October 2023
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October 2023
SPRING CLEANING AND BIRD COUNTING
Did you know that, along with polystyrene and soft plastics, the most common contaminant in Casey’s recycling bins are clothing, shoes, fabric, sheets, towels and other textiles? These should never be put in your household recycling bin. Fortunately, there are loads of other ways to reuse or recycle your old clothing and other textiles.
This National Recycling Week we’re going to give you another chance to make the most of your end-of-life or unwanted textiles. Last year’s hugely popular event – the FREE unwanted textile drop-off – is returning to Casey this November. This year we’re giving you even more opportunities to send your linens, clothes and shoes to either local charities or straight into the circular economy for recycling.
To help you prepare, our popular decluttering workshop is on again – but book fast!
There’s also another Detox Your Home event coming up to help you get rid of any old household chemicals.
Read on for Casey’s best secondhand shops, including the state-first Green Sparks electronic initiative in Cranbourne.
Learn how to keep your cool as the temperatures rise by borrowing one of our free home audit kits. If you’re not sure how to borrow or use one, check out our sustainability staffers’ demonstration at the Lynbrook Community Centre.
Meanwhile, there’s plenty to do outdoors in October, like planting for wildlife, visiting the Growing Friends plant sale, joining a community garden and, of course, arguing about which Australian bird is the most iconic.
Join the Green Living in Casey Facebook group for even more tips, activities and ideas.
WHAT'S ON
Tuesday 10 October 11.00am–1.00pm Downsizing? Declutter and dispose right
Saturday October 14 World Migratory Bird Day
Monday, 16 October - Sunday, 22 October Aussie Bird Count
Thursday 19 October 11.00am–1.00pm Recycle Right in Casey
Saturday 21 & Sunday 22 October Growing Friends plant sale
Thursday 26 October 9:00am-6:00pm Careers for Net Zero Fair
Tuesday 31 October 2023 11:00am-12:30pm Energy and Water Efficiency Home Audit Kit Demonstration
Friday 3 November 9.00am–4.00pm Follow Your Waste Tour
Saturday 18 November 9.00am–3.00pm National Recycling Week - Textile Drop-Off
Saturday 18 November 9:00am-3:00pm Detox Your Home – Dandenong
Schools Recycle Right Challenge runs from 9 October to 17 November 2023
IN GOOD NEWS
Blow bubbles, not balloons
Let's celebrate Wilson Botanic Park's sitewide balloon ban! The increasing amount of litter left in the park and in the lake can kill the beloved resident turtles, birds and other wildlife. Not only are these single-use items deadly, releasing balloons into the environment is illegal in Victoria. There are loads of alternatives. Why not start by trying out Zoos Victoria's favourite bubble-making recipe here.
Doveton Show wrap-up
Speaking of balloon alternatives, 57 strings of bunting were sewn on-site as part of the Sustainability and Waste Department's contribution to this year's show in September. Highlights from the team included showing off the new Living Greener cubby house; henna art; potting up herbs and vegetable seedlings,
Dolphin Research Institute and Gardens for Wildlife volunteers entertained and informed showgoers and handed out more than 300 indigenous plants.
A Casey first for Vinnies
Vinnies Cranbourne has opened the first dedicated electronics department in Victoria. Every item is rigorously tested and tagged by specially-trained volunteers, so you can safely pick up anything from a bar fridge, to cables, kitchen equipment and fans. This was partially funded by the Circular Economy Communities Fund.
SUSTAINABILITY + CLIMATE
How does your electricity retailer compare? The green electricity guide ranks the green providers and the big polluters. If you want renewable energy but it doesn’t suit your house, switch to a 100% renewable energy provider instead. |
Energy and Water Efficiency Home Audit Kit Demonstration - Lynbrook Community Centre Energy and Water Efficiency Home Audit Kits are available to borrow through all Casey libraries. This workshop will cover how to use the kit, you can try out the equipment and learn about ways to reduce your bill. |
Wednesday 18 October is Ride2Work Day
National Ride2Work Day celebrates the many health, wellbeing and environmental benefits riding provides. Riding to work saves money, can save time in congested areas and increases productivity due to improved physical and mental health.
BIODIVERSITY
Flora and fauna spotlight – Common Bronzewing Phaps chalcoptera
With their metallic shining wing feathers, the Common Bronzewing is the larger and plumper of the shining or ‘bronze’ winged Australian pigeons you will see in Casey. It's one of the most common native pigeons found in Melbourne, along with the Crested Pigeon (Ocyphaps lophotes). These birds feed on plants and seeds and you often see them on the ground. When approached they will fly off quickly with noisy wing beats. Pictured is a male with his purple and yellow forehead feathers.
Aussie Bird Count 16-22 October Join us again this year for the TENTH Aussie Bird Count. It only takes 20 minutes. Your observations will contribute to a population snapshot of the birdlife found in Casey. Pictured: Eurasian Coot (Fulica atra). |
14 October is World Migratory Bird Day - Water Aquatic ecosystems play a major role in the lifecycles of many migratory birds, which is why water was the chosen theme for 2023.
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Australian Wildlife Week 2-6 October 2023
This year, featuring an Online Webinar and Art Exhibition to celebrate and inspire community members to implement conservation actions to protect native flora and fauna and conserve natural habitats.
WASTE & CIRCULAR ECONOMY
CDS – the Container Deposit Scheme From next month, the container deposit scheme will reward Victorians with a 10-cent refund for every eligible can, carton and bottle they return. Casey and the rest of the state’s east will be serviced by Return-It. Learn more at our National Recycling Week |
Eco shopping this month: Buy secondhand Buying second-hand clothing gives them new life, keeps them out of landfill and helps avoid the emissions and environmental impact associated with new items. Buying from op-shops not only saves you money, but also contributes that cash to local causes. |
Skip the tip: Blister packs Blister packs - the packaging used for pills and tablets - don't belong in our household recycling bins. However, there's an alternative. Pharmacyle have a recycling program for empty blister packs, with free drop-off points at various pharmacies including all Blooms the Chemist stores. If there's no participating business in your area, they also offer a mail-in service. Pharmacycle processes these tricky materials at one of their specialised facilities in Australia. The aluminium and plastic are mechanically separated before recycling. |
Be in the know Hop on the bus and travel to waste-related locations, learn all about what happens to your waste and how you can reduce it! This tour is fully catered and always popular, so book in now to avoid missing out! Please note that this tour may include stairs, uneven ground, potentially slippery surfaces and indoor and outdoor venues. Travel is by bus with many stops to get on and off.
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FOOD AND GARDEN
The Old Cheese Factory community garden has new available plots
There are 23 individual 3m x 1.5m plots & 3 accessible plots available at $120.00 a year..
To lease one, please call 9709 9300
Rotation time
Don’t forget to rotate your plants! Crop rotation is a practice designed to minimise pests and diseases, reduce chemical use, aid in building and maintaining healthy soil, and manage nutrient requirements - all of which will maximise yield.
October use-it-up recipes: Julia Busuttil Nishimura’s Leftover beef taco rice
Inspired by Okinawan taco rice, usually made with minced beef, this version makes use of leftover steak which simply needs warming through the onions and spices before being served.
REBATES AND GRANTS
CANA Small Grants (Climate Action Network Australia) closes 8 October 2023
These grants support small projects that educate and organise new and diverse voices to advocate for a rapid transformation to net zero emissions using principles of climate justice. Priority will be given to projects that build new relationships in communities most impacted by the climate crisis, empowering them to transition, adapt and create solutions that work for them.
Australian Heritage Grants 2023-24 (Australian Government) closes 12 October 2023
This grant program supports projects and activities that contribute to the contribution and preservation of specific sites and/or increase community engagement and raise awareness of places listed on Australia’s National Heritage List.
Ocean Conservation Trust Grant closes 15 October 2023
This small grant is available to NFP organisations to deliver conservation projects that are research-based, educational or events in the community that will contribute towards a healthy Ocean.
B.I.G. Future Grants (Barlow Impact Group) closes 20 October 2023
This annual grant is awarded to one Australian organisation to support an innovative initiative that tackle climate change.
Voiceless Grants Program (Voiceless) closes 30 November 2023
This grant aims to support not for profit organisations and/or animal advocates to develop projects and partnerships that address the root causes of animal exploitation.
CONTRIBUTIONS
Do you have any environmental news, stories or events to share?
Contact us via email or through the Green Living in Casey Facebook group.
