Smarter, Cleaner, Greener - December 2018

'Tis the Season to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle Right in Ryde

Waste Services Over Christmas

Just like Santa, our waste collection team will be working over the Christmas period.

Your bins will continue to be serviced on your usual collection day, including public holidays.

Please place your bins out on the kerbside the night before your scheduled collection and return them to your property as soon as possible after they have been emptied.

To check your collection day [Click Here]

Remember at Christmas to try and think about the environment and adopt the waste hierarchy of avoiding, recover, reuse, recycling and finally disposing of. [Read More]

Picture of warpped presenets and a plate with lettuce and tomatoes on a plate in the shape of a Christmas tree

10 Tips for a Waste Wise Christmas

1.   Buy good quality decorations that can be reused over and over again
2.   Make your own greeting cards from recycled paper or send cards electronically
3.   Give useful, practical gifts that won't break after only a few uses
4.   Choose recyclable wrapping paper or fabric to wrap your presents
5.   Save your gift bags, boxes, ribbons and bows for next time
6.   Recycle your wrapping paper, cardboard boxes, bottles, jars and cans
7.   Avoid single-use plastic items such as straws, plates, cups, cutlery and bottles
8.   Prevent food waste by planning ahead and serving smaller portions
9.   Save your leftovers and use them to create new meals
10.  Compost your food scraps

Sustainable Christmas Options

Here are some sustainable options to make sure you’re on Santa’s ‘Nice’ list.

Stuck for Gift Ideas?

If you’re looking for something different to give your loved ones this Christmas, how about a worm farm or compost bin to help reduce their food waste and create nutrient-rich fertiliser for their gardens? They’re the gifts that keep on giving!
Worm farms:
• Suit almost any household
• Only take up a small area
• Place anywhere inside or outside of your home where it is cool and well-shaded
Compost bins:
• Suit households with a yard or garden
• Need to be stored in a well-drained and shady position
• Need occasional turning of the compost to keep it aerated and healthy

[Read More]

Be Waste Smart - Cartoon of house and boy on bicycle

Festive Food Saving Tips

One of the best things about Christmas is sharing food with family and friends. Unfortunately, all that feasting can lead to leftovers and food waste.

Here are our five simple tips to help you reduce your food waste and save you money

1. Write a shopping list
The good old shopping list is one of the best ways to stop impulse purchasing, so write a list and check it twice. The shopping list has evolved in the digital age and there are now some great apps available for your phone. These are especially handy for those of us who leave the list on the fridge!

2. Plan your portions
The catering industry has portion sizes covered and have a number of web-based calculators or food charts available to help you cater for one to 100. Google ‘food portion per person’ or ‘food quantity chart’. One of our favourite sites is the Sydney Fish Market’s “How much seafood to buy”.

3. Keep it fresh
Storing food correctly will keep it fresh for longer, so utilise the fridge and freezer and enjoy your Christmas produce over the whole festive season. Check out the Love Food Hate Waste list of storage do and don’ts.

4. Share the love
Christmas lunch inevitably means leftovers, so give your family and friends reusable containers, or ask them to bring their own, and send them home with not only a sustainable Christmas gift but lunch for the next few days (or weeks).

5. Love your leftovers
There are some wonderful Christmas leftover recipes available so it doesn’t have to be turkey or ham sandwiches for the next month. Google ‘Christmas leftovers’ and you will discover simple recipes to suit your taste and skill. Get creative, make the most of your leftovers and show them the love they deserve!

Out With the Old

Pre-loved household items
Hold a Second-Hand Garage Sale to help reduce the amount of reusable items going to landfill. Council will even advertise your garage sale free of charge in the Northern District Times and on our website.
[Read More]

You can also advertise your items on one of the many online websites such as Gumtree, EBay and Facebook Marketplace or contact a charity organisation who may be able to take items that are in good condition including The Bower.
[Read More]

TVs and computers
• Book a free e-waste pickup by calling Council's Customer Service Team on 9952 8222
• Take your items to the Community Recycling Centre in Artarmon
• Drop items at the Drop Zone, SUEZ Ryde Resource Recovery Centre at North Ryde
[Read More]

Hazardous waste
Household quantities of hazardous materials such as paint, gas bottles and motor oils can be taken to the Community Recycling Centre at 8 Waltham Street, Artarmon free of charge.
[Read More]

Safely dispose of household batteries, mobile phones, ink cartridges and light globes at one of Council’s Problem Waste Recycling Stations.
[Read More]

Clothing
Take your unwanted clean and wearable clothing to one of Council’s clothing bins. All donations are given to The Smith Family charity organisation.
[Read More]

As a last resort...

Pre-booked household cleanUp
Use Council’s Pre-Booked Household CleanUp service to dispose of unwanted items including furniture, appliances, homewares and Christmas trees in the New Year. Remember these items will end up in landfill so the preference is to utilise a re-use service before putting items out for clean-up.
[Read More]

Christmas present wrapped in material with a leaf

Filtered Water Stations

Summer is a great time to get out and about, but sometimes we forget to stay hydrated.
Council has installed filtered water stations in our City’s parks, sportsfields and public places to help quench your thirst. Some even have dog bowls so your furry friends can have a drink too.

So remember your re-usuable drink container to help the environment by reducing the amount of single-use plastic bottles that are thrown away or become litter.

Locations of filtered water stations:
•   Adventure Park, Ryde
•   Anderson Park, Meadowbank
•   Banjo Paterson Park, Gladesville
•   Brush Farm Park, Eastwood
•   Christie Park, Macquarie Park
•   Dunbar Park, Marsfield
•   Eastwood Mall, Eastwood
•   Eastwood Park, Eastwood (lower oval)
•   Elouera Reserve, Macquarie Park
•   ELS Hall Park, Marsfield (near field 1)
•   Glen Reserve, Eastwood
•   Kissing Point Park, Putney (near Riverwalk)
•   Meadowbank Park, Meadowbank (near field 3 and walking path)
•   Meadowbank Park, Meadowbank (near field 9 and netball courts)
•   Memorial Park, Meadowbank (near Riverwalk)
•   Morrison Bay Park, Putney
•   Ryde Park, Ryde (near field 1)
•   Ryde Park, Ryde (near basketball court)
•   Santa Rosa Park, Ryde
•   Tuckwell Park, Macquarie Park
•   Waterloo Park, Marsfield

[Read More]

Picture if expired flares from Roads and Maritime Services

Expired Marine Flares Collection Program

Roads and Maritime Services have launched a program to help boaters dispose of expired flares, with mobile collections set up along the NSW coastline.
Free collection events will be held at the following locations over summer:

When: Saturday 19 January 2019
Where: Ermington Boat Ramp, Wharf Road, Ermington
Time: 1:00pm to 3:00pm

When: Friday 22 February 2019
Where: Ermington Boat Ramp, Wharf Road, Ermington
Time: 2:00pm to 5:00pm

[Read More]

Picture of two bon bons dressed as snowmen

Christmas Crackers

Why does Santa have three gardens?
So he can 'ho ho ho'!

What is the best Christmas present in the world?
A broken drum, you can’t beat it!

How does Darth Vader enjoy his Christmas turkey?
On the dark side!

On behalf of Council’s Waste, Sustainability and Bushcare teams, we would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!