Tips for a Smarter, Cleaner, Greener Holiday Season 

• Get creative! Hand make your own gifts and ornaments from upcycled materials.
• Get baking! Home baked gifts such as jams, relishes and shortbread.
• Give practical gifts and experiences such as movie tickets, day trips, relaxation packages or charitable donations.
• Go green! Pot up some plants as gifts from seed, seedlings or strike some cuttings.
• Suggest a Secret Santa or Kris Kringle at work or for your extended family.
• Take your reusable bags shopping and say no to plastic bags.
• Purchase responsibly, ethically and sustainably to reduce waste and minimise plastics.
• Reuse and recycle your wrapping paper and Christmas cards.
• Take the bottles out! Recycle glass, plastic bottles and cans in your recycling bin.
• Get organised! Plan your Christmas feast ahead. Use a shopping list and try not to over-cater. 
• Refrigerate and store your leftovers well in reusable containers. Have a plan to use excess food.
• Compost your fruit and vegetable scraps.
• Use leftover meat and bones to make soups, broths, stocks or pies. 
• See how much you can reduce in your general waste (red lidded) bin this year.
• Going away? Plan ahead and use up the food in your fridge.
• Get out, get active and enjoy the natural environment. Pack your own water bottle. Don’t litter and take your rubbish with you.

2018 Waste Calendar

The 2018 Waste Calendar is currently being hand delivered to all households across the City of Ryde. Delivery should be completed before Christmas. Check your letterboxes and stick it on your fridge using the magnetic strip on the back. The calendar details the days for your waste, recycling and garden organic bin collections plus provides important information on the large range of waste service available to residents. 

[Learn More]

Australia's First Virtual Greening App Has Launched!

The new Plant Life Balance app is Australia's first virtual greening app that makes it easy to style our home with plants. The app lets you drag and drop plants over a photo of your space to see how adding more plants can improve your health, wellness and air quality. It also features seven leafy ‘looks’ to inspire people to get more green in their scenes. Get the app to rate your space and try out a look.

[Learn More]

ABC’s War On Waste Continues This December

Did you catch Episode 4 of the ABC’s War on Waste series, which aired on Sunday 3 December? War on Waste kick-started conversations around the country about the staggering amount of waste Australians create every year. It’s been instrumental in raising awareness and fostering a better understanding of what individuals and communities can do to help the environment by reducing the amount of waste ending up in landfill every year.

Episodes 1, 2, 3 and 4 are all available to watch on iView.

[Watch On iView]

Council Holiday Operating Hours & Bin Collection

Council will be closed from 12 noon on Friday 22 December, reopening for business as usual on Tuesday 2 January 2018.

Bin collection will operate on the usual days and will not be affected by the Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year public holidays.

Please note some council facilities and services (such as problem waste stations, the Community Recycling Centre, Ryde Aquatic Leisure Centre and libraries) have varied hours over the festive season.  

[Learn More]

Upcoming Events

The City of Ryde’s Smarter, Cleaner, Greener program of workshops and event will be announced in early 2018.

• 24 & 25 March 2018: Household Chemical Clean Out event, Meadowbank Park. [Get The App]

We wish you all a smarter, cleaner, greener holiday!