Smarter, Cleaner, Greener - August 2019

Recycling Myths Busted

Confused about what plastics to recycle? Not sure what to do with pizza boxes? You’re not alone! We’ve put together a quick video guide to help you sort through your everyday waste and ensure that household waste is placed in the correct bin.

Check out our new Recycling Myth Busters video and learn how to Recycle Right in Ryde.

Have Your Say On Our Natural Spaces

The City of Ryde is home to unique bushland areas with rare and threatened species, consisting of bushland, escarpments, foreshores, watercourses and wetlands.

We’re currently developing a plan of management for these natural areas that will propose strategies to protect and guide their management into the future.

To do this we’re seeking your feedback. We’d like to hear how you currently use these natural areas, what you value about them and what improvements you would like to see to these areas and the way they are managed.

What's the Difference? Degradable vs Compostable Bags

Many bags boast environmentally friendly benefits such as “degradable”, “biodegradable” and “compostable” materials. But what exactly do these terms mean, and what is the difference between them?

• Degradable bags are made of plastic with added chemicals that disintegrate into micro plastics. They pose a threat to animals and humans if they enter the food chain.
• Biodegradable bags are made of plastic with added microorganisms that help break it down. They do not break down in marine environments and produce methane when sent to landfill.
• Compostable bags are made of plant material that breaks down into non-toxic components. Most can only be composted in an industrial composting facility, but they can be put in your home compost bin if they have the Certified Home Compostable symbol on them. Look out for these symbols next time you go shopping.

Image courtesy of BBC.

Sustainable Tips: Nude Food Movement

Have you heard about the Nude Food Movement? Nude food is simply food that is not wrapped in plastic or commercial packaging. The best type of nude food consists mainly of fresh food, so that it is healthy, nutritious and environmentally friendly. 

If you are a parent the team at ‘Nude Food Day’ have some tips to help with packing lunches. These include:

• Try to involve the kids in helping decide what to take. This will help to avoid uneaten foods being thrown out, plus will save your family money as well.
• Try to pack the lunches the night before and store in the fridge overnight to avoid the mad rush in the morning.
• Try to use fruits and vegetables that are in season. Seasonal produce is friendly to the environment as well as your budget, as less fuel is used to transport it into your supermarket.

Spring Garden Competition Entries Close 31 August

There’s still time to enter our Spring Garden Competition, with twelve categories catering to all types of gardens. Whether you have a large home garden or a budding apartment balcony setup, both aspiring and experienced green thumbs are invited to enter before 31 August.

This annual community event is open to all City of Ryde residents, businesses and community organisations.

National Tree Day 2019

Thank you to all the volunteers who took part on National Tree Day! Over 175 residents joined us at Field of Mars Reserve to help plant 1000 locally indigenous plant species including grasses, shrubs and trees. The plantings will help improve the wildlife corridor along Buffalo Creek.

Upcoming Events

• Sat 24 August: Water Sensitive Garden Workshop [Book Now]
• Sun 8 September: Tangora Blue Foundation Clean Up [Book Now]
• Sat 21 September: Clean Up The World [Book Now]
• Sat 12 October: Natural Skincare Workshop [Book Now]