Bega Valley Shire Council is pleased to announce funding for four community organisations under its Community Waste Minimisation Grant program.
Waste Strategy Coordinator, Tim Cook said it was great to see thoughtful and innovative waste-minimising ideas coming from local community groups.
The Yuin Folk Club in Cobargo will use its grant to purchase a commercial dishwasher for the showground to use during festivals, agricultural shows and community gatherings. The dishwasher will drive a Wash Against Waste pilot, washing the reusable plates and cutlery that have replaced previous single-use items to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill and FOGO.
Candelo Arts Society will run a community art project to educate and inspire creative re-purposing of old textiles. This will involve a series of workshops where participants will create large textile banners, using materials that would otherwise be discarded, that express and celebrate the values of the community.
The Tathra Community Garden will purchase larger compost bins, woodchips and task-specific tools, to collect and process the increasing amounts of organic waste to be returned to the garden. This circular composting system will help ensure the organisation's 38 members have the opportunity to participate in best practice composting on-site. The Tathra Community Garden also runs workshops about how to compost effectively at home.
Candelo Bulk Wholefoods will use the funds to produce three short educational videos and signage, to demystify shopping at the local not-for-profit workers cooperative bulk foods store and invite new customers to explore this shopping option to decrease their waste. Removing barriers to shopping in a 'scoop and weigh' style will dramatically decrease each customer's waste production and reliance upon landfill services.
"These projects will educate and encourage sustainable waste management behaviour across local communities and supports our vision of reducing our consumption, re-using what we can and greater recycling to harness the benefits of local waste transformation," Mr Cook said.
"Congratulations to the forward-thinking members of each organisation."
The next round of waste minimisation grants open on Wednesday 1 February and run to 31 March.
