Plastics, parrots, plants and parks ☀️
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February 2023
What's SUP?
Yep, everyone’s least favourite materials, Single Use Plastics, are out and reusables are in! Single-use plastics make up a third of the litter we see in our environment and are difficult and costly to clean up. These items pollute the environment and can harm wildlife and while they are often used for minutes, they’ll remain in the environment for centuries.
But you knew that. What you might not know is just how many local organisations are stepping up to the challenge. You don’t need to look too far to see who’s doing it well.
Read on for more information and inspiration – plus parrots, plants and parks.
Join the Green Living in Casey Facebook group for even more tips, activities and ideas.
WHAT'S ON
National Sustainable Living Festival
1-28 February 2023
For the month of February the National Sustainable Living Festival will be hosting online and in-person events, workshops, walks and presentations across Melbourne. There is a wide array of topics to inspire and educate you to live more sustainably on our planet.
World Wetlands Day
2 February 2023
It’s time for wetland restoration. With 35% of the world’s wetlands vanishing in the last 50 years this year’s theme is Revive and restore degraded wetlands.
Follow the link for conscious choices you can make to minimise your impact on local wetlands.
Single Use Plastics Ban
1 February 2023
The state government’s single use plastics ban is in effect! We encourage everyone to BYO alternatives when you are on the go, and use reusable cutlery, straws and containers to help reduce waste.
CELEBRATIONS
Our reigning champion
Melanie Bramble is the City of Casey's Environment and Sustainability Champion! The 2023 Community Award recognised her contribution to recycling. She offers many different hard-to-recycle recycling options for the community, with her house being the drop-off point. A familiar name to anyone on our Green Living Facebook page, Melanie also runs a Facebook page promoting local recycling options available to Casey residents.
A Formidable Success
We were hoping for 50 partygoers, but ended up with more than 300 at the Old Cheese Factory for a glorious day out. They grooved to the funk-swing of Formidable Vegetable Sound System while kids planted up herbs and vegetables, made back to school keyrings and snapped up the free books being given away by the local Lions.
SUSTAINABILITY + CLIMATE
Volunteers wanted!
Tackle vehicle emissions in a practical way by driving minibuses for other Casey locals. Upskill yourself and fight greenhouse gases at the same time.
Road-tripping in an EV?
Heading out for a road trip this summer in an electric vehicle? Plan ahead using DELWP’s interactive map to find EV charging station along your route.
Keep Cool this Summer
Looking for ways to keep your home cool this summer without running the air conditioner constantly. Here are some ideas to consider for your home include insulation, window coverings, draught proofing, ventilation, landscaping and ensuring you are using the right cooling system.
Be a sustainable festival-goer
The sun is (mostly) out, that means it’s festival time!
Whether you’re heading to a concert, gig, festival or picnic, whatever the event, plan ahead so the only thing you leave behind is footprints.
BIODIVERSITY
Casey Flora and Fauna Spotlight – Swift Parrot (Lathamus discolor)
Keep an eye out for these critically endangered parrots, slightly larger than a budgerigar, who are beginning the 5-hour journey from their breeding grounds in Tasmania to their winter feeding grounds in Victoria and New South Wales. Images: Brian McCauley & Chris Tzaros
Bio-calendar - the 6 seasons
Our plants and animals go through natural cycles in response to seasonal variations. These cycles are recognised as the 6 seasons that make up the Bio-calendar consisting of Pre-Spring, True Spring, Early Summer, Late Summer, Autumn and Winter. Read more about these seasons here.
Park yourself here!
Did you know that Wilson Botanic Park Berwick is the 'Park of the Year (National)'?
Come and enjoy the shady spaces and fascinating flora this summer - especially now the free shuttle bus runs every weekend from Federation Uni to the park, between 10.00 am and 5.00 pm.
CIRCULAR ECONOMY
Our Circular Economy Living Lab (CELL) is trialling a series of innovations intended to address local environmental challenges and overall benefit the community.
To enable a more sustainable construction and demolition sector, Activ Group, in collaboration with Reece Group, will help local businesses divert troublesome materials from landfill. Some items may attract a cost.
FTD Circular supports the renovation of community facilities around the City of Casey, ensuring that retired furniture and products are diverted from landfill and repurposed.
To tackle food waste, Reground will collect used coffee grounds from Casey cafés and deliver them, for free, to local community, school and home gardens.
Here the coffee grounds can be repurposed as fertiliser.
Forkful will introduce Casey hospitality businesses to their app, allowing them to sell food at the end of the work day at reduced prices. This will enable businesses to prevent food waste, and get some extra sales, while Casey residents will have access to cheaper healthy food.
OzHarvest wants to help residents save money by reducing food waste through their free Use It Up program. You will be helping test a range of new resources, including Use It Up Tape designed to make it easy to waste less at home. With increasing food prices, now is the time to act!
The Rosella Street Platform helps Casey residents to resell, rent, swap or giveaway unused items. It also has a forum and knowledge hub to connect to other Circular Casey initiatives.
Evitat will support homeowners in Casey by assessing their home efficiency. This will help reduce costs, while increasing property values.
MORE WASTE AND RECYCLING
A plastic free lunchbox for me
Just like that school is back, it is time to step up your snack game! How are you preparing your snacks for school and work? Containers are easier to use and minimises how much plastic you are using.
Anti-contamination counts
Did you know that every time our recycling is contaminated and rejected it costs the council $$$? Help us keep our bins ‘clean’ this year by Recycling Right. You can start by keeping your recycling loose, not bagged
WHAT TO PLANT THIS MONTH
Sweet to eat
With the long, weird summer coming to an end, it’s a last chance to plant two treats from the Americas - sweet corn and sweet potato.
SCHOOLS AND KINDERGARTENS
Are you an educator in Casey? Sign up to our Green Living in Casey Education
e-newsletter. View the previous edition or subscribe now.
GRANTS (IN ORDER OF CLOSING DATE)
Sisters of Charity Community Grants – closes 5 February 2023
Through these grants, the Foundation aims to deliver practical, real-world support to smaller grassroots organisations that can’t find help from more traditional sources. Priority will be given to innovative community projects that break down social isolation and alleviate the impact of poverty on individuals and families.
Community Led Recovery Grants (Community Enterprise Foundation and Yarra Ranges Council) – closes 15 February 2023
These grants focus on ongoing projects that assist areas in the Yarra Ranges to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and June 2021 storms. Preference will be given to projects that: develop resilience and preparedness for future disasters; strengthen connections, increase participation, and build capacity in the community; improve mental health and wellbeing; or reduce vulnerability and marginalisation.
James N. Kirby Foundation Grants – closes 28 February 2023
These grants support organisations that provide innovative solutions and opportunities to those in the community who need it most in the areas of education, technology, the environment, health, social welfare, or the arts. Only groups with DGR status can apply.
NAB Foundation Grants – closes 28 February 2023
Through this program, grants are available for projects that help communities prepare for natural disasters, support long-term recovery and build resilience to future disasters and climate change. Priority will be given to community-led projects that: help communities prepare for natural disasters; help landscapes and fauna rehabilitate after natural disasters; or reduce the risk of future natural disasters by cutting carbon emissions.
Large Grants Program (Victoria Fisheries Authority) – closes 28 February 2023
This program provides funding for recreational fishing projects in the following categories: access and facilities; sustainability and habitat improvement; education, information and training; and research.
Westfield Local Heroes – closes 30 March 2023
This is a recognition and awards program that celebrates people who make a positive impact in the community. Individuals are nominated and voted for by community members, with finalists awarded a grant to support their work. Nominees must be affiliated with an eligible organisation whose work positively impacts on the community or environment within the local area of a Westfield Centre such as Westfield Fountain Gate, Southland or Knox.
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.
