Buninyong is fighting a war on waste.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Friends of Royal Park are calling on community members to tackle waste at the Smart Building and Living Expo on Sunday.
The expo, which is part of the National Sustainable Living Festival, will educate visitors about recycling and making sustainable lifestyle choices.
Expo director Andrea Mason said there was a lot of interest and confusion about how waste was recycled and managed.
“These days recycling is about more than just which bin something goes into. There are many opportunities for the community to be proactive in their recycling efforts,” she said.
“It’s important we don’t get caught up in the latest news and continue to recycle,” Ms Mason said.
Grampians Central West Waste and Resource Recovery Group will be able to answer visitors’ questions about waste and recycling at the expo.
China banned imports of Australian paper and plastic waste from January 1, leaving the future of recycling collection and processing in Australia uncertain.
Ms Mason said the expo would encourage visitors to change their mindset about waste and reduce the quantity of rubbish from their household.
“People can reduce their materials in the first place choosing produce and products that don’t require packaging at all,” she said.
“One of my pet hates at the moment is corn that has been stripped and wrapped in glad-wrapped.
“It is about getting into good habits. Some of it is about being brave enough to change and be more resolved to make the effort. It’s about taking waste reduction a lot more seriously and stopping to think when we are making decisions.”
Over 50 stallholders will be showcasing local professionals and producers’ innovations in sustainability.
The expo will feature efficient buildings and sustainable design, as well as information about solar systems, electric vehicles, bushfire attack level ratings, and community, food and lifestyle products.
“It is very inspiring to see…and gives hope for a more sustainable future for us all,” Ms Mason said.
Lifestyle products will also be for sale like tote bags, beeswax wraps, products made from recycled goods.
The expo will feature Repurposed Creations art made from waste, activites for kids, live music and food stalls.
The Friends of Royal Park say all choices at Royal Park are made with sustainability in mind. The team has developed a community garden and planted a community orchard, among other sustainable moves.
The Smart Building and Living Expo will run from 10 am to 3.30pm at Royal Park in Buninyong on Sunday.