The Ecoliving Fair 2012

Randwick City Council's annual environmental event, The Ecoliving Fair, provides the perfect opportunity to learn about the benefits of living a sustainable lifestyle.

When:	Sep 16 2012
Time:	10:30am-3:30pm
Location:	Randwick Community Centre, Munda Street (off Bundock Street, off Hendy Avenue), Randwick
Contact:	Events on 9399 0999
Email:	events@randwick.nsw.gov.au

The Ecoliving Fair is a fantastic local community event incorporating the Festival of the Bike and the Garden Awards. This environmental family fun day provides an opportunity to celebrate and educate the community about living sustainably.

With free workshops, talks, native plant giveaways, organic food and a huge variety of stalls selling local quality wares there really is something for everyone.

Why not push some pedal power and ride your bike to the Fair - you can valet your bike! There will be lots of free activities and entertainment so come along bring the entire family and enjoy a guilt free day out!

FREE Household Chemical Cleanout and e-Waste drop-off day

It's time to CleanOut your household chemical clutter and unused e-Waste items- the right way. These events are scheduled quarterly throughout the year to encourage residents to dispose of unwanted household chemicals and e-Waste that has been stored in garages and sheds for many years, unused and unwanted. This service is provided free of charge.

The events will be held at the Marrickville Council Technical Centre, 15-17 Unwins Bridge Road, St Peters from 9.00-3.30pm on the following dates:

• Saturday 4 August 2012
• Saturday 10 November 2012

(PLEASE NOTE ENTRY IS VIA BOLTON STREET AND EXIT VIA UNWINS BRIDGE ROAD - LEFT HAND TURN ONLY)

So if you have old paints, gas bottles, fluorescent tubes, batteries, motor oils, household cleaners, computers, TVs, cameras and other electronic waste simply bring them to Marrickville Council's FREE household chemical and e-Waste drop off day. All brands of e-Waste will be accepted including all computer, home office, entertainment equipment and toys. All items will be recycled and diverted from landfill to protect our environment.

POSTER
This initiative will help ensure safer homes and a cleaner environment, significantly reducing waste and increasing recycling.

Important points to remember:
Please remember to pack unwanted chemicals in secure containers and carefully transport the waste to the drop off point to ensure that the chemicals do not leak or spill.

Please refrain from leaving chemicals and e-Waste items outside the gate after opening hours as it is dangerous and will be treated as an illegal dumping matter. No materials can be dropped off or accepted at Marrickville Council Technical Centre prior to, or after this date unless advertised.

If you cannot attend on the above date, please see the 'Chemical Cleanout Flyer' at the bottom of this page for alternative dates and locations. Note however that this is for Household Chemical Cleanout items only, not e-Waste.

Never mix chemicals as this may produce dangerous reactions.

Wherever possible keep all chemicals in their original containers.

Ensure containers are clearly labelled and well sealed. If you do not know what is in the container, label it UNKNOWN CHEMICAL.

Liquid can leak during transport. Wrap containers holding liquids securely in newspaper and place them into sturdy plastic bags, then pack in plastic buckets or trays.

Keep household chemicals away from passengers, e.g. in the boot.

By Checking out the Title Link, scroll to the bottom to check previous results of this collection. Amazing results!

Please click here for a complete list of items that can be dropped off on the day.

New Bokashi One™ Reseller Branch Joins Stable

Wray Organics Opens in Toowoomba, August, 2012

TOOWOOMBA
Wray Organic (Opens August 2012) 98 Russell Street
TOOWOOMBA      QLD 4350
Phone: 07 4639 1611

Bokashi One™

Photos from the New Sydney Bokashi One Factory install:

Bokashi One™

Work starting on the new Sydney factory.  More info & pics to follow this week coming.

Bokashi Factory - AUS

Where does your Australian Bokashi Stock come from?
It's made from a controlled recipe, and uses all organic products where possible.  We used to make this manually and dry in the sun.  Now we use low powered machinery, boosted by solar hot water heating.

Parramatta Council's Fab New Waste Solution!

Dissappointingly I received a flyer over the last couple of weeks "Have YOUR Say on Waste Collection". Parra City Waste Survey "Take part in our survey and win one of 10 x $200 gift vouchers from Coles Myer, Bunnings, JB Hi FI"  Guys, which company has supported you on this and actually knows the proposed outcomes?

All new services carry a new charge.  So, this flyer, is a softner fo ratepayers and what they can expect to see on their next rates review.

Point1, Getting to the point:  Option 2: Dispose of food waste in the Garden Organics Bin.  Several Sydney councils have gone down this line over the past 5 years.  Penrith, Manly area, Eastern suburbs.  All seem to be missing the point with regards to recycling food waste in an organic and sustainable way.  For example, Penrith council put this in place some 3 years or so ago.  Within weeks, customers had rotting food in bins, in the hot summer, outside there addresses, with flys, smells and stenches to deal with.  The proposed pickups are not regular enough to guarantee a clean and healthy envoronment around the home.

Point 2, where is the waste going?  Nobody ever questions where the waste ends up,  they just wear the councils decision and abide by the new rules.  Unless the food waste is pastuerised immediately via a large commercial facility and turned into a nutrient rich soil conditioner or pellets (fertiliser) then the process is absolutely useless and will just create methane and gaps in landfil that will be disastrous.  My guess (unqualified) is it will be dumped with the rest of our waste.  They don't mention in the survey flyer, where the waste goes, or how it will be treated...

A better way to treat your household families food waste is to treat it with EM or bokashi powder, then compost the treated waste in a responsible way, like: heat treating and producing some form of pellets or fertiliser, or digging back through your garden, completing a close to home organic cycle.

I cannot say for sure, but I guess that most of these previous councils schemes have failed already and been shelved.  This scheme is only benefitting:  the waste contracters and the wholesale suppliers of wheelie bins.  Shame on you councils, for wasting ratepayers money on poorly researched schemes.

To get an idea of how the Japanese Bokashi System should work, check out www.bokashi.com.au .  EM (Effectictive Microorganisms) are naturally occuring and prevent food waste from rotting or putryfying.  Enabling you to re-use you kitchen food waste as a safe and nutrient rich soil conditioner, with no bad smells or bad effects on our fragile environment.

Do you want your smellie rotting food sitting in your compound for up to a week?

Very happy to receive your comments and reply as an exponent on Bokashi use in Australia.