Smarter, Cleaner, Greener - April 2019

New Water Refill Stations at Ryde Aquatic Leisure Centre

Council’s Waste Projects Team in collaboration with the staff at Ryde Aquatic Leisure Centre (RALC) recently installed water refill stations in four locations throughout the centre.

The water refill stations are an exciting addition to the RALC and will be of great benefit to both patrons and staff; providing an option for the use of reusable water bottles and assisting in the reduction of single-use plastic bottles.

Make sure you bring your reusable water bottle next time you pop in!

Chemical CleanOut Success

Thanks to the Chemical Cleanout event held last month, there are now 750 City of Ryde residents that have more space in their garages and sheds after dropping off their unwanted household chemicals.

Don’t worry if you missed it, the EPA will be holding more free drop-off events at councils across Sydney in the coming months.

Common household problem wastes, including paint, fluorescent lights, gas bottles, fire extinguishers, batteries and oils, can also be taken to the Community Recycling Centre at 8 Waltham Street, Artarmon throughout the year.

Don’t be a Tosser! – Coming to Top Ryde

During April and May, Council will be advertising the “Don’t be a Tosser!” campaign at Top Ryde City Shopping Centre as part of our Laurel Park litter project. The project focuses on the Buffalo Creek catchment with the aim of reducing litter along the creek, Field of Mars and Sydney Harbour. 

Council’s Waste Education Team has been working with the students and staff from Ryde Secondary College, Ryde Public School, Holy Cross College and Ryde bus depot to employ strategies to prevent litter from entering the local environment and ending up in the waterways.

Remember, if it’s not in the bin, it’s on you.

Have Your Say | Meadowbank Park and Memorial Park

You can have your say on the Draft Masterplan and Plan of Management in several ways including online or at one of the community events. The face-to-face events will be a great chance to view the concept design, provide your feedback and ask any question you may have.

Community Drop-In Sessions

When: Wednesday 1 May, anytime between 4.30pm - 6.30pm
Where: Meadowbank Park, near Field 9 and netball courts

When: Saturday 4 May, anytime between 10am - 12 noon
Where: Meadowbank Park, near Field 7 and Ryde RiverWalk

Composting Awareness Week | 5-11 May

Celebrate Composting Awareness Week by joining us for a FREE composting and worm farming workshop with the inspiring Peter Rutherford from the Kimbriki Eco House and Garden. Peter is passionate about sustainable living and has an extensive knowledge of the science of composting and worm farming.

When: Saturday 4 May, 10am - 12 noon
Where: The Habitat, 249 Quarry Road, Ryde

Local residents who attend the workshop will also receive a 50% discount voucher to purchase a compost bin or worm farm.

Knit-4-Possums

Come put your knitting skills to a good cause by helping Sydney Wildlife create knitted possum pouches for orphaned baby possums.

When: Saturday 25 May, 10am - 2pm
Where: Ryde Library, 1 Pope Street, Ryde

Note: Patterns provided. Please bring yarn, (preferably 8 ply), needles and / or hooks.

SunSPot – Understand Your Solar Potential

Have you thought about getting solar? City of Ryde have partnered with the Australian PV Institute to bring the SunSPot tool to the residents of Ryde.

Learn how to find out your home’s solar potential and arm yourself with the knowledge to speak confidently with solar companies before installing solar panels on your home. This is a free event.

When: Monday 27 May 2019, 10am - 11.30am
Where: Wallumetta Room, Ryde Library, 1 Pope Street, Ryde

Australasian Recycling Label

Australians care about the environment and want to do the right thing, but with all the different recycling symbols out there, getting recycling right can be confusing, and even recycling gurus get it wrong.

The Australasian Recycling Label removes recycling confusion by providing you with easy to understand instructions about how to correctly dispose of every part of a product’s packaging. Next time you go shopping, check the labels to see which parts belong in recycling, the rubbish or can be returned to the store.

Waste-Wise Easter Tips

Easter is the biggest and most anticipated long weekend of the year with most people getting out and about to spend time with family and friends.

We’ve put together some egg-cellent tips for an eco-friendly Easter:

1. Do your best to avoid egg-cessive packaging and choose products with reusable or recyclable content.
2. Recycle the soft plastic packaging from your hot cross buns in the REDcycle bins at your local Coles or Woolies.
3. Scrunch your foil Easter egg wrappers into a large ball the size of a tennis ball and place it in your recycling bin.
4. Pack your reusable water bottle, coffee cup and shopping bags if you’re planning to go away for the weekend.
5. Keep a rubbish bag in your car for your road trips, in case there aren’t any bins where you’re going.

And finally, we hope you have a safe and enjoyable Easter!

Upcoming Events

• Sat 4 May: Composting and Worm Farming Workshop [Book Now]
• Sun 5 May: Moss House Permaculture Garden Open Day [Learn More]
• Mon 20 May: Your Waste Adventure [Book Now]
• Sat 25 May: Knit-4-Possums [Learn More]
• Mon 27 May: SunSPot Tutorial [Book Now]
• Sun 2 June: Sustainability Festival [Read More]