Smarter, Cleaner, Greener - November 2020

National Recycling Week: 9-15 November

Take steps to improve your recycling knowledge and build better recycling habits during Planet Ark's National Recycling Week, which is now in its 25th year.

This year's theme is 'Recovery - A future beyond the bin'. Why not value your resources more by giving them a second life through reusing and recycling, or by refusing unnecessary products in the first place? Reducing our waste not only keeps valuable materials out of landfill, it also:

• Benefits the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and our need for new materials
• Can save you money at home and in the workplace.

Spring Garden Competition - Winners Announcement

Join us for the announcement of this year's Spring Garden Competition winners which will be held online in lieu of our usual evening gala due to COVID-19. The announcement will be streamed via the City of Ryde Facebook page on Saturday 14 November at 2pm, and the winners will be listed on our website afterwards.

Be Storm Safe

According to the Bureau of Meteorology's 'Severe Weather Outlook', which forecasts through to April 2021, we're expecting more rain than usual with increased risk of widespread flooding in New South Wales. This is part of the climatic shift to a “La Nina” weather pattern.

Most flooding affecting the City of Ryde is caused by thunderstorms. Severe thunderstorms are the most common type of storms in the Sydney metropolitan region, and result in more damage than any other short duration weather event.

While they can occur at any time, severe storms are most likely to hit Sydney during the summer half of the year. They can last from 10 minutes to several hours, with very strong winds, heavy rain and hail causing flash flooding, power outages and damage to property.

Don't let yourself get caught unprepared. Be prepared for storms and potential flooding by following the advice, alerts and links to more information, and the use the tools available on our website.

Big Weather (and how to survive it)

A three-part docuseries, Big Weather (and how to survive it) captures the experiences of people on the frontlines of Australia’s black summer of 2019-20. Presented by Craig Reucassel, this ABC series delivers an urgent and empowering message of how our weather is changing and what we can do to survive it.

Councils Taking Climate Change Seriously

An increasing number of local governments are understanding and acknowledging the risks associated with climate change, its impact on their communities and the opportunities that come with addressing them.

As at October 2020, at least 96 Australian local governments made climate emergency declaration according to the International Climate Emergency Forum. The City of Ryde is among them, having declared a climate emergency on 28 May 2019. These governments cover a total of more than 8.6 million Australians – almost 35% of our country’s population.

Climate emergency declarations not only recognise climate change as a clear and present danger but are often commitments to action that will be taken at a local government level.

As part of City of Ryde's commitment to combating climate change and making our City greener, we adopted a 100% renewable energy target by 2030 for Council’s electricity usage, commenced transition of our fleet to electric vehicles, installed five solar systems on council assets and partnered with Solar my School in 2019.

Solar my School is a council-run initiative designed to help schools reduce energy bills and shrink their carbon footprint through installing solar power. Ryde Public School has become City of Ryde's first school to install a solar power system under this program.

Free Weed Checks for Ryde Residents

Do you have weed issues on your property? We're currently offering free property inspections with a Council officer who will give you advice and information on how to deal with weeds on your property.

As there are limited spaces available each week, early bookings are recommended. Book now by emailing our Biosecurity Weeds Officer at biosecurityweeds@ryde.gov.au.

2021 Waste Collection Calendars

Check your letterbox – the new waste collection calendar for 2021 is currently being delivered to all households in the City of Ryde.

The calendar contains information about:

• Your bin collection days
• What to put in your bins
• Waste and recycling services
• Workshops and events.

If you have not received your 2021 waste collection calendar by the New Year, please call 9952 8222 and we will have one sent to you. You can also download a digital version of the calendar from our website.

Habitat Havens

Special thanks to all the volunteers that helped out at our National Tree Day site at Field of Mars Reserve in 2017 and 2019. Your efforts have helped to improve the habitat for native wildlife in the reserve. We know it is working because a swamp wallaby has given the site a tick of approval. Check out the brief video of the swamp wallaby via the link below.

Let us know if you spot any interesting native animals in our local parks by sending any wildlife photos and videos to bushcare@ryde.nsw.gov.au.

Plant a Tree

Trees play an important role in 'greening' our City and are invaluable, intergenerational assets for our community. You can now request a street tree on your council verge that will bring benefits such as improving air quality, reduce runoff and provide relief from the heat.

Upcoming Events

Free Community Bus Service

Did you know about Shop Ryder, City of Ryde's free community bus service? Reduce your carbon footprint by leaving the car at home and catching the Shop Ryder to do your shopping, get to appointments or travel to Meadowbank, West Ryde or Eastwood Stations.

As of October 2020, there has been a change to the Shop Ryder route and new timetable. The Gladesbay Retirement Village bus stop (Punt Road) has been removed and relocated to Ashburn Place near Ashburn House Aged Care.

Confusing Waste Terms Explained: Recyclable

Although these words are often used interchangeably and regularly to describe things that go into yellow-lidded bins, they actually mean very different things! Over the next few months, we’ll explain the meaning of terms used to describe waste.

Recyclable

By definition, a recyclable product can be manufactured into something new at the end of its useful life. However, just because a product is recyclable, does not mean that it can go in the yellow-lidded recycling bins!

That's because the items discarded into the yellow-lidded bins are taken to VISY Materials Recovery Facility, which can process certain types of materials but not everything that's recyclable. The facility uses machinery to ‘detect’ different types of recyclable items that are then sorted, baled and sent to be manufactured into new products.

So it’s important that you follow our list of accepted items and put the correct items in the yellow-lidded bins.

Tips and Tricks

Ways to Reduce your Impact on CO2 Emissions

• Wash your clothing in cold water. The enzymes in cold water detergent are designed to clean better in cold water. Doing two loads of laundry per week in cold water instead of hot or warm water can save up to 225kgs of CO2 each year. 
• Turn your water heater down to 48˚C. This can save about 250kgs of CO2 a year.
• Installing a low-flow showerhead to reduce hot water use can save 160kgs of CO2 a year.

Joke of the Month

What happens when it rains cats and dogs?
You have to be careful not to step in a poodle.

Do you have a good sustainability, resilience or recycling tip, trick or joke? Send them to us at waste@ryde.nsw.gov.au and we’ll feature our favourites in next month’s SCG.

City of Ryde Net Zero Emissions Pathway

We're seeking feedback to create a Net Zero Emission Pathway for both Council’s own operations and community emissions. Council is developing this Pathway to further its commitment to reduce emissions, climate change impacts and plan for a sustainable future.

Tell us your thoughts and ideas to ensure we have the right priorities, initiatives and strategies to meet the goal of achieving Net Zero Emissions, for both Council's own operations and community emissions.

Have Your Say

• ELS Hall Park draft Plan of Management & Proposed Land Re-categorisation (Closes 29 November)
• Gannan Park proposed land re-categorisation (Closes 6 December)
• Olympic Park Draft Masterplan and Draft Parking and Traffic Study (Closes 9 December)