. Together with my local BeachPatrol a handful of volunteers have collected a staggering 20,000 cigarette butts over just 9 hourly sessions around the beach area at Mordialloc. It feels good to know that we have stopped at least some of this litter getting in the bay.

Source: Keep Australia Beautiful Week, http://kab.org.au/keep-australia-beautiful-week/

For more information about Keep Australia Beautiful Week, go to:

http://kab.org.au/keep-australia-beautiful-week/

To join a local BeachPatrol near you, go to:

http://www.beachpatrol.com.au/

Help to keep cigarette butt litter out of our beautiful environment by supporting this great campaign.

Many thanks

Lila

Resource Management Specialist,

The Shop Ethical! App – From Lila

Shopping, Social Sustainability, Sustainable Tools Comments Off

Aug 052016

Hi everyone,

Going to the supermarket is mind boggling these days. The shelves are packed full of so many choices. If you’re like me and want to choose products from companies that are socially responsible and doing the right thing for the environment then you’re going to love the Shop Ethical! App.

The App provides us with access to over 5000 products with related company information to help us make better choices in what we buy. It even covers fashion and gadget brands. Companies are rated based on information sourced from lots of areas including organisations such as Greenpeace, Choose Cruelty Free, WWF, Free2Work and Friends of the Earth. It’s regularly updated with data from the Shop Ethical! website. By shopping ethically you can help make change and support practices that make our world a better place.

The App is available for iPhone and Android at a cost of $4.94. This helps to fund the Ethical Consumer Group which is a not-for-profit community based organisation set up to help consumers like us make more sustainable purchases.

For more information, go to:

http://www.ethical.org.au/3.4.2/get-involved/resources/shop-ethical-app/

Source: Shop Ethical! App http://www.ethical.org.au/3.4.2/get-involved/resources/shop-ethical-app/

Making better choices and working towards being an ethical consumer is a good thing to do for our planet.

Many thanks

Lila

Resource Management Specialist,

National Tree Day happening this Sunday 31 July

Uncategorized Comments Off

Jul 292016

Hi everyone,

I’m back from holidays just in time to remind you about National Tree Day happening this Sunday 31 July.

National Tree Day is Australia’s biggest community tree planting event held every year around this time. Thousands of people get together at numerous sites around the country. We plant truckloads and truckloads of native trees and shrubs which goes a long way in helping to offset gas emissions as well as heaps of other benefits. This year we’re celebrating the 20^th anniversary of National Tree Day. Since National Tree Day started in 1996, 22.3 million native trees and shrubs have been planted by more than 3.8 million volunteers.

I’ll be going down to the foreshore just near home and spending a couple of hours planting. I get a real buzz out of it and love to see the kids down there helping out.

It’s being organised by Planet Ark. To find a tree planting site near you, go to http://treeday.planetark.org/find-a-site/ or call the Hotline 1300 885000.

Further information can be found at:

http://treeday.planetark.org/

Source: National Tree Day, Planet Ark, http://treeday.planetark.org/

Let’s all get involved in National Tree Day and get our hands dirty to help our precious planet!

Many thanks, Lila

Resource Management Specialist,

Plastic Free July

Plastics Comments Off

Jul 012016

Hi everyone,

Here’s a campaign that’s close to my heart.

Plastic Free July wants us to avoid single-use plastic for a month. I’ve been gradually reducing plastic in my life over a number of years. I can’t remember the last time we had plastic wrap in the house or I got a plastic bag from the supermarket and I’m always on the lookout for alternatives to plastic when out shopping.

Last year, I started buying oranges loose instead of in those plastic string type bags. I have my own cotton string bag that I’ve had for years that is just perfect to transport them home. I’ve also started to buy liquid soap, conditioner etc from a bulk store using refillable containers.

If avoiding single-use plastics sounds too hard, just try doing it for a day or a week. You can also try what’s known as the top four challenge, where you avoid straws, plastic bags, plastic bottles and takeaway coffee cups.

When you sign up for the challenge, you’ll receive tips and tricks, news and support related to the campaign. There’s also a plastic free toolbox which is filled with great ideas on how you can live without plastic. Check it out at:

http://www.plasticfreejuly.org/living-plastic-free.html

For more information and to sign up, go to:

http://www.plasticfreejuly.org/

Source: Plastic Free July http://www.plasticfreejuly.org/the-challenge Doing plastic free July, Green Lifestyle http://www.greenlifestylemag.com.au/blog/16148/plastic-free-july

Join me on this challenge and help reduce the amount of plastics in our lives.

Many thanks

Lila

PS: I’ll be on leave for a few weeks so I thought I’d get in early to let you know its National Tree Day on Sunday 31 July. To find a tree planting site near you, go to http://treeday.planetark.org/find-a-site/ or call the Hotline 1300 885000. I’ll be back just in time to send you all a reminder.

Resource Management Specialist,

An app to check your “free range” eggs from CSIRO

Food Comments Off

Jun 222016

Hi everyone,

Free range eggs are pretty much available everywhere these days, which is a good thing. What you may not realise is that there is a vast difference between the CSIRO definition of free range and the one fixed by the government. The draft CSIRO code, which is endorsed by the RSPCA, states free-range hens should be stocked at no more than 1500 a hectare unless regularly rotated. This standard gives hens plenty of space to roam. According to CHOICE only eggs that meet this standard should be considered truly free-range. However the government standard is 10,000 hens per hectare. Most of the free range eggs on offer at supermarkets fall outside of the CSIRO draft code. The good news is that new national laws to be introduced shortly will force producers to label their outdoor stocking density.

To take the guesswork out of buying “real” free range eggs, CHOICE has developed the CluckAR app. With the app, you simply point your phone at the top of the egg carton and it will tell you whether or not it’s free-range. It will also let you know how good its free range claims are.

To download the app, search for CluckAR at your Apple or Google Play store.

To find out more go to:

https://www.choice.com.au/consumer-advocacy/campaigns/free-range-egg-labelling

Source: Free range? It’s all a bit scrambled, The Sunday Age, 5th June 2016, pg. 12

Download the CluckAR app and make sure what you’re buying are real free range eggs.

Many thanks

Lila

Resource Management Specialist,

Sustainable Skiing

Uncategorized Comments Off

Jun 212016

Hi everyone,

The ski season is officially open. The keen skiing enthusiasts amongst us will be hoping for lots of snow and already thinking about heading off to do a bit of skiing, snowboarding or tobogganing. Some of us might even be thinking about a visit to simply check out the lovely snow covered scenery and no doubt many have already booked a trip.

If you’re planning to hit the slopes this year, please consider the environment while you’re there. Here’s some tips to get you started:

Transport is probably the biggest environment impact of going to the snow – avoid flying if you can, catch a bus, train or car pool
Choose ski resorts close to home rather than overseas to reduce the transport miles
Carbon offset your travel
Use public transport to get to the slopes and use public transport or walk to get around the resorts
Choose skis and snowboards from companies that follow green principles and make products from sustainable resources such as bamboo
Look for eco-friendly ski gear and vegetable- based snowboard wax
Recycle / Donate your old equipment and ski gear
Don’t litter, use recycling bins where available and carry a rubbish bag around with you in case there’s no bins when you need them. You could even take that extra step and pick up litter you see. Note: At high altitudes, orange peel takes up to 2 years to break down and cigarette butts up to 5 years
Respect out-of-bounds areas and stay outside national parks whenever possible
Consider cross-country skiing or snow walking as these activities don’t need cleared, graded slopes, chairlifts etc.
Choose environment friendly resorts – check environment pages on resort web sites
Turn down the heat to 20 degrees and wear an extra jumper etc inside to keep nice and warm and turn off the heat when you go out
Switch off lights when leaving rooms and electrical appliances when not in use, just like you would at home
Take shorter showers (e.g. 4 mins max), turn down the hot water pressure and be frugal with water usage
Reuse towels when you can instead of getting fresh ones every day
Take your own refillable water bottles

Source: G magazine, Issue 12, July 2008, pg 57, www.gmagazine.com.au, How to Go Green: Skiing & Snowboarding, treehugger, http://www.treehugger.com/htgg/how-to-go-green-skiing-snowboarding.html#tips

Practice green skiing tips when you next venture to the snowfields and do something good for our precious environment

Many thanks

Lila

Resource Management Specialist,

It’s World Environment Day this Sunday!

Activism, Climate Action, Events, Wildlife Comments Off

Jun 032016

Hi everyone

It’s World Environment Day this Sunday!

World Environment Day was established by the United Nations in 1972 and is celebrated on the 5 June each year. The theme for this year’s World Environment Day is “Go Wild for Life” which encourages you to celebrate all those species under threat and take action of your own to help safeguard them for future generations.

The illegal trade of our wildlife is having a devastating impact on the future of so many of our planet’s precious animals and plants. There is a desperate need to change our habits and behaviours so that the demand for wildlife products falls. You can help by actively demonstrating zero-tolerance for the illegal trade in wildlife. Collectively we can push governments and internationals bodies to introduce tougher laws and penalise those willing to break them.

Sign the pledge at:

https://wildfor.life/act

For more information about World Environment Day, go to:

http://www.unep.org/wed/

Source: World Environment Day, United Nations Environment Programme, http://www.unep.org/wed/,

Let’s make World Environment Day a special day by taking action to help stamp out illegal trade in wildlife products!

Many thanks

Lila

Resource Management Specialist,

Save energy and keep warm this winter

Home Comments Off

May 272016

Hi everyone,

It’s officially Winter next Wednesday and that time of the year when I let you know a few simple things you can do that can help save a bit of energy and keep you warm too:

Wear more clothes instead of cranking up the heat – putting on a jumper makes more sense than having heating up so high that you can mooch around in a T-shirt
Drag out those really warm blankets you’ve got packed away in the back of the cupboard or that lovely handmade quilt and snuggle up on the couch while watching TV or reading
Set the thermostat at a reasonable level – 18-20 degrees is recommended. Increasing the thermostat by one degree can add 10% to your heating costs
Clean ducts & filters regularly so they operate more efficiently. Also have your heater serviced regularly (e.g. every 2 years) to ensure its operating correctly
If you have a ceiling fan that has a reverse switch that changes the direction of the blades, use it when the heating is on to push the warm air back into the living space
Use kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans sparingly as they can pull a lot of heat out of your house
Heat only the rooms that you are using e.g. close the doors & ducts of unused rooms
Close the windows & doors of rooms where the heat is on
Let the sun in when it’s out to naturally warm the house in the daytime and close blinds & curtains to trap in the warmth at night
Seal draughts from windows and doors with weather stripping and caulking
Seal gaps under doors by getting those material sausages or even a rolled up towel will do the trick
Don’t leave the heating on when you’ve left the house
Revert back to the good old hot water bottle or the modern version (heated wheat bag) to keep your toes and neck toasty – one of my favourites
Decorate for warmth with rugs on the floor, heavy drapes and flannelette sheets on the bed

Source: Getting warm, Homestyle, The Sunday Age, May 2014, pg. 17

Why not try a couple of these things and feel warm & fuzzy about helping the environment – you might even save a few $$ too.

Many thanks

Lila

Resource Management Specialist,

Autumn – time for green manure

Uncategorized Comments Off

May 232016

Hi everyone,

Autumn is a great time of year to get out in the garden. It’s when good organisation can set you up for a successful growing season. For the veggie growers amongst us we will be busy clearing our plots from the spent crops and thinking about what to do next. If you’ve decided to opt out of planting a Winter crop and leave the veggie patch empty then planting green manure is a good option.

Green manure is a crop grown in your garden to add life back into your soil. Once it gets to its peak you simply dig it back into your veggie patch. The use of green manure crops in a rotation has long been a practice of sustainable farming. It also stops the weeds from moving in.

Common green manure crops include:

Legumes – such as cow pea, mung bean, broad bean, fenugreek and soybean. These add nitrogen (vital for food crops) to the soil. Broad bean is a favourite.
Grains and grasses – such as millet, buckwheat and oats.

These crops can often be sown together to give a combination of nitrogen fixing crops and strong addition of organic matter.

For more details, go to:

https://cityfoodgrowers.com.au/blog-latestposts.php?catid=101

Source: Autumn Tasks for Winter Gardens, Green Lifestyle, http://www.greenlifestylemag.com.au/node/20450, Green Manure in your food garden, City Food Growers, https://cityfoodgrowers.com.au/blog-latestposts.php?catid=101

Consider planting green manure this season to give your soil a healthy boost.

Many thanks, Lila

Resource Management Specialist,

Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce™

Compost, Food Comments Off

May 142016

Hi everyone,

In the recently released 2016 “Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce™”, conventional strawberries top the list as the produce most contaminated by chemical pesticides. Apples, nectarines and peaches were also high on the list. Avocado, sweet corn and pineapple had the least pesticide residues. While these findings are based on US produce, it’s the best guide currently available. Knowing what produce has the highest and lowest pesticide residues can help you avoid contaminants. You can do this by selecting organic for the ones that are high on the list or choosing not to have them at all. By doing this you could reduce your pesticide intake from fruit and vegetables and help our environment as organic produce means there is less harmful pesticides being used.

Top 10 most contaminated in ranking order:

· Strawberries
· Apple
· Nectarine
· Peaches
· Celery
· Grapes
· Cherries
· Spinach
· Tomatoes
· Capsicums

Least contaminated in ranking order:

· Avocado
· Sweetcorn
· Pineapple
· Cabbage
· Sweet peas (frozen)
· Onions
· Asparagus
· Mangoes
· Pawpaw
· Kiwi

To find out more about the study and to download the handy guide, go to: http://www.foodnews.org/

Source: Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides, http://www.foodnews.org/

Reduce your pesticide intake to keep our environment healthy.

Many thanks, Lila

PS: Further to the previouse Composting green message, a team member (thanks Andrew) let me know about a great scheme subsidised by local councils designed to increase household composting. For more information, go to: http://compostrevolution.com.au/

Resource Management Specialist,

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