Grampians Central West Waste and Resource Recovery Group is working to make it easier for communities to have a ‘can do’ attitude to waste and recycling.
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More than 70 people attended Can Do Communities program workshop at Narmbool on Monday.
GCWWRRG chief executive La Vergne Lehmann said the event aimed to provide skills and tools to drive community waste management projects and encourage the development of new campaigns across the region.
“It is really communities that have the capacity to make the real changes we need in our waste management systems,” she said.
It is really communities that have the capacity to make the real changes we need in our waste management systems.
- La Vergne Lehmann
“We want those people to empower and learn from others and share those fantastic ideas on what can be done in our communities.”
ABC Gardening Australia host Costa Georgiadis was the MC at the event, which also coincided with the launch of National Organics Week.
Ryde NSW environmental campaigners Corina Seeto and Jo Taranto from Good for the Hood were guest presenters.
They worked with the producers of ABC program War on Waste to create a toolkit to help Australian communities guide their own environmental campaigns.
Ms Taranto said their key messages to those interested in starting their own campaigns was to keep it simple and focus on creating community.
“A lot of these campaigns are not just about tackling waste, they are actually about building community and local connections,” she said.
“We have met so many passionate people in Ballarat who are all working on projects in their own communities. I have absolutely no doubt Ballarat is already making a huge difference (in the war on waste) and will continue to.”
Ms Lehmann said GCWWRRG would offer support to community members hoping to begin their own waste campaigns.
“One of the things I have learnt about waste in the last few years is every time you think one problem is solved another comes up,” she said.
“We largely have the plastic bag issue solved with people making Boomerang Bags and the single use plastic bag ban coming in next year, but there is lots more to do. We still have issues around coffee, cups, straws other single use plastic.”
The War on Waste community toolkit can be accessed online.
READ ABOUT SOME OF BALLARAT’S CAN DO COMMUNITIES:
Rochelle Kirkham
Rochelle covers court and has a particular interest in social issues including homelessness, food security and family violence.
Rochelle covers court and has a particular interest in social issues including homelessness, food security and family violence.
