Smarter, Cleaner, Greener - June 2018

Saying Goodbye To Single-Use Plastics

We're serious about saving the environment. At our last Council meeting, Councillors voted unanimously to ban plastic straws immediately and phase out all other single-use plastics from City of Ryde operations and Council-sponsored events.

Plastic pollution is one of the biggest environmental challenges facing our waterways and it's threatening the health and safety of our native marine life.

“The City of Ryde has worked very hard in encouraging the community to take measures to reduce waste and landfill, so it is only right that Council does everything it can in stamping out its use of single-use plastics,” City of Ryde Mayor, Clr Jerome Laxale, said.

[Read More]

New Milestone For Responsible Cafés

The war on waste is gaining momentum, with City of Ryde partnering with local organisation 5 for Ryde to sign up 100 local cafés! Most disposable coffee cups are plastic-coated and can't be recycled. The Responsible Cafés movement is a response to the estimated 3 billion hot drink cups and lids that end up in landfill every year, so do your bit and bring along your re-useable cup when you get a takeaway coffee..

[Learn More]

World Environment Day Photos

Thanks to everyone who came along to celebrate World Environment Day with us in Meadowbank! We're so happy the sun came out and hope you enjoyed the activities, live music, information stalls and food.

[View Our Photo Album]

Have Your Say On The Parramatta River Parklands

The City of Ryde is responsible for managing a linked network of foreshore parks along the Parramatta River that have ecological and cultural significance and also offer open space for public recreation. Council is currently updating the Plan of Management for the Parramatta River Parklands. A Plan of Management is a strategic document that guides Council in the management of community land. We welcome the community to provide feedback on the draft Parramatta River Parkland Plan of Management.

[Learn More]

SWAP Workshops

Entries are now open for our Sustainable Waste to Art (SWAP) Prize. Artists and members of the community are invited to enter the competition and exhibition with artworks that relate to sustainable living or waste themes. There are categories for youth (10-13 years and 14-17 years) and an Open (18+) category.

Join us at one of our workshops to create an art work for the competition.

Plastic Alive! (10 to 13 years): This is your chance to design and construct at least one creature using plastic scraps. [Book Now]
Coffee Cup Creations & Print Making (10-13 years): Reuse your recycling and learn about the impact of coffee cups in our environment while making amazing art works. [Book Now]
Cast-off Collage (14-17 years): Use found objects to create bas-relief collages on recycled timber using connection techniques. [Book Now]

[Learn More About SWAP]

TV And Computer Collection Service

Don't know what to do with your old TV or computer? Get rid of it for free by calling us on 9952 8222 to book a pick-up.

Things to note:

Pick-up services are offered on the same day as your regular bin collection.
Bookings can be taken up to 2.30pm the business day before your regular collection day and can't be made more than a week in advance.
A maximum of nine items may be placed out per collection and a maximum of three of each item (e.g. three TVs or three computers, etc.)
Items must be placed out the night before collection only.
Limit of five collections per calendar year.
Size limits apply - please check with us when making your booking.

[Learn More About What's Accepted]

Plastic Free July: Plastic Free Life Workshop

Plastics seem to have infiltrated every aspect of our lives from packaging to food storage to skincare and clothes. Using them has negative consequences for our health, particularly if we use plastic to store and wrap food as many chemicals leach into it. This workshop looks at the ways to eliminate plastic from our lives by suggesting alternatives to common products and demonstrating how to make safe, beeswax-infused food wraps.

Date: Wednesday 4 July 2018
Time: 6.30-8.30pm
Cost: FREE
Bookings: Advanced booking essential. [Book Now]

Free NAIDOC Week Guided Walks

Join us to celebrate NAIDOC Week. Take a walk along the Wulaba track and enjoy the remnant bushland in Glades Bay Reserve. Learn about the local indigenous history of the Wallumedegal people, understand their co-existence within the surrounding area of Glades Bay and visit aboriginal rock carvings. Be on the lookout for bush tucker plants as you're guided through the bush to the shores of the Parramatta River.

Date: Saturday 14 July 2018
Time: Session 1 (10am–12noon) or Session 2 (12:30pm–2:30pm).
Cost: FREE – Active In Ryde program
Bookings: Advanced booking essential. [Book Session 1]; [Book Session 2]

Facts And Tips

Plastic Free July is coming up. By 2050 it’s estimated there will be more plastic than fish, by weight, in the world's oceans if we keep doing what we do. The challenge is to refuse single-use plastic during July such as plastic bags, water bottles, takeaway coffee cups and straws. To register for the challenge and for ideas on how to avoid these items, visit the Plastic Free July website. If you take up this challenge, we’d love to hear about your experience. [Read More]
In March, Ryde hosted a Household Chemical Clean Out event with the EPA in Meadowbank. A total of 848 people attended and 34,094 kilograms of waste was collected and safely disposed of!
Synthetic clothing can shed microfibres during washing, which is a growing environmental concern with tiny plastic particles ending up in our rivers and oceans. Solutions may include purchasing specially-developed filter bags and opting for natural fabrics and fibres when purchasing clothes.

Upcoming Events

1 July-31 August 2018: Spring Garden Competition open [Learn More]
Wed 4 July: Plastic Free July: Plastic Free Life - How To Reduce Plastic In Your Life [Book Now]
Wed 11 July: NAIDOC Week Storytime [Book Now]
Wed 11 July: NAIDOC Week 'Because of her, we can' [Book Now]
Sat 14 July: NAIDOC Week guided walks [Book Session 1]; [Book Session 2]
Sat 28 July: Declutter Workshop [Book Now]