tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90334656620374476812024-03-18T18:31:02.053+11:00Zero waste and sustainable living blog Here you'll find accessible resources to create the sustainable and meaningful life you've always wanted. There are hundreds of practical ideas, recipes, DIYs to help you and your family reduce, reuse and reconnect. You'll discover down to earth stories on the topics of zero waste, swapping out plastic, eco actions and everyday activism by Erin RhoadsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger253125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9033465662037447681.post-40884792616588796272023-07-11T10:58:00.004+10:002023-07-11T10:58:43.590+10:00Sustainable Staycation at Dorsett Melbourne<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbt11USyKEF0h-mXdZff2dCiLTTKYTiN1sbqMvTKh2q_YgC-GRTM16T1OUEE-ZieTm-OfIX8qmctdbXmtHVjvdvMcag0NNC_r1wrGSu1MmT4CobCU8MsyGNrSF3qCYWUsSGWkhp7G_-l7S5z6Qt3f4-3l8RpLJpzzXXffSbnxhIzu1HXj7E8IZU3od-Qs/s637/sustainable%20hotel%20Dorsett%20melbourne%20review%2003_therogueginger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Sustainable Stay at Dorsett Melbourne Hotel Review" border="0" data-original-height="435" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbt11USyKEF0h-mXdZff2dCiLTTKYTiN1sbqMvTKh2q_YgC-GRTM16T1OUEE-ZieTm-OfIX8qmctdbXmtHVjvdvMcag0NNC_r1wrGSu1MmT4CobCU8MsyGNrSF3qCYWUsSGWkhp7G_-l7S5z6Qt3f4-3l8RpLJpzzXXffSbnxhIzu1HXj7E8IZU3od-Qs/s16000/sustainable%20hotel%20Dorsett%20melbourne%20review%2003_therogueginger.jpg" title="Sustainable Staycation at Dorsett Melbourne Hotel Review" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>Our winter school holidays kicked off with an exciting invitation to enjoy a staycation at the <a href="https://www.dorsetthotels.com/dorsett-melbourne/index.html" target="_blank">Dorsett Melbourne</a>. The hotel requested my honest feedback on their sustainability initiatives, particularly in reducing plastic usage. I must admit, I've been invited to stay at hotels before, but the Dorsett's level of engagement and openness to improvement was truly refreshing. Right from the start, it was evident that the team at Dorsett Melbourne was committed to actively learning, improving, and creating a positive change towards becoming more environmentally friendly.<br /><br />Before delving into the details of our stay, I want to stress the incredible experience a staycation can offer families. Our six-year-old was thrilled, and I highly recommend it for other families or even as a treat for yourself. During our stay, we explored the NGV, ventured into Korea Town for the first time, and immersed ourselves in the captivating Lume exhibition along with a lot of time in the hotel pool.<br /><br />Situated in the heart of the CBD, Dorsett Melbourne enjoys a convenient location just a short walk from Southern Cross Station and various tram stops. The hotel's dedication to sustainability was immediately apparent as they handed us bamboo room keys instead of conventional plastic ones.<br /><br />The hotel boasts all the usual amenities, including a pool, gym, restaurant, bar, workspaces, and meeting areas. Our six-year-old gave the pool a resounding thumbs-up, while The Builder kickstarted his day with an invigorating morning session at the gym. Meanwhile, both our youngest and I enjoyed a deep and restful sleep.<br /><br />The rooms themselves were elegantly designed, with simplicity as their defining characteristic. Notably, the absence of snack food, the mini-bar, and plastic water bottles stood out. Guests are encouraged to use the provided glassware to enjoy Melbourne's renowned drinking water, one of the best in the world.<div><br /></div><div>In the bathroom, the hotel has done away with non-reusable mini toiletry bottles and single-use soap bars, replacing them with large bottles from the luxury brand Elemis. <br /><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZbnTlSK6qidSyK0e9EesYqlvjd212VyRuqUGH56-6KV1mHV4ujjwnP-dPI05b4BF0kMZyyFEXvlhApdhW7iNNha7za3OQ52zxdFSWLQnBFy18biBdzueqeJNZ2l2xMw4GYSCGEt023PC45A8_cfQoTf3sAPxP-M0FSZ_-lR6n4E6mCcRrrMmOGPCgIvY/s637/sustainable%20hotel%20Dorsett%20melbourne%20review%2006_therogueginger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Sustainable Staycation at Dorsett Melbourne Hotel Review" border="0" data-original-height="435" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZbnTlSK6qidSyK0e9EesYqlvjd212VyRuqUGH56-6KV1mHV4ujjwnP-dPI05b4BF0kMZyyFEXvlhApdhW7iNNha7za3OQ52zxdFSWLQnBFy18biBdzueqeJNZ2l2xMw4GYSCGEt023PC45A8_cfQoTf3sAPxP-M0FSZ_-lR6n4E6mCcRrrMmOGPCgIvY/s16000/sustainable%20hotel%20Dorsett%20melbourne%20review%2006_therogueginger.jpg" title="Sustainable Staycation at Dorsett Melbourne Hotel Review" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No single-use plastic soap, shampoo and conditioner in the hotel rooms at Dorsett Melbourne</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPzPLiJQxd_5K1v9eGZLm_7RR6DCgpTHuEvg8KdqBopkwXPJf1dULm_M6dSVmGknDqesYXaLaXtYWH0JF7xVjil62Vz7fjmSzMcpd598yGQqM_60d3xuvjxDi9VvGYWNYRQAaxdEu0BxwV5Iys8UAyUbV2jWbuzXeNDB_21r2UbJTaOP9dkepBANPp3go/s637/sustainable%20hotel%20Dorsett%20melbourne%20review%2004_therogueginger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="435" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPzPLiJQxd_5K1v9eGZLm_7RR6DCgpTHuEvg8KdqBopkwXPJf1dULm_M6dSVmGknDqesYXaLaXtYWH0JF7xVjil62Vz7fjmSzMcpd598yGQqM_60d3xuvjxDi9VvGYWNYRQAaxdEu0BxwV5Iys8UAyUbV2jWbuzXeNDB_21r2UbJTaOP9dkepBANPp3go/s16000/sustainable%20hotel%20Dorsett%20melbourne%20review%2004_therogueginger.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our 6yr old loved the staycation!</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /> It was pleasing to find a recycling bin in the room. However, it would be beneficial for Dorsett Melbourne to provide clear instructions beyond symbols on what items can be recycled, fostering a greater understanding and participation from guests.<br /><br />We had the pleasure of enjoying a delightful buffet breakfast at the hotel's restaurant. While the scrumptious bread and butter pudding will forever be etched in our memories, it was their partnership with <a href="https://www.bardee.com/" target="_blank">Bardee</a> to divert food waste from landfills that impressed me the most. Food waste is a significant issue in the hospitality industry, and by collecting 120L of organic waste, Dorsett Melbourne effectively removes 10,660kg of CO2 from the environment. I would have loved to see their commitment to waste diversion in the restaurant displayed via a poster as a powerful way to inspire conversations and motivate change for guests. It was also great to see no single-use plastic packaged butter, Vegemite, and other spreads. <br /><br />From the dining area, I had a glimpse into the kitchen and was pleased to see the chef utilising reusable containers. The only single-use item I noticed was plastic wrap, which could be easily replaced with compostable alternatives like <a href="https://greatwrap.com.au/" target="_blank">Great Wrap</a>. Additionally, the restaurant team may find valuable tips and resources from websites like <a href="https://www.nmeplastic.com/" target="_blank">No Mise En Plastic</a>, which offers guidance specifically tailored to professional kitchens.<br /><br />Another thoughtful touch that caught my attention was the use of preserved and dried flowers throughout the hotel, rather than fresh ones. Preserved flowers can last for over twenty years, while fresh flowers typically need to be replaced weekly. This choice not only adds a touch of elegance but also reduces waste and environmental impact.<br /><br />The staff at Dorsett Melbourne were knowledgeable and readily available to answer any questions about their sustainability practices. Their commitment to creating positive change was evident, and I am excited to witness their continued growth as they strive to become one of Melbourne's leading eco-hotels.<br /><br />In conclusion, our staycation at Dorsett Melbourne was not only a delightful experience for our family but also a testament to the hotel's genuine dedication to sustainability. Their efforts to reduce plastic waste, divert food waste, and implement eco-friendly practices throughout the establishment make them a standout choice for conscious travellers. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmEWTOBf1VDLMcIJd42cn1nzCyQN3M2X1gbZaRa4BzHYO2fkDp3tuxWUdEQgKTdWGbSlQpC8s8oBTKzHr-N3rFc7YJnNap_5j9rUvO5CnV65s_fLihVmZoD1437CMnsoYfBqlLH-O2lAuVZDZyBHtlVOvDEWBJ887MI0kj98ZvKxk-44afffr24-pwJDA/s637/sustainable%20hotel%20Dorsett%20melbourne%20review%2007_therogueginger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Sustainable Staycation at Dorsett Melbourne Hotel Review" border="0" data-original-height="435" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmEWTOBf1VDLMcIJd42cn1nzCyQN3M2X1gbZaRa4BzHYO2fkDp3tuxWUdEQgKTdWGbSlQpC8s8oBTKzHr-N3rFc7YJnNap_5j9rUvO5CnV65s_fLihVmZoD1437CMnsoYfBqlLH-O2lAuVZDZyBHtlVOvDEWBJ887MI0kj98ZvKxk-44afffr24-pwJDA/s16000/sustainable%20hotel%20Dorsett%20melbourne%20review%2007_therogueginger.jpg" title="Sustainable Staycation at Dorsett Melbourne Hotel Review" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lume Exhibition</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2mkZerLeuX6ySdJlUuzTtTqc5tsB6u2-aqNji7VnC_9zyhbukLQDt_2E0lCMkdd78x7xlQram7qkfaP6IlilH_o7EeQ1vz6mgXPH_L1iUapg3wDS7QxT__0k9eKd02dic6FiwCbZqVYFsx4Yx_l943LZHLEs789nPmlSEdIHoB7psP3EeAjytl4lAg3o/s637/sustainable%20hotel%20Dorsett%20melbourne%20review%2002_therogueginger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Sustainable Staycation at Dorsett Melbourne Hotel Review" border="0" data-original-height="435" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2mkZerLeuX6ySdJlUuzTtTqc5tsB6u2-aqNji7VnC_9zyhbukLQDt_2E0lCMkdd78x7xlQram7qkfaP6IlilH_o7EeQ1vz6mgXPH_L1iUapg3wDS7QxT__0k9eKd02dic6FiwCbZqVYFsx4Yx_l943LZHLEs789nPmlSEdIHoB7psP3EeAjytl4lAg3o/s16000/sustainable%20hotel%20Dorsett%20melbourne%20review%2002_therogueginger.jpg" title="Sustainable Staycation at Dorsett Melbourne Hotel Review" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking back to the Dorsett Melbourne Hotel</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><div><i style="font-family: Raleway, serif; font-size: small;">#trgcollab: Our stay was a gift by The Dorsett Melbourne. I use the hashtag #trgcollab to help readers idenifty items or services that were gifted to me or are a paid post. All views are my own. I only accept gifted items or services I would use personall and believe are helpful to you.</i></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9033465662037447681.post-66669522362492258442023-05-17T14:52:00.015+10:002023-08-06T10:34:02.980+10:00 Hemp underwear, clothing, bedding and homeware brands my family love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb6W7YX4rdOTBqOv1HUmxfK-gsy969kCbR8vMNnK9l7_1czqhwGRhrXkq2PEtRGCpcC4GxHns6Atj8o5ZaU8x65XwjzktvZEgg2yMQBcm7hcbALz7EEOeG0gvVDut9c9ljuhSAfseMv2P-d-NKrTE_HOzpLw04mlzKlZK8dLv5pWi8lYBihf5pxoHY/s637/therogueginger_100%20percent%20hemp%20duvet%20cover_erin%20rhoads.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="100% Hemp duvet" border="0" data-original-height="435" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb6W7YX4rdOTBqOv1HUmxfK-gsy969kCbR8vMNnK9l7_1czqhwGRhrXkq2PEtRGCpcC4GxHns6Atj8o5ZaU8x65XwjzktvZEgg2yMQBcm7hcbALz7EEOeG0gvVDut9c9ljuhSAfseMv2P-d-NKrTE_HOzpLw04mlzKlZK8dLv5pWi8lYBihf5pxoHY/s16000/therogueginger_100%20percent%20hemp%20duvet%20cover_erin%20rhoads.jpg" title="Hemp underwear, clothing, bedding and homeware brands my family love" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Hemp textiles have grown in popularity during the last decade as the environmental benefits are rediscovered. Hemp fabric has a natural unique style and feel, is highly durable and breathable, making it ideal for clothing, homewares and even footwear. The material that's been used for 8,000 years and was once so popular to make clothes, paper, rope and other items that it became a currency. <br /><br />Compared to cotton growing hemp requires less water, and little need for pesticides or fertilisers. The hemp plant also takes up less space, produces quickly, while improving soil health as it grows. Hemp fibres are strong, moisture wicking, UV resistant, and anti-bacterial which means you don't need to wash clothes made of hemp as often saving even more water and energy during its lifecycle of wear.<div><br /></div><div>Although hemp proves itself to be an eco friendly material there is still the risk some farms are not organic or working conditions in garment factories are fair. Since hemp continues to have a strong association with being a "hippy thing" there can be an automatic assumption anything hemp is good for the planet and people. Some brands will use these assumptions to market their product as eco and people friendly. It's always best to double check with brands you come across before purchasing. For full disclosure some of the items in this round up are not 100% hemp too. </div><div><br />Bookmark this page and use it as a guide for the next time you’re in need of underwear, clothing, bedding or homewares made using hemp textiles including the brands my family and I love.<br /><br /><hr /><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">Underwear</h4><br /><b><u>WAMA Underwear</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://wamaunderwear.com/?rfsn=7352713.1f8c06&utm_source=refersion&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=7352713.1f8c06">WAMA Underwear</a> are on a mission to “pioneer the hemp underwear industry by making the best hemp undies in the world.” They are also one of the comfiest in the world.</div><div><br />When I first tried their hemp underwear I fell in love with the softness of the fabric. As I mentioned hemp is durable but WAMA have created buttery smooth underwear while also feeling strong. With two small children I'm moving a lot and I want something that moves with me while being comfortable. I can even vouch the racerback bralette is suitable and pleasant to breastfeed in.<br /><br />The fabric is made of 53% hemp, 44% certified organic GOTS cotton and 3% spandex with dyes certified by Oeko-Tex. They have details about their supply chain on the website along with a supplier code of conduct. The hemp used to make their underwear is grown organically on small family farms in China. China has the longest continuous use of hemp and is where most of the worlds hemp textiles are created today.<br /><br />I have the <a href="https://wamaunderwear.com/collections/boy-shorts-underwear?rfsn=7352713.1f8c06&utm_source=refersion&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=7352713.1f8c06" target="_blank">Boy Shorts</a>, <a href="https://wamaunderwear.com/collections/racerback-bralette?rfsn=7352713.1f8c06&utm_source=refersion&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=7352713.1f8c06" target="_blank">racerback bralette</a>, and <a href="https://wamaunderwear.com/collections/high-waisted-underwear?rfsn=7352713.1f8c06&utm_source=refersion&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=7352713.1f8c06" target="_blank">high waisted</a> styles.<br /><br />Don't tell the Builder he is getting some for his birthday.<br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmCWKkIEwBoFbDpm0TIq9Lz5Zm8JgqXqWDiMux33UaccEsdLHAS-sIIqPPM0iH8y1EHa7uVIwKPiysLCTAVMS6c6V2mmEWiwAxUD4sB3YbPzQ9xwAx--kboceMTiuWitw8IfmkQinWVi1tLNlqzK4bmw0o1rNGLUopZ7Nkm-V0Gb2V0Mg-H9rQq9H2/s637/therogueginger_wama%20hemp%20eco%20underwear%20review_erin%20rhoads.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="Review of WAMA hemp underwear" border="0" data-original-height="435" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmCWKkIEwBoFbDpm0TIq9Lz5Zm8JgqXqWDiMux33UaccEsdLHAS-sIIqPPM0iH8y1EHa7uVIwKPiysLCTAVMS6c6V2mmEWiwAxUD4sB3YbPzQ9xwAx--kboceMTiuWitw8IfmkQinWVi1tLNlqzK4bmw0o1rNGLUopZ7Nkm-V0Gb2V0Mg-H9rQq9H2/s16000/therogueginger_wama%20hemp%20eco%20underwear%20review_erin%20rhoads.jpg" title="Hemp underwear, clothing, bedding and homeware brands my family love" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://wamaunderwear.com/?rfsn=7352713.1f8c06&utm_source=refersion&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=7352713.1f8c06" target="_blank">WAMA hemp underwear</a></td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">Clothing and Shoes</h4><div><br /></div><p style="text-align: left;"><b><u>Hemp Clothing Australia</u></b></p></div><div>Hemp Clothing Australia has become well-respected brand in the hemp clothing industry and is known for its commitment to sustainability, durability, and ethical production practices. After searching Op Shops to find a plain white crewneck t-shirt without logos or slogans I decided look for an eco brand and each time I searched I kept coming back to their Woman's Classic Tee. It's comfortable, long-lasting and goes with everything in my wardrobe.</div><div><br /></div><div>They make apparel for men, women, kids, and more. I especially like that Hemp Clothing Australia is also making school uniforms. Now that's a game changer!</div><div><br /><p style="text-align: left;"><b><u>Bohempia Shoes </u></b></p>I have been wearing Bohempia low-top shoes for two years and they are still in great condition. Bohohempia's shoes are made using natural and sustainable materials, including hemp, cork, and recycled rubber and their shoes are designed to be comfortable, stylish, and long-lasting and I can attest to that claim.</div><div><br /></div><div>In addition to using sustainable materials, Bohempia is committed to ethical and fair production practices. The company works with skilled artisans in the Czech Republic and Portugal to make their shoes, and they pay fair wages and ensure safe working conditions for their workers. I purchased mine from a local store in Melbourne. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlecupebVsXLeqXKs7MtT5Y7AbyDHY57xIvV2y55QWD3DA6d3VkxNMo5V28N6A9eQDbd8kkdPvjpeWHnrgjxlI2ocA1SQfe-Vz_GIgyL3RMaLmdP1OGj2Xxz4HIuQLlAXs2lq3UGhRI7zM3vxgF0Elgd1PnGtYpWMkRzqUYTRwXKyD0imme5Spw0Z1/s637/therogueginger_hemp%20tshirt%20and%20shoes_erin%20rhoads.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="Hemp tshirt and hemp shoes" border="0" data-original-height="435" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlecupebVsXLeqXKs7MtT5Y7AbyDHY57xIvV2y55QWD3DA6d3VkxNMo5V28N6A9eQDbd8kkdPvjpeWHnrgjxlI2ocA1SQfe-Vz_GIgyL3RMaLmdP1OGj2Xxz4HIuQLlAXs2lq3UGhRI7zM3vxgF0Elgd1PnGtYpWMkRzqUYTRwXKyD0imme5Spw0Z1/s16000/therogueginger_hemp%20tshirt%20and%20shoes_erin%20rhoads.jpg" title="Hemp underwear, clothing, bedding and homeware brands my family love" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by my 6yr old of me wearing Hemp Clothing Australia t-shirt and Bohempia Shoes </td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><b><u><br /></u></b></div><p style="text-align: left;"><b><u>Margaret River Hemp</u></b></p></div><div>My first piece of hemp clothing was a pair of Margaret River Hemp women's pants I found at an Op Shop in Wangaratta six years ago and I wear them to this day. I've since found other items of theirs in Op Shops too. My has husband wears a Margaret River Hemp t-shirt and pants as pyjamas. </div><div><br />Margaret River Hemp Co specialise in producing high-quality, locally-sourced hemp products, ranging from clothing to hemp seed oil, hemp protein powder, hemp flour, and other hemp-based foods. They are also known for their range of skincare and beauty products made from hemp oil, as well as their hemp-based pet care products. The company places a strong emphasis on sustainability and environmental responsibility, using only organic, non-GMO hemp in their products alongside fair working conditions and pay. <br /><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">Bedding and Homeware</h4><div><br /></div><p style="text-align: left;"><b><u>WonderfulUkraine Hemp Bed Linen</u></b></p></div><div>I purchased our <a href="https://t.cfjump.com/19358/t/36585?Url=https%3a%2f%2fwww.etsy.com%2fau%2fshop%2fWonderfulUkraine%3fref%3dsimple-shop-header-name%26listing_id%3d737502333&UniqueId=WonderfulUkraine">100% hemp duvet cover</a> from WonderfulUkraine an Etsy seller as a 35th birthday preset to myself. It's the one featured in the photo at the top of this blog post. The duvet is cool in the summer but warm in the winter, and has a nice weight to it I enjoy to snuggling under throughout the year. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>There are many small businesses on <a href="https://t.cfjump.com/19358/t/36585?Url=http%3a%2f%2fwww.etsy.com%2f&UniqueId=Hemp+ety">Etsy</a> using hemp to make a variety of products. </div><div><br /></div><p style="text-align: left;"><b><u>Hemp Gallery Bed Linen</u></b></p><p style="text-align: left;">When I started to reduce plastic in my life one item I swapped early on were the polyester sheets on my bed for <a href="https://t.cfjump.com/19358/t/14846?Url=https%3a%2f%2fwww.biome.com.au%2fcollections%2fshop%3fq%3dhemp%2bgallery&UniqueId=hemp+gallery+hemp+blog+post" target="_blank">Hemp Gallery sheets and pillow cases</a>. The sheets and pillow cases are going well eight years later, with no stains or holes. They are soft, lovely to sleep on, clean easily and I still love the look of them. </p><p style="text-align: left;">By the way, I kept the polyester linen and use it to keep dust off stored items in our garage and in closets. </p><div><br /></div><div>There are many ways hemp is being used and I look forward to adding more brands championing hemp to this list. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9033465662037447681.post-7910027818488724482023-05-10T15:21:00.009+10:002023-05-15T15:00:12.331+10:00Sustainable Living Magazines<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgegdFwb-TZD4iskWd0dQd-lZWZ-0Pe77v60wdaQDkUIuXzQEve5Tt1NCiKMbOo_nEKWRRdsHg1F5p9qvmLJ_ZJYZAFrsQ1XMRXwcsw-DvEy9n4MBnKCgr8qJgka1n-W-S7PjvrNh8UEicL38uYV-HjLqVwSdVTFOdz4NBNr7G-KVjMlvlBmbLeSHA_/s637/sustainable%20living%20magazines_therogueginger.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sustainable Living Magazines" border="0" data-original-height="435" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgegdFwb-TZD4iskWd0dQd-lZWZ-0Pe77v60wdaQDkUIuXzQEve5Tt1NCiKMbOo_nEKWRRdsHg1F5p9qvmLJ_ZJYZAFrsQ1XMRXwcsw-DvEy9n4MBnKCgr8qJgka1n-W-S7PjvrNh8UEicL38uYV-HjLqVwSdVTFOdz4NBNr7G-KVjMlvlBmbLeSHA_/s16000/sustainable%20living%20magazines_therogueginger.jpg" title="Sustainable Living Magazines" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXYslkMwL-zSL15Xbwr2R-Q2F_9W2vCOQpomrkYKMrKxFlI127Kim7JVneJJjEg-tEZt8S_RjpV2m741XKVt4E29CBS8FYAqD4eTfY2Bcgfu66FyDLTqCrzvGFIKupHbSJSh2o5gXYwMhnyhBrh5YPHbkkJTnbxBKauW_AsXdgN9Xo8JFT54hHs5yI/s637/sustainable%20living%20magazines%202_therogueginger.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sustainable Living Magazines" border="0" data-original-height="435" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXYslkMwL-zSL15Xbwr2R-Q2F_9W2vCOQpomrkYKMrKxFlI127Kim7JVneJJjEg-tEZt8S_RjpV2m741XKVt4E29CBS8FYAqD4eTfY2Bcgfu66FyDLTqCrzvGFIKupHbSJSh2o5gXYwMhnyhBrh5YPHbkkJTnbxBKauW_AsXdgN9Xo8JFT54hHs5yI/s16000/sustainable%20living%20magazines%202_therogueginger.jpg" title="Sustainable Living Magazines" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I love curling up on the couch with a magazine and a cup fo tea. There are a great selection of Australian based magazines focusing on sustainable living and can be found at local newsagents or even through local libraries. Magazine subscriptions through places like <a href="https://t.cfjump.com/19358/t/6502?Url=https%3a%2f%2fwww.isubscribe.com.au%2f" target="_blank">iSubscribe</a> make a great gift too. </div><div><br /></div><p style="text-align: left;"><b>Australian sustainable and eco living magazines:</b></p><div><div><ul><li><a href="https://t.cfjump.com/19358/t/6502?Url=https%3a%2f%2fwww.isubscribe.com.au%2fsearch.cfm%3fqs%3dpip%2bmagazine&UniqueId=Sustainable+Living+Magazines" target="_blank">Pip</a></li><li><a href="https://t.cfjump.com/19358/t/6502?Url=https%3a%2f%2fwww.isubscribe.com.au%2frenew-technology-for-a-sustainable-future-magazine-subscription.cfm&UniqueId=Sustainable+Living+Magazines" target="_blank">Renew: Technology for a sustainable future</a></li><li><a href="https://t.cfjump.com/19358/t/6502?Url=https%3a%2f%2fwww.isubscribe.com.au%2fpeppermint-magazine-subscription.cfm&UniqueId=Sustainable+Living+Magazines" target="_blank">Peppermint</a></li><li><a href="https://t.cfjump.com/19358/t/6502?Url=https%3a%2f%2fwww.isubscribe.com.au%2fgrass-roots-magazine-subscription.cfm&UniqueId=Sustainable+Living+Magazines" target="_blank">Grassroots</a></li><li><a href="https://www.isubscribe.com.au/sanctuary-modern-green-homes-magazine-subscription.cfm" target="_blank">Sanctuary: Modern Green Homes</a></li><li><a href="https://t.cfjump.com/19358/t/6502?Url=https%3a%2f%2fwww.isubscribe.com.au%2fgood-organic-gardening-magazine-subscription.cfm&UniqueId=Sustainable+Living+Magazines" target="_blank">Good Organic Gardening</a></li><li><a href="https://www.isubscribe.com.au/australian-homespun-magazine-subscription.cfm" target="_blank">Australian Homespun</a></li><li><a href="https://t.cfjump.com/19358/t/6502?Url=https%3a%2f%2fwww.isubscribe.com.au%2fgreen-magazine-subscription.cfm&UniqueId=Sustainable+Living+Magazines" target="_blank">Green</a></li><li><a href="https://www.isubscribe.com.au/wellbeing-magazine-subscription.cfm" target="_blank">Wellbeing</a></li><li><a href="https://www.isubscribe.com.au/frankie-magazine-subscription.cfm" target="_blank">Frankie</a></li><li><a href="https://t.cfjump.com/19358/t/6502?Url=https%3a%2f%2fwww.isubscribe.com.au%2fbreathe-magazine-australia-subscription.cfm&UniqueId=Sustainable+Living+Magazines" target="_blank">Breathe</a> </li></ul></div><div>Some of the magazine titles have more of a sustainability focus than others or look at sustainability through varying themes like slow living, mindfulness, gardening, building. <br /><br />A special shout out to the zero waste title <a href="https://www.facebook.com/rethinkmagazineAU/" target="_blank">Re:think Magazine</a> (formerly known as Junkies). The current owners were looking for a new buyer incase anyone is interested. If I won the lottery and had a little more free time I'd take it on :) </div></div><div><br /></div><div><div><i>Did I miss a title? Send me an email and I'll add it to the list. </i></div><div><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9033465662037447681.post-68181113992759465152023-02-28T12:51:00.002+11:002023-02-28T12:51:31.443+11:00Plastic Free lunch bag and lunch box<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8dfJufZf1rcdic3rL6lR5i72DxYdGFDTH3anpkASOXQt4kBss8H19HJNX1rh3RKEdf_Bb5QEA4xo742PPiGOA96OZf6z1sjwdB28B6ifZV0odYGyDFUvx5xwKK7CGdQxVSXo-gvEvrSOTyoKC82mPIB2iLSxOwpG4RncAlM48r5xrALJiv-3jzC1f/s637/plastic%20free%20lunch%20bag%20plastic%20free%20lunch%20box%202_the%20rogue%20ginger.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Plastic Free lunch bag and lunch box" border="0" data-original-height="435" data-original-width="637" height="437" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8dfJufZf1rcdic3rL6lR5i72DxYdGFDTH3anpkASOXQt4kBss8H19HJNX1rh3RKEdf_Bb5QEA4xo742PPiGOA96OZf6z1sjwdB28B6ifZV0odYGyDFUvx5xwKK7CGdQxVSXo-gvEvrSOTyoKC82mPIB2iLSxOwpG4RncAlM48r5xrALJiv-3jzC1f/w640-h437/plastic%20free%20lunch%20bag%20plastic%20free%20lunch%20box%202_the%20rogue%20ginger.jpg" title="Plastic Free lunch bag and lunch box" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lifewithoutplastic.com/wool-insulated-organic-cotton-lunch-bag-olive-trim/?aff=24" target="_blank">Plastic Free Lunch Bag</a> by Life Without Plastic</td></tr></tbody></table><br />We started primary school this year. I'm saying we because the transition from kinder to big school has been felt just as deeply by my 5yr old as it has been by me! The first weeks of Prep have moved with ease and faster than I expected. That's not to say there has not been some days when he's grumbled about attending. When I give him the option to stay home and learn with me, i'm always met with a confident no, thank you. I would be happy to home school him but he is not as keen. Last year we had many conversations on the different ways to learn, watching youtube videos and reading stories about home schooling, unschooling and mainstream schooling. I wanted to give him a chance to decided from the beginning how he'd prefer to learn. The local primary school ended up being his choice for now. I have reiterated that if he doesn't find joy there then he's allowed to tell me and I'll be there to help find what works for him.<br /><br />Once we settled on how he wanted to learn it was time to start getting ready. Uniforms were purchased secondhand from Facebook Marketplace. The stationary list was mostly acquired second-hand too – a topic I'll touch on later. His plastic free <a href="https://t.cfjump.com/19358/t/14846?Url=https%3a%2f%2fwww.biome.com.au%2fcollections%2fpura" target="_blank">Pura drink bottle</a> purchased at 18 months old was still going strong. Next up was the lunchbox. There was nothing secondhand. Well nothing plastic free secondhand. Then the team at <a href="https://happyhomeau.com/ ">Happy Home</a> reached out to see if we'd like to try their Bento Box. We loved it right away and asked if they'd be keen to offer one as a giveaway on my social media.<br /><br />The Happy Home Bento Lunch Box is really sturdy, easy for little and big hands to open, leakproof, dishwasher safe and easy enough to wash by hand. The inner silicone component can be removed easily for cleaning.<div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfpauR7YDOG8ieikGuhlFt63Fj9xzfl7D0g5j5sIFMz3Wb0eOB0VZ3mQjkImWQU69iZ_5NLRF_ixzcahTkz-Oz5JBqFbKS0Q4fJG6tpkQa2lNc6cipknrXK8_edSfCRYRXc4JBy2Z_TuuBLKbwC_Olp_aHZkV1c4aS7U59ayRuc5HwwR4amR6ZmHVZ/s637/plastic%20free%20lunch%20bag%20plastic%20free%20lunch%20box_the%20rogue%20ginger.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="Plastic Free lunch bag and lunch box" border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfpauR7YDOG8ieikGuhlFt63Fj9xzfl7D0g5j5sIFMz3Wb0eOB0VZ3mQjkImWQU69iZ_5NLRF_ixzcahTkz-Oz5JBqFbKS0Q4fJG6tpkQa2lNc6cipknrXK8_edSfCRYRXc4JBy2Z_TuuBLKbwC_Olp_aHZkV1c4aS7U59ayRuc5HwwR4amR6ZmHVZ/s16000/plastic%20free%20lunch%20bag%20plastic%20free%20lunch%20box_the%20rogue%20ginger.jpg" title="Plastic Free lunch bag and lunch box" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy Home Large Bento Box</td></tr></tbody></table><br />I’m a big advocate for producer responsibility so I had to ask if they will accept the materials back for recycling. They do! I wouldn’t have accepted this if they hadn’t. Should the silicone ever break a replacement can be purchased too.<br /><br />Life Without Plastics's <a href="https://lifewithoutplastic.com/wool-insulated-organic-cotton-lunch-bag-olive-trim/?aff=24" target="_blank">plastic free lunch bag</a> has been bookmarked since it first came out. The eco lunch bag is made of 100% cotton, really good quality metal zips, clips and closures, and wool insulation. There are pockets to place a cooler brick if needed. Should it ever get a hole I can tell it will be easy to mend. The size is perfect and spots cleans well too. It's the perfect addition for a plastic free zero waste lunch kit. <br /><br />I'm SO impressed with the plastic free lunch bag. Not that i'm surprised – the team at Life Without Plastic have always created and sold well made products. Literally everything in that store is without plastic. They were the first store I shopped with when I went plastic-free and I still use everything to this day. <br /><br />I plan to keep school lunches simple and most items will be repeated. Here is what my little preppy is enjoying at the moment:<br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Honey sandwich</li><li>Pickle</li><li>Carrots (or cucumber or capsicum)</li><li>Homemade tofu bites</li><li>Cheese</li><li>Homemade crackers</li><li>Dates</li></ul><br />It's 3:05pm. I better get kiddo 2 into the pram to make the school pick up in time! <br /><br /><i>This blog post containers a gifted product. I was under no obligation to share it or paid to write a post about this product. </i></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9033465662037447681.post-1683622067467886732023-02-27T11:24:00.003+11:002023-02-27T11:24:29.668+11:00Zero waste eco craft activity for kids - paper mache bowls<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTEw52uHcOGHouMSwR2X9Yyl6GBf-m1b17N1K9il2d0zUV-WbFcVy4kFNchdbMUCpTP0oWMhVv0f8nfm8KmQpUxrkHc2uslh916fuezzgpSd91gtjNTvnv6lZgczDd-OO-TLeXgh38OdJhKYwj5BZxpXUqnji0HA_BYzItYzdSgddePC2rjIonbs2k/s637/zero%20waste%20kids%20craft%20activity%20paper%20mache%204_the%20rogue%20ginger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Zero waste activities for kids - paper mache bowls" border="0" data-original-height="435" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTEw52uHcOGHouMSwR2X9Yyl6GBf-m1b17N1K9il2d0zUV-WbFcVy4kFNchdbMUCpTP0oWMhVv0f8nfm8KmQpUxrkHc2uslh916fuezzgpSd91gtjNTvnv6lZgczDd-OO-TLeXgh38OdJhKYwj5BZxpXUqnji0HA_BYzItYzdSgddePC2rjIonbs2k/s16000/zero%20waste%20kids%20craft%20activity%20paper%20mache%204_the%20rogue%20ginger.jpg" title="Zero waste activities for kids - paper mache bowls" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>The week before the <a href="https://www.therogueginger.com/2022/03/second-child-zero-waste-habits.html" target="_blank">arrival of baby number two</a> I asked via <a href="https://www.instagram.com/therogueginger/" target="_blank">social media</a> what kind of topics would be helpful and interesting for me to write about. One topic was eco friendly zero waste craft and play activity ideas for children. So here we are (over a year late) with a series on easy zero waste craft and play activities for the family and caregivers to try. <br /><br />The craft activity I'm going to share is how we made paper mache bowls using scrap paper and homemade glue. These were a lot of fun to make. The project prompted my 5yr old to ask about the different types of materials a bowl can be made from and how they are constructed. His question took us to youtube and we watched alot of videos about bowls made of glass, ceramic, coconut, bamboo, woven grasses, wood and metal. I love how play activities can spark fun investigations.<br /><br />Here are a list of the materials needed:<br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>A bowl</li><li>Scrap paper or magazines</li><li>Oil or a homemade balm</li><li>Flour</li><li>Water</li><li>Paintbrush</li></ul><div><br /></div>We begun by tearing up scrap paper into small strips, about 8-10cm long by 5cm wide. Once this was completed we rubbed ours bowls with olive oil. This was to stop the paper and glue from sticking to the bowl. If you have a homemade lip balm made of oil and beeswax this would work too. Skipping this step will mean the paper will become stuck on the bowl.<br /><br />Make the glue using one part flour and mix together one tablespoon of water for every tablespoon of plain (all-purpose) flour and you’re ready to start sticking! Using the paint brush to dip into the homemade glue and brush onto the paper scraps. Stick your paper to the bowl. Now repeat the process until the the bowl is covered. Let it dry overnight.<br /><br />The next day gently remove the paper bowl off of the ceramic bowl. Now it's ready to decorate. <div><br /></div><div>I hope you liked this fun plastic free and zero waste craft activity. <br /><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd0hOKPVgwHEcRhRKdd8nGTx3fLCsQJXLdk6HhQ3rN7I5jYHqRSK_0obGzQ7AqrMMcPcwAuEG_SQWt7Ib7JzbuLpySfLDyzwjLhzJ2lDuJdcOf9QxFFx_mGzhtfs1KplZwcom91NL5flkoHl4W7sPYbs5na0BfDCyCwoP57I6iFxfvc5Ux92j6E-CR/s637/zero%20waste%20kids%20craft%20activity%20paper%20mache%203_the%20rogue%20ginger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="Zero waste activities for kids - paper mache bowls" border="0" data-original-height="435" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd0hOKPVgwHEcRhRKdd8nGTx3fLCsQJXLdk6HhQ3rN7I5jYHqRSK_0obGzQ7AqrMMcPcwAuEG_SQWt7Ib7JzbuLpySfLDyzwjLhzJ2lDuJdcOf9QxFFx_mGzhtfs1KplZwcom91NL5flkoHl4W7sPYbs5na0BfDCyCwoP57I6iFxfvc5Ux92j6E-CR/s16000/zero%20waste%20kids%20craft%20activity%20paper%20mache%203_the%20rogue%20ginger.jpg" title="Zero waste activities for kids - paper mache bowls" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adding the zero waste glue to the scrap paper </td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3tZwFnl2l6RArByCIYgkZkO5E_2MmKAxuNqaZU2Uy81uuFiHO1rC4PgKU-KLU4khZfq0OG_ywwo-at8cIpBsGWmuffsDd7ErG121KwN1vCnbixhfEPmplWL3qWufToHI3PZR03o5u8g75Zwe07Tyd-i7FXLIM2G97LwsZRHliNWi2nN0vo3gr_WIE/s637/zero%20waste%20kids%20craft%20activity%20paper%20mache%202_the%20rogue%20ginger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="Zero waste activities for kids - paper mache bowls" border="0" data-original-height="435" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3tZwFnl2l6RArByCIYgkZkO5E_2MmKAxuNqaZU2Uy81uuFiHO1rC4PgKU-KLU4khZfq0OG_ywwo-at8cIpBsGWmuffsDd7ErG121KwN1vCnbixhfEPmplWL3qWufToHI3PZR03o5u8g75Zwe07Tyd-i7FXLIM2G97LwsZRHliNWi2nN0vo3gr_WIE/s16000/zero%20waste%20kids%20craft%20activity%20paper%20mache%202_the%20rogue%20ginger.jpg" title="Zero waste activities for kids - paper mache bowls" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Letting the paper mache bowl dry</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbjXEDOjV9noQgy_6heie5g6CJcMP8UaSjV495aN1jzjGqpSvXLW8P7Q1mTu24aaL_IEFZQ-AijtLauUOpPH54y7_VVdJUYO0FzrnT8RENK1rMweUQgZzbRTsfEkkYc1BlRTcM9OMCk3cFgLinIPxIGtYNK2i7IEUXVTAkvl1wGZTb116dsiKemsK9/s637/zero%20waste%20kids%20craft%20activity%20paper%20mache%201_the%20rogue%20ginger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="Zero waste activities for kids - paper mache bowls" border="0" data-original-height="435" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbjXEDOjV9noQgy_6heie5g6CJcMP8UaSjV495aN1jzjGqpSvXLW8P7Q1mTu24aaL_IEFZQ-AijtLauUOpPH54y7_VVdJUYO0FzrnT8RENK1rMweUQgZzbRTsfEkkYc1BlRTcM9OMCk3cFgLinIPxIGtYNK2i7IEUXVTAkvl1wGZTb116dsiKemsK9/s16000/zero%20waste%20kids%20craft%20activity%20paper%20mache%201_the%20rogue%20ginger.jpg" title="Zero waste activities for kids - paper mache bowls" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Time to decorate the paper mache bowls</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYD-TCXKNSRQRKnIHK_9K2sNxUPqb7A42dnkCkSjGn58UBQl8jvk-4b3_BzFsOtQf5sX6GjVwxUTZDzpxKxRmxDcBqlwcl3CGG3gv6gnL0dE77mb1fpSq9DyFGbZFA54osYRqT1qoIloIWIUIxNWgaF3NY5OqE3Q1TEVnThUWBQbOr27BNKuuzLVZK/s637/zero%20waste%20kids%20craft%20activity%20paper%20mache%205_the%20rogue%20ginger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="Zero waste activities for kids - paper mache bowls" border="0" data-original-height="435" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYD-TCXKNSRQRKnIHK_9K2sNxUPqb7A42dnkCkSjGn58UBQl8jvk-4b3_BzFsOtQf5sX6GjVwxUTZDzpxKxRmxDcBqlwcl3CGG3gv6gnL0dE77mb1fpSq9DyFGbZFA54osYRqT1qoIloIWIUIxNWgaF3NY5OqE3Q1TEVnThUWBQbOr27BNKuuzLVZK/s16000/zero%20waste%20kids%20craft%20activity%20paper%20mache%205_the%20rogue%20ginger.jpg" title="Zero waste activities for kids - paper mache bowls" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The finished product by the two artists</td></tr></tbody></table></div></div></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEM_3__8iuuOxaMTh3P4pRE1EjhttJFIat2rgnDVx2ryQHdnaOXZB45XN5WPi9TRDNntpf8MHzNFu34c3Dk90hm9MKKXQ4PX-qAmwhaNBDbqjbaGd6ZMWoJXuXZPVq20SClMq0bmHzaagU9SC9RshDYs6U1xykOF1Zq7leqq5BPMXRzpsFzev2fRn-/s637/zero%20waste%20kids%20craft%20activity%20paper%20mache%206_the%20rogue%20ginger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="Zero waste activities for kids - paper mache bowls" border="0" data-original-height="435" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEM_3__8iuuOxaMTh3P4pRE1EjhttJFIat2rgnDVx2ryQHdnaOXZB45XN5WPi9TRDNntpf8MHzNFu34c3Dk90hm9MKKXQ4PX-qAmwhaNBDbqjbaGd6ZMWoJXuXZPVq20SClMq0bmHzaagU9SC9RshDYs6U1xykOF1Zq7leqq5BPMXRzpsFzev2fRn-/s16000/zero%20waste%20kids%20craft%20activity%20paper%20mache%206_the%20rogue%20ginger.jpg" title="Zero waste activities for kids - paper mache bowls" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One last photo taken by a proud 5yr old</td></tr></tbody></table></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9033465662037447681.post-39930201925158205812022-11-21T13:09:00.001+11:002022-11-21T13:09:13.997+11:00Turning 5! a zero waste kids birthday party<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg676iCnq8yNPFF2Jd4Q12vDkcBIHEDlNpaNJzV3RltT81yNNOOlO0I1QHu2p6yl8qW0DRF5IXKt71sA3IWJlxtUoB1KznzQv12vtidwlXMsuh476N1drGQ731Q4MSp40N56INKvEYdMdpuNfrmFeqMc1hLJYQ1CpWmisIWsBX21WntPj0XxoudaV25/s637/therogueginger_kids%20zero%20waste%20birthday%20party%20ideas.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="Turning 5! a zero waste kids birthday party" border="0" data-original-height="435" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg676iCnq8yNPFF2Jd4Q12vDkcBIHEDlNpaNJzV3RltT81yNNOOlO0I1QHu2p6yl8qW0DRF5IXKt71sA3IWJlxtUoB1KznzQv12vtidwlXMsuh476N1drGQ731Q4MSp40N56INKvEYdMdpuNfrmFeqMc1hLJYQ1CpWmisIWsBX21WntPj0XxoudaV25/s16000/therogueginger_kids%20zero%20waste%20birthday%20party%20ideas.jpg" title="Turning 5! a zero waste kids birthday party" /></a><br /><br />Our eldest turned five this year and we were very excited to host a party for him. A zero waste party of course. It was a great day - the weather was perfect, his friends from the co-op had fun and we ate too much cake. On top of all of that the little zero waste eco swaps we made started conversations with many of the parents there, with many of them exclaiming “i could do that!”.<br /><br />The only other birthday party was his 1st birthday which was celebrated in zero-waste style too - you can <a href="https://www.therogueginger.com/2019/01/our-sons-first-low-waste-birthday-party.html" target="_blank">read about his 1st birthday here</a>. I think the 1st birthday was more more of a congratulatory party for us getting through that first year. But this party was all about him and seeing him make memories with his little mates.<br /><br />Here is how it went...<br /><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">Invitations</h4>I used to work as a graphic designer so I have fun putting together an invitation for birthday parties. For his 1st birthday we sent out the invite as an image via a phone message. This time I printed the invites on 100% recycled paper and these were handed to his friends at school as we didn't have all of the parents phone numbers. I could print the exact amount and did't need to waste any paper.<br /><br />Other options are GreenInvite, creating a private Facebook event if you have everyone’s details, a handwritten homemade invite, or look on Facebook marketplace for left over or unused birthday invitation packs. Some schools have apps with parents groups accessible for messaging.<br /><br />I did suggest to the almost 5 year old we could have fun creating our own at home using secondhand materials and making our own paper, but the idea got a firm no.<br /><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">Location</h4>Weather permitting, parks are a great place to host a birthday party. Plus they are free! There is a local skate park near us suitable for younger children with scooters/bikes and we thought that would be the perfect spot while providing free entertainment for the kids. The only down side was a single table with cover. Grandad volunteered to go early (like early EARLY) with the birthday boy to claim the table.<br /><br />We had our trestle table and picnic rugs ready as a back up. If we didn't have our own trestle table or enough picnic rugs I would have conducted a call out in my local neighbourhood group.<br /><br />I did find this awesome Facebook group called <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1037869216403560" target="_blank">Bayside Party Share</a>. The group shares a range of items for parties helping Bayside locals reduce waste and not rely on single-use items. Wouldn't it be cool if each suburb/town had one.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ-exfTfBg3Q9sDJ4tu5bLF8YZY1GyRe-h2ud_lQdlphQ2gZBIIrZuuLwEvtjTLdQVcQx16Q6Qyr-B-maOPzR_XBj2401B7AKL9sRZXwgG6ecVKBHQ7AjkBDGIP7cFMcdKTieeqSe9JDLCY_OZpmj53pRxJuP_pNx8TfEAofUxN8fbMfRVQiw9FCuB/s637/therogueginger_kids%20zero%20waste%20birthday%20party%20ideas_party%20kit.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="zero waste kids party" border="0" data-original-height="435" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ-exfTfBg3Q9sDJ4tu5bLF8YZY1GyRe-h2ud_lQdlphQ2gZBIIrZuuLwEvtjTLdQVcQx16Q6Qyr-B-maOPzR_XBj2401B7AKL9sRZXwgG6ecVKBHQ7AjkBDGIP7cFMcdKTieeqSe9JDLCY_OZpmj53pRxJuP_pNx8TfEAofUxN8fbMfRVQiw9FCuB/s16000/therogueginger_kids%20zero%20waste%20birthday%20party%20ideas_party%20kit.jpg" title="zero waste kids party" /></a></div><div><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">Food and Drink</h4>We kept food simple and easy to grab. 5 year olds are not keen to sit down to have a meal when they are with their friends. They want to take a few quick bites and keep playing. This is the food we had:<br /><br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Snacks like grain chips, lollies, popcorn and coconut ice bought package-free from The Source Bulk Foods</li><li>Sandwiches, cut into triangles of course</li><li>Cupcakes</li><li>Falafels and carrots with hummus</li><li>Birthday cake</li><li>Lebanese pies and baklava for the adults</li><li>Two litres homemade lemonade concentrate to mix with water as needed</li><li>Water dispensed from a water cooler</li></ul><br />We borrowed a water cooler, cake carriers, and pipping/cake decorating set from <a href="https://carltonkitchenlibrary.myturn.com/library/" target="_blank">Carlton Kitchen Library</a>.<br /><br />The food was purchased in our own reusable containers, jars and bags or in paper bags that we could compost at home.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh57LLHzKTjEwcppRUbq23Bh3AbM1bUXqZLl4R0kE8QKybpKjWF3JKiip2o3Ds2aNRmWhAt514enSlyfRnHAuKgSSvckyc00NX4605Fbm3g8gtWQSnOxXh83IAdOUSM0fhWF6r_CGxPpoLVcplCP4PvLOt8oQFGD_XbVNRZYRuTirxK-5G67cWqgQRy/s637/therogueginger_kids%20zero%20waste%20birthday%20party%20ideas_compost.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="zero waste kids party compost" border="0" data-original-height="435" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh57LLHzKTjEwcppRUbq23Bh3AbM1bUXqZLl4R0kE8QKybpKjWF3JKiip2o3Ds2aNRmWhAt514enSlyfRnHAuKgSSvckyc00NX4605Fbm3g8gtWQSnOxXh83IAdOUSM0fhWF6r_CGxPpoLVcplCP4PvLOt8oQFGD_XbVNRZYRuTirxK-5G67cWqgQRy/s16000/therogueginger_kids%20zero%20waste%20birthday%20party%20ideas_compost.jpg" title="zero waste kids party compost" /></a><br /><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">Compost bin</h4>I found a large container at the Op Shop to collect uneaten food. We didn't need a container this large as there wasn't that much food waste, but I chose it to get peoples attention and to make sure it wouldn't be missed.<br /><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">Reusable Cloth wipes</h4>Setting up reusable cloth wipes next to the water cooler is a simple swap to single-use paper serviettes or wet wipes. Used wipes had a designated container clearly labeled for people to see and use.<br /><br />My party kit has cloth wipes were by <a href="https://hereandafter.eco/products/reusable-cloth-wipes" target="_blank">Here & After</a>. Used flannel cot sheets cut up into squares are a homemade alternative.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWqhEb18PcKABDc6RAgXeuXOQhg5jQ4S8zE3-dWQ_5R65_es7tBQ-UvoohqbE6ddatKY6lAyOUHW3vJAJpxC1aDs9b7VP426-ezBY0w1Wv1p6v2PLXDFrA9DxJl4I88VVjHDRQOCg6uxqTUrXqAKdQoEjAJUrEBOEzPHELlX399GRY3S6ZWzku743M/s637/therogueginger_kids%20zero%20waste%20birthday%20party%20ideas_reusable%20wipes.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="zero waste kids party reusable cloth wipes" border="0" data-original-height="435" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWqhEb18PcKABDc6RAgXeuXOQhg5jQ4S8zE3-dWQ_5R65_es7tBQ-UvoohqbE6ddatKY6lAyOUHW3vJAJpxC1aDs9b7VP426-ezBY0w1Wv1p6v2PLXDFrA9DxJl4I88VVjHDRQOCg6uxqTUrXqAKdQoEjAJUrEBOEzPHELlX399GRY3S6ZWzku743M/s16000/therogueginger_kids%20zero%20waste%20birthday%20party%20ideas_reusable%20wipes.jpg" title="zero waste kids party reusable cloth wipes" /></a><br /><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">Plates, bowls, cups and cutlery</h4>Owning and hiring out a reusable party kit box in my spare time meant we were all set for plates, cups and cutlery, and more. The box includes a jug and bunting decorations.<br /><br />Last year I helped save over 5,242 of single-use party items by lending my kit to other families. You can find my reusable party kit and others for hire on the Party Kit Network or you can read my blog post on how I set one up.<br /><br /><p style="text-align: left;"><b>Related blog posts:</b> <a href="http://www.therogueginger.com/2018/03/my-newborn-zero-waste-essentials-list.html">My newborn essentials list</a> and <a href="http://www.therogueginger.com/2017/08/zero-waste-baby-shower-gift-ideas.html">Baby shower gift ideas</a> and <a href="http://www.therogueginger.com/2016/10/zero-waste-wedding.html">Our Zero Waste Wedding</a></p><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">Gifts</h4>We decided to try a fiver present in lieu of presents. A fiver present is where parents ask guests to bring $5 instead of a physical gift. The idea is the birthday kid can pool the money for a larger gift they really want. For parents it's also a great way to reduce the 10-20 new toys from making their way into your home. We have enough toys and I thought this would be an interesting way to approach it. Here is the line we used on the invitation:<br /><br /><i>“Your presence is the only present that we need, but should you want to give something to the birthday boy, please consider giving $5 that he can put towards a monster truck.”</i><br /><br />We didn't have any pushback from anyone. Most parents said that it made life less stressful too.<br /><br />Along with the $5, each of the kids made handmade cards, decorated envelopes or drew pictures. The birthday boy loved this. For the next month he'd pull them out and look at each one, talk about the person who gave it. These were so special and I've kept each one.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirhz96CrAVp03XAFrQtZlRVqm4Dz_i5OrMBByyCZ49F3HfCavaL2JFkdMqTAKBjdSDvX-vWFEUe07q2Mps9RE1H4FZKe5PDxcGQrNv_J-i9CND_MT07LOCKIv-lYs4a6sS3jH_YeH4uv5J5VUiakwFaYTZ777k1lPzMThw7V8AUN0JVfWzzoycIP_h/s637/therogueginger_kids%20zero%20waste%20birthday%20party%20ideas_fiver%20birthday%20present.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="zero waste kids party fiver present" border="0" data-original-height="435" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirhz96CrAVp03XAFrQtZlRVqm4Dz_i5OrMBByyCZ49F3HfCavaL2JFkdMqTAKBjdSDvX-vWFEUe07q2Mps9RE1H4FZKe5PDxcGQrNv_J-i9CND_MT07LOCKIv-lYs4a6sS3jH_YeH4uv5J5VUiakwFaYTZ777k1lPzMThw7V8AUN0JVfWzzoycIP_h/s16000/therogueginger_kids%20zero%20waste%20birthday%20party%20ideas_fiver%20birthday%20present.jpg" title="zero waste kids party fiver present" /></a></div><div><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">Decorations</h4>We kept the decorations simple, leaving the natural beauty of the park to shine. Bunting from my party kit was hung in the outdoor pavilion. I dressed the table in a secondhand blue sheet and overlapped with another small blue tablecloth on top.<br /><br />If you are looking to decorate, especially with a theme, look to Facebook Marketplace or party hire stores. I saw a lot of options to hire when I was looking up anything party related on Facebook.</div><div><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">Games</h4>I have reusable pass the parcel bags in my party kit but the birthday boy vetoed the idea. He wanted to play pin the tale on the donkey. I thought i'd check Facebook for any pre-made donkey's and found a pin the tooth on the dinosaur another parent was looking to pass on. There were a lot of other games for sale and hire via Facebook like egg and spoon, sack race, and more.<br /><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">Party Favours/Party Bags</h4><div>We gifted seed balls (also known as seed bombs) as zero-waste party gifts instead of plastic filled party bags. </div><div><br /></div><div>Seed balls are made of four five ingredients - clay, compost, coconut coir, seeds and water. They can be placed on-top of the soil or pushed just below the surface, then left alone to sprout (typically after a heavy rain) or can be helped along by a good watering<br /><br />Making seed balls is a fun activity I've enjoyed with children, both my own and for sustainability workshops I've run in schools and the community. They are eco friendly and make the perfect plastic free party favour, plus they are fun to use. What kid doesn't love throwing stuff? It's the kind of party favour that can get lost in nature and not cause harm. <br /><br />I cut small squares of fabric and wrapped the seed balls inside the fabric then tied with ribbon we had in our collection and finished with instruction on how to use.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6jqCDSXLWcBdJHMNiKvhIgsIyiDnm-ClaWGj7wZUmNhw5xyyeZspXiZMAAsV2qda3chYZZJGWegT3oryA_h2Nlqm9hUwPow_mTz289z1vgn23mamoknjSwilr3jm3C96tqMeBNp-ehQ_VCt1Ooghx25skfs_UqYOtftuFcAe2bf34l27o2zF5G4v7/s637/therogueginger_kids%20zero%20waste%20birthday%20party%20ideas_party%20favours.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="435" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6jqCDSXLWcBdJHMNiKvhIgsIyiDnm-ClaWGj7wZUmNhw5xyyeZspXiZMAAsV2qda3chYZZJGWegT3oryA_h2Nlqm9hUwPow_mTz289z1vgn23mamoknjSwilr3jm3C96tqMeBNp-ehQ_VCt1Ooghx25skfs_UqYOtftuFcAe2bf34l27o2zF5G4v7/s16000/therogueginger_kids%20zero%20waste%20birthday%20party%20ideas_party%20favours.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />That's it!<br /><br />I've been to many (many, so many) kids parties in the past year. The party we had for our child was not that much different to the others, ours just had small zero waste eco tweaks.<br /><br />Planning and hosting parties can be really stressful. Perhaps the options above aren't available or doable for you. That's ok. Pick one area you can switch up and go from there or share this blog post to help others who can make changes. </div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9033465662037447681.post-46245707322887786612022-05-05T15:21:00.006+10:002022-05-05T15:21:53.794+10:00How to recycle toys<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL7-FaiZjhBDFwXgc3INPDtigZM6JScsEYmPddxtdKA2On7O_vL2sIBtJlcF8udc8PmauCkWf3-ommxiWVC5Cqh2pMjeFcDkzCLkdW1-WG2oaixwlDQUqhB-B7ukd2SSQNU1y37IRzNgBusKpAVmXDKhCb3N0MnzJBLtnoS6sljMkDM06dvbOwLE4l/s637/therogueginger_recycle%20toys%20recycle%20broken%20toys%20in%20australia.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="How to recycle toys" border="0" data-original-height="435" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL7-FaiZjhBDFwXgc3INPDtigZM6JScsEYmPddxtdKA2On7O_vL2sIBtJlcF8udc8PmauCkWf3-ommxiWVC5Cqh2pMjeFcDkzCLkdW1-WG2oaixwlDQUqhB-B7ukd2SSQNU1y37IRzNgBusKpAVmXDKhCb3N0MnzJBLtnoS6sljMkDM06dvbOwLE4l/s16000/therogueginger_recycle%20toys%20recycle%20broken%20toys%20in%20australia.jpg" title="How to recycle toys" /></a></div><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p>Our eldest child has a generous collection of toys. 99% of them have been passed onto us from older cousins, friends, and picked up secondhand (Op Shop, Facebook Marketplace and eBay). They mainly consist of anything with a wheel. My feet have stepped on a fair few matchbox cars in the past few years. Ouch!<br /><br />The reality of choosing only secondhand toys is they have been pre-loved and pre-played, meaning the toys can be very close to breaking by the time we get to them. Notably toys picked up from Op Shops are the ones close to becoming landfill.<br /><br />My guess is some people feel guilty about putting toys in the bin, so they choose to pass slightly cracked or chipped toys onto Op Shops for one more play. I get it. I used to do it with <a href="https://www.therogueginger.com/2022/03/shop-donate-and-sell-clothes-secondhand.html">clothes</a>. Recent research found <a href="https://www.magicmum.com/how-to-cut-back-on-plastic-toy-waste-this-world-earth-day/" target="_blank">80% of children’s toys in the global north are going to landfills, incinerators, or the ocean</a>.<br /><br />The material a toy is made with and its original quality plays a part in the longevity too. I try to repair as much as possible but sadly the bulk of toys are designed and manufactured without repairing or Extended Producer Responsibility.<br /><br />Metal toys can withstand longer play and are easier to fix. On the flip side of this is parts are harder to find for replacing. While plastic parts can be created using <a href="https://toy-rescue.com/">Toy Rescue</a> 3D Printer files from Toy Rescue and with 90% of toys made of plastic this looks like a good solution. The amount of hours I have spent fixing a toy to then have it re-break within a month is more than I expected. You can even read how my local <a href="https://www.therogueginger.com/2020/02/repairing-australia-rise-of-repair-cafes.html">Repair Cafe saved a beloved toy</a> for us.<br /><br />It does get to a point when some toys cannot be salvaged by repairs and become unsafe to use. In our house this is when we move them to 'the land of broken toys' … which is an old cardboard box I keep in my office. I don't know what I planned to do with them? Make a sculpture for the annual <a href="https://www.therogueginger.com/2020/05/swanpool-creative-recycled-art-prize.html">SCRAP Art Show</a>? Before <a href="https://www.therogueginger.com/2022/03/second-child-zero-waste-habits.html" target="_blank">baby number two</a> came along I asked my then four year old while I was organising/cleaning/nesting if he'd like to create an artwork with the broken toys. His repose was “can we just recycle toys? What do you do with broken toys?”<br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><b>Can you recycle broken toys in the kerbside recycling bin?</b></h4>The short answer is no<br /><br />But, the long answer would be: A Councils could accept different types of toys, depending on the material. For example, a 100% plastic toy or 100% metal toy might be allowed BUT (!!) it's best to check with your Council recycling rules first. Just because one Council accepts toys in their kerbside recycling bin does not meal yours will. Any item going into the kerbside recycling bin not supposed to be there will end up in landfill. Always ask. I repeat, always ask.<br /><br />On top of asking the Council, the manufacture should be providing this information too. After-all they produced them and should create a system for recycling or disposal themselves. I have contacted out to two toy suppliers in the past asking how to repair and recycle their toy cars with no luck. <br /><br />Let's find out how to recycle plastic, metal and wooden toys.<br /><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;"><b>Are there special drop off points to recycle toys?</b></h4><div>Big W offer <a href="https://www.bigw.com.au/toys-for-joy" target="_blank">Toy's for Joy</a> a joint initiative with TerraCycle to help reduce toys going to landfill. Broken toys are sorted and then disassembled to seperate the different materials (plastic, metal, wood). The varying materials are then moved on and made into new items. Any toys donated that are still workable and usable will be passed onto a charity. The Toys for Joy program is primarily for broken toys. Most of the plastic (there are up to six types!) can only be recycled once more into decking, benches, garden beds before it goes to landfill. Technically this is downcycling. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.bigw.com.au/toys-for-joy" target="_blank">Click here to find your local participating store</a>. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_qV6B1_ChQn6kF-8f8serRN9vUzt5A9Xww5e14wIuq230JBaiTn3JBwnjIvuw8QSRwsuJfCkJNY6Dzw8UTRtYSmss5vI_PMnJ_C0yj0P7ZAx5E5JI_79Ra3GICgKDxDSI1CB9RQe1X20cwlPfPFou1Ce1SCZzaOiOy4zBeQuAV6XrU8GAUqbiy74v/s637/therogueginger_recycle%20toys%20recycle%20broken%20toys%20in%20australia%2002.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="How to recycle toys" border="0" data-original-height="435" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_qV6B1_ChQn6kF-8f8serRN9vUzt5A9Xww5e14wIuq230JBaiTn3JBwnjIvuw8QSRwsuJfCkJNY6Dzw8UTRtYSmss5vI_PMnJ_C0yj0P7ZAx5E5JI_79Ra3GICgKDxDSI1CB9RQe1X20cwlPfPFou1Ce1SCZzaOiOy4zBeQuAV6XrU8GAUqbiy74v/s16000/therogueginger_recycle%20toys%20recycle%20broken%20toys%20in%20australia%2002.jpg" title="How to recycle toys" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My local Toys for Joy drop at Big W</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />The Toy's for Joy recycling program CANNOT ACCEPT ALL toys - the following are not allowed to be placed into the Joy for Toys toy recycling bins: books; batteries in toys; board games; wooden toys; Play-doh, paint and slime; pens, pencils, crayons or paint brushes; oversized toys such as bikes, scooters, skateboards; sports toys such as soccer goals.<div><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;"><b>How to recycle books, batteries, board games, wooden toys, Play-doh, paint and slime, pens, pencils, crayons or paint brushes, oversized toys such as bikes, scooters, skateboards; sports toys such as soccer goals?</b></h4></div><div><b>Batteries in toys</b> - Woolworths, Officeworks, Aldi have drop off boxes. <br /><br /><b>Board games</b> - TerraCycle accept these in their <a href="https://zerowasteboxes.terracycle.com.au/products/toys-zero-waste-boxes" target="_blank">Toys Zero Waste Box</a>.<br /><br /><b>Wooden toys</b> - TerraCycle accept them in their <a href="https://zerowasteboxes.terracycle.com.au/products/toys-zero-waste-boxes" target="_blank">Toys Zero Waste Box</a>. Later in this blog post I explain why we shouldn't compost broken wooden toys<br /><br /><b>Play-doh</b> - This is not recyclable as it contains plastic. Homemade playdough with natural colouring can be composted. I found a <a href="https://www.bigw.com.au/toys-for-joy">fun tip</a> to revive it. <br /><br /><b>Paint and slime</b> - If you can't pass it onto someone else check with <a href="https://www.paintback.com.au/">Paintback</a> to see if they accept kids paint. Sadly store bought slime is not recyclable.</div><div><br /><b>Pens</b> - Officeworks accept pens and markers as do TerraCycle.<br /><br /><b>Pencils</b> - Terracycle offer a <a href="https://zerowasteboxes.terracycle.com.au/products/pens-pencils-and-markers-zero-waste-box" target="_blank">Pens, Pencils and Markers box</a>. Before recycling take the time to clean up old pencils, organise and donate first.<br /><br /><b>Crayons</b> - Not recyclable. Instead get crafty and melt them down to turn into new crayons. There are some fun tutorials on the interwebs. <br /><br /><b>Paint brushes</b> - Not recyclable. Instead think how they could be upcycled if they are beyond use. Visit Pinterest, Youtube or a Upcycling facebook group for ideas. <br /><br /><b>Bikes, scooters, skateboards</b> - Bikes beyond repair can be pulled apart and the metal dropped at a metal recycling program. Check with your local Council or locate a business for queeries. Look up <a href="https://www.skaterhq.com.au/pages/recycled-fun">Recycle Fun</a> for skateboard recycling. A broken scooter would have to be disassembled like a bicycle. Depending on the make and brand you might be able to get replacement parts for your kids scooter. We have replaced parts on our secondhand micro scooter easily. <br /><br /><b>Sports toys such as soccer goals</b> - <a href="https://zerowasteboxes.terracycle.com/products/sporting-goods-zero-waste-boxes" target="_blank">TerraCycle</a> have a box for beyond repair and broken sporting goods<br /><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;"><b>Why are toys so hard to recycle?</b></h4></div><div>The mixed components of most manufactured toys, the high volume made of plastics, and designing a product without consideration (or care) for its end of life makes for recycling toys difficult. If we want recyclable toys the change needs to start during the design process. For instance there are a small number of brands using plastic from milk bottles to create a toy recyclable up to 9 times. </div><div><br /></div><div>Even if all toys going forward were forever recyclable and repairable, there are still a lot of broken toys bundled up in cupboards and at Op Shops that are simply not. The process to recycle (or downcycle really) won't be perfect for a long time. If it was a black and white scenario we'd stop manufacturing news toys, try to repair and recycle what we have now, and rethink the need to manufacture new toys at the rate we do now.<br /><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;"><b>Should we make everything from wood and other natural materials?</b></h4></div><div>Wood and other natural materials might seem like the best option as they can break down in something like a compost bin. For instance wooden toys are usually simple in construction and are easy to repair but it can also become complicated. We have found many wooden toys are often made of MDF, a wood product made of soft and hard wood fibres mixed with a resin often containing formaldehyde. It chips and breaks off easily. This should never be left to break down in a compost. Paint, varnishes and glue also makes wood hard unsafe to compost or even recycle properly. The above issues need to be considered when it comes to a wooden toys design through to end of life just the same as metal or plastic. With 50% of the worlds timber still coming from native forests (including some FSC) sourcing were the wood comes from is major consideration. <br /><br />The Toy's for Joy recycling program is a helpful option to recover materials and i'm optimistic this is a stepping stone to change and not a scapegoat for the problem at hand. The problems being there are so many toys with many of those designed to break! I recommend this <a href="#">article</a> by the Ellen Macarthur Foundation to learn about initiatives in the toy space to rethink and redesign.<br /><br />There is enough evidence, both scientific and anecdotal, that suggests kids don't need that many toys. Louise Grimmer, senior lecturer in retail marketing at the University of Tasmania, and Martin Grimmer Professor of marketing at the University of Tasmania share that <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-kids-should-not-have-lots-of-toys-and-what-to-do-if-yours-have-too-many-172611" target="_blank">children with less toys are better at self regulation, helps with problem solving skills, develop more gratitude, and improved quality playtime</a>. <br /><br />I'm going to end this blog post before I go into the topic of how to request less toys from family and friends. Because that's a blog post in itself!</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9033465662037447681.post-67127004169642929102022-03-10T10:34:00.003+11:002022-03-10T10:36:49.566+11:00Where to shop, donate and sell clothes beyond the Op Shop<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJYNZOL1Z5Yd8qrTcLt5WP6DYd8FnHY1sLaxugC_KaBvYMcQLYnZDeU7SZ24SFbVww0_YDx2Fjg-lB-uO8IfVRvt5pLdRfPTwN6wxSRqUUHZ9qfaa3gxmG03zr62vWveVNLf868GnP8XUoyhBcSE-DJ7etUCsL0TNyGc3FCvRel_Eq-LWXKv6HbrCr=s637" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Where to shop, donate and sell clothes beyond the Op Shop" border="0" data-original-height="435" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJYNZOL1Z5Yd8qrTcLt5WP6DYd8FnHY1sLaxugC_KaBvYMcQLYnZDeU7SZ24SFbVww0_YDx2Fjg-lB-uO8IfVRvt5pLdRfPTwN6wxSRqUUHZ9qfaa3gxmG03zr62vWveVNLf868GnP8XUoyhBcSE-DJ7etUCsL0TNyGc3FCvRel_Eq-LWXKv6HbrCr=s16000" title="Where to shop, donate and sell clothes beyond the Op Shop" /></a></div><div><br /></div>“We can't take your donations, sorry. Our storage is full.”<br /><br />I overheard this response to another customers at the Op Shop just after the new year. It's not the first time either and I have also received this response when trying to make a clothing donation. <div><br />Before I learned about the major environmental and human impact of the fashion industry, Op Shops were the go to place to help me make way for the old so I could replace with the new. Essentially, they were my scapegoat. I could unload a bag at their stores, or into a charity bin when the store declined my stuff. There was never a moment I wondered why they couldn't take my stuff or where everything donated ended up. <br /><br />I bundled up scruffy shoes, stained clothes, shirts with loose buttons, dresses with broken zippers, and mistakingly shrunken clothes alongside piles of stuff that wasn't in fashion anymore, believing Op Shop employees would find a customer or give it away for free. To this day I cringe remembering all of the high heel shoes I donated - when really I didn't want the guilt of throwing something away because I trashed them on a night out or the clothes I moved on after a handful of wears. It's appalling I would try donating something visibly wrecked or poor quality to another person when I wasn't happy enough to wear them. Peak privilege. These days I aim to use my privilege to only choose secondhand, repair what I have, upcycle when possible and recycle responsibly. And call out fast fashion businesses to stop making so much clothing.<br /><br />It wasn't long into my quest to create less waste and live more sustainably I learned charity stores like Op Shops receive so much stuff that is beyond their ability to sell. According to Jana Bowden Professor of Marketing at Macquarie University, charities reportedly send about 60,000 tonnes of unwanted items (clothing, electronics, toys etc) to landfill every year. The cost of sending items to landfill can cost charities over a million dollars a year. Money that should be going to community programs. <br /><br />Not all of the excess a charity store goes to landfill here in Australia. It's sent overseas - kind of like how Australia used to send plastic overseas for recycling. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/06/second-hand-clothing-donations-kenya" target="_blank">70% of donated clothing is shipped to secondhand markets in on the African continent</a>. Last year Foreign Correspondent ran a segment titled <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/foreign/dead-white-mans-clothes/13495096" target="_blank">Dead White Mans Clothes</a>. The show reported the never ending bales of clothing sent to Kantamanto Market in Accra, Ghana. 40% of the clothing exported is going to landfill due to low quality (you know, like my stained clothes and wrecked shoes) creating environmental and humanitarian issues. <br /><br />Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Burundi and Rwanda have tried to implement a complete ban on all imported secondhand apparel, claiming the industry harms local environments, people, and textile industries in these countries. Unfortunately countries like the US, one of the main players responsible for sending many of these secondhand garments, have pushed back against these import bans.<div><br /></div><div>I have a pile of clothing and shoes I need to move on. The photo above is a snapshot from the box. There are many reasons why people need to move clothing on; weight gain, weight loss, change in lifestyle, shoe size changes (ha, thanks pregnancy!), new locations with different climates, new style interests, allergies...really the list in endless and not always because of needing to buy new stuff. But for many the Op Shop has become a place to deal with our unwanted stuff. <br /><br />These days I don't solely rely on Op Shops to donate and buy clothes. To alleviate the stress they appear to be under from donations I look at shopping and passing on via an array of different outlets alongside Op Shops. These actions help to invest in new circular shopping models too that could help make shopping secondhand easier and most importantly normal. <br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;">Clothing Swap Party</h3>A clothing swap party is an event where attendees bring a certain number of clothing and accessories. All of the items are laid out and everyone is encouraged to “shop” from the clothing supplied. It can be an informal get together with friends in a house or a more organised larger event with clothing exchanged for buttons that are used as currency to “buy” new (to you) clothing. Check The Clothing Exchange (Aus), EventBrite, Facebook Events for clothes swap events happening near you.<br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;">Buy Nothing New Groups</h3>The mission of Buy Nothing New Groups is to build community and connect people through local gifting of items like clothes. Find out more via the <a href="https://buynothingproject.org/">buynothingproject.org</a> where you can find the app. Many of the Buy Nothing New groups I have found have been via Facebook.<br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;">Facebook</h3>Facebook provides a variety of ways to move stuff on. There is a dedicated Facebook Marketplace, locally based Buy/Swap/Sell groups, specific groups for garment items like clothes, shoes, handbags or brands, age, and sizing.<br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;">Depop, Poshmark, ThreadUp, Vestarie Collective, The RealReal</h3>Re-commerce is the category online platforms like Depop, Poshmark, ThreadUp, Vestarie, The RealReal, among others, fall under. Individuals sell via the apps or website. Depop, Poshmark, ThreadUp are peer to peer, while Vestarie Collective and The RealReal approve clothing and then collect (via mail) to sell on. All platforms take a small cut from the total transaction amount, plus shipping on some. I have used Depop to buy pregnancy clothing and found the process user friendly.<br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;">Charity Bay</h3>Charity Bay allows people to sell unwanted items and donate the sale to a charity of the sellers choice. It's done via their app and website. You can read a <a href="https://www.therogueginger.com/2021/05/charitybay-online-secondhand-marketplace.html" target="_blank">blog post</a> about my experience with them. I have a handful of clothing items ready to sell with Charity Bay soon.<br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;">Ebay, Gumtree</h3>The Ebay and Gumtree platforms have been around for a long time helping people shop, donate and sell clothes and shoes. In my early twenties I would spend hours (and many dollars) on eBay searching for secondhand designer clothes. Gumtree has been wonderful to find baby clothes, nappies and shoes. <br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;">Consignment Clothing Stores</h3>Consignment clothing stores were a complete unknown until five years ago. A consignment store sells preloved items either purchased from the customer or they pay a percentage of the sale price once the item has been sold. I have been offered 30% of the sale price or I can take 50% of the sale price as a voucher to use in store.<br /><br />Most stores will require customers book a time to bring in the clothes they wish to sell. An employee will vet all items for missing buttons, holes, stains and to make sure the garments have a resale value with them. Most won't resell fast fashion brands.<br /><br />I can see how consignment stores and their online versions can help fill the void for people who want to update their wardrobes often and also incentivise people to look after their things.<br /><br />Consignment stores local to Melbourne are <a href="https://www.mutualmuse.net/" target="_blank">Mutual Muse</a> and <a href="https://www.goodbyes.com.au/" target="_blank">Goodbyes</a> selling clothes from $30 to $100+ and then <a href="https://secondo.com.au/" target="_blank">Secondo</a>, <a href="https://www.stopstaringboutique.com/" target="_blank">Stop Staring</a>, <a href="https://www.eurotrash.com.au/" target="_blank">EuroTrash</a> and <a href="https://www.miotesorovintage.com/" target="_blank">Mio Tesoro</a> catering for more designer items. There is even a consignment store dedicated to baby and maternity clothes called <a href="https://www.use-ta.com.au/" target="_blank">Use-Ta</a>.<br /><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">Any clothing unfit for repair or wear can be passed onto the following locations:</h4><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://texrecaus.com/" target="_blank">Textile Recyclers Australia</a> </li><li><a href="https://upparel.com.au/clothing-recycling/" target="_blank">Upparel</a> </li><li><a href="https://treadlightly.asga.com.au/" target="_blank">Tread Lightly Shoe Recycling</a> </li></ul><br />Remember: rethink donating clothing (or anything else) to an Op Shop unusable or unwearable. They deserve our best like everywhere else. <br /><div><br /></div><div>I don't blame Op Shops for needing to send bales of clothes overseas or turf to landfill. But they could be part of the solution. I have yet to find out more information on how or if Australian Op Shops are advocating to be part of conversation. Of course by buying less new clothing and fast fashion companies vanishing is fundamental in addressing the issue (okay a bit more complicated but nothing the billionaire owners of these companies can't fix with their wealth!). We truly have enough clothing and textiles on this planet. In the meantime I have enjoyed trying different ways to shop, donate and sell clothes beyond the Op Shop and I hope you do too.</div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9033465662037447681.post-17608974252487509042022-03-02T11:43:00.001+11:002022-03-02T11:43:16.990+11:00Our newest family member + has a second child altered our zero-waste habits<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj1fwyjZiIKzwNIhVGZ7eLzXhhTKER4x8WYz6-fpL0G8VgIUCGBjyim3fTE1eCLb-AsVHcIkA2G0JVMzBOfz3PvhH62AlY-823UaJK2dNXIHWlc97aYa7FGogsx2wWsQwS5ggurPlJMwllyfnfcYElx_Tp-TAdGAO3X4YMf8GhhV-6z5y_BasAZael9=s637" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="435" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj1fwyjZiIKzwNIhVGZ7eLzXhhTKER4x8WYz6-fpL0G8VgIUCGBjyim3fTE1eCLb-AsVHcIkA2G0JVMzBOfz3PvhH62AlY-823UaJK2dNXIHWlc97aYa7FGogsx2wWsQwS5ggurPlJMwllyfnfcYElx_Tp-TAdGAO3X4YMf8GhhV-6z5y_BasAZael9=s16000" /></a></div><br /><div>This is an overdue announcement for blog readers - we have a new addition to the family. To be honest it kinda feels like he's been with us for more than five months. There's a feeling of him being here forever. Old soul perhaps? If I could describe him in one word it would be jolly. Or peaceful. He radiates a soothing energy I'm clinging to in these turbulent times. The dark hair in his newborn photo above has fallen out and is now golden. Sadly, neither children have inherited my ginger hair. He is desperately trying to push and lift his small body up to crawl. Once he's mastered this there's no doubt his older brother will be the one he'll follow everywhere. </div><br />I've been asked if the arrival of our second child altered our zero-waste habits. The answer is no, not really. Refusing, reducing, reusing, repairing, composting...all of these usual zero-waste habits are firmly entrenched in our daily routine and decisions.<br /><br />More broadly we kept furniture, prams, clothing, nappies, wipes, toys, books from our first child, which was purchased or gifted to us secondhand originally. I added extra secondhand cloth nappies as some had worn out. Due to a lockdown I was on my own with my four year old for postpartum and I planned for this by stocking up the freezer before birth with soups and snacks in old glass jars. My husband bought the ingredients package free in our own containers.<div><br /></div><div><b>Related posts:</b> <a href="https://www.therogueginger.com/2017/07/the-baby-room.html" target="_blank">Our Baby Room - Tips For Borrowing, Sharing And Buying Secondhand Baby Items</a> and <a href="https://www.therogueginger.com/2018/03/my-newborn-zero-waste-essentials-list.html" target="_blank">My Newborn Zero Waste Essentials List</a> and <a href="https://www.therogueginger.com/2018/04/zero-waste-cloth-nappies.html" target="_blank">Our Cloth Nappy Story</a><br /><br />Admittedly there were two instances where disposable nappies and wipes have been used due to illness.<br /><br />I could lay out the reasons to plead my case but this is not fair on me (or anyone else). Just because I used disposables for a moment of time in one area of my life doesn't mean I abandoned reducing waste and trying to avoid single-use everywhere else. My mindset and habits are wired now to consider how my actions will impact others and the planet. I have the privilege to do this (not everyone does) and I make sure to use it. But, life came along with a few hurdles and disposable nappies were the option to make life easier while in hospital and getting better after. I did the best I could, where I was, with what I had.<br /><br />Each and every one of us will come across different blocks that can prevent us from choosing the less wasteful choice. Some people can face constant hurdles and others will only have them temporarily or none at all. If we can create new systems and continue to normalise less wasteful solutions, the people who find reducing waste the hardest because the system makes it difficult for them will benefit the most. Those with temporary hurdles or none at all should always use our privilege to advocate for wider accessibility and system change. <br /><br />I guess what I'm trying to articulate (probably not very well, thank you baby brain) is anyone can be zero waste/low waste/minimal waste/waste free/low impact/eco minimalist (whatever the term you use) without getting it “right” in all areas of our lives. For instance, if you are a family able to shop secondhand, repair clothes, choose reusables nappies, but purchasing food package-free is impossible...you can still say you live zero-waste (or any other term that suits you). <br /><br />Do the best you can, with what you've got, where you are. <br /><br />My little one is soon to stir from his nap. Time to pop on the kettle, gather some peppermint leaves from the garden, and have a cup of tea before he wakes.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9033465662037447681.post-24174559656541559232021-12-08T15:13:00.001+11:002021-12-08T15:13:30.528+11:00How we are managing our children's Christmas gift expectations <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uEAme5jF9vY/YbAs0Yabc8I/AAAAAAAAcV4/U5D9Ad4FPpg7VJaJvNM-3JPM3a-zt_W6QCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/managing%2Bour%2Bchildrens%2BChristmas%2Bgift%2Bexpectations%2Bzero%2Bwaste%2Bminimalism.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="managing our children's Christmas gift expectations" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uEAme5jF9vY/YbAs0Yabc8I/AAAAAAAAcV4/U5D9Ad4FPpg7VJaJvNM-3JPM3a-zt_W6QCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/managing%2Bour%2Bchildrens%2BChristmas%2Bgift%2Bexpectations%2Bzero%2Bwaste%2Bminimalism.JPG" title="managing our children's Christmas gift expectations" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>My 4 year old has become fixated on receiving a lot of gifts this Christmas. It’s the first Christmas he knows presents are given by Santa and who Santa actually is. The expectations on the present front are high and the list he wrote for Santa is loooong.<div><br />You'd think living in a zero-waste home that practices minimalism there would be no expectations to receive a bounty of gifts. I was puzzled at the start too. Neither myself or his father actively talk about Santa, Christmas, or gifts, to warrant it. Where did this come from? How did a list of 20 trains, 11 Disney Pixar Cars, a new train set, matchbox cars, hot wheels cars, and more, come to sit on a piece of paper front and centre on our fridge?<br /><br />We discovered the expectations creep in via books, conversations with children in his Kinder (preschool), TV shows, and even the decorations out and about on the main shopping strip and around our neighbourhood. From November onwards it is everywhere. <br /><br />I like receiving gifts and our family are not anti-gift giving. We lean towards choosing activities, helpful and useful items. When I went zero-waste I worked hard to tackle the notion my happiness and self worth was dependent on receiving material items, even if they are secondhand or homemade. Ultimately I don't want my children to equate joy or even traditions with consumption or expecting someone gives them a gift for being good. <br /><br />The thing is traditions can alter. After all, the original story of Christmas and Santa Claus has changed. Without a doubt the current Christmas expectations around gifts needs shift.<br /><br />We considered telling the truth about Santa but I'm 99% certain he’d tell e v e r y o n e in his Kinder class, the cousins, a random child at the park, and the old lady two doors up from us...basically everyone.<br /><br />So I Prompted him to put socks or a new hat on his list as something helpful. Then I tried talking to him about all of the other fun things to enjoy at Christmas time. These conversations kinda fallen flat. As they would. </div><div><br />Next I decided to try a letter from Santa explaining Christmas can be enjoyed for more reasons beyond a gift. Even though I’ve reiterated the contents of the letter I think hearing it from someone other than Mummy will have more impact. Especially if it's from the person my 4 year old is anticpating all these presents from.<br /><br />In the letter Santa says thank you for his list of gift ideas, then goes on to gently share there is more to Christmas like:<br /><br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Getting to see his cousins and playing with them</li><li>Eating yummy food</li><li>Singing songs and dancing with the family</li><li>Helping other people</li><li>Walks in the neighbourhood with friends</li><li>Visits with loved ones we don’t see nearly enough</li></ul><br />These are what Santa enjoys the most too. Or so the letter will tell him.<br /><br />Will it work? I don’t know. But I can try. The letter will appear the week of Christmas to help keep Santa's wisdom fresh in the 4 year olds young mind. I've left the letter below if you'd like to use it.<br /><br /><br /><i>Dear xxxx,<br /><br />Thank you for your letter. I read it with my reindeer and elf friends. We liked the list of gifts you have asked for – they are fun toys. I like giving gifts and will ask my elf friends to help me find the ones on your list from secondhand stores. We won't be able to get everything on your list. I don't always receive everything on my list at Christmas time and that's OK. My favourite things about Christmas are seeing my cousins and playing games with them (I like playing hide & seek and tag with my cousins), eating yummy food, singing songs and dancing, going for walks to explore the neighbourhood, visiting with friends we don't see nearly enough, and being helpful.<br /><br />I hope you have a lovely Christmas with your family and make many fun memories.<br /><br />Best wishes,<br />Santa Claus</i><br /><br /><i>[tip: if your child is older and knows your handwriting, then asking someone else to write it out or printing it out would be advisable]</i><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I managed to find four secondhand Disney Pixar Cars he'll get from Santa. My husband and I will gift a new bike. Grandma & Grandad will surprise him with a secondhand Flik Flak watch. And no doubt he'll spend most of the day playing hide & seek with his cousins and that is probably what he'll remember the most. </div><div><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9033465662037447681.post-55188809202322095982021-06-24T11:02:00.000+10:002021-06-24T11:02:09.819+10:00Why individual actions matter <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NfDTef2KANE/YNK--ABdT3I/AAAAAAAAcPQ/1d0zkLzI7Us37WuSPlakog-agchm8WNXACNcBGAsYHQ/s1429/therogueginger_why%2Bindividual%2Bactions%2Bmatter.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Why individual actions matter to help reduce plastic and waste" border="0" data-original-height="1043" data-original-width="1429" height="467" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NfDTef2KANE/YNK--ABdT3I/AAAAAAAAcPQ/1d0zkLzI7Us37WuSPlakog-agchm8WNXACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h467/therogueginger_why%2Bindividual%2Bactions%2Bmatter.jpg" title="Why individual actions matter to help reduce plastic and waste" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Every few months an article or graphic appears debating the importance of individual actions in response to reducing waste and plastics compared to the steps business and government can take. It's a worthy debate, especially as many of us are realising most environmental destruction and social injustice has been steered for centuries by business and governments.<br /><br />For a long time these businesses and governments have distracted us, helping craft the message that it's the individuals responsibility to make changes, do the right thing, litter less, turn off the lights, recycle right etc.<br /><br />I want to see businesses and government step up and make changes, take responsibility themselves. It's absolutely necessary if we want to make changes quickly. I have lobbied and repeated this cry beyond count.<br /><br />What can be forgotten about these BIG businesses like the top plastic polluters Procter & Gamble, Coco Cola, Nestle, Unilever, Pepsico to name a few is that they didn't come together and take over immediately. Each businesses started with an individual and attracted others that had similar goals and beliefs. It's sad and alarming so many for so long propped up and propelled these ideas of over production and mass consumption at the risk of people and planet. <div><br /></div><div>I was one of these people, and you probably were too until you were inspired by another individual to make a change. We learn, choose to reform our individual habits, and naturally end up gravitating towards others with similar goals and beliefs; less plastic, less waste in this case. If it wasn't for individuals realising something needs to change we probably wouldn't know who the biggest polluters were and what companies are doing the most harm.<br /><br />When the debate of individual vs business/government rise to the surface they are looking at individual change through the lens of activism. Why not? Activism can work. It's where a movements visibility becomes seen. I'm incorporating the modern day definition of activism beyond the rally; this is consumer changes alongside petitions, social media discussions next to in person town hall talks.<br /><br />I've always viewed our individual actions to be critical, if not necessary to moving the needle. It's the individuals coming together collectively that steers the business and government to our causes or at least enough to make us think they are doing us a service. But then they have to because both need the individual to stay engaged. So that's why we see governments are getting plastic bans across Australia, businesses of different levels are making changes or developing new solutions.<br /><br />The individual actions prompt conversation and education in our close circles and wider communities that can run all the way to boardrooms. According to Gerald Mackie, Ph.D., people cannot be forced to change their ways by outlawing or preaching. Empowerment through community action and integrating new policies into existing culture is the fastest way to enact change.<br /><br />Coles Bay in Tasmania was the first Australian town to ban plastic bags. The ban inspired Modbury, Devon to do the same. UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown praised Modbury's action. From one side of the world, to the other, the actions of some individuals inspired change. It did not stop there.<br /><br />The Coles Bay bag ban lead to the whole state of Tasmania enacting legislation for a 10c levy. The Modbury bag ban lead to England's widely popular 5p levy, resulting in an 85% drop in plastic bag use. Governments and businesses get the shiny media article and pat on the back for making big changes, but these changes were driven by individuals. <br /><br />There is one important point I have yet to see brought up as to why individual change is critical and that is recognising how changing our mindset, habits, and our hearts will hopefully stop our destruction from happening again in the future.<br /><br />Because when we change within our hearts rather than through force and recognise the undeniable need to see ourselves as nature, can we only learn to protect long term.<br /><br />When I change not only my habits but also mindset, I will pass these lessons down to my children and hopefully these teachings will continue, so we are not here in 100 years time taking advantage of new resources and exploiting people again. Perhaps I am sounding a bit too idealistic but that's where I see one of the powers of individual change. Well, so long as they change is not being driven by desire to fit a trend...</div><div><br /></div><div>There is also the missed recognition of individuals power in building the local futures movement and recognising not all solutions have to come from business and government. We can problem solve by turning inward to our communities and building localised systems to meet peoples needs as appropriate to the area. Coles Bay didn't wait, they acted themselves.</div><div><br />We've seen a rise in Buy Nothing New and Good Karma groups promoting the sharing of stuff for free, mutual aid, repair groups, community gardens, community solar, food sharing projects, community co-ops, and the list is growing - each of these are a responses to waste, plastic, over-consumption, food miles and the many other issues driving climate change. When you sit down with a group of individuals in your community, pooling resources and skills to address issues, you'll be quick to find solutions exist right here in our neighbourhoods. For so long we have relied on the big end of town to lead the way out of situations when in reality we can rely on ourselves for <u>some</u> of it. <span style="background-color: white; color: #201f1e;">System change is important to changing so much of what is creating harm, but who should we trust to build these systems? The ones who created it or working alongside our neighbours? </span></div><div><br /></div><div>Maybe it's business and government starting the debates over individual vs them, trying to derail us from the idea that we the individual have solutions that can lead to meaningful heartfelt change. </div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9033465662037447681.post-54427606929343564442021-05-27T13:20:00.003+10:002021-05-27T13:20:45.994+10:00Charity Bay, the new way to give back and shop secondhandMy husband, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/9033465662037447681/5442760692934356444#">The Builder</a>, had a bedside clock/alarm/phone charger gadget. The thing wasn't being used. Well since we had a child, it certainly wasn't. Our four year old is our 6am alarm clock. It sat around in a cupboard for a long time. I could have donated the alarm clock to my local charity store but I'm always nervous about passing on small electronic items as most Op Shops don't have a tag & test team (to test electrical items for safety and if they work) and won't accept electronics. If the alarm clock does get accepted by a charity store and should it not be sold, what happens to these items? Sent for recycling? I'm definitely for recycling electronics rather than landfill (it's illegal in Victoria, Australia to send electronics to landfill) but ultimately if the gadget is still usable I'd rather the item be passed onto someone else. Then the lovely team at SisterWorks introduced me to the award winning online marketplace Charity Bay at the right time. <br /><br /><a href="https://www.charitybay.org/" target="_blank">Charity Bay</a> allows people to sell unwanted items and donate the sale to a charity of the sellers choice. Founder Haidar Al-fallouji wanted to help do something about the never ending piles of working household items continuously stacked up on nature strips to be hauled away to landfill. Most of it was furniture and larger items that can often get turned away from traditional charity stores due to the stores lack of space. People sell their items through the CharityBay app or website, and can still provide financial assistance to charities with the sale. I fell in love with the concept immediately and even got to have an online meetup with the dedicated team last year.<div><br />Downloading the app and setting up my free account was easy. Items available for sale are listed on the homepage. Users can either search by item or browse via category.<br /><br />Selling an item is as simple as taking photos, uploading to the app, providing a description, and choosing a charity to donate the sale too.<br /><br />We sold the alarm clock for $10. CharityBay deducted a .45c transaction fee and the remaining $9.55 was passed on to my charity of choice SisterWorks. <br /><br />The next item I will be donating is a projector I used for my <a href="https://www.therogueginger.com/p/events.html" target="_blank">talks & workshops</a> at venues without the equipment. It sadly won't be in need as I'm taking time away from that part of my work (new addition to the family is on the way!). The device works well and is in great condition – let's take photos and load it up onto the website.<br /><br /><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cIPWwxsLQm4/YK8Mcc6l3jI/AAAAAAAAcMg/s40E_95CdQUZdPHqYKe1wZk-vCZ44d1PgCNcBGAsYHQ/s665/therogueginger_charitybay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="Charity Bay, the new way to give back and shop secondhand" border="0" data-original-height="435" data-original-width="665" height="418" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cIPWwxsLQm4/YK8Mcc6l3jI/AAAAAAAAcMg/s40E_95CdQUZdPHqYKe1wZk-vCZ44d1PgCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h418/therogueginger_charitybay.jpg" title="Charity Bay, the new way to give back and shop secondhand" width="640" /></a><br /><br />Community Resources was my chosen charity for this sale – they run several social enterprises and community services, one being Waste Aid Australia. If you have purchased my <a href="https://www.booktopia.com.au/search.ep?keywords=erin+rhoads&productType=917504" target="_blank">books</a> part of the profits go to the same group too. What I love about being able to choose your own charity is that it allows lesser known groups doing amazing work around Australia receive funding. <br /><br />Once the advert is up, it's published to the home page. I then wait for someone to place a bid. Once a sale has been finalised it's all taken care of by CharityBay. The item is then organised for pickup by the buyer or can be posted depending on the size.<br /><br />CharityBay's tag line is the new era of giving back – our household loves that we can save our unwanted items from landfill, give them to someone who will use them, and support charities at the same time. Download the app (iPhone and Android) or sell your unused items via the <a href="https://www.charitybay.org/" target="_blank">website</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9033465662037447681.post-37923863999365876902021-05-13T13:50:00.006+10:002021-05-18T10:37:55.178+10:00Clothing rental options for pregnancy, baby clothes, kids formal wear and vintage<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5T0wH-qnTlc/YJyccpl0-1I/AAAAAAAAcKg/8taeUKwLdPIHiqEJUQJ5rADOIUIUDyTwQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1200/therogueginger_Clothing%2Brental%2Boptions%2Bfor%2Bpregnancy%252C%2Bbaby%2Bclothes%252C%2Bvintage%2Band%2Bkids%2Bformal%2Bwear.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Clothing rental options for pregnancy, baby clothes, vintage and kids formal wear" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="427" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5T0wH-qnTlc/YJyccpl0-1I/AAAAAAAAcKg/8taeUKwLdPIHiqEJUQJ5rADOIUIUDyTwQCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h427/therogueginger_Clothing%2Brental%2Boptions%2Bfor%2Bpregnancy%252C%2Bbaby%2Bclothes%252C%2Bvintage%2Band%2Bkids%2Bformal%2Bwear.jpg" title="Clothing rental options for pregnancy, baby clothes, vintage and kids formal wear" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo from <a href="https://mamarentals.com.au/" target="_blank">Mama Rentals</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>As a child of the 90s I watched many characters on TV and in movies look through their large closets bursting with clothes moaning they had nothing to wear - the only remedy was more clothes. If characters were feeling sad, a trip to mall would soothe their feelings. Fashion magazines would print photos of curated celebrity wardrobes filled with the latest trends, sold as a shiny sign of success and happiness. Is it any wonder my generation became obsessed with fashion, centring shopping as a cure for everything and believing having more to be the marker of a well lived life? <br /><br />By the mid 90s fast fashion brands made it easier to get the latest “wardrobe essentials” helping to fill the void of having “nothing.” Copies of the latest celebrity style would turn up in stores within a fortnight at an affordable price.<br /><br />As companies revenue climbed and fast fashion brands were hailed heroes for getting those much needed styles into stores quickly, many of us were unaware of the full breadth of exploitation garment workers and their communities faced beyond the occasional child labour story that made the news.<br /><br />The amount of clothing created and sold has grown to unprecedented levels, with most fast fashion brands today churning out micro-seasons, some even one each week according to <a href="https://www.thegoodtrade.com/features/what-is-fast-fashion#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20Sunday%20Style,new%20%E2%80%9Ccollection%E2%80%9D%20a%20week" target="_blank">The Good Trade</a>. The impact of fashion and the realisation our overall consumption levels need to slow down has people searching for ways to reduce their wardrobes impact.<br /><br />According to an article by <a href="https://newsroom.unsw.edu.au/news/business-law/rent-future-fashion-shared" target="_blank">UNSW Newsroom</a>, the clothing rental industry is a growing area, fuelled by millennials and Generation Z's desire to shop with intention. Glam Corner, The Volte, Style Theory, Designerex are just some of the mainstream Australian online options. Then there are local business like Yours + Mine in Adelaide and other similar stores around the Country. <br /><br />Renting clothing is not a new business model. Hiring formal wear like mens suits and dresses has been around for decades. I even looked into renting a dress for <a href="https://www.therogueginger.com/2016/10/zero-waste-wedding.html" target="_blank">my wedding</a> and <a href="https://www.therogueginger.com/2013/11/how-i-found-fabulous-hat-and-avoided.html" target="_blank">hired a hat</a> for the races (back when I went to the races...).<br /><br />Personally I'm a fan of the clothing rental idea and think it can offer solutions to those moments in our lives when we might only need a clothing item for one event or short period of our lives. Then there are parts of I'm not a fan, like the clothing subscription boxes. I think the setup is similar to fast fashion and continues the “i need more” narrative.<br /><br />But what I do look forward to is the niche markets expanding and this blog post is going to show you four Australian online businesses leading the clothing rental revolution in pregnancy, baby clothes, vintage wear and kids formal wear.<br /><br /><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.mamarentals.com.au" target="_blank">Mama Rentals</a> - Pregnancy</h4>For most people pregnancy can alter the shape of your body making it hard to fit into anything already in your wardrobe. Should a special event pop up its not really worth it to buy a new dress or spend time visiting the non existent maternity section at the local Op Shop.<div><br />Alice was of the same mindset and saw a gap in the market for pregnant people wanting a hire a pregnancy friendly formal dress for baby showers, blessings, weddings, maternity photo shoots and other important occasions. Mama Rentals stocks sustainable brands like Fillyboo, and also sources from Reclamation and more. While all dresses are bump friendly they can be hired by non pregnant people too. Mama Rentals has expanded to include the hire of accessories and dresses for young girls.</div><div><br />The thing is pregnancy is only for nine months, and investing in a new wardrobe can take not only a lot of money but also time. I have to say pregnancy clothing is an area of the rental market I'd be interested to see expand.<br /><br />Alice is passionate about zero-waste encouraging her customers to send back the used compostable satchel with their dress so she can look after the composting. Perfect if you don't have a backyard option.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PsprDToAC4A/YJyfcQ5EKEI/AAAAAAAAcKw/bdclRgsvPlgNuElc2Ji8ZzS8MYvnbr8gwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1174/therogueginger_Clothing%2Brental%2Boptions%2Bfor%2Bpregnancy%252C%2Bbaby%2Bclothes%252C%2Bvintage%2Band%2Bkids%2Bformal%2Bwear_2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="Clothing rental options for pregnancy, baby clothes, kids formal wear and vintage" border="0" data-original-height="783" data-original-width="1174" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PsprDToAC4A/YJyfcQ5EKEI/AAAAAAAAcKw/bdclRgsvPlgNuElc2Ji8ZzS8MYvnbr8gwCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/therogueginger_Clothing%2Brental%2Boptions%2Bfor%2Bpregnancy%252C%2Bbaby%2Bclothes%252C%2Bvintage%2Band%2Bkids%2Bformal%2Bwear_2.jpeg" title="Clothing rental options for pregnancy, baby clothes, kids formal wear and vintage" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by <a href="https://consciouskoala.com/" target="_blank">Conscious Koala</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://consciouskoala.com/" target="_blank">Conscious Koala</a> - Baby clothes</h4>Babies grow very, very quickly. If you are like me finding secondhand organic, ethical and sustainable clothing made of natural fibres without bleach or non toxic dyes is difficult. Hard as in you are looking for a needle in a haystack. Here is where I don't mind a subscription box because it's kind of needed with the growth spurts a new child goes through.<br /><br />Each box contains 14 items of clothing including day and night wear. When you are ready the clothes can be shipped back (even with stains because babies will baby!) and move up to the next size. The clothes you send back will be cleaned and sent onto the next family. Any items that are beyond wear are recycled. Your clothing will be sent in compostable packaging too. <br /><br />Concious Koala offer gift cards, the perfect baby shower gift.<br /><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://shopyarnyarns.com.au/" target="_blank">Yarn Yarns</a> - Vintage</h4>Yarn Yarns is based in Melbourne selling and renting vintage clothing. I have been a customer myself, hiring a cute jumpsuit for a panel event with 1 Million Women (photo below). Sadly due to the Melbourne lockdowns last year they had to close their bricks and mortar store in Northcote. Thankfully they are still selling and renting online. At present the rental part of the website is not up but customers may contact Yarn Yarns if they see a piece they would like to hire. I'll be sure to update the information here once the rentals side of the website is ready.<br /><br /><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx5p4aHlrZL/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 3px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) 0px 0px 1px 0px, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15) 0px 1px 10px 0px; margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0px; width: calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding: 16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx5p4aHlrZL/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 0; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;" target="_blank"> <div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; 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font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;"> View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0px;"></div> <div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px;"><div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px); width: 12.5px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12.5px; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 14px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px); width: 12.5px;"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style="border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); border-top: 2px solid transparent; height: 0px; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg); width: 0px;"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="border-right: 8px solid transparent; border-top: 8px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); transform: translateY(16px); width: 0px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; transform: translateY(-4px); width: 16px;"></div> <div style="border-left: 8px solid transparent; border-top: 8px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); height: 0px; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px); width: 0px;"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0px 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx5p4aHlrZL/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Erin Rhoads (@therogueginger)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://smallsmarts.com.au/" target="_blank">Small Smarts</a> - Kid's formal wear</h4>There can be a lot of formal events and roles young kids might need an outfit for. Think weddings, pageboys, christenings, birthdays, family photoshoot, really the list is long. Small Smarts provide a one stop place to hire for those fancy occasions. There are options for both boys and girls from 6 months to 10 years, and yes there are accessories available. Rental periods are four – eight days, and include a paid return bag for easy shipping. <br /><br /><br />Renting clothing has many benefits like reducing waste, saving money, and slowing down our consumption of new clothing. I don't think hiring will be the core solution to the high volumes of clothing being made – there are many different layers that need addressing. If anything I hope the growing popularity of rentals, hiring, and borrowing will help question our need to own all the things and truly look after them since its being shared with other. I'm excited to see if other areas of the clothing sector could be hired rather than owned. School uniforms? Activewear? Outdoor adventure gear? Perhaps dear reader you're working on an idea right now.<br /><br />If you know of other Australian businesses that offer clothing rentals in niche markets send me an email via the contact page as I'm still trying to get the comments section fixed.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9033465662037447681.post-43303357565032217312021-03-31T14:57:00.039+11:002023-08-06T12:15:58.217+10:00Cloth Nappy and Reusable Sanitary Product Rebate petition to my Council<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQLhjcxz7iv4HjismSaOLPc-5mjGpYWBjZm78LtLhAJHuq3n_Hr3WxQ4twNpo7Z8MO2vQDc039QyhHdgVpB7P_OEDQyTzf6AOTJyO06VdyKzE5MD38w6eJ3G60V7ULiOrwh2ar6ynXR34/s1191/therogueginger_cloth+nappy+sanitary+product+rebate.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Council for a Cloth Nappy and Reusable Sanitary Product Rebate" border="0" data-original-height="781" data-original-width="1191" height="421" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQLhjcxz7iv4HjismSaOLPc-5mjGpYWBjZm78LtLhAJHuq3n_Hr3WxQ4twNpo7Z8MO2vQDc039QyhHdgVpB7P_OEDQyTzf6AOTJyO06VdyKzE5MD38w6eJ3G60V7ULiOrwh2ar6ynXR34/w640-h421/therogueginger_cloth+nappy+sanitary+product+rebate.jpg" title="Council for a Cloth Nappy and Reusable Sanitary Product Rebate" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Gavin Green & Hardie Grant Books for <i>Waste Not: Make a big difference by throwing away less</i> - <a href="https://www.booktopia.com.au/waste-not-erin-rhoads/book/9781743794623.html?source=pla&gclid=Cj0KCQjwmIuDBhDXARIsAFITC_47k33zJLdkxpCzLKsUQ1oB0S7PndGavaK-8hQdqhW98hluTZ46mvYaAgbkEALw_wcB" target="_blank">buy here</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /><br /><span style="color: red;"><i>Update 1: </i></span><span style="color: red;">at the bottom of the blog - </span><span style="color: red;">2 Sept 2021</span></div><div><span style="color: red;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="color: red;"><span><i>Update 2: </i>at the bottom of the blog - 30 </span>Jan 2022</span></div><div><div><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red;"><i>Update 3</i>: <span style="color: red;">at the bottom of the blog - 7</span><span style="color: red;"> Nov 2022</span> </span></div><div><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Last year I discovered the UK was considering a <a href="https://news.hackney.gov.uk/real-nappies-bill-launched-in-hackney/" target="_blank">Nappies (Environmental Standards) Bill</a> to help promote reusables nappies. The Bill included a rebate to make the switch accessible, along with a push to stop manufactures of disposable (eco or not) from making claims that aren't true. The conversation is ongoing in the UK and you can read about <a href="https://www.naturalbabyshower.co.uk/blogs/b4baby/governments-new-environmental-bill-will-address-nappy-waste" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="https://www.letsrecycle.com/news/latest-news/the-government-must-act-now-to-address-single-use-nappies/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br /><br />I began researching cloth nappy rebates and found there weren't that many available compared to the UK. They have over 40 programs, while we have 18 (when I first wrote this blog post a month ago it was only 11). After many emails it seemed the best place to prove there was interest in rebates from the community was for more Local Government's (our Councils) to roll out rebate schemes. In the UK local Councils also run the rebate programs. So, I decided to start with mine, Moonee Valley City Council. After sharing my intentions on social media many readers showed enthusiasm to pitch similarly to their own Councils and I promised a blog post on what I have done so far to help you get started. I hope you find it useful.<br /><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">But first, what is a Cloth Nappy and Reusable Sanitary Product Rebate?</h4>A household can receive up to fifty percent of the purchase back on new and secondhand items with proof of receipt at limit of $150. These reusable items can include:<br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Cloth nappies (all ages)</li><li>Swim nappies</li><li>Nappy liners</li><li>Cloth wipes</li><li>Wet bags</li><li>Nursing breast pads</li><li>Cloth menstrual and incontinence pads</li><li>Menstrual cups</li><li>Period underwear</li><li>Period wet bags</li></ul><div>Rebates are usually provided alongside education programs too. </div><div><br /></div><br />These councils provide rebates in Australia:<br /><ul><li>City of Casey (VIC)</li><li>Wyndham City Council (VIC)</li><li>Cardinia Shire (VIC)</li><li>Mornington Peninsula Shire (VIC)</li><li>City of Wodonga (VIC)</li><li>Shires of Indigo (VIC)</li><li>City of Whittlesea (VIC) </li><li>Hobsons Bay City Council (VIC)</li><li>City of Ballarat (VIC)</li><li>Macedon Ranges Shire Council (VIC)</li></ul><br /><ul><li>City of Parramatta (NSW)</li><li>Council of Federation (NSW)</li><li>Greater Hume Shire Council (NSW)</li><li>Shire of Towong (NSW)</li><li>Albury City Council (NSW)</li><li>Sutherland Shire (NSW)</li></ul><br /><ul><li>Brisbane City Council (QLD)</li><li>Logan City Council (QLD)</li><li>Livingston Council (QLD)</li></ul><br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>City of Holdfast Bay (SA)</li></ul><br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Shire of Augusta Margaret River (WA)</li><li>City of Cockburn (WA)</li><li>City of Melville (WA)</li><li>City of Bayswater (WA)</li><li>Town of Bassendean (WA)</li><li>Tow of Victoria Park (WA)</li><li>City of Armadale (WA)</li><li>Town of East Fremantle (WA)</li><li>City of Fremantle (WA)</li><li>Town of Vincent (WA)</li></ul><br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>City of Hobart (TAS)</li></ul><div><br /></div><i>I'll continue to add Councils as they provide programs :)</i><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">Why should our Government provide this? There are a couple of reasons...</h4>A rebate will essentially provide accessibility for those unable to afford reusables, help normalise these products, provide a place for eduction and start conversations, and reward those wanting to reduce their waste.<br /><br />Australian is one of the highest generators of waste in the world and all levels of government are aware behaviours, process, and products need to change to help reduce what we send to landfill. And it's happening, albeit a little slowly.<br /><br />Most of our local Councils around Australia, the ones in charge of collecting residential waste and recycling, are focusing on getting organics out the landfill by introducing FOGO collections and tackling food waste. Rightly so, food waste can make up to 40% of our bins a home. As more FOGO rolls out and the system is working (ie, limited contaminates) the landfill bin collections will inevitably be moved to fortnightly.<br /><br />After food, the next organic waste to land in or bins is the contents inside nappies and sanitary items. When any Council has announced their plan for fortnightly landfill pick up the most common complaint is disposable nappies. You can read what residents said in <a href="https://www.bay939.com.au/news/local-news/125167-golden-plains-sticks-with-fortnightly-bin-pick-ups" target="_blank">Golden Plains Shire Council</a> and <a href="https://westernweekender.com.au/2016/10/fortnightly-collection-is-just-rubbish-residents-say/" target="_blank">City of Penrith</a> recently. It's a fair concern for those using disposable and biodegradable nappies.<br /><br />Disposable nappies (including biodegradable nappies because they are single-use and also go to landfill unless they are collected separately) make up 4% of our landfills in Australia. With a child going through 6,000-7,000 nappies before toilet training, that is a significant amount of waste being picked up each week. Then there is the fact most disposals nappies require resources like oil to make the plastic, old growth forests for the inner lining, chemicals used inside to create that absorbency, plastic packaging, shipping of materials to factories for processing, and of course transport to stores AND the diesel fuelled garbage trucks to take it all away. Oh, and the energy needed to travel to the store to buy the product each time. Now think about all of this then apply it to menstrual and sanitary products.<br /><br />That's not to say cloth nappies don't have an environmental impact, they do. But compared to disposables it's far less and will outperform when sold on for a second use or in the case of menstrual and sanitary products used for three-five years. The secondhand nappy market in Australia is HUGE, you'll find it mainly on Facebook through specific groups, marketplaces, and Gumtree.<br /><br />On top of nappies being a huge part of our landfill, they are also in the top three contaminates in our recycling bins. I have heard from those in the recycling industry its getting worse and might be to do with the flashy words like 'Eco-friendly' or 'Recyclable' or “Biodegradable” are put on boxes and the everyday person assumes all eco things go into the recycling bin.<br /><br />Encouraging the use of reusables, like cloth nappies and sanitary products, will ultimately save Councils money that could go back into health and wellbeing programs<br /><br />According to Real Nappies for London, nine Local Councils in London collectively saved over £320k in waste costs in four years from the cloth nappy rebates they offered. I don't have data for Councils in Australia as many are looking at ways to track this sufficiently. <br /><br />Since nappy and sanitary product waste is big in volume, providing residents a reward has its merits especially when those products, say cloth nappies are passed onto someone else. For someone like me who actively tries to throw nothing into my landfill bin (or recycling!) my efforts are not rewarded and I still have to pay the rates for a service I use rarely.<br /><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">A rebate is not a demand for all parents to use cloth nappies or people to buy cloth pads</h4>I was a parent that went back to work full time when my child was three months, and I understand how exhausting parenting can be. I would be lying if disposables weren't appealing on some of those days. And truthfully it was my husband that did a lot of it and some of us don't have that extra help. Plus there are a group of other reasons why reusables, whether it's nappies or sanitary products, are not going to be suitable for everyone. Peoples ability could limit use, mental health, access to washing machines. This isn't a campaign to force these swaps onto everyone. And i'll never judge someone for not choosing reusables. <br /><br />A parent for example could find out through their Maternal Health meetings (run by Councils) or via another parent that their local Council provides a rebate...they might not take it up, BUT could encourage the parent or caregiver to research other ways to reduce their footprint like a joining a Toy Library, shopping secondhand, taking their own produce bags, volunteering for Landcare. It's all connected.<br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;">Here are steps to get started on your local campaign:</h3><h4 style="text-align: left;">1. Start a petition</h4>I created my petition for my own Council on change.org - <a href="http://chng.it/7YyS2dYc" target="_blank">http://chng.it/7YyS2dYc</a><div><br /></div><div>Most Councils prefer physical petitions as it's easier to track those signing are actually from local residents. But because of Covid I decided to go with an electronic option. The petition was shared in local facebook groups and my own page. You can use parts of my petition to make your own.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #3d85c6;">**</span>My petition is not one addressed to all Councils. If you want a rebate for your Council, then someone from your area needs to start one. I can't on your behalf since I don't live in your municipality. </div><div><br /></div><div>Below are a list of petitions in Australia:</div><div><br /></div><div><ul><li><a href="https://www.change.org/p/bayside-city-council-cloth-nappy-product-rebate?redirect=false" target="_blank">Bayside City Council</a> <span style="color: #e69138;">(VIC)</span></li><li><a href="https://www.change.org/p/gecc-residents-cloth-nappy-and-reusable-sanitary-product-rebate-for-glen-eira-city-council-residents" target="_blank">Glen Eira City Council</a> <span style="color: #e69138;">(VIC)</span></li><li><a href="https://www.change.org/p/moonee-valley-city-council-cloth-nappy-and-menstrual-product-rebate-for-moonee-valley-city-council-residents?recruiter=35271619&recruited_by_id=83a64ac0-1b16-0130-c700-3c764e04860a&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink&utm_campaign=petition_dashboard" target="_blank">Moonee Valley City Council</a> <span style="color: #e69138;">(VIC)</span></li><li><a href="https://www.change.org/p/hobsons-bay-city-council-introduce-a-cloth-nappy-rebate-in-hobsons-bay" target="_blank"><strike>Hobsons Bay City Council</strike></a> <span style="color: #e69138;">(VIC) (Success! announced funding in the 2021/2022 budget)</span></li><li><a href="https://www.change.org/p/frankston-city-council-cloth-nappy-and-reusable-sanitary-product-rebate-for-frankston-city" target="_blank">Frankston City Council</a><span style="color: #e69138;"> (VIC)</span></li><li><a href="http://chng.it/tFjcTQRmbs" target="_blank">Kingston City Council</a><span style="color: #e69138;"> (VIC)</span></li><li><a href="https://www.change.org/p/city-of-greater-geelong-council-cloth-nappy-rebate-for-geelong" target="_blank">City Of Greater Geelong Council</a> <span style="color: #ffa400;">(VIC)</span></li><li><a href="https://www.change.org/p/baw-baw-shire-council-cloth-nappy-and-reusable-sanitary-product-rebate-for-baw-baw-shire" target="_blank">Baw Baw Shire Council</a> <span style="color: #ffa400;">(VIC)</span></li><li><a href="https://www.change.org/p/knox-council-knox-council-cloth-nappy-and-reusable-sanitary-product-rebate-d0527e8c-ac27-458b-8db9-56d73b6b931c?utm_content=cl_sharecopy_30671611_en-AU%3A7&recruiter=47640531&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink&utm_campaign=share_petition&utm_term=share_petition" target="_blank">Knox City Council</a> <span style="color: #ffa400;">(VIC)</span></li><li><a href="https://www.change.org/p/yarra-ranges-shire-council-cloth-nappy-and-reusable-sanitary-product-rebate?recruiter=56429616&recruited_by_id=bbace6d0-cc07-0130-90bd-3c764e049b10&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink&utm_campaign=petition_dashboard" target="_blank">Yarra Ranges Shire Council</a><span style="color: #ffa400;"> (VIC)</span></li></ul><br /><ul><li><a href="https://www.change.org/p/whitsunday-council-whitsunday-council-to-approve-rebates-for-reusable-products" target="_blank">Whitsundays Council</a> <span style="color: #6aa84f;">(QLD)</span></li><li><a href="https://www.change.org/p/redlands-city-council-cloth-nappy-rebate-for-redlands-city-council" target="_blank">Redland City Council</a> <span style="color: #6aa84f;">(QLD)</span></li><li><a href="https://www.change.org/p/fraser-coast-regional-council-cloth-nappy-and-reusable-sanitary-product-rebate-for-fcrc" target="_blank">Fraser Coast Regional Council</a> <span style="color: #6aa84f;">(QLD)</span></li><li><a href="https://www.change.org/p/lockyer-valley-regional-council-help-reduce-our-community-waste-introduce-a-cloth-nappy-rebate-for-the-lockyer-valley" target="_blank">Lockyer Valley Council</a> <span style="color: #6aa84f;">(QLD)</span></li><li><a href="https://www.change.org/p/sunshine-caost-regional-council-and-noosa-regional-council-will-noosa-and-sunshine-coast-reginal-councils-consider-a-reusable-cloth-nappy-rebate" target="_blank">Noosa and Sunshine Coast Reginal Councils</a> <span style="color: #6aa84f;">(QLD)</span></li></ul><div><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span></div><ul><li><a href="https://www.change.org/p/wollongong-city-council-cloth-nappy-and-reusable-sanitary-products-rebate-for-wollongong-residents" target="_blank">Wollongong City Council</a><span style="color: #45818e;"> </span><span style="color: #351c75;">(NSW)</span></li><li><a href="https://www.change.org/p/inner-west-council-cloth-nappy-rebate-for-the-inner-west" target="_blank">Inner West Council</a> <span style="color: #351c75;">(NSW)</span></li><li><a href="https://www.change.org/p/bankstown-city-council-cloth-nappy-rebate-canterbury-bankstown-region" target="_blank">Canterbury Bankston City Council</a> <span style="color: #351c75;">(NSW)</span></li><li><a href="https://www.change.org/p/wagga-wagga-city-council-rebates-for-reusable-nappies" target="_blank">Wagga Wagga City Council</a> <span style="color: #351c75;">(NSW)</span></li><li><span style="color: #351c75;"><a href="https://www.change.org/p/bega-valley-shire-council-cloth-nappy-and-reusable-sanitary-items-rebate-for-bega-valley-shire-council" target="_blank">Bega Valley Shire Council</a> (NSW)</span></li><li><a href="https://www.change.org/p/singleton-council-reusable-cloth-nappy-rebate" target="_blank">Singleton Council</a><span style="color: #351c75;"> (NSW)</span></li><li><span style="color: #351c75;"><a href="https://www.change.org/p/lake-macquarie-city-council-reusable-nappy-rebate" target="_blank">Lake Macquarie City Council</a> (NSW)</span></li><li><span style="color: #351c75;"><a href="https://www.change.org/p/lake-macquarie-city-council-reusable-nappy-rebate" target="_blank">Newcastle City Council</a> (NSW)</span></li><li><span style="color: #351c75;"><a href="https://www.change.org/p/lake-macquarie-city-council-reusable-nappy-rebate" target="_blank">Port Stephens Council</a> (NSW)</span></li><li><a href="https://www.change.org/p/bmcc-reusable-nappy-rebate" target="_blank">Blue Mountains City Council</a> <span style="color: #351c75;">(NSW)</span></li></ul><div><span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.change.org/p/litchfield-council-cloth-nappy-and-reusable-sanitary-product-rebate-for-litchfield-council" target="_blank">Litchfield Council</a> <span style="color: #cc0000;">(NT)</span></li></ul><div><span style="color: #cc0000;"><br /></span></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="color: #cc0000;"><a href="https://www.change.org/p/tea-tree-gully-council-south-australian-councils-to-provide-modern-cloth-nappy-rebate" target="_blank">Tea Tree Gully Council</a> </span><span style="color: #76a5af;">(SA)</span></li><li><span style="color: #76a5af;"><a href="https://www.change.org/p/tea-tree-gully-council-south-australian-councils-to-provide-modern-cloth-nappy-rebate" target="_blank">Adelaide City Council</a> (SA)</span></li><li><span style="color: #76a5af;"><a href="https://www.change.org/p/tea-tree-gully-council-south-australian-councils-to-provide-modern-cloth-nappy-rebate" target="_blank">Port Adelaide Enfield Council</a> (SA)</span></li><li><span style="color: #76a5af;"><a href="https://www.change.org/p/tea-tree-gully-council-south-australian-councils-to-provide-modern-cloth-nappy-rebate" target="_blank">City of Campbelltown</a> (SA)</span></li></ul><div><span style="color: #cc0000;"><br /></span></div></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.change.org/p/kingborough-council-tas-cloth-nappy-and-reusable-sanitary-product-rebate-for-kingborough" target="_blank">City of Kingborough</a> <span style="color: #bf9000;">(TAS)</span></li></ul><div><span style="color: #bf9000;"><br /></span></div></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.change.org/p/city-of-baywater-access-to-a-rebate-for-cloth-nappies-and-reusable-sanitary-products" target="_blank"><strike>City of Bayswater</strike></a><span style="color: #e06666;"> (WA) Success! Thank you to Petition campaigner Kate</span></li><li><a href="https://www.change.org/p/city-of-stirling-city-rebates-for-cloth-nappy-families-and-reusable-sanitary-products?utm_content=cl_sharecopy_30415699_en-AU%3A2&recruiter=1058900722&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink&utm_campaign=tap_basic_share&utm_term=share_for_starters_page" target="_blank">City of Stirling</a><span style="color: #e06666;"> (WA)</span></li></ul></div><div><br />Paula McIntosh, the Sustainability Leader of Melbourne Girls College has also started a <a href="https://me.getup.org.au/petitions/eco-friendly-periods-4-vic-schools-3" target="_blank">petition asking for free reusable sanitary products in schools</a>. Show your support for Paula's campaign by following on Facebook, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/EcoFriendlyPeriods4VicSchools" target="_blank">facebook.com/EcoFriendlyPeriods4VicSchools</a>.<br /><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">2. Letter to Councillors signed by multiple residents</h4>An option outside of the petition or to run alongside is to create a letter signed by multiple residents to help strengthen the cause. This could be a group of friends or reaching out to likeminded residents in a Facebook group.<br /><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">3. Start talking to your Council</h4>Now you've started your petition or sent your group letter (or both!) it's time to find a Councillor you believe will help your cause. If you are not familiar with your local Councillors go to their social media, read their bios on the Council website, or ask in a eco Facebook group or parents group who they think would be an ally. If you have one aligned with sustainability it will be easier. Send them an email telling them your plan to start a petition and if they would like to submit the petition for you once its completed. When I did this my local Councillor suggested I give a presentation to all Councillors at a Public Forum.<br /><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">4. A Public Forum presentation</h4>This is an opportunity to put together a brief powerpoint (or not) and tell them why you believe Council should act on this. It's mainly an opportunity to educate. I only had three-five minutes to talk and shared four slides sharing what is a rebate program, why reusables are better for the environment, what will Council get out of it and what's in it for residents. </div><div><br /></div><div>Don't be nervous, Councillors are regular people. If you would like to see my presentation msg me and I'll pass it on.</div><div><br /><br /><br />The Councils below would be worth campaigning as they have been actively researching rebate programs and/or are running cloth nappy and menstrual product education seminars recently:<br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Yarra Ranges Shire Council (VIC)</li><li>Knox City Council (VIC)</li><li>Greater Dandenong Council (VIC)</li><li>Frankston City Council (VIC)</li><li>Maribrynong City Council (VIC)</li><li>Boroondara and the Councils (VIC)</li><li>Mildura Rural City Council (VIC)</li><li>Shire of Indigo (VIC)</li><li>Shire of Towong (VIC)</li><li>City of, Wodonga (VIC)</li><li>City of Albury (NSW)</li><li>Greater Hume Shire (NSW)</li><li>Shire of Federation (NSW)</li><li>Penrith City Council (NSW)</li></ul><div><br /></div><div>Campaigns can be a slow game, sometimes. At the moment I'm going to continue sharing my petition in local groups, then in a couple of months ask a Councillor to present it. Since my Council is more conservative they might turn this down. That's the risk of fighting for something you believe in, it can get turned down. I do believe in planting seeds and I know the collective action can work. Councils talk to each other, they are often part of region based groups within their States. If you do start your own petition or contact your Council, let me know via social media (for some reason my comments don't work anymore on my blog??) so I can add it to this blog post and share with others. There is power in numbers. </div><br />While this blog post is directed at Aussies, I'd love to know if anyone from anywhere else has a go too. <br /><br />Good luck :)<div><br /></div><div>I'd like to thank City of Casey for providing so much help in my own research and understanding for this topic. Thank you!!!</div></div><div><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: red;"><span></span><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: red;"><b><span></span>Update 1: 2 Sept 2021</b></span></p>A lot has happened since I wrote this blog post earlier in the year. We were featured in The Age, ten more petitions have been started by community members around Australia, over twelve Victorian Councils have applied for funding to start researching cloth nappy and reusable sanitary rebates in their local government areas. Members of Cloth Nappy groups on facebook have been sharing their conversations with local Councils too to help to carry the message.<br /><br />I made a formal budget submission at the start of May to my local Council – Moonee Valley. This submission was basically asking Council to include the cloth nappy and reusable sanitary rebate in the 2021/22 budget that would be handed down later in the year. I provided a breakdown of how much an annual rebate program would cost Moonee Valley City Council alongside a link to my petition. Thank you to several enthusiastic Councils for helping me figure out costings. I had already presented at a Public Forum to all Councillors in March on the topic too.<br /><br />In July I received a reply from the Strategy & Planning Department of Moonee Valley City Council stating my submission had been declined in this years budget BUT a cloth nappy and reusable sanitary product rebate would be considered for next year should the Council be successful in gaining funding from the Recycling Victoria Council Fund for a feasibility study with other councils to provide evidence based research that a rebate would work.<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">My unsuccessful bid was disappointing BUT I'm not without hope that Moonee Valley and other Councils around Victoria (and Australia) will have implemented a cloth nappy and reusable sanitary product rebate. After-all, <a href="https://www.therogueginger.com/2017/02/plastic-bag-free-victoria-update-3.html">my work to get a ban on plastic bags in Victoria was declined but then became a reality</a> not long after the petition had been submitted and fobbed off. The thing with environmental campaigns is they might not work, that's just a fact. But what they do achieve is conversation within institutions and amongst the general public. So don't give up hope if you are reading this – the conversations we start today with our campaigns can blossom into meaningful change in the future.<br /><br />While there is overwhelming proof from other Councils in Australia and abroad these style of rebates work, I do understand the process some Councils need to adhere too. I will consider resubmiting for the budget next year and hopefully have success.<br /><br />If anyone would like to see a copy of my formal budget submission let me know and I'll pass it on.<br /><br /><br /><b><span style="color: red;">Update 2: 30 Jan 2022</span></b></p>Right 12 Victorian Councils (and anyone outside those Council areas in Victoria) are asking for members of the community to share their thoughts and experiences with cloth nappies. Parents/carers who have/have had children in nappies (single-use or reusable) in the last 5 years can go to the link below and fill out the survey. Deadline is 21 Feb.</div><div> <br /><a href="https://survey.zohopublic.com.au/zs/iwBtuF?fbclid=IwAR2dQpfhvtBrNZGUoHHRbKGvLJYNrbhY7NUzlOv2ZLLfz0T7qZ6dES-rexg">https://survey.zohopublic.com.au/zs/iwBtuF</a></div><div> <br />Thank you to everyone that started their own petition, wrote emails, made phone calls, and engaged in community conversations across Australia. There are 30 petitions in every State/Territory active right now. Two new Councils in WA and VIC have added rebates to their programs!</div></div><div><br /></div>Your feedback will help the participating Councils to create the best rebate and education program…perhaps set in motion a State wide program?</div><div><br /></div><div>*My original submission included reusable sanitary products too. Feel free to pop that into your feedback to nudge Council we’d like them in the survey.<br /><br /><br /></div><div><div><b><span style="color: red;"><i><span></span>Update 3: </i></span><span style="color: red;">7</span><span style="color: red;"> Nov 2022</span></b></div></div>The reusable nappy feasibility study led by Monash Council with 12 other Melbourne Councils to research and understand a best practice reusable nappy program has been completed and was released last month. The report and an Executive Summary documents can be found via this link > <a href="https://shape.monash.vic.gov.au/reusable-nappies">https://shape.monash.vic.gov.au/reusable-nappies</a><br /><br />The report recommended:<br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>"A joint Communications Strategy and Campaign, as first priority" [and]</li><li>"Opportunities for community members to experience and connect over reusable nappies, as a second and related priority" (<a href="https://shape.monash.vic.gov.au/reusable-nappies" target="_blank">source</a>)</li></ul><div>There were a few areas of the report I could pick apart (like researching a program in the UK for comparison that doesn't have solid feedback but missing some of the longest running ones that do?!). But it would make this blog post longer than it is. Overall it's a very insightful report. Here's hoping all 12 Melbourne Councils take on the recommendations and deliver increased communication and education on cloth nappy options, specifically targeting parents before they have children, plus working alongside the hospitals, State Government, and their Departments aligned with maternal heath and pre-birth education as another avenue to present options. </div><div><br /></div>In a positive announcement made last month Melbourne LGA Knox City Council are leading a study with seven Victorian Councils to research and how to best set up a reusable sanitary and incontinence program. Like nappies, sanitary products including incontinence items, are a growing waste source. Look out for a community consultation survey similar to the cloth nappy one conducted earlier this year. <div><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #0a0a0a; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div><div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9033465662037447681.post-90721882855018630692021-01-28T15:03:00.006+11:002022-11-05T09:43:47.876+11:00 Zero waste sun protection<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vxb4lHAq1co/YBIsDuPaVjI/AAAAAAAAcFI/9vocWotY77ApwcoXzyOAKiqx2PTZfjupwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1032/therogueginger_zero%2Bwaste%2Bsun%2Bprotection%2B01.jpg"><img alt="Zero waste sun protection" border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vxb4lHAq1co/YBIsDuPaVjI/AAAAAAAAcFI/9vocWotY77ApwcoXzyOAKiqx2PTZfjupwCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/therogueginger_zero%2Bwaste%2Bsun%2Bprotection%2B01.jpg" title="Zero waste sun protection" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I take sun protection very seriously, all year round. But especially during Summer.<br /><br />One look at me and you'll know why I do. My skin is fair and covered in freckles. It's prone to burning more than other skin types. I have had many uncomfortable sunburns over my lifetime that can happen within 10-15 minutes.<br /><br />Once upon a time I relied on sunscreen for 90% of my sun protection. At beaches or pools I would take a rash vest (sun shirt) but would usually leave it off because vanity. I'd wear singlets and tiny dresses when out of the house then forget to reapply my sunscreen. There wasn't a summer without a bad burn somewhere on my body.<br /><br />It wasn't until I started going plastic free that I changed my sun protection habits. Actually it still took me a while after reducing my plastic to realise clothing can provide most of my sun protection and it was the best zero waste sun protection. <br /><br />Turns out long sleeve shirts, pants, wide brimmed hats are some of most environmentally friendly and zero waste sun protection steps we can make. And the most obvious too.<div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xnmq7usfmBA/YBIwIK4Av3I/AAAAAAAAcFg/uYVRH3QXl10-3IgpFs58_o_Xy1wz8k6ywCNcBGAsYHQ/s1048/therogueginger_zero%2Bwaste%2Bsun%2Bprotection%2B03.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Zero waste sun protection" border="0" data-original-height="786" data-original-width="1048" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xnmq7usfmBA/YBIwIK4Av3I/AAAAAAAAcFg/uYVRH3QXl10-3IgpFs58_o_Xy1wz8k6ywCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/therogueginger_zero%2Bwaste%2Bsun%2Bprotection%2B03.jpg" title="Zero waste sun protection" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;">First step - clothing, hat, sunglasses, and seeking shade</h3><br />During the warmer months when the UV index is high you'll find me covered up in loose but long sleeve clothing and a hat. I find it so much easier than having to reapply sunscreen constantly, which is something I would sometimes forget or keep putting off because it required a bit of effort. These days I only need to reapply to the areas exposed like my face, neck, ears, hands, and feet. I buy all of my clothes and hats from local secondhand shops to help reduce fashion waste. <br /><br />At the beach I always wear a long sleeve rashie with matching bather bottoms in the water. When I'm back on the sand I'll slip on a pair of long linen pants (in the photo below), my hat, then sit under the shade of our canvas beach tent to dry off or lay in the sun for a little bit. My whole body is covered and I haven't been burnt in the years doing this.</div><div><br /></div><div>My current rashie is about five years old and is starting to show signs of wear. This means it's not offering me the best sun protection anymore. Next season i'll be getting a new one. I will look for secondhand but of course be mindful to only purchase if it's in good condition. I know there are many brands selling swimwear and rash shirts made of recycled plastic but as for recycling the rash shirt at the end of its life, well it doesn't seem to be an option yet. I'll have to do a deep dive to find out more. <br /><br />I discovered Australian made plastic free swimwear and swim shirts made of wool at <a href="https://swimmwear.com.au/pages/about-us" target="_blank">Swimm</a> and <a href="https://www.merinocountry.com/blogs/news/wool-swimwear" target="_blank">Merino Country</a> as an option. A woollen rashie, another option to look into too! <br /><br />My sunglasses are made of upcycled wood my husband gifted me buuuuut Op Shops have so many second hand sunnies that you could buy a pair there. Using what we already have is usually the most sustainable and zero waste option. <div><br /></div><div>Of course shade should be a priority if you are spending a long time outdoors. Find an option that works best for you and your location. Finding shade on a stretch of beach in Australia can be hard so we bring along a secondhand canvas tent. I don't know the name or brand as it was sold without any information. <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtbVtDwtRvYAOKVJuIOTakaRnFPQHI1BXrMC5t9neHJ0d5hhp6NTR6xOlu4DRTEBBDmHbkcBpdEeCYGaRAvCVI_ud_xvQLS5gouMG1O1CCrQCs3PbH6h7lsQHacRPpKQEgDwLKmknUTww/s1032/therogueginger_zero+waste+sun+protection+02.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Zero waste sun protection" border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtbVtDwtRvYAOKVJuIOTakaRnFPQHI1BXrMC5t9neHJ0d5hhp6NTR6xOlu4DRTEBBDmHbkcBpdEeCYGaRAvCVI_ud_xvQLS5gouMG1O1CCrQCs3PbH6h7lsQHacRPpKQEgDwLKmknUTww/w640-h480/therogueginger_zero+waste+sun+protection+02.jpg" title="Zero waste sun protection" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A photo of me post swim with my linen pants pulled over my swimming bathers and rashie shirt on top<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><h3 style="text-align: left;">Last step - Sunscreen</h3><div><br /></div>I don't use much sunscreen. Now before assumptions are made I'm advocating against sunscreen please know I am a big advocate for sunscreen use. Keeping myself covered and staying in the shade helps me reduce sunscreen. I put sunscreen as the last step in my sun protection so I prioritise clothing options first.<br /><br />I typically apply sunscreen on my face, neck, ears, hands, and feet. These are usually the main exposed areas for me. <br /><br />I have tried the following sunscreens over the past ten years:</div><div> <br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://sunslayer.com.au/" target="_blank">SunSlayer Sunscreen</a> (plastic free)</li><li><a href="https://www.biome.com.au/natural-sunscreen/18988-sun-earth-natural-zinc-sandy-light-9369998000746.html" onmousedown="this.href = 'https://t.cfjump.com/19358/t/14846?Url=https%3a%2f%2fwww.biome.com.au%2fnatural-sunscreen%2f18988-sun-earth-natural-zinc-sandy-light-9369998000746.html&UniqueId=Sunscreen'; this.rel = 'nofollow noindex';" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade" rel="nofollow noindex" target="_blank">Sun & Earth Natural Zinc - Sandy Light</a> (plastic free)</li><li><a href="https://www.biome.com.au/natural-sunscreen/12734-wotnot-spf-30-natural-sunscreen-150g-free-gift-9336127000335.html" onmousedown="this.href = 'https://t.cfjump.com/19358/t/14846?Url=https%3a%2f%2fwww.biome.com.au%2fnatural-sunscreen%2f12734-wotnot-spf-30-natural-sunscreen-150g-free-gift-9336127000335.html&UniqueId=Sunscreen'; this.rel = 'nofollow noindex';" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade" rel="nofollow noindex" target="_blank">Wotnot palm oil free natural sunscreen</a></li><li><a href="https://www.nourishedlife.com.au/natural-sunscreen/2886740/sunbutter-spf-50-water-resistant-reef.html" onmousedown="this.href = 'https://t.cfjump.com/19358/t/10778?Url=https%3a%2f%2fwww.nourishedlife.com.au%2fnatural-sunscreen%2f2886740%2fsunbutter-spf-50-water-resistant-reef.html&UniqueId=sunscreen'; this.rel = 'nofollow noindex';" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade" rel="nofollow noindex" target="_blank">SunButter SPF 50 Water Resistant Reef Safe Sunscreen</a></li><li><a href="https://www.nourishedlife.com.au/natural-sunscreen/480522/natural-instinct-invisible-natural-sunscreen-spf30.html" onmousedown="this.href = 'https://t.cfjump.com/19358/t/10778?Url=https%3a%2f%2fwww.nourishedlife.com.au%2fnatural-sunscreen%2f480522%2fnatural-instinct-invisible-natural-sunscreen-spf30.html&UniqueId=sunscreen'; this.rel = 'nofollow noindex';" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade" rel="nofollow noindex" target="_blank">Natural Instinct Invisible Natural Sunscreen SPF30</a></li><li><a href="https://www.nourishedlife.com.au/natural-sunscreen/74812/uv-natural-sunscreen-spf-30.html" onmousedown="this.href = 'https://t.cfjump.com/19358/t/10778?Url=https%3a%2f%2fwww.nourishedlife.com.au%2fnatural-sunscreen%2f74812%2fuv-natural-sunscreen-spf-30.html&UniqueId=sunscreen'; this.rel = 'nofollow noindex';" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade" rel="nofollow noindex" target="_blank">UV Natural Sunscreen SPF 30+</a> </li><li><a href="https://www.therogueginger.com/2014/03/avasol-my-first-plastic-free-sunscreen.html" target="_blank">Avasol Sunscreen</a> (plastic free)</li></ul><div><br />You would have noticed in my sunscreen list the packaging hasn't always been plastic free. My sunscreen has come in metal, paper and recycled plastic. I advocate for people to choose what works for them regardless of packaging. Sun protection is <b><u>important</u></b>. Choose a sunscreen you will use not one that will languish in the back of the cupboard.</div><div><br /></div><div>Our kiddo uses one specific for kids. Like his Mum, I keep him in long sleeves and long shorts to minimise sun exposure. Kids are far more covered these days than when I was little though I'm sure my Mum tried it just wasn't as cool! Although he has inherited his fathers darker Lebanese colouring we are still careful. I find Op Shops have a good selection of long sleeve button shirts for kids perfect for warmer weather to keep the sun out without overheating him. I also find kids rashies in good condition at Op Shops too. My guess is smaller children grow too quickly before the rashies get worn out compared to adults. <br /><br />We have prioritised reef safe sunscreen but it turns out there is only one verified sunscreen as noted in this article, <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/opinion-analysis/300207733/heres-what-you-need-to-know-about-your-sunscreen-and-the-sea" target="_blank">"Here's what you need to know about your sunscreen and the sea."</a> As the article says, if unsure double check with the brand directly, which is what I will be doing going forward. </div><div><br /></div><div>Like most stuff I share on this blog my zero waste sun protection is suited to my own experience and needs. Do your own research, find what works for you and your beautiful body. </div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9033465662037447681.post-75010051027634602902020-12-04T13:19:00.004+11:002021-01-04T07:23:08.237+11:00Eight Environmental books I read in 2020<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1UarImU1DpQ/X8mg1vg-4UI/AAAAAAAAcBU/ZvlThHyambcnSegVKGA_s6u-IRfWen3zwCNcBGAsYHQ/s637/therogueginger_erinrhoads_Eight%2BEnvironmental%2Bbooks%2BI%2Bread%2Bin%2B2020_00.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Eight Environmental books I read in 2020" border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="637" height="512" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1UarImU1DpQ/X8mg1vg-4UI/AAAAAAAAcBU/ZvlThHyambcnSegVKGA_s6u-IRfWen3zwCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h512/therogueginger_erinrhoads_Eight%2BEnvironmental%2Bbooks%2BI%2Bread%2Bin%2B2020_00.jpg" title="Eight Environmental books I read in 2020" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>Each year I make a plan to share a list on the blog of all the books I have read. After eight years of blogging I've finally managed to remember. I found the draft blog post from 2019 but forgot to share the books I read then. If you are interested the books related to the environment from my 2019 book haul were:<div><ul><li><i>Sand Talk</i> by Tyson Yunkaporta</li><li><i>Dark Emu</i> by Bruce Pascoe</li><li><i>Growing Up Aboriginal in Australia </i>Edited by Anita Heiss</li><li><i>Hidden in Plain View</i> by Paul Irish</li><li><i>The Biggest Estate on Earth: How Aborigines Made Australia</i> by Bill Gammage</li><li><i>A Terrible Thing to Waste: Environmental Racism and Its Assault on the American Mind</i> by Harriet A. Washington</li><li><i>Toxic Communities: Environmental Racism, Industrial Pollution, and Residential Mobility</i> by Dorceta Taylor</li><li><i>Clean and White: A History of Environmental Racism in the United States</i> by Carl Zimring</li><li><i>Treading Lightly: The Hidden Wisdom of the World’s Oldest People</i> by Karl-Erik Sveiby and Tex Skuthorpe </li><li><i>Welcome to Country</i> by Marcia Langton</li></ul></div><div><div>I’ll admit the books I read in 2020 with an environmental theme featured no POC authors. I didn’t even realise until after I made the list. I apologise for this and realise now I should have done better. I also didn't read as many books with an environmental focus. This year I enjoyed more fiction and non-fiction too. Let's get into the eight environmental books I read in 2020</div><div><div><br /><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://t.cfjump.com/19358/t/29692?Url=https%3a%2f%2fwww.dymocks.com.au%2fbook%2fhow-to-save-the-world-by-katie-patrick-9780578221151" target="_blank">How to Save The World</a> by Katie Patrick</h4>Technically I read this in 2019 but it is one book I have come back to a lot this year appropriately titled How To Save The World. This book originally began as a powerpoint presentation I stumbled across one day. Thankfully author Katie Patrick expanded on it and I'm so glad she did. Katie is an environmental engineer and designer with passion to help people change the world using game design and data.<br /><br />Over the years I have watched environmental campaigns miss the mark while community driven movements like Plastic Free July and Zero Waste continue to shift habits. It wasn't until I read this book that I began to understand how these two became so popular. Both were focused on behaviour narratives lead by everyday people rather than just direct education full of guilt and doom. Katie's book really drives home that education alone is not going to help change the world let alone save it.<br /><br />The book looks at how data, game design and behaviour psychology can be harnessed to create programs that will actually work to create change. How To Save The World is divide into ten sections with thoroughly researched actionable ideas alongside well considered case studies and examples of success stories and failures. It's technical but written in a way that makes the content accessible and fun.<br /><br /><h4><a href="https://t.cfjump.com/19358/t/29692?Url=https%3a%2f%2fwww.dymocks.com.au%2fbook%2ffood-or-war-by-julian-cribb-9781108712903" target="_blank">Food or War</a> by Jullian Cribb</h4>This book was an interesting read. It was a little depressing at the start as Cribb goes through the ways humans have used food to harm, control, manipulate, and spur conflict on. We see it happening today with heartbreaking famines and the rise of food deserts. The power of controlling food has been overlooked as humans become more and more separated from it where it's being grown and by who. I'd like to think this book wasn’t written purely because of the issues at hand. Instead I hope it's because people are wanting to turn the system around fast. According to Cribb if we could grow more of our food in our cities with the help of tech (depending on location and climate) we'd save up to 20% in emissions used to transport food around the world. This along with other fascinating ideas could help provide more peace and stability in the world.<br /><br />I don't find many of his proposed ideas too far fetched. Reduce military spending to reinvest in regenerative local agriculture, prioritising food education for children (growing, eating, sharing – you know life skills), accessibility to more healthy food, rethink packaging, sharing innovation, accessible tech for all farmers, rewilding lead by Indigenous leaders, giving farmers pay rises, and put more women in charge. I found myself nodding along to most of these and perhaps you will too.<br /><br /><h4><a href="https://t.cfjump.com/19358/t/29692?Url=https%3a%2f%2fwww.dymocks.com.au%2fbook%2f2040-a-household-handbook-for-the-regeneration-by-damon-gameau-9781760554149" target="_blank">2040: A Handbook for the Regeneration</a> by Damon Gameau</h4>2040: A Handbook for the Regeneration is to accompany the film. Since I saw the movie after reading the book I can safely say you don't need to have watched the film to enjoy this book.<br /><br />The book begins with the issues we are facing and what inspired Gameau to make the film. From there the book is then broken up into six chapters, with the first four focused on energy, transport, drawdown & sequester, consumption. Like the film each theme is looked at from two angles; where we can scale up and the individual actions people like you and me can make. There are planet friendly recipes prioritising ingredients that are good for the soil or sequester carbon. It's an uplifting book, inspiring, and easy to read. The only thing I didn't like was the plastic debossing and embossing on the front of the book.<br /><br /><h4><a href="https://t.cfjump.com/19358/t/29692?Url=https%3a%2f%2fwww.dymocks.com.au%2fbook%2fthe-less-waste-no-fuss-kitchen-by-lindsay-miles-9781743795835" target="_blank">The Less Waste No Fuss Kitchen</a> by Lindsay Miles</h4>This is a beautifully illustrated and well written guide to reducing waste in the kitchen. Whether you are starting out or are familiar with zero-waste I can guarantee you’ll learn something from Lindsay Mile’s second book. <div><br /></div><div>It will help answer those niggling questions beyond packaging and bulk food stores like food miles, carbon footprints, that can make decisions fickle and hard at the start. The type of foods you’ll encounter at a bulk food store and what to do with them. Tips for reducing food waste to landfill. Basic recipes and food preservation to get you started in your less waste no fuss kitchen. </div><div><br /></div><div>Lindsay’s balanced friendly approach will help you find the right choices for your life, without any goading or preaching. This book is a welcome addition to my kitchen I’ll be reaching for again and again.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qY398E9b5O4/X8mhA55X_hI/AAAAAAAAcBY/onBEdnamXiQ_gGwa4zHoJtUBPKGZRUriwCNcBGAsYHQ/s637/therogueginger_erinrhoads_Eight%2BEnvironmental%2Bbooks%2BI%2Bread%2Bin%2B2020_01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Eight Environmental books I read in 2020" border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="637" height="512" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qY398E9b5O4/X8mhA55X_hI/AAAAAAAAcBY/onBEdnamXiQ_gGwa4zHoJtUBPKGZRUriwCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h512/therogueginger_erinrhoads_Eight%2BEnvironmental%2Bbooks%2BI%2Bread%2Bin%2B2020_01.jpg" title="Eight Environmental books I read in 2020" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://t.cfjump.com/19358/t/29692?Url=https%3a%2f%2fwww.dymocks.com.au%2fbook%2fplastic-free-by-rebecca-prince-ruiz-and-joanna-atherfold-finn-9781742236551" target="_blank">Plastic Free: The Inspiring Story of a Global Environmental Movement and Why It Matters</a> by By Rebecca Prince-Ruiz, Joanna Atherfold Finn</h4>Before I begin I will note the author and founder of Plastic Free July is a friend of mine and I must congratulate her on this book. I know she was a nervous about writing it but I think she has done an amazing job alongside her co-author Joanna Atherfold Finn. I really enjoyed learning about Rebecca's early life, where her inspiration and passion for the environment came from. It set a good grounding for the book and how Plastic Free July would eventually come to fruition. While the book does have tips on reducing plastic this is a story about how Plastic Free July begun and its contribution to the plastic free movement, the people it has inspired, change created, and hope for the future. You might see my name inside its pages ;) <br /><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://t.cfjump.com/19358/t/29692?Url=https%3a%2f%2fwww.dymocks.com.au%2fbook%2fninja-bandicoots-and-turbo-charged-wombats-by-hazel-flynn-9781760641672" target="_blank">Ninja Bandicoots and Turbo-Charged Wombats: Stories From Behind The Scenes At The Zoo</a> by By Hazel Flynn</h4>Full disclosure this book is for children. I did start to read parts of it with my kiddo (it's for older children 9-12) but ended up liking it myself. The author packs a lot of easy to digest information about the inner-workings of a zoo and animal hospital. If I had read a book like this as a child I probably would have become a vet or zoologist. There are fun facts about Australian native animals throughout that I had no idea about. I enjoyed reading about the real adventures from actual zoo keepers, how they came to their jobs, skills needed, and the fun they have with their roles. There are chapters on different animals, why they might be under threat, their life in a zoo or wildlife sanctuary. The chapters end with actions we can do to help make sure the animals are protected.<br /><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-waste-between-our-ears-gerry-gillespie/book/9781601731562.html" target="_blank">The Waste Between Our Ears</a> by Gerry Gillespie</h4>“The only place that waste exists is between our ears, because waste is not a fact — it is a concept.” This sentence from Gerry Gillespie's book is a ringing reminder the habits (in industry and through the individual) around waste have been formed and that there is a breadth of opportunity to change this.<br /><br />The author of The Waste Between Our Ears is a zero waste campaigner based in Australia known for his interest and advocacy in the collection of properly sorted organic waste to reuse in the agricultural sector for regeneration. Much of his book is about the need for proper source separation as this would help turn materials back into something of value. Gillespie provides plenty of examples on how different materials could be recycled and reused on a local scale rather than picked up and shipped to a large city in fuel guzzling trucks. It's a timely book with the shake up in the Australian recycling industry.<br /><br />I appreciated the author reminding us that many solutions won't work everywhere. Instead locally designed systems should be sought to fit with regions to address local issues. While much of the book is about resource recovery through recycling the ending focuses on the need to regulate and redesign if we want to advance any type of zero-waste system. Not just the products but also how the waste and recycling industry is structured. Gillepsie believes the more information the public knows, the more they'll want the current systems to change and to help participate in making that happen. The Waste Between Our Ears is helpful book to do just that.<br /><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://t.cfjump.com/19358/t/29692?Url=https%3a%2f%2fwww.dymocks.com.au%2fbook%2fconnecting-with-life-by-martin-summer-9788395836718" target="_blank">Connecting With Life</a> by Martin Summer</h4>Living in a densely populated city myself made it easy to connect with Martin Summer's book. And with Melbourne, particularly my suburb, going through the longest Covid-19 lockdown this year had me questioning if it was possible to connect with life when I'm surrounded by so much concrete and brick. This is a well researched and nicely written book. </div><div><br /></div><div>Summer details the different challenges a city presents then provides solutions and benefits, most of which are accessible in my city and for me. This might not be the case for everyone and making nature more accessible to all residents in our built up urban environments need to be a priority. There are many tips for enjoying nature where we are, the overarching one being to look a little more closely and it will be there.<br /><br />Next on my to-read list are <a href="https://t.cfjump.com/19358/t/29692?Url=https%3a%2f%2fwww.dymocks.com.au%2fbook%2fthick-by-tressie-mcmillan-cottom-9781620975879" target="_blank">Thick</a> by Tressie McMillan Cottom and <a href="https://t.cfjump.com/19358/t/29692?Url=https%3a%2f%2fwww.dymocks.com.au%2fbook%2fthis-one-wild-and-precious-life-by-sarah-wilson-9781760556730" target="_blank">This One Wild and Precious Life</a> by Sarah Wilson. I'd love to hear any suggestions you have via email or comment on Facebook. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #444444;"><i style="background-color: white; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.5px;">#trgcollab: The books</i><i> Connecting With Life by Martin Summer, The Waste Between Our Ears by Gerry Gillespie, Ninja Bandicoots and Turbo-Charged Wombats: Stories From Behind The Scenes At The Zoo by By Hazel Flynn, 2040: A Handbook for the Regeneration by Damon Gameau, Food or War by Jullian Cribb were gifts by the authors and publisher. I use the hashtag #trgcollab to help readers idenifty items or services that were gifted to me or are a paid post. These items were unpaid gifts and I was not compensated financially to post about them. All views are my own. I only accept gifted items or services I would use personally.</i></span></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9033465662037447681.post-53923601841801230212020-10-22T16:21:00.006+11:002020-10-22T16:24:39.171+11:00Holiday here this year and don't forget to take along your empty esky<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NCuh__y8NQk/X5ESuJuUdKI/AAAAAAAAb-E/ygslnOJ8PxsQCKWhxo_XpjakgoEI6a49wCNcBGAsYHQ/s637/therogueginger_empty%2Besky%2Broad%2Btrip%2Bto%2BAdelong%2B06%2Bcopy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Holiday here this year" border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="637" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NCuh__y8NQk/X5ESuJuUdKI/AAAAAAAAb-E/ygslnOJ8PxsQCKWhxo_XpjakgoEI6a49wCNcBGAsYHQ/s16000/therogueginger_empty%2Besky%2Broad%2Btrip%2Bto%2BAdelong%2B06%2Bcopy.jpg" title="Holiday here this year" /></a></div><br />Rural towns in Australia have been hit hard in the past twelve months. They have faced droughts, bush fires, and now COVID-19 keeping visitors away. As restrictions begin to lift and the weather warms up Aussies will be looking to plan their holidays, and with limits on international travel many of us will be looking to domestic trips.<div><br /><div>Before Australia experienced the first lockdown earlier in the year my family took a short trip to regional Victoria and NSW, taking along our empty esky after coming across the #emptyesky pledge on social media. </div><div><br /></div><div>The <a href="www.emptyesky.com.au" target="_blank">Empty Esky</a> pledge is to get people to visit townships and support small businesses affected by the Australian bush fires. Travellers are encouraged to take along their eskys to fill it with local produce and wares. </div><div><br /></div><div>I documented our road trip hoping to inspire others to holiday here this year and support towns in need of visitors. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MOGghDRSI8g/XvWIUMtPl3I/AAAAAAAAbq4/-fcMc0cuw8A5ZaRlpsfrEz5hV0B8iGnXwCK4BGAsYHg/s637/therogueginger_empty%2Besky%2Broad%2Btrip%2Bto%2BAdelong%2B013.jpg"><img alt="Holiday here this year" border="0" data-original-height="378" data-original-width="637" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MOGghDRSI8g/XvWIUMtPl3I/AAAAAAAAbq4/-fcMc0cuw8A5ZaRlpsfrEz5hV0B8iGnXwCK4BGAsYHg/s16000/therogueginger_empty%2Besky%2Broad%2Btrip%2Bto%2BAdelong%2B013.jpg" title="Holiday here this year" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Our destination was the Southern Highlands to visit my parents and attend a wedding in Kangaroo Valley. To break up the journey we visited Mansfield and Adelong in country Victoria and New South Wales, two communities impacted by the bush fires. </div><div><br /></div><div>On day one, our lunch stop was in the small town of Yea. We stretched our legs with a walk along the main street and visited the <a href="https://ywatercentre.com.au/">Y Water Discovery Centre and Wetlands</a>. My three year old enjoyed the interpretive displays and we learned more about the area too. There is an information centre on site, tables and BBQ outside the building. There were some antique stores I would have loved to check out but a tired toddler derailed this idea. We made a note to return here in the future for explorations of the region.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OBVyG4nm83A/XvQMhQDAauI/AAAAAAAAblo/1iUXn8Zi7sMnbVj5LUgMxbZYDYjQVpfMgCK4BGAsYHg/s637/therogueginger_empty%2Besky%2Broad%2Btrip%2Bto%2BAdelong%2B01.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Holiday here this year" border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="637" height="625" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OBVyG4nm83A/XvQMhQDAauI/AAAAAAAAblo/1iUXn8Zi7sMnbVj5LUgMxbZYDYjQVpfMgCK4BGAsYHg/w781-h625/therogueginger_empty%2Besky%2Broad%2Btrip%2Bto%2BAdelong%2B01.jpg" title="Holiday here this year" width="781" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the <a href="https://ywatercentre.com.au/" style="text-align: left;">Y Water Discovery Centre and Wetlands</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>We spent our first night at Delatite Hotel, Mansfield. Arriving late to the town meant we didn't get to see much. After dinner we walked along the main street and played at the Mansfield Botanic Park with our toddler. Mansfield does offer many activities and is a great jumping off point for exploring Victoria's High Country. Coincidently I ran into a friend from high school at the pub bistro running <a href="http://www.hiddentrails.com.au/">Hidden Trails</a> a local horseback adventure tour company and got to hear first hand how the fires hurt the regions tourism over summer. </div><div><br /></div><div>The next morning we woke early, collecting breakfast from the local bakery. We usually sit down and eat in, keeping our <a href="https://plasticfreetuesday.com/2015/06/30/holidaytips/" target="_blank">reusables</a> for collecting snacks. </div><div><br /></div><div>As we moved past the town of Holbrook there were hints of burnt landscape here and there along the Hume Hwy. Turning onto the Snowy Mountains Hwy the evidence of the catastrophic fires is everywhere. We saw homes and sheds destroyed, the country turned black. It was heartbreaking to see. </div><div><br /></div><div>I chose Adelong specifically because this part of the snowy region was one of the worst affected by bush fires. It's an area known for apple and pear farms, most being destroyed during the natural disasters. <a href="https://blazeaid.com.au/" target="_blank">Blaze Aid</a> are still on the ground lending a hand between the south coast and snowy region. </div><div><br /></div><div>My husband, <a href="https://www.therogueginger.com/2017/10/the-builder-shares-plastic-free-zero-waste-story.html" target="_blank">The Builder</a>, has not traveled around this part of Australia. The snowy region is one of my favourite parts of Australia and I like to drive through on the way to Batemans Bay to see my grandparents. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Adelong is a village with less than 1000 people nestled in a valley next to Adelong Creek. The main attraction is remnants of the gold rush at Adelong Creek Falls Gold Ruins. The town consist of two pubs, a hotel, local supermarket, RSL with a Chinese restaurant, Op Shop, antique store, Post Office, real estate, community bank, local wares shop...pretty much the usual operations a small town offer. Most rural towns will boast an Op Shop as their only clothing retails store. I really like that about Australia.</div><div><br /></div><div>We visited the Adelong Creek Falls Gold Ruins. When we arrived we kicked ourselves because we forgot the hiking carrier for our son back in Melbourne. We got as far as the water but couldn't go further down the track. Which was a shame as the creek walk looked beautiful from what we could see. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FYUUFoqqPk4/XvQ4MOtnCUI/AAAAAAAAbmM/NklHZMY2LeUmFvyoGVVFbBi5PFdaH6m3QCK4BGAsYHg/s637/therogueginger_empty%2Besky%2Broad%2Btrip%2Bto%2BAdelong%2B02.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Adelong" border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="637" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FYUUFoqqPk4/XvQ4MOtnCUI/AAAAAAAAbmM/NklHZMY2LeUmFvyoGVVFbBi5PFdaH6m3QCK4BGAsYHg/s16000/therogueginger_empty%2Besky%2Broad%2Btrip%2Bto%2BAdelong%2B02.jpg" title="Adelong" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-go7i64U8aCo/XvWEbvKGhII/AAAAAAAAbns/QxO0GF9kZjQjYuijrxuoUyXYkZBSSryNgCK4BGAsYHg/s637/therogueginger_empty%2Besky%2Broad%2Btrip%2Bto%2BAdelong%2B04.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="637" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-go7i64U8aCo/XvWEbvKGhII/AAAAAAAAbns/QxO0GF9kZjQjYuijrxuoUyXYkZBSSryNgCK4BGAsYHg/s16000/therogueginger_empty%2Besky%2Broad%2Btrip%2Bto%2BAdelong%2B04.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Our accommodation was very cute. An old house brought back to life. It could easily fit a larger family or two small families inside. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t8MmDPe7LvM/XvWEbccRSKI/AAAAAAAAbno/U43cdaVYSFIllnu_PbdsPopHNDUQf2GqQCK4BGAsYHg/s637/therogueginger_empty%2Besky%2Broad%2Btrip%2Bto%2BAdelong%2B03.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="Adelong" border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="637" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t8MmDPe7LvM/XvWEbccRSKI/AAAAAAAAbno/U43cdaVYSFIllnu_PbdsPopHNDUQf2GqQCK4BGAsYHg/s16000/therogueginger_empty%2Besky%2Broad%2Btrip%2Bto%2BAdelong%2B03.jpg" title="Adelong" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>We enjoyed a delicious dinner at the local Chinese restaurant inside the RSL. We weren't the only ones that liked it, with many locals popping in to pick up takeaway throughout the evening. </div><div><br /></div><div>The following morning was the final drive to Moss Vale to see my parents. Before leaving we ventured to the main street to visit some of the local stores. First stop was the Op Shop (thrift store).</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HHDo9QxRJC0/XvWFp9kd3HI/AAAAAAAAboM/Ak2X9LMuy2ovEF0rwxz_8zyUnI7ft2FMACK4BGAsYHg/s637/therogueginger_empty%2Besky%2Broad%2Btrip%2Bto%2BAdelong%2B07.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Adelong" border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="637" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HHDo9QxRJC0/XvWFp9kd3HI/AAAAAAAAboM/Ak2X9LMuy2ovEF0rwxz_8zyUnI7ft2FMACK4BGAsYHg/s16000/therogueginger_empty%2Besky%2Broad%2Btrip%2Bto%2BAdelong%2B07.jpg" title="Adelong" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-isA2eKs1mWg/XvWF1Ia_O7I/AAAAAAAAboo/2h9hPxW4hWkc5XBj1luOFI1THH5IS_pbgCK4BGAsYHg/s637/therogueginger_empty%2Besky%2Broad%2Btrip%2Bto%2BAdelong%2B011.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="637" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-isA2eKs1mWg/XvWF1Ia_O7I/AAAAAAAAboo/2h9hPxW4hWkc5XBj1luOFI1THH5IS_pbgCK4BGAsYHg/s16000/therogueginger_empty%2Besky%2Broad%2Btrip%2Bto%2BAdelong%2B011.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nZFu5LzP3ws/XvWFvZFPJ-I/AAAAAAAAboY/Lw3Nlc9gvK4uoHh7gRPk8XsPbFUOmCsxACK4BGAsYHg/s637/therogueginger_empty%2Besky%2Broad%2Btrip%2Bto%2BAdelong%2B010.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="637" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nZFu5LzP3ws/XvWFvZFPJ-I/AAAAAAAAboY/Lw3Nlc9gvK4uoHh7gRPk8XsPbFUOmCsxACK4BGAsYHg/s16000/therogueginger_empty%2Besky%2Broad%2Btrip%2Bto%2BAdelong%2B010.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>A cute top that I had to take home with me. I rarely buy new to me clothes, mainly because I'm nervous my son will spill something on it. But I couldn't resist this one.</div><div><br /></div><div>We walked down the street to Rustic Creations and walked out with arms full of locally made soap and jams. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q_WDtsluFek/XvWHxSIqBSI/AAAAAAAAbpg/_Zik6r9uoMsMw5RabvqOHPKvJeoI_MoqACK4BGAsYHg/s637/therogueginger_empty%2Besky%2Broad%2Btrip%2Bto%2BAdelong%2B012.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="637" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q_WDtsluFek/XvWHxSIqBSI/AAAAAAAAbpg/_Zik6r9uoMsMw5RabvqOHPKvJeoI_MoqACK4BGAsYHg/s16000/therogueginger_empty%2Besky%2Broad%2Btrip%2Bto%2BAdelong%2B012.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C64kOGxRycw/XvWH2hJ3gZI/AAAAAAAAbps/UR9ImXgDNcwpGTkCN8GKp8cUZ_Wscf8kwCK4BGAsYHg/s637/therogueginger_empty%2Besky%2Broad%2Btrip%2Bto%2BAdelong%2B015.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="637" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C64kOGxRycw/XvWH2hJ3gZI/AAAAAAAAbps/UR9ImXgDNcwpGTkCN8GKp8cUZ_Wscf8kwCK4BGAsYHg/s16000/therogueginger_empty%2Besky%2Broad%2Btrip%2Bto%2BAdelong%2B015.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>We filled our empty esky at a farm gate before leaving Adelong. Raspberries, pumpkins, more jams and chutneys went in, to be shared with my parents. We got to chat with the owners of the road side stall about the fires and how they have hurt business, including hers. She hadn't heard of the #emptyeksy initiative but liked the idea of people visiting gems like Adelong on their adventures. <br /><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YiluJgTWsqs/XvWICjLEt_I/AAAAAAAAbqY/pJwzOnjGo4s-X_MkEz97eRWS9MHziU06gCK4BGAsYHg/s637/therogueginger_empty%2Besky%2Broad%2Btrip%2Bto%2BAdelong%2B017.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="#EmptyEsky" border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="637" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YiluJgTWsqs/XvWICjLEt_I/AAAAAAAAbqY/pJwzOnjGo4s-X_MkEz97eRWS9MHziU06gCK4BGAsYHg/s16000/therogueginger_empty%2Besky%2Broad%2Btrip%2Bto%2BAdelong%2B017.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TMhF7mHdA9s/XvWIDCb7ykI/AAAAAAAAbqc/_YT4w-It0OkN7OgaLQl-7r7cVn0iMJTfACK4BGAsYHg/s637/therogueginger_empty%2Besky%2Broad%2Btrip%2Bto%2BAdelong%2B016.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="#EmptyEsky" border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="637" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TMhF7mHdA9s/XvWIDCb7ykI/AAAAAAAAbqc/_YT4w-It0OkN7OgaLQl-7r7cVn0iMJTfACK4BGAsYHg/s16000/therogueginger_empty%2Besky%2Broad%2Btrip%2Bto%2BAdelong%2B016.jpg" title="#EmptyEsky" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Having grown up in a country town I know visitors are important for sustaining local business and adding to the wellbeing of a small community. I'm excited to see where everyone will holiday here this year and fill up their empty eskys with locally grown and made food.<div><br /></div><div>It might sounds weird for an eco blog to encourage a road trip. Aren't cars bad for the road? Yes, they are. We all know that. Unfortunately the most eco friendly options are not the easiest for all. Getting to many of these small towns by public transport requires two-three days of travel and sometimes costs more than a flight or road trip. It's not impossible and is part of a growing movement called slow travel. We have travelled by train many times between Sydney and Melbourne, and highly recommend the trip.</div><div><br /></div><div>One way to reduce your impact is to offset your trip through an offset program or by personally owning your carbon through volunteering to restore habitats in your local area as suggested by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/zerowastedork/ " target="_blank">Zero Waste Dork</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VGu3OSO5_LM/XvWICFFosbI/AAAAAAAAbqU/qRFW8kKKA6UOvVrW3OkdVWo4-iN9mm_GACK4BGAsYHg/s637/therogueginger_empty%2Besky%2Broad%2Btrip%2Bto%2BAdelong%2B018.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="Holiday here this year" border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="637" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VGu3OSO5_LM/XvWICFFosbI/AAAAAAAAbqU/qRFW8kKKA6UOvVrW3OkdVWo4-iN9mm_GACK4BGAsYHg/s16000/therogueginger_empty%2Besky%2Broad%2Btrip%2Bto%2BAdelong%2B018.jpg" title="Holiday here this year" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9033465662037447681.post-78539971462817394792020-10-08T14:55:00.004+11:002020-10-08T15:09:02.219+11:00How local government can help communities go zero-waste and plastic-free<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8jR7ODw650Y/X36LmvSHvvI/AAAAAAAAb8I/QumfYkmJV8UBBdfUiDOtXUA7lrmCkSeWgCNcBGAsYHQ/s637/therogueginger_Councils%2Bcan%2Bhelp%2Bcommunities%2Bgo%2Bzero-waste%2Band%2Bplastic-free%2B01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="How local government can help communities go zero-waste and plastic-free" border="0" data-original-height="435" data-original-width="637" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8jR7ODw650Y/X36LmvSHvvI/AAAAAAAAb8I/QumfYkmJV8UBBdfUiDOtXUA7lrmCkSeWgCNcBGAsYHQ/s16000/therogueginger_Councils%2Bcan%2Bhelp%2Bcommunities%2Bgo%2Bzero-waste%2Band%2Bplastic-free%2B01.jpg" title="How local government can help communities go zero-waste and plastic-free" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Our local government Councils provide hundreds of services we use day to day in our communities and they are most likely the first level of government we interact with. I wasn't always aware of this and often wondered what Councils do beyond charging rates and collecting our bins.<br /><br />It wasn't until I was hired by Councils as a zero waste speaker that I realised how much our Councils do and the tools they can provide in helping make successful zero-waste and plastic-free communities through education, guidance, grants and community collaboration.<br /><br />Some of us might know our local Councillors. They are the people we vote in every four years to represent the community. Compared to State and Federal elections the Council elections don't seem as important but this is probably because the role is considered part-time. Plus the larger media outlets pay little attention to them. But the roles are important and learning how these elected officials can help create positive environmental change is valuable.<br /><br /><span style="color: red;"><b>Alert!</b></span> <span style="color: #666666;">In Victoria local government elections are happening right now. Every Victorian will be receiving a ballot pack this week to be returned by 23 October. Engage with candidates and find out if reducing waste, tackling plastics and addressing climate change is part of their plan. Because Candidates are unable to door knock starting conversations with them on social media, by phone and email will help. I saw one candidate in a neighbouring ward stat they wanted to just keep collecting rubbish. Over the years I have engaged with Councillors passionate about reducing waste and plastics and this is who we want elected.</span><br /><br />Behind the Councillors are Council staff, hired by a CEO to work on projects and maintain the liveability of our communities by making sure services run smoothly. If we want something added to our communities we can approach Councillors that will then work with the teams at Council to make it happen. For example I could approach a Councillor about a cloth nappy rebate or creating a seed library for residents. They would pass a motion at a Council meeting to look into setting one up or liaise with the Council team to see if it could happen.<br /><br />Each Council has a sustainability team with dedicated waste education officers in some. The role is to create, deliver and promote the services on a range of sustainability projects, like waste and recycling.<br /><br />Councils can also work with a body like a Metropolitan Waste and Recovery Group or the regional equivalent . They'll also work with the State government Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, agencies such as Sustainability Victoria, the EPA (Environment Protection Authority ). Then there are environmental and sustainability consultants that come in to advise or run projects too. Council is kind of an extensions of State government.<br /><br />Individuals, business and government are becoming more aware of the impact of waste and the need to make changes. While many of us look to our Federal and State governments to create legislation that would see change move quickly the role of Council and its ability to enact change and even help create new systems local to us is overlooked. In this blog post I will list the different avenues Councils can provide assistance to growing and and helping facilitate behaviour change and even system change for reducing waste and plastic, and creating local solutions for fighting climate change.<br /><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">Education</h4>Our Councils organise free community events across various topics. The events with a focus on waste and plastics usually fall under the genre of Green Living or Sustainability and these are spread throughout the year. The events can range from talks, hands on workshops, and larger events like a festival. Topics might include composting, looking at energy efficiency, how to organise solar or draft proof your home, starting a garden, preserving, cloth nappies, DIY eco beauty and cleaning, keeping chickens, understanding greenwashing, reducing food waste, general guides to starting a zero-waste life, plastic-free living tips, how to recycle right, how to start a wildflower garden, keeping beehives. Some Councils collaborate with organisations to run a six week sustainable living program that residents can sign up for and commit to as well.<br /><br />When I first started giving talks for Councils on zero-waste living I was so shocked to discover 99% of events were free to the public. FREE! Okay so they are not technically free, some of our rates go towards this which I think is great. Reinvesting money for free education, yes please.<br /><br />Community education is great at helping build behaviour change. After all each person learns differently. Absorbing information on the internet or through a book is not for everyone. Some of us (like me!) find it empowering being in a room full of people that want to make changes, just like them. When one person is educated on the topic they can then take what is learned back to their homes or to school or workplaces, and share. So that's why I believe in providing education through different mediums.<br /><br />These Events also provide a space for likeminded people to connect. I've seen attendees exchange numbers after Council run events and strangers quickly becoming friends plotting to reduce waste in local primary schools their children attend. Many local community groups have formed after events as locals discover their power in numbers.<br /><br />The education programs Councils run are not only for adults. They also cater to early childhood, primary school and high schools. The Council sustainably teams can help organise excursions and incursions too.<br /><br />Sustainability officers at Council work VERY hard to provide this free education and I always encourage people to engage and attend a session. Even if it's not on waste or plastic or climate change! See what your council offers and enjoy. Councils want to put on free events the community are interested in. So speak up and ask for topics you'd like to learn about.<br /><br />Right now some Councils are running their regular events online. Like many people I'm looking forward to safe face to face events starting up again.<div><br /></div><div><h4 style="text-align: left;">Waste services beyond the kerb</h4>Councils are beginning to offer ways to recycle tricky items beyond our recycling bins. Items like CDs, DVDs, VHS tapes, X-rays, electronics, soft plastics, mattresses, clothing. These collection points are being set up at Libraries, Council buildings, or added to Transfer Stations/Resource Recovery/Tip Centres. Some Councils will have dedicated Tip Shops or Resource Recovery Shops selling items meant for landfill but salvaged to sell on.</div><div><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">Grants</h4>Individuals, community groups, not for profits, and businesses wanting to help reduce waste and plastics can apply for Environmental Grants through their Council. These grants range from $500 to $10,000+ depending on the Council and project tiers.<br /><br />Grant applications can be confusing with many criteria's needing to be met. Luckily Council run grant application education sessions. These are helpful for the current application and any you might do in the future with external grant bodies.<br /><br />I have seen a large scope of local ideas come to fruition thanks to grants from Council; toy libraries, tool libraries, kitchen sharing schemes, waste reduction education services for businesses, community gardens, mobile wash against waste trailers, reusable party kits. If your idea doesn't meet the criteria for their environmental grant you can ask if they know of other options to get grants or funding.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVZLkMkzAGz_5iNehhQSSd_naNM_BM5Mvs2MohPOdnBBaSqhaXXFy0yapf4JHL5khCj4QdDJ2jTSJ4RA4YlWtm1NuzMze_23CxDAf7aCTHNtvrDraMlIGqHbj6iV65eADbYzSmvxkRDv8/s637/therogueginger_Councils+can+help+communities+go+zero-waste+and+plastic-free+02.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="How local government can help communities go zero-waste and plastic-free" border="0" data-original-height="435" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVZLkMkzAGz_5iNehhQSSd_naNM_BM5Mvs2MohPOdnBBaSqhaXXFy0yapf4JHL5khCj4QdDJ2jTSJ4RA4YlWtm1NuzMze_23CxDAf7aCTHNtvrDraMlIGqHbj6iV65eADbYzSmvxkRDv8/s16000/therogueginger_Councils+can+help+communities+go+zero-waste+and+plastic-free+02.jpg" title="How local government can help communities go zero-waste and plastic-free" /></a><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">Working with businesses</h4>Councils can also work with business to help them reduce their waste and plastic. Glen Eira City Council in Melbourne's East worked with 18 business to reduce and replace the common used single-use plastic items with reusable or compostable alternatives. Another Council The City of Yarra has a Proudly Plastic Free program working alongside businesses to cut back on plastics. A Council staff member is usually assigned to this role. They research and collate resources that would be applicable to business in the local area. Reducing plastic as a business does take time (something a small business might not have spare of) and with the extra assistance working towards a solution together is beneficial for everyone.<br /><br />Last year the City of Yarra Council created a <a href=" https://www.yarracity.vic.gov.au/services/recycling-and-rubbish/yarras-zero-waste-map">zero-waste map</a>. This is an an online directory for residents in the City of Yarra municipality to find businesses and community initiatives promoting waste reduction through their products, services or business practices. I'd love every Council to have this!<br /><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">Plastic Wise Policy and Zero Waste to Landfill plans</h4>Councils don't have the power to enact bans on items like single-use plastics. But they can set up something called a Plastic Wise Policy for events run within the municipality. The Surf Coast Council has created a Plastic Wise Policy for event organisers to work with their stallholders, sponsors, contractors, volunteers, participants and patrons to use alternatives to single use and disposable plastic bags, packaging and promotional materials.<br /><br />These policies can be extended to include all buildings run by Council like community buildings, council offices, and clubs.<br /><br />Many Councils have zero-waste to landfill plans. For these plans to work they require change that is outside the control of Councils but that's not to say these plans are not worth implementing. Councils representative groups around Australia would like to have more uniform bans and legislation on materials like plastic and they can use their collective power to advocate this to Federal and State governments.<br /><br />The zero-waste to landfill plans include building on behaviour change, creating new local systems, encouraging residents to seek alternatives. State governments collect a substantial waste levy that often sits around propping up budgets that could be released and provide more local grants to help small businesses or schools set up programs or integrate changes. I am wary of zero-waste to landfill plans because waste to energy is seen as a solution to keeping waste out of landfill. But it's not. It doesn't address consumption. Doesn't encourage repairing or choosing secondhand. Community will have to help make sure this does not become a "solution". <br /><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">Connecting with community and programs for developing projects</h4>Having been involved in many plastic-free and zero-waste community groups I know how important they are for creating change on different levels. Some Councils will publish a list of committed community groups on their website for people to find and connect with. If yours does not have this ask a Councillor to put forward the idea to include it. Having the list published publicly is a great way to let people know they exist.<br /><br />I'm seeing a rise in Sustainability, Eco or Enviro Champion programs run by Councils. This is a course to help develop a community project that will help the environment. Participants learn a range of skills needed to create their project alongside environmental problems. You don't need an idea before doing these courses either, it might come during the program and you might end up working with someone you meet in the program to bring their project to life. In my area a repair cafe, children eco incursion business, online bulk buy service, and wildlife garden programs was created through this type of program.<br /><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">Link up with your Council</h4>The best way for community members to direct change, see policies and programs developed requires more than just making comments on social media. You and I need to engage through phone calls, emails, attending events.<br /><br />Sign up for their newsletters or find other ways to stay up to date with projects requiring community feedback, join any advisory committees if available, attend a Council meeting so you know how it runs. Local government is the most accessible level government to us. Let's make the most it.<br /><br />System change is important and something that needs to happen if we want a zero waste society to flourish. These system changes can be built today, by you and me, using the tools I mentioned above. It's possible to build resilient regenerative solutions accessible for all right here in our neighbourhoods. In fact we must if we want to move away from the harm of global capitalism. I could write another ten paragraphs about building local systems but not today. Instead I'm going to learn about the candidates plans for the area I live in and make sure I vote for those wanting to create zero waste and plastic free communities, like me.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Photos in this blog post are by Stonnington Council</i></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9033465662037447681.post-87364016249105167792020-08-06T20:37:00.006+10:002020-10-20T11:21:49.863+11:00My reusable party kit & how to join the Party Kit Network Australia<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AtEYQmZ0zaw/XyvNomtuExI/AAAAAAAAb1k/YtWxModfHhgdVhNhlrUViR5MNpyhVO9IwCNcBGAsYHQ/s637/therogueginger_reusable%2Bparty%2Bkit%2Bnetwork%2Baustralia%2B00.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px;"><img alt="Reusable Party Kit Network Australia" border="0" data-original-height="481" data-original-width="637" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AtEYQmZ0zaw/XyvNomtuExI/AAAAAAAAb1k/YtWxModfHhgdVhNhlrUViR5MNpyhVO9IwCNcBGAsYHQ/d/therogueginger_reusable%2Bparty%2Bkit%2Bnetwork%2Baustralia%2B00.jpg" title="Reusable Party Kit Network Australia" /></a><br />Three years ago I hosted my first waste-free kids party. It was birthday number one for our kiddo. Due to his inability to comprehend what was happening meant I had full control over everything and to be honest there were more adults than kids. You can <a href="https://www.therogueginger.com/2019/01/our-sons-first-low-waste-birthday-party.html" target="_blank">read about it here</a>. <br /><br />In the blog post about my sons first zero-waste birthday I wrote about my decision to keep most of the second-hand partyware I spent time collecting. My aim was to share it with anyone in my community wanting to host a zero-waste or low-waste party. <b>Sharing my kit would help reduce single-use party supplies like plates, cups, platters, decorations AND save another person money and time sourcing reusable partyware.</b><br /><br />The thing is people only found out about my reusable party kit if they chanced upon that particular blog article, an <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B0XP9rmF8p8/" target="_blank">instagram post</a> or info on <a href="https://www.reusablenation.com/zero-waste-living/zero-waste-catering-plastic-free-parties-eco-friendly-events?rq=events" target="_blank">Reusable Nation</a> (thanks Vicky and David!). Luckily people have found out about the kit and it has been used by the community saving over 300 single use plates and cups for going to landfill in the past three years. <br /><br />I began to wonder if there was a website that could help connect reusable party kit holders with members of the community and if not, could I build one. <b>I believe sharing what we already have to be one of the first steps to reducing waste.</b> I knew there were others in Australia with reusable party kits, the problem is finding and connecting with each other easily. A directory would help change that. <br /><br />After a search of the internets I found nothing in Australia. However I discovered a brilliant set up based in the UK called the <a href="https://www.partykitnetwork.uk/" target="_blank">Party Kit Network</a>. It was exactly what I envisioned for Australia and so much more. <div><br /></div><div><blockquote>The Party Kit Network are a “non-profit community project working to make parties more sustainable. By providing reusable party kits we offer an accessible and easy way to avoid waste from disposables.”</blockquote><br /><br />On a whim I decided to reach out to the Party Kit Network asking if they would consider expanding into Australia. After seeing the popularity of community sharing through sites like Responsible Cafes, Trashless Takeaway, ShareWaste and OlioEx I knew the Party Kit Network would do well here too.<br /><br />My message to the Party Kit Network was met with enthusiasm and I started chatting with the founder Isabel Mack. This led to a zoom chat and a month later a website for Australia - <a href="https://www.partykitnetwork.org/" target="_blank">www.PartyKitNetwork.org</a>!<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mnhom947s84/XyOnQz8cDZI/AAAAAAAAb0E/yqa66wcqRWc1-q0lq41nFf_8JZMORNDaQCNcBGAsYHQ/s637/therogueginger_reusable%2Bparty%2Bkit%2Bnetwork%2Baustralia%2B02.jpg"><img alt="Reusable Party Kit Network Australia" border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mnhom947s84/XyOnQz8cDZI/AAAAAAAAb0E/yqa66wcqRWc1-q0lq41nFf_8JZMORNDaQCNcBGAsYHQ/d/therogueginger_reusable%2Bparty%2Bkit%2Bnetwork%2Baustralia%2B02.jpg" title="Reusable Party Kit Network Australia" /></a><br />Screenshot of the <a href="http://www.partykitnetwork.org" target="_blank">Australian Party Kit Network</a> website<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9_7BdZhVzwQ/XyOoWHq9ihI/AAAAAAAAb0Y/AS8xAEAu4H8HXWhQgrQG2fK5qJx3bAjhwCNcBGAsYHQ/s637/therogueginger_reusable%2Bparty%2Bkit%2Bnetwork%2Baustralia%2B09.jpg"><img alt="Reusable Party Kit Network Australia" border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9_7BdZhVzwQ/XyOoWHq9ihI/AAAAAAAAb0Y/AS8xAEAu4H8HXWhQgrQG2fK5qJx3bAjhwCNcBGAsYHQ/d/therogueginger_reusable%2Bparty%2Bkit%2Bnetwork%2Baustralia%2B09.jpg" title="Reusable Party Kit Network Australia" /></a><br />Zoom call with Isabel confirmed how talented she is! <br /><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">So what is a reusable party kit?</h4>A party kit has reusable tableware like plates, cups, cutlery, decorations and whatever else you think to be helpful. These help reduce the need to rely on single-use items, saves money and makes planning parties for young and old easier. Everything is picked up or dropped off in one box depending on arrangements made with the kit owner. <br /><br />Party Kits are either hired out for free or for a fee. For example, my kit is available for free. If the kit needs to be delivered I'm happy to do this within a certain distance.<br /><br />A party kits can also be used by schools, community groups, not for profits as a way to raise money.<br /><br />Information on what each kit contains is on the <a href="http://www.partykitnetwork.org" target="_blank">website</a> along with information on how to book.<br /><br /><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zcYhjAdGzLA/XyOq3BgLvlI/AAAAAAAAb0k/GhTxKdUF8P4IyU7_kxWIijowyidAIsHjACNcBGAsYHQ/s1080/therogueginger_reusable%2Bparty%2Bkit%2Bnetwork%2Baustralia%2B06.png"><img alt="Reusable Party Kit Network Australia" border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zcYhjAdGzLA/XyOq3BgLvlI/AAAAAAAAb0k/GhTxKdUF8P4IyU7_kxWIijowyidAIsHjACNcBGAsYHQ/d/therogueginger_reusable%2Bparty%2Bkit%2Bnetwork%2Baustralia%2B06.png" title="Reusable Party Kit Network Australia" /></a><br /><br />I love the huge amount of support there is to get a kit started. To learn how to put a kit together simply become a member. There is no charge for this. You'll receive a guide that will provide a lot of information plus access to a members section. Here you can downloading a logo for your kit, editable posters to advertise in your community (think schools, daycare, community notice boards), a price list template, inventory list, booking guide, discounts to help start up a kit, images for social media...really, everything! There is a supportive and active <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/partykitnetwork/" target="_blank">facebook group</a> too should you need it. Isabel has made it very simple and straightforward.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uwRDQrbPAjc/XyOsH9fXjkI/AAAAAAAAb0w/R8cxEgMB_bYMWT6dCNADu7ATLIEHiG7JACNcBGAsYHQ/s637/therogueginger_reusable%2Bparty%2Bkit%2Bnetwork%2Baustralia%2B01.jpg"><img alt="Reusable Party Kit Network Australia" border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uwRDQrbPAjc/XyOsH9fXjkI/AAAAAAAAb0w/R8cxEgMB_bYMWT6dCNADu7ATLIEHiG7JACNcBGAsYHQ/d/therogueginger_reusable%2Bparty%2Bkit%2Bnetwork%2Baustralia%2B01.jpg" title="Reusable Party Kit Network Australia" /></a><br /><br />Once you have your kit organised and set up, you can then register your new listing via the registration form on the website. Here is a link in case you are ready to go > <a href="https://www.partykitnetwork.org/join" target="_blank">www.partykitnetwork.org/join</a><br /><br />Should you need to make any adjustments to your information on the Party Kit Network website you can contact them directly using their email.<br /><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">What's in Erin's Party Kit?</h4>My reusable party kit in on the map. Here is a peek at my kit:<br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>30 plastic kids plates</li><li>30 plastic kids bowls</li><li>30 plastic cups</li><li>30 sets of plastic cutlery (knife, spoon, fork)</li><li>1 plastic jug</li><li>cloth bunting with the words Happy Birthday</li><li>reusable cloth pass the parcel bags </li></ul><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AdYCJ5K0cwg/XyvRZtHXMYI/AAAAAAAAb1w/CFgkRJyKvjQZfKyRuE5rtd0JNXnp1nV7gCNcBGAsYHQ/s637/therogueginger_reusable%2Bparty%2Bkit%2Bnetwork%2Baustralia%2B010.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px;"><img alt="Reusable Party Kit Network Australia" border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="637" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AdYCJ5K0cwg/XyvRZtHXMYI/AAAAAAAAb1w/CFgkRJyKvjQZfKyRuE5rtd0JNXnp1nV7gCNcBGAsYHQ/d/therogueginger_reusable%2Bparty%2Bkit%2Bnetwork%2Baustralia%2B010.jpg" title="Reusable Party Kit Network Australia" /></a>My original kit was a mix of kids and adult partyware. I decided to seperate the kits making it easier for sharing and storing. I'm just trying to find secondhand adult cutlery before I list the big people kit which will call proper crockery and adult size cups.<br /><br />90% of my kids reusable party kit been sourced second-hand including the plastic tub. Originally everything was organised in multiple boxes making the process a little cumbersome. The only thing new are the reusable pass the parcel bags from <a href="https://partyora.com/" target="_blank">Partyora</a>.<br /><br />I chose plastic plates for the kids tableware for two reasons. </div><div><br /></div><div>One) kids can be a little more clumsy especially if they are running about with their friends. I'm not so worried about crockery or glass breaking at my house. If someone was to break crockery or glass at a park then it could be hazard for others visiting. I don't know if it's because I'm a parent now but I'm hyper aware of risks. Kids wear open sandals in summer. One small shard of glass or crockery that wasn't picked up can easily slip under and get stuck. Or a child could fall on it. There is also the fear something would break and nothing would be picked up. So plastic was picked for public safety and durability.<br /><br /></div><div>Two) These plastic plates, cups, bowls, cutlery, jug were second hand and already existed, so I'm putting them to use rather than risk going to landfill. It wasn't hard for me to find plastic party plates. One look through a Op Shop or Facebook Marketplace and I had a matching set. If enough reusable party kits are set up then demand to manufacture new plastic plates especially from virgin plastic will decrease.</div><div><br />If you are unable to source items for your party kit secondhand don't fret. There are options for buying plastic plates made of recycled material through the Party Kit Network. Do what works for your budget, time and accessibility. The goal of the Party Kit Network is to encourage reusing.<br /><br />Certain Councils in Australia do recycle this type of plastic tableware but not through kerbside recycling. Contact your local Transfer or Waste Recovery centre for the correct disposal should anything break beyond use.<br /><br />Compostable options are a good option but still require a lot of energy to grow, make, transport to use once and put into a compost. My home compost would struggle with over 60 compostable products and my council doesn't accept compostable partyware in their organics collection.<br /><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">What about the washing up?</h4>Most kits owners ask that the items are returned cleaned. I don't mind washing up. There is always someone at the party willing to help so I say get them to assist you. Use the time to catch up and have a chat.<br /><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">Erin, my town/city/state is in lockdown...</h4>So is mine! While the State of Victoria can't host parties let alone visit with anyone, other areas of Australia are allowed to celebrate. </div><div><br /></div><div>If you are unable to host a party because of the current conditions consider using the time to put a kit together if you are keen to join the network. As I mentioned before the Party Kit Network has a compressive guide to setting up a party kit. You might have a lot of the items already.<br /><br /><br /><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CbjgBR3LIPA/XyOsrgvRWmI/AAAAAAAAb04/lH8z-2cTkKUNQp5nqADoNnLlToE0AoZbQCNcBGAsYHQ/d/therogueginger_reusable%2Bparty%2Bkit%2Bnetwork%2Baustralia%2B08.jpg" /><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">Help me get the word out</h4>Know a community group, council, library, toy library, neighbour, friend...anyone that has a party kit?Share the website with them. I'm hoping we can get 100 onto the map by September.<br /><br />A party with 30 kids can equal up to 30 throwaway plates, bowls, cups, spoons, serviettes. Then there are the tablecloths, decorations. That could equal around 160 disposable items.<br /><br />Creating a reusable party kit in your community will help reduce waste and normalise reusing in a big way. With 30 kids in attendance that's 30 people than can then share this information with their parents or caregivers. Something so simple as sharing and reusing partyware can have a far reaching impact on behaviour habits now and into the future. <br /><br />The Party Kit Network features everything I think is needed for a circular regenerative system; sharing, reusing, connecting what we already have with our neighbours makes the Party Kit Network a truly eco friendly alternative.<br /><br />See you on the <a href="http://www.partykitnetwork.org" target="_blank">Party Kit Network map</a>, Australia!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9033465662037447681.post-51473444111769619602020-05-21T14:17:00.001+10:002020-08-07T14:24:46.952+10:00Modern Mending<div dir="ltr" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_4y6i3_Uw6Gr3-WBJLzI9NNin3T1ft7M99lx8ohm7tzxPo_uC5kAhd7zGuzJ21_uRXah_WnuSwg0_rylcRq3qDGwlzUPL-l9qriU2vulzysRRdTD0x2ncCFKVVmILKHdUZsFXaDvG5q0/s1600/therogueginger_modern+mending+06.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Modern Mending" border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_4y6i3_Uw6Gr3-WBJLzI9NNin3T1ft7M99lx8ohm7tzxPo_uC5kAhd7zGuzJ21_uRXah_WnuSwg0_rylcRq3qDGwlzUPL-l9qriU2vulzysRRdTD0x2ncCFKVVmILKHdUZsFXaDvG5q0/s1600/therogueginger_modern+mending+06.jpg" title="Modern Mending" /></a></div>
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I can't sew. Okay I'll take that back. I can do basic hand sewing with backstitch being one of of the only stitches I remember as an adult and can somehow do in a straight-ish line. I used to be under the impression having little to no sewing skills means you couldn't repair clothes properly and if you tried, well then the world couldn't see your attempt. Turns out you don't need professional sewing skills to mend clothing (hurrah). All you need is the book <a href="https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/DvYVa">Modern Mending by Erin Lewis-Fitzgerald</a> and a <a href="https://www.woollykins.com.au/products/darn-it-mend-it-darning-kit?_pos=1&_sid=806628027&_ss=r">basic mending kit</a> to get you started. I liked Erin's book so much I put my endorsement on the front cover. True story. </div>
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If you have been a long time reader of my blog you might recall a post about a small electrical repair enterprise called <a href="https://www.blogger.com/link%20to%20bright%20https://www.therogueginger.com/2015/11/bright-sparks-australia.html">Bright Sparks</a>. After the (sad) end of Bright Sparks owner <a href="https://www.erinlewisfitzgerald.com/">Erin Lewis-Fitzgerald</a> began offering clothing repairs. The style was not the mending I was used to. It was called 'modern mending' and everyone could see it! Stitches or whatever application placed over the hole in your clothing was thereto be seen, a rebellious gesture to the hyper consumer world showing you cared about your clothing and all the resources that went into making it.</div>
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I commissioned Erin to mend holes on my much loved green speakers shirt. She not only fixed the the holes but also added personality to my top. From there I was hooked. So hooked I asked Erin to contribute to my<a href="http://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/zkV37"> first book</a> sharing her mending tips. Over the years Erin has unsurprisingly become a highly sought after teacher and spokesperson in the mending and repair space with her workshops continuously booking out, face popping up in publications, media and voice on the radio.</div>
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I had wanted to participate in one of her mending workshops but always missed out. Erin was adamant no one has to be a great sewer to mend, they simply needed to try. She really believes anyone can make do and mend. So when she told me a book was in the works I was delighted. Finally I could have Erin's knowledge and guidance at home with me.</div>
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Years of teaching visible mending helped Erin create a book that is for everyone. When I first sat down to read it and try my hand at mending my three year olds pants it felt like like Erin was holding my hand as I worked through the new to me techniques. And I really enjoyed the humour sprinkled throughout.</div>
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Around the time I received Erin's book for an advanced reading Woolykins reached out to me asking if i'd like to try their <a href="https://www.woollykins.com.au/products/darn-it-mend-it-darning-kit?_pos=1&_sid=b2a13711e&_ss=r">mending kit</a>. It felt serendipitous so I said yes.</div>
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My own sewing kit is basic (created by Mum, master sewer extraordinaire!) and has served me well for my basic level of sewing and repairs. Erin does explain in her book how to create a mending kit on your own with second-hand thread, patches and other items handy for mending. But if you are like me, a ready made mending kit was really REALLY helpful to get started and try a variety of techniques. My local secondhand store don't have robust sewing supplies like stores in other areas. And I don't really have anyone to ask for donations. Except Mum. But like most sewers I doubt she would relinquish too much from her own sewing kit just yet, holding onto all her much loved tools, thread and scraps. Luckily the <a href="https://modernmending.com/collections/mending-kits/products/woollykins-darn-it-mending-kit">Woolykins Mending Kit</a> is available on Erin's online mending store along with a growing variety of items specific for modern mending.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tF1IFTUZOZE/XsXx837FyGI/AAAAAAAAbdQ/G8V4uy7vWnMShk4d7-3JWoK4mbqIvYdgwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/therogueginger_modern%2Bmending%2B03.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Modern Mending" border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="637" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tF1IFTUZOZE/XsXx837FyGI/AAAAAAAAbdQ/G8V4uy7vWnMShk4d7-3JWoK4mbqIvYdgwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/therogueginger_modern%2Bmending%2B03.jpg" title="Modern Mending" /></a></div>
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Before I talk about Erin's book, let's look at the kit...</div>
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The Woolykins kit arrived by post in a cardboard box with a small amount of paper packaging materials. Both have been put into my child's craft pile and can be composted at home or recycled via kerb side recycling. Everything for the kit is packaged inside a cute blue bento style bag. Here is a list of what is inside the kit:</div>
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Darning mushroom made from reclaimed hardwood</div>
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Darning needles</div>
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Thread scissors</div>
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Dry felting needle</div>
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Biodegradable earth foam block</div>
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Needle threader</div>
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Thread card with assorted wool and alpaca yarns</div>
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Thread card with assorted line and cotton threads</div>
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Wool fabric patches</div>
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Linen fabric patches</div>
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Wool roving (the fluffy stuff)</div>
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Loose leaf tea</div>
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Thread cards, wool patches, and roving were inside home compostable zip lock bags by the company Better Packaging. These bags are a good option if you have a home compost but I'm not convinced the bags were needed for shipping. I understand moths would have a feast on the wool but perhaps advice on how to store to avoid this happening could work better. The bags clearly ask for re-use before composting and we will do that. The kit is plastic free a commitment I like.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uWGutSoXfTk/XsXypKsWJJI/AAAAAAAAbdY/D2vwdCZuKWwOgQnJ6B_qIejjhBvSKuwTACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/therogueginger_modern%2Bmending%2B04.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Modern Mending" border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="637" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uWGutSoXfTk/XsXypKsWJJI/AAAAAAAAbdY/D2vwdCZuKWwOgQnJ6B_qIejjhBvSKuwTACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/therogueginger_modern%2Bmending%2B04.jpg" title="Modern Mending" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My red jumper pre-mend</td></tr>
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When I saw the red wool thread in the mending kit I immediately jumped for joy. A much loved red woollen jumper has been sitting in my mending pile for about a year and the red thread matched the jumper perfectly. After completing some basic mends on my sons pants I decided it was time to attempt my fave jumper with the help of Erin's book.</div>
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This red woollen jumper was purchased second-hand in Hobart sometime in 2014. You'll easily see me wearing this every other day from autumn through to early spring. With its frequent wearing holes developed under both arms, one on the hem, a hole near the breast, the beginnings of another under that one, and lastly small dark blemishes on the bottom left.</div>
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There are five technique themes in the book ranging from beginner to more experienced. I of course kept to the beginner steps. Here are some photos of the book to give you an idea of info and layout:<br />
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First up the holes were darned using the classic darning method. I did have to start the first one several times since the weave of the wool was fine. But once I began to understand the fabric (something Erin helps with in Fabric 101 at the start) and the right darning needle, it became easier to do. In hindsight I should have practiced on the holes under the arms.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1OTfqhD0FcFPsLMb9lN6hB1geJEkgCVo_3efPZGdDQAVy0wptpIN0W5MUIa9rLgMuTsbXYaJ0ihGqxz28-kB4Hhu-xDLEJQkQJpWCGTlVnB_ayOPjozzO4vGNe1r3a8wl-1VtgD78BAA/s1600/therogueginger_modern+mending+08.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1OTfqhD0FcFPsLMb9lN6hB1geJEkgCVo_3efPZGdDQAVy0wptpIN0W5MUIa9rLgMuTsbXYaJ0ihGqxz28-kB4Hhu-xDLEJQkQJpWCGTlVnB_ayOPjozzO4vGNe1r3a8wl-1VtgD78BAA/s1600/therogueginger_modern+mending+08.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">A glimpse at what needed mending</td></tr>
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After the two holes near the breast were mended I decided to sew a heart around each one mimicking the large heart already on the jumper. Both were a little wonky but I liked them. I did use templates I cut out on scrap paper to help sew a heart shape.</div>
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Once the holes were mended I was a little stumped on how to cover the small stains. As I flicked through Erins mending guide I kept coming back to needle felting using wool from the jumper. I could needle felt a heart shape over the stain and the two darning mends higher up the jumper.</div>
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Needle felting is essentially taking a clump of wool and pushing it into the fabric where it somehow magically stays. I didn't have an exact colour match for my jumper so I took Erin's advice to use wool from the same jumper, pulled out my <a href="https://www.therogueginger.com/2014/09/sweater-comb.html">wool comb/sweater comb</a>. Well it worked and I'm pleased with how the hearts turned out. I was so impressed I considered offering commissions myself. Kidding. I have enough worn knees on my childs pants to keep me busy. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YfYvRZnIw28/XsX0cOKzBLI/AAAAAAAAbdk/zS977wndjBEpg5vAnc6DmY-LN_fWaePYgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/therogueginger_modern%2Bmending%2B07.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Modern Mending" border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="637" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YfYvRZnIw28/XsX0cOKzBLI/AAAAAAAAbdk/zS977wndjBEpg5vAnc6DmY-LN_fWaePYgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/therogueginger_modern%2Bmending%2B07.jpg" title="Modern Mending" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Needle felting in progress</td></tr>
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I looked forward to working on my jumper after my toddler went to bed each night, enjoying the meditative task to unwind from a busy day. My mum tried really hard to teach me to sew when I was a child but I didn't enjoy how slow and fiddly sewing was. Admittedly I was around eight years old and even more stubborn then. Getting into modern mending has helped boost my confidence to try learning sewing again and once classes open up after this peculiar time I look forward to joining. </div>
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Erin's book has a lot of photos and illustrations making it very easy to follow along. I appreciated the close up photos and detailed step by steps provided. It was simple for me to figure out if I was doing something right or not. Her writing is down to earth and chatty but straightforward where it needs to be. You can tell from the text Erin is passionate about mending and reducing fashion waste. <a href="https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/DvYVa">Modern Mending</a> isn't only about mending; creativity, problem solving, and activism is also at the heart of this book.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bQk0bMhW71k/XsIVV0aB9bI/AAAAAAAAbcg/Pu6-Ke8rS581dsDDbs_qImCFa5AtVuzrgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/therogueginger_modern%2Bmending%2B01.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Modern Mending" border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="637" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bQk0bMhW71k/XsIVV0aB9bI/AAAAAAAAbcg/Pu6-Ke8rS581dsDDbs_qImCFa5AtVuzrgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/therogueginger_modern%2Bmending%2B01.jpg" title="Modern Mending" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm not sure why the photo has blurred but you get the idea :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PuzoCfC7bMY/XsX5xhUcYcI/AAAAAAAAbeA/Jdlp2VEyuK4H3V4BJ9J4P9_hAa8f4iR1QCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/therogueginger_modern%2Bmending%2B09.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Modern Mending" border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="637" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PuzoCfC7bMY/XsX5xhUcYcI/AAAAAAAAbeA/Jdlp2VEyuK4H3V4BJ9J4P9_hAa8f4iR1QCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/therogueginger_modern%2Bmending%2B09.jpg" title="Modern Mending" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GCNjGycaAzA/XsX5xrldqmI/AAAAAAAAbd8/56BqTcQAmakp7XAS0Xn0phUIuMW2FoNrQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/therogueginger_modern%2Bmending%2B010.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Modern Mending" border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="637" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GCNjGycaAzA/XsX5xrldqmI/AAAAAAAAbd8/56BqTcQAmakp7XAS0Xn0phUIuMW2FoNrQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/therogueginger_modern%2Bmending%2B010.jpg" title="Modern Mending" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another photo because I'm proud as punch :)</td></tr>
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I couldn't wait to put on my “new” jumper. When I left the house for our afternoon walk I wanted to tell everyone we met I fixed my own jumper. I darned holes. I needle felted. I learnt a new skill. On reflection I think what I really wanted to tell people was I can look after my clothes and stop them from going to landfill, so can you. Visibly mending clothing is a growing trend and it's no wonder Erin's book is a popular resource leading the way.</div>
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<a href="https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/DvYVa">Modern Mending</a> is available at all good book stores and online.</div>
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<a href="https://www.woollykins.com.au/products/darn-it-mend-it-darning-kit?_pos=1&_sid=76e070557&_ss=r">The Woolykins mending kit</a> can be found on their <a href="https://www.woollykins.com.au/">website</a> and at <a href="https://modernmending.com/collections/all-products">Modern Mending Shop</a>, Erin's mending supply store.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">P.S I'd like to thank FeedSpot for featuring me in the <a href="https://blog.feedspot.com/eco_friendly_mom_blogs/" target="_blank">Top 30 Eco-Friendly Mom Blogs and Websites To Follow in 2020</a>. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9033465662037447681.post-2166398751530101412020-05-08T15:49:00.000+10:002020-05-08T16:04:17.528+10:00 SCRAP, Swanpool Creative Recycled Art Prize <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6NdDvLWC0cY/XrTvGPEpa4I/AAAAAAAAbYU/Qj6FxG50zK4rUzUjTP1Houtgarm3E1RJgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/therogueginger_Swanpool%2BCreative%2BRecycled%2BArt%2BPrize%2B00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="637" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6NdDvLWC0cY/XrTvGPEpa4I/AAAAAAAAbYU/Qj6FxG50zK4rUzUjTP1Houtgarm3E1RJgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/therogueginger_Swanpool%2BCreative%2BRecycled%2BArt%2BPrize%2B00.jpg" /></a></div>
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Last year I took a road trip to visit my grandparents on the South Coast of New South Wales. The journey required a detour to the very tiny village of Swanpool, 20 minutes off the highway, in country Victoria. My sister and her family had left behind car roof racks when they finished their housesit in the village. Since they were now in Sydney it was easier for me to collect the roof racks on the way through.<br />
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I jumped out of the car quickly to collect my sisters things hoping kiddo would stay asleep in the backseat. But as I started chatting with the owner of the house my son woke up. I had hoped he would stay sleeping so we could stop further along the highway. Seeing anxiety on my face as cries grew louder the kind person suggested I visit the local hall for the Swanpool Creative Recycled Art Prize and have something to eat.<br />
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I only heard the words “art prize” and “eat.” Eating was a good idea for both of us but art prize, maybe not. I drove up the road to the Swanpool Memorial Hall hoping there was a small park at least because a cranky toddler wandering around an art show is the perfect disaster recipe.<br />
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Surprisingly the carpark was busy and as I started to undo my seat belt the dark clouds I had been driving under let fourth the rain I had been hoping to avoid. The art prize it was.<br />
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<i><b>Related blog post: <a href="https://www.therogueginger.com/2015/04/the-ersatz-fantasia-project.html">The Ersatz Fantasia Project</a></b></i></div>
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As we settled down to enjoy a scrumptious home cooked lunch and piece of cake I looked over the literature given to me on our arrival. The exhibition was dedicated to recycled art.<br />
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A war on waste art show.<br />
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Was it fate a zero-waste advocate stumbled upon an art show made of rubbish?<br />
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I eyed my son. Judging by his calm behaviour I knew the energy from his lunch had not kicked in yet. So I had at least 30 minutes before he needed to burn that energy off. The art would be safe.<br />
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The Swanpool Creative Recycled Art Prize is the largest exhibition of its kind in the southern hemisphere. Entries must be created from at least 75% recycled material, including salvaged or repurposed materials. The work can be wearable, functional and artistic pieces, outdoor art, two and three dimensional works and more.<br />
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I was very impressed with the entries and decided to snap a couple of photos to share on the blog.<br />
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This would be a great exhibition to visit with kids. My then 2.5 yr old loved everything but I think older kids would get a lot out of seeing how waste can be repurposed and how art can be used to make comment on environmental and social issues.<br />
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At the moment the 2020 Swanpool Creative Recycled Art Prize is planned to run from Saturday 1 August to Sunday 16 August.<br />
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Entry forms are available online: <a href="http://www.swanpoolanddistrict.com.au/scrap-2020-update.html">www.swanpoolanddistrict.com.au/scrap-2020-update.html</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwYIbWlcOPiKIds3y69mf31UqIHbE8aI4h61aXHwP3Dl1rhcpmIIp7LheTkBXyfK5qCe476chV0PKmmRepW6sy7ONE2iz1OhVsIKhFESalxEXFraQduCSoAfMQFn25oM_bQONfN7y7jCw/s1600/therogueginger_Swanpool+Creative+Recycled+Art+Prize+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwYIbWlcOPiKIds3y69mf31UqIHbE8aI4h61aXHwP3Dl1rhcpmIIp7LheTkBXyfK5qCe476chV0PKmmRepW6sy7ONE2iz1OhVsIKhFESalxEXFraQduCSoAfMQFn25oM_bQONfN7y7jCw/s1600/therogueginger_Swanpool+Creative+Recycled+Art+Prize+01.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1G8pPMJug-k/XrTvH67B2BI/AAAAAAAAbYY/bHe_VQjjeGsODFGxgWG_d2A5C7tapUS0wCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/therogueginger_Swanpool%2BCreative%2BRecycled%2BArt%2BPrize%2B03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="637" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1G8pPMJug-k/XrTvH67B2BI/AAAAAAAAbYY/bHe_VQjjeGsODFGxgWG_d2A5C7tapUS0wCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/therogueginger_Swanpool%2BCreative%2BRecycled%2BArt%2BPrize%2B03.jpg" /></a><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9033465662037447681.post-19556217128310488402020-04-30T12:41:00.000+10:002020-04-30T12:41:44.858+10:00Our contaminated recycling and what we can do to help<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nMxNFkn9bac/Xqo6NhiahSI/AAAAAAAAbX4/ztGa-mG6NuM47juUmGVevsQ1qG7m2H1GgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/therogueginger_Our%2Bcontaminated%2Brecycling%2Band%2Bwhat%2Bwe%2Bcan%2Bdo%2Bto%2Bhelp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Our contaminated recycling and what we can do to help" border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="637" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nMxNFkn9bac/Xqo6NhiahSI/AAAAAAAAbX4/ztGa-mG6NuM47juUmGVevsQ1qG7m2H1GgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/therogueginger_Our%2Bcontaminated%2Brecycling%2Band%2Bwhat%2Bwe%2Bcan%2Bdo%2Bto%2Bhelp.jpg" title="Our contaminated recycling and what we can do to help" /></a></div>
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According to ACOR (Australian Council of Recycling) our household recycling and waste has increased by 10% as more of us are at home during COVID-19 lockdown measures. Along with this is an increase in recycling contamination.<div>
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Contamination is an issue because it can derail the hard work of those recycling diligently. The wrong items placed in our recycling bins lead to collections being unusable and ultimately thrown into landfill. </div>
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The CEO of ACOR Mr Shmigel said in a <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/national/lockdown-s-a-load-of-rubbish-recycling-fear-as-household-waste-spikes-20200428-p54nyt.html" target="_blank">recent interview</a> there has been an increase in soft plastics going into kerbside bins when this should be going to the <a href="https://www.redcycle.net.au/what-to-redcycle/" target="_blank">soft plastic recycling drop off points</a> located at Coles and Woolworths supermarkets. Soft plastics wreck havoc on the machines at the recycling sorting facilities.<br /><br />The article went on to mention the rise in single use coffee cups in recycling bins. A majority of the single-use coffee cups can't be recycled through kerbside recycling because of the plastic and paper body. The cups can be recycled through Simple Cups drop off points found at 7-Eleven stores in VIC, NSW, QLD and WA. If you are going to use a single-use coffee cup please recycle because the paper is really valuable as it's considered high quality. </div>
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So what can we do to help stop contamination?</h4>
<br />You might be wondering why those in the zero-waste movement should do something after all recycling is a step only exercised after refusing, reducing and reusing. However it's a peculiar time. More people are cooking at home therefore more packaging. The takeaway coffee once enjoyed in a reusable is no longer available. And just because people choose a reusable coffee cup doesn't always mean they know how to recycle right either.<br /><br />So while some of us know how to recycle these items correctly, others might not. If anything the current situation can be helpful in learning how and where to recycle correctly presenting a stepping stone we can build on in the future. </div>
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How do we encourage others to recycle right?</h4>
<br />More of us are online than ever before which giving us an opportunity to partake in online community education. Facebook is the preferred social media platform for most Aussies and we love a Facebook group. Something like a Buy Swap Sell group also doubles as a way to find out local information quickly or pass on notices. So I'm going to use my local Buy Swap Sell and another community group to help remind everyone to recycle right and not add to the contamination. I'm also using it as a way to get those food scraps out of the landfill bin and into our green organics bin or to start <a href="https://www.therogueginger.com/2016/03/composting-for-all-types-of-homes.html" target="_blank">home composting</a>.<br /><br />If you'd like to do the same feel free to use the example below:<br /><i><br />Join your fellow Moonee Valley residents in helping to recycle better.<br /><br />During this peculiar time our waste and recycling has increased by 10%. Our recycling bins are being contaminated with soft plastics (like fruit and veggie bags, toilet paper wrapping, food packaging Australia Post delivery bags) and even single-use coffee cups. You can join your fellow neighbours by double checking what can be recycled on Moonee Valley City Council website <a href="https://mvcc.vic.gov.au/live/my-house/waste-and-recycling/">mvcc.vic.gov.au/live/my-house/waste-and-recycling/</a><br /><br />Other tips for recycling right:<br />- Soft plastics (hint: they can be scrunched into a ball) go to Coles and Woolworths soft plastics drop off.<br />- Avoid putting your recyclables in plastic bags as plastic bags break the machines.<br />- Single-use coffee cups can be taken to participating 7/11 stores. Due to the plastic lining within a coffee cup these can't go into kerbside recycle. You can find the nearest drop off here <a href="https://forms.simplycups.com.au/locations">forms.simplycups.com.au/locations</a><br />- Food scraps should go into the green organics bin. This is turned into compost and passed onto farmers to help grow yummy food for us. Or start your own home compost and worm farm.<br />- Electronics (anything with a cord or battery) are not allowed to go into our landfill bins. Instead take them to the Transfer Station located 188 Holmes Road, Aberfeldie.<br /><br />For tips on recycling other items visit <a href="http://www.recyclingnearyou.com.au/">www.recyclingnearyou.com.au</a></i><br /><br /><i>Hope you are all doing well at this time :)<br /><br />P.S if you don't want to drop off items recycled through special programs right now keep them in a seperate box or bag until then, for example the coffee cups.</i><br /><br /><br /><br />You can either snap a photo to go with your post or simply use the text above.</div>
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Now I'm aware there is the very slim possibility of some not so friendly comments but I have faith (or more hope) the majority understand I'm only trying to be helpful. It can be nerve-racking stepping outside the eco themed facebook groups to more general one talking about this kind of stuff. Just remember you are sharing information to be helpful and protect the planet. At least this works for me.<br /><br />I believe social media an effective tool for sharing sustainable living tips organically and to help normalise wasting less. While it would be great for our governments (Council, State or Federal) to put out this information and we'd all make a change instantly the reality is the majority make a change because others are doing it too. Plastic and waste continues to be a popular topic in Australia so why not leverage it and help your community get it right on bin night.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9033465662037447681.post-71279314137268632472020-04-14T14:15:00.002+10:002020-04-14T14:15:56.875+10:00Join a Toy library to reduce plastic and waste<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Sharing, borrowing and hiring services are essential to slowing down the manufacturing of new materials like plastic, curbing waste and helping address the collective need to have new stuff. There are many other benefits the act of sharing and borrowing provide like accessibility, connection with others, community wellbeing, learning to care for resources that belong to everyone, to name a few. I have noticed a growing interest in sharing rather than owning and today's blog post is about the magic of toy libraries.<br />
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I feel a blog post on toy libraries to be long overdue. Actually, I KNOW it's overdue. My <a href="https://www.therogueginger.com/2017/03/welcome-to-world-little-one.html" target="_blank">son</a> is now three years old. Even though I have not technically written about toy libraries here I did write about them in my first book <a href="https://www.therogueginger.com/p/books.html" target="_blank">Waste Not: make a big difference by throwing away less</a>. And during my talks especially those on sustainable parenting I gush about them.<br />
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A post was planned and the photos were taken back in 2017 but sadly this blog took a back seat while I figured out the whole new parenting thing/writing a book. So if you are looking at the photos wondering who the baby is you can rest knowing it's my only kiddo.<br />
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Toy Libraries were not a new thing to me when I became a parent. I had already committed to the idea of toy libraries when I began reassessing my plastic use and living zero-waste life. Should I ever become a parent I would become a member instantly. And when our son was born we signed up as members of our local toy library and have enjoyed it.<br />
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Manufacturing new stuff like toys has a big environmental and social impact. Alot of resources are needed to create toys whether they are big toys or a tiny Barbie hair brush. Let's take a brief look at some...<br />
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<li>Oil is needed to make the plastic (though a lot of plastic toys are made from down-cycled plastic – plastic that has been recycled but can't be recycled again) or new wood for wooden toys</li>
<li>Dyes and paints are manufactured to colour the toys</li>
<li>There is the coal fired electricity needed to keep machines running and factory lights on </li>
<li>The fuel needed to transport the end product around the globe</li>
<li>There is the production of packaging</li>
<li>And of course the batteries should the toy be electronic</li>
<li>Don't forget 70% of an items waste, toys in this instance, is created during the manufacturing process</li>
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According to <a href="http://amusingplanet.com/">AmusingPlanet.com</a> 75% of toys and their packaging are made in China where the wage a toy worker will earn over six months is the equivalent of what the toy will cost once it's sitting on shelves. The conditions they are working in wouldn't be considered fair in most countries these toys will eventually end up.<br />
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Most toys are not recyclable. When they become forgotten as children grow all of the resources including the effort and time people put into making the toys is discarded to landfill or dumped at Op shops.</div>
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Lastly repairing modern toys can be hard because they are either not repairable due to the material used or produced in a way that makes it hard to repair. When I had <a href="https://www.therogueginger.com/2020/02/repairing-australia-rise-of-repair-cafes.html" target="_blank">my sons Thomas train repaired the kind Repair Cafe volunteer</a> explained most electronic toys break because they are not created with repairing in mind. It's planned obsolesce so you are forced to buy a new one.<br />
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Toy Libraries are one antidote to the problems manufacturing new toys create. Rather than buying new toys thus encouraging the burden on planet and people to continue my family can borrow a variety of toys instead of buying new. Beyond the environmental and social impact, a toy library is a fun way to ease the influx of toys from entering the house and later finding ways to dispose of responsibly.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the Moonee Valley Toy Library</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking through the building blocks</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loans and returns</td></tr>
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<h4 style="text-align: left;">
What is a toy library?</h4>
A toy library is similar to a book library in that members hire items for a number of weeks. These toys are then returned and the process repeated. In Australia our public book libraries are funded by the government (our taxes) while Toy Libraries run independently funded by membership fees, small grants and fundraising. There is a committee of employees and volunteers keeping everything running.<br />
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Memberships vary from branch to branch, with some offering half price fees in exchange for a handful of days of volunteering. We chose this option and I attended four two hour shifts where I helped hire toys out, collect returned toys, count all the pieces that had been returned, keep the toys clean and the premise tidy. It was a lot of fun meeting other parents but what filled me with joy was watching the excited children hire toys. Kids truly don't care about having new toys, they simply want something that is new to them.<br />
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There are over 280 toy libraries in Australia and the easiest way to find yours is to visit <a href="https://www.toylibraries.org.au/" target="_blank">Toy Libraries Australia</a>. They are the peak body representing Australian toy libraries, providing support and helping promote them.<br />
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<h4 style="text-align: left;">
What can be borrowed?</h4>
Toy libraries offer musical toys, baby & toddler toys, costumes, construction toys, puzzles, games, imaginative toys, electronic toys, literacy & numeracy toys, books, special needs resources and toys, bikes, scooters. What is available varies from branch to branch too. Loan time again depends but is usually 3 weeks or longer.<br />
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Most toy libraries offer party packs a great idea for adding extra toys in the backyard, house or rented hall at a low cost. I have even seen jumping castles. Some might also hire out plates, cups, cutlery, kids chairs and tables for parties too. Membership is not always required to hire out a party pack.<br />
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Toys are suitable from birth to around 6-10 years old age, depending on each location.<br />
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As you can see in the photos below smaller toys are housed in reusable plastic bags with a label explaining what is in each bag and how many pieces. At my local ty library everything is hung up for easy sorting.<br />
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The toys are categorised by theme not gender something I liked immediately.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An example of how the toys are organised</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The plastic bags toys are kept in and descriptions</td></tr>
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<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Cleaning and what to do with broken or missing toys</h4>
You are encouraged to clean toys before returning. We cleaned our toys using a cloth soaked in soap and hot water. I would do this when I brought the toys home and before returning. This might come across as a chore but I see the process an opportunity to teach children how to look after items and to reiterate the need to respect and care for it as we are sharing the toy with other kids.<br />
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There is the chance a toy will break or returned with missing parts. Don't worry, you won't be shamed and banned for life. Instead a fee is paid when returned. And just like other libraries a late return incurs a small fine.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Forgot to clean the toy at home? You can clean them at the cleaning station</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HO3hfAvC4lo/XpQPjLYjx1I/AAAAAAAAbU4/bk5WLOkWuH4-otYmiVnPSCDpCp363lzFACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/therogueginger_toy-library-australia%2B05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="637" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HO3hfAvC4lo/XpQPjLYjx1I/AAAAAAAAbU4/bk5WLOkWuH4-otYmiVnPSCDpCp363lzFACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/therogueginger_toy-library-australia%2B05.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A wall of toddlers bikes</td></tr>
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<h4 style="text-align: left;">
We don't have a toy library in our area, but I'm keen to start one!</h4>
It would be great to see toy libraries in communities across Australia and the world. Toy Library Australia have a brief <a href="https://www.toylibraries.org.au/start-a-toy-library" target="_blank">guide</a> on their website but encourage those eager to contact them directly for more detailed info. There are many successful libraries running for over 20 years and are happy to help with the set up process.<br />
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Last year while I was visiting Rosebud Library giving a zero-waste talk an elderly lady put up her hand to tell me and the audience she was thrilled to hear me talking about toy libraries as she was one of the founders of Australia's first toy library. You can read about my encounter with Evelyn here:<br />
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<i>"This lovely person is Evelyn and she founded the first toy library in Australia 43 year ago with two friends in the Melbourne suburb of Mitcham. She came along to my talk at the Rosebud Library on the Mornington Peninsula to hear how I reduce waste. Of course I talked excitedly about toy Libraries in my presentation! As if I wouldn’t!! She wasn’t expecting to hear about toy libraries or chat about it either. But I’m glad my talk prompted Evelyn to tell me about her story and how the first toy library came together in a small community, the idea quickly spreading throughout Australia eventually turning into Toy Libraries Australia. There are now over 280 toy libraries!</i><br />
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<i>I gave Evelyn a big hug to say thanks for laying foundations that do so much to not only reduce buying new toys and creating waste but what it does for communities. Of course she shrugged it off. These days she helps out with the local Boomerang Bag group in Rosebud.</i><br />
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<i>There are a multitude of changemakers within all of our communities doing important work and they are usually quite volunteers. Their stories aren’t always told or even known by most. It’s the work of people like Evelyn that has helped the modern zero waste movement be easier to navigate. I’m simply standing on the shoulders of giants."</i><br />
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If anyone would like to contact Evelyn for an interview let me know as I have her email just in case.<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BxSQ1OvFfr9/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">This lovely person is Evelyn and she founded the first toy library in Australia 43 year ago with two friends in the Melbourne suburb of Mitcham. She came along to my talk at the Rosebud Library on the Mornington Peninsula to hear how I reduce waste. Of course I talked excitedly about toy Libraries in my presentation! As if I wouldn’t!! She wasn’t expecting to hear about toy libraries or chat about it either. But I’m glad my talk prompted Evelyn to tell me about her story and how the first toy library came together in a small community, the idea quickly spreading throughout Australia eventually turning into Toy Libraries Australia. There are now over 280 toy libraries! I gave Evelyn a big hug to say thanks for laying foundations that do so much to not only reduce buying new toys and creating waste but what it does for communities. Of course she shrugged it off. These days she helps out with the local Boomerang Bag group in Rosebud. There are a multitude of changemakers within all of our communities doing important work and they are usually quite volunteers. Their stories aren’t always told or even known by most. It’s the work of people like Evelyn that has helped the modern zero waste movement be easier to navigate. I’m simply standing on the shoulders of giants. Image: two women standing side by side. #toylibrary #toylibrariesaustralia #toylendinglibrary #ilovelibraries #authortalk #wastenot #wastenoteveryday #wastenotbook #zerowaste #volunteer #ecovolunteers #communityservice #lesswaste #ecocommunity #share #sharingeconomy #borrow</a></div>
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A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/therogueginger/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" target="_blank"> Erin Rhoads</a> (@therogueginger) on <time datetime="2019-05-10T14:27:58+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">May 10, 2019 at 7:27am PDT</time></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The play mirror our son picked out</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Time to go home and play</td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9033465662037447681.post-75001964097100999772020-02-28T11:36:00.001+11:002020-02-28T11:36:17.912+11:00My visit to Yarra Valley Estates Edible Forest Garden<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6j3OGGM7UEd9Fd1vq7jOEdE85PvDs0i-7tRq93xE1LxSZ2ZZ1g6CFCiPRibBQkd7LzPZzK4c80YkeH0WrDQvtYr-gd0MxKyBE82aj3Mqmffgusl9foNtafAxF1uJoSXVW5ORbk3RQGfk/s1600/therogueginger_yarra+valley+edible+food+forest+australia+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6j3OGGM7UEd9Fd1vq7jOEdE85PvDs0i-7tRq93xE1LxSZ2ZZ1g6CFCiPRibBQkd7LzPZzK4c80YkeH0WrDQvtYr-gd0MxKyBE82aj3Mqmffgusl9foNtafAxF1uJoSXVW5ORbk3RQGfk/s1600/therogueginger_yarra+valley+edible+food+forest+australia+01.jpg" /></a></div>
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One hour from Melbournes bustling CBD tucked away in the rolling hills of the Yarra Valley is one acre of <a href="https://www.edibleforest.co/">Edible Forest Garden</a>. Louise Ward owner of Yarra Valley Estate where the food forest garden is located created the space out of a desire to reduce food miles but has since evolved into an education space open to the public interested in learning about growing a food forest garden at home, how to create healthy soil naturally and the importance of food security.<br />
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A food forest is a self maintaining perennial polyculture meaning there are a variety of crops of different heights within the same space similar to how a forest works. The plants, with some help, look after each other.<br />
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Food forests are a regenerative form of growing food that works to keep soils healthy rather than deplete them of carbon and minerals. Our current food production systems have been working in the opposite way. A regenerative method like a food forest garden helps to return carbon along with nutrients to the soil. If the soil doesn't have nutrients, this affects our health.<br />
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The goal of reducing exposed soil by covering everything in plants reduces soil erosion, protects groundwater, puts nutrient minerals back into the soil, allowing farmers and home gardeners the opportunity to move away from synthetic pesticides and fertilisers. A return to regenerative farming and gardening would helps address malnutrition, food insecurity, healthy water supplies, limit food waste, and reduce pollution from the production of agriculture chemicals. And a bonus is gardeners don't have to weed as much.<br />
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As I entered the <a href="https://www.edibleforest.co/">Yarra Valley Estates Edible Food Forest Garden</a> I felt like I was being drawn into a calming hug. The space is abundant in over 850 of edible and medicinal plants, with some specifically used to improve soil quality. Everything growing on the site is cultivated for the guest kitchen on site and used in workshops held in a up-cycled shed overlooking the garden.<br />
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For those who are used to the standard farming system of single crop structured in rows could be confused as how something wild like this would thrive. Forest gardens like this combine vegetables, fruit, nuts, herbs, shrubs and other plants to coexist aiding one another in their survival. The photo below is proof of this.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBV9YqnCiQW9ABgVHrzff8XHylEvnReX8sF9Zq8qEDUflOuMacz25qf7oUPuElUSQQcDiwr8dVh-DxBFMmj8Bq4YuCYmUcPYGmfV7dBJ6RFPvamPulWPeLqCfxCTtAPSYNpBwY6gAASm8/s1600/therogueginger_yarra+valley+edible+food+forest+australia+03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBV9YqnCiQW9ABgVHrzff8XHylEvnReX8sF9Zq8qEDUflOuMacz25qf7oUPuElUSQQcDiwr8dVh-DxBFMmj8Bq4YuCYmUcPYGmfV7dBJ6RFPvamPulWPeLqCfxCTtAPSYNpBwY6gAASm8/s1600/therogueginger_yarra+valley+edible+food+forest+australia+03.jpg" /></a><br />
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The large tree in the left photo is sugarcane used to protect the plants below it from the biting frosts in the valley. Yes, that is sugarcane growing in a very cold climate in Victoria. There are rambling strawberries for ground cover, something I had not thought of in my own garden. I discovered the plant Society Garlic, a perfect garlic alternative for me since I can't eat as much garlic any more. We munched on unopened Day Lillies (photo on the right) another unsuspecting specimen I have in my garden that I didn't know could be eaten. I feasted on gorgeous mulberries, tommy tomatoes, met cinnamon yams growing along side aromatic hops.</div>
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Yarra Valley Estates Edible Forest Garden is still in its infancy having started five years ago and only open to the public last year. Tours operate Monday to Saturday, at 10am and you can find out more on their website <a href="http://www.edibleforest.co/">www.edibleforest.co/</a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jwej-G_AFno/Xk84N4hLpnI/AAAAAAAAbQk/Tt_bVKbT3JoOYktA0rVLfjLdE1WjUC5eQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/therogueginger_yarra%2Bvalley%2Bedible%2Bfood%2Bforest%2Baustralia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="637" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jwej-G_AFno/Xk84N4hLpnI/AAAAAAAAbQk/Tt_bVKbT3JoOYktA0rVLfjLdE1WjUC5eQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/therogueginger_yarra%2Bvalley%2Bedible%2Bfood%2Bforest%2Baustralia.jpg" /></a><br />
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What had me excited was the education this space will offer. I can't think of any other edible food forest garden space open year round so people can see it at different times of the year. Often these edible forest gardens are private and only open for a handful of days throughout the year. I can't wait to revisit in winter and spring. The staff are kind and passionate, happy to share their huge amount of knowledge with visitors. It was inspiring to learn urban gardeners are visiting from Melbourne looking for help to get their own edible forest gardens started. Involving people and having interactive places to learn is necessary to creating confident gardeners. It's different reading about an edible garden and being able to walk through one.<br />
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Growing our own food, even if a little, helps the planet in so many ways. We reduce food miles and our fuel, packaging is not needed and we help improve soil quality for future generations. We learn new skills. We help draw carbon down. Our bodies get to eat food filled with healthy nutrients. And if we are lucky we can share the surplus in our communities, growing and nourishing connections.<br />
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Plan your visit:</h4>
Edible Forest at<br />Yarra Valley Estate<br />2164 Melba Hwy<br />Dixons Creek VIC 3775<br /><a href="https://www.edibleforest.co/">www.edibleforest.co</a><br /><br />Tours operate Monday to Saturday, at 10am for approx. 45 mins—1 hour and an additional Saturday only tour at 12pm. Bookings are necessary.<br /><br />Tour, Taste & Educate – $15 Per Person<br />Tour, Taste, Wine & Dine – $65 Per Person<br /></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9033465662037447681.post-53177339685996196002020-02-16T16:03:00.013+11:002023-02-16T11:34:34.103+11:00Repairing Australia: Community repair cafes, hubs and labs<div dir="ltr" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thank you Moonee Valley Repair Cafe for fixing my sons beloved toy train</td></tr>
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Across Australian suburbs, Repair Cafes and Repair Labs are offering communities a local place to fix, mend and connect.<br />
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I'm a big repairing advocate for many reasons beyond reducing waste to landfill. Repairing means investing in important skills, telling companies I want items that can be repaired, valuing resources and the people who made my stuff. It's an act of environmental and social justice. And an important part of my families waste not framework.<br />
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There is also the happiness felt when you get something fixed. I'll never forget the joy I experienced at getting my old blender repaired by the crew at <a href="https://www.therogueginger.com/2015/11/bright-sparks-australia.html">Bright Sparks</a>, now sadly closed.<br />
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A sustainable future will feature an active repairing industry. The Repair Cafes and Repair Hubs are laying this groundwork and reviving forgotten skillsets.<br />
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The <a href="https://repaircafe.org/en/">Repair Cafe</a> movement began 2009 by Martine Postma in Amsterdam. Its simplicity has seen the idea expand across the world with over 2000 cafes. Australia currently hosts over 40 Repair Cafes.</div><div><br /></div><div>A local initiative started in Australia is the <a href="https://repairlab.myfreesites.net/" target="_blank">Repair Labs</a>. They have events in WA. Join the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/RepairLabPerth/" target="_blank">Facebook page</a> or <a href="https://www.instagram.com/repair_lab_perth/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> to keep up to date on upcoming repairing sessions. <br />
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
How does a Repair Cafe or Repair Lab work:</h3>
Depending on the Repair Cafe or Lab they usually run once a month in a local community space. Tables are set up with the fixer on one side and the customer (you and me) sit on the other. You can't just drop your item off to pick up later. Instead you are invited to watch, learn and talk with the person fixing your item.<br />
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Before you sit down, customers will talk to someone at the booking desk where they take your details, discuss the broken item you wish to have fixed and direct you to the fixer with the skills best suited to your item. There is a form to read, fill out and sign, so the customer knows that all repairs are undertaken at their own risk once they leave the premise with them. If the item is unable to be repaired by a fixer they will tell you straight away, directing you where to take it if they believe someone else can do it.<br />
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The service is free. Yes, free. The fixers donate their time and customers are welcome to make a donation at the booking desk.<br />
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The items usually brought in are are small electrical goods, bikes, clothing, small furniture, homewares.If you are unsure about an item that can be fixed contact the repair cafe first. Large items like fridges are not accepted. The general rule is that you should be able to carry the item into the cafe yourself. But again, double check with a message to your local group.<br />
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Also no one brings in a box full of broken items, one or two is encouraged per visit.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sYsTedWvm58/XkjLPVOKQZI/AAAAAAAAbPY/s9bJwuCyGfYtD3uul6g02XX4wd5z414cACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/therogueginger_Repairing%2BAustralia-%2Bthe%2Brise%2Bof%2BRepair%2BCafes%2B02.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Repairing Australia: the rise of Repair Cafes" border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="637" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sYsTedWvm58/XkjLPVOKQZI/AAAAAAAAbPY/s9bJwuCyGfYtD3uul6g02XX4wd5z414cACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/therogueginger_Repairing%2BAustralia-%2Bthe%2Brise%2Bof%2BRepair%2BCafes%2B02.jpg" title="Repairing Australia: the rise of Repair Cafes" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sharing skills, meeting a member of my community, all while keeping this much loved toy out of landfill </td></tr>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
How do I set up a Repair Cafe in my area?</h3>
To find out out how to set one up, here are three ways to learn how:<br />
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<li>The Repair Cafe international website offer a <a href="https://repaircafe.org/en/start/">detailed Manual for 49 euros</a>.</li>
<li>Michelle and Lindsay from Melbourne Repair Cafe have an <a href="http://www.melbournerepaircafe.org/faqs.html">explanation on their FAQ section</a> </li>
<li>You can also contact a Repair Cafe to ask their advice too. They are fellow waste and sustainable living enthusiasts, and will gladly offer their advice to help get another Repair Cafe into the world.</li><li>Check with the Repair Lab about details on opening one in your area. </li>
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You don't need repairing experience to set one up either. Your role could be something else, like admin or booking or marketing. The repair movement needs more than just people with toolboxes!<br />
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Where to find a Repair Hubs, Repair Cafes and Repair Labs?</h3>
Below is a list of Repair Hubs, Repair Cafes and Repair Labs in Australia. Please note the links below will take you to the local Facebook pages for each repair cafe as they offer the most up to date information and events for each location. <br />
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VICTORIA</h4>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/GeelongRepairCafe/">Geelong Repair Cafe Highton</a><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/repaircafes/">Geelong West Repair Cafe</a><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/RepairCafeBellarine/">Bellarine Repair Cafe</a><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/RepairCafeSurfCoast/">Repair Cafe Surf Coast</a><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/SouthernPeninsulaRepairCafe/">Southern Peninsula Repair Cafe</a><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/morningtonrepaircafe/">Mornington Repair Cafe</a><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/portfairyrepaircafe/">Port Fairy Repair Cafe</a><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/wyndhamrepaircafe/">Wyndham Repair Cafe</a><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/mooneevalleyrepaircafe/">Moonee Valley Repair Cafe</a><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/DarebinRepairCafe/">Darebin Repair Cafe</a><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/northbalwynrepaircafe">North Balwyn Repair Cafe</a><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/394065694825405/">Warrandyte Repair Cafe</a><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/RingwoodRepairCafe/">Ringwood Repair Cafe</a><br /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/knoxcityrepaircafe/?hc_location=ufi&comment_id=Y29tbWVudDoyNDgxODU1MDc1NDEzNDQ0XzI0ODE5MzU1ODIwNzIwNjA%3D">Knox Repair Cafe</a></div><div><a href="https://www.facebook.com/repaircafesunbury/" target="_blank">Sunbury Repair Cafe</a><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/StKildaRepairCafe/">St. Kilda Repair Cafe</a><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/RepairCafeLatrobeValley/">Latrobe Valley Repair Cafe</a><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/ballaratrepaircafe/">Ballarat Repair Cafe</a><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/365506331054586/">Woodend Repair Cafe</a><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/AlexRepairCafe/">Alexandra Repair Cafe</a><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/castlemainerepaircafe/">Castlemaine Repair Cafe</a><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/SeymourRepairCafe/">Seymour Repair Cafe</a><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/BendigoRepairCafe/">Bendigo Repair Cafe</a><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/wangrepaircafe/">Wangaratta Repair Cafe</a><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/repaircafeaw/">Albury Wodonga Repair Cafe</a></div><div><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Bairnsdalerepair" target="_blank">Bairnsdale Repair Cafe</a><br />
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<h4 style="text-align: left;">
ACT</h4>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/canberrarepaircafe/">Canberra Repair Cafe</a><br />
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NEW SOUTH WALES</h4>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/repaircafewollongong/">Wollongong Repair Cafe</a><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/BegaRepairCafe/">Bega Valley Repair Cafe</a><br />
The Bower Repair Cafe – <a href="https://bower.org.au/repairs/">various Sydney locations</a> including <a href="https://www.facebook.com/OatleyRShub/?__tn__=%2Cd%2CP-R&eid=ARBrsLuxUYIqODqU5e3uIUgZZpo-kvtJpbtzYnr92dfwgcjEs1LuRaC484tg98nMwCVrWJs0GAlNpwmd">Oatley</a><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/RepairCafeSydneyNorth/">North Sydney Repair Cafe</a><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/therepaircafe/">Mullumbimby Repair Cafe</a><br />
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NORTHERN TERRIRTORY</h4>
<a href="https://repaircafe.org/en/location/alice-springs-repair-cafe/">Alice Springs Repair Cafe</a><br />
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SOUTH AUSTRALIA</h4>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/adelaiderepaircafe/">Adelaide Repair Cafe</a> <br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/unleyrepaircafe/?eid=ARD8ZtzWNc-QdLSWUIpvpIH6bdA8SaForiVVv3qKaWx2ER96GMo-NgDHHj5eWKASRZLWnDKkedVyn0at">Unley Repair Cafe</a></div><div><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Repair-Cafe-Campbelltown-SA-103728601451735" target="_blank">Campbelltown Repair Cafe </a></div><div><a href="https://www.facebook.com/RepairCafePayneham" target="_blank">Payneham Repair Cafe</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.facebook.com/RepairCafePayneham" target="_blank"></a>Repair events held at the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GawlerEnvironmentCentre" target="_blank">Gawler Environment Centre</a><br />
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WESTERN AUSTRALIA</h4><div><a href="https://www.facebook.com/RepairLabPerth/" target="_blank">Repair Lab Perth</a> (covering East Vic Park, Victoria Park, Wembley, Fremantle, Claremont, Peppermint Grove, Mount Claremont)</div><div><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/thehub6163/" target="_blank">The Hub 6163</a></div>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/641544632933466/">Albany Repair Cafe</a> <br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/RepairCafeJarrahdale/">Jarrahdale Repair Cafe</a> <br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/repaircafefremantle/">Fremantle Repair Cafe</a> <br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/repaircafebelmont/">Belmont Repair Cafe</a> <br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/repaircafeperth/">Perth Repair Cafe</a> <br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/TransitionTownStirling/?__xts__[0]=68.ARCJjFHeMMQzp59jp0DmFEH-hLCMsPG0CiPF7OyLgBWe0kKoL9jyihlwG6ZhJyAZH7POiNYMyorVfqdENzOfAiv40y3HQJzaUQ3em9QYrXDdAMlw74RkXuTI2r2I_JAGFfecdNAikpWa_5anV3fo6LjTEnISrqT28-SwvTfZ7VCZwaxlkeUhWCF8m5dE24F2rQmgpxx5cFZwiLXKFJPnCa7zeMMW0vXDUy7IUVkPoVRT1p6TaCOl7O4i076GmsLCnEKePjgmz1QnKAL-tScM0OpS1eZWSXXHrISZ5nUiwwBQZycne7KoT3VdFDpZ0x3TmO0xfTNPov2oWA7qpmhs0nbSVg&eid=ARB08uEsXLNy3LTuzHmTMfMh3tKUVUlK7kR1EGAFP7ENBzDB2jX1MZIUIY5CeTgWjNSAy32u_m8qKZvi">Doubleview Repair Cafe</a></div><a href="https://www.facebook.com/RepairCafeBassendean" target="_blank">Bassendean Repair Café</a></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/357571605002811/?ref=share" target="_blank">Cockburn Repair Cafe</a><br /><div><br />
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TASMANIA</h4>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/RepairCafeHobart/">Hobart Repair Cafe</a><br />
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QUEENSLAND</h4>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/534935270563384/?event_time_id=534935277230050%3Fti%3Dicl">Maleny Repair Cafe</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/repaircafesandgate/">Sandgate Repair Cafe</a></div><div><a href="https://www.facebook.com/RepairCafeWoolloongabba/" target="_blank">Woolloongabba Repair Cafe</a></div><a href="https://www.facebook.com/repaircaferp/" target="_blank">Redcliffe Peninsula Repair Cafe </a></div><div><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Repair-Caf%C3%A9-Brisbane-Bayside-102635385398760/" target="_blank">Brisbane Bayside Repair Cafe</a> <div><a href="https://www.facebook.com/CaloundraRepairCafe/" target="_blank">Caloundra Repair Cafe</a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><div><i>The list is up to date as of 17.06.2021. Feel free to contact me if I need to add or remove a repair cafe. </i></div></div><div><i><br /></i></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">Resources </h4><div>Follow the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/RepairCafeAustralia/">Repair Cafe Australia</a> page for national repair cafe news and events. </div><div>International readers can visit the <a href="https://repaircafe.org/en/visit/">map</a> for repair cafe locations in your country. <i><br /></i><div><br /></div><div>Visit the <a href="https://www.repairshareoz.org/" target="_blank">Repair and Share Oz</a> web map to locate repair groups, sharing centres and tool libraries, plus helpful resources. (<i>thank you Kristian for alerting me to this resource</i>)</div><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/mendaussie/">Mend it, Australia</a> run by Karen and Danny Ellis feature stories from their travels to community repair events, discuss important topics and advocate for businesses and government to encourage repairing.<br /><br />The <a href="https://www.griffith.edu.au/law-futures-centre/our-research/australian-repair-network" target="_blank">Australian Repair Network</a> "engage with all levels of government, policy makers, industries, repairers and the community to facilitate the need for a right to repair in Australia."</div><div><br /></div><div>
<a href="https://www.ifixit.com/">iFixit</a> is a website everyone should bookmark. They have repair guides, forums, communities, comprehensive technical videos. There are tools for sale to help fixers repair. The organisation wants to be bring about radical change in our rights to repair, empowering customers to speak up and ensure our stuff is made to last.<br />
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Repairing our stuff is one of the many individual steps we can all take to help fight climate change. Manufacturing new items requires raw materials and energy, producing pollution along the way. By repairing we are challenging the make, buy, throwaway culture that is at the heart of the environmental and social issues our world is facing. Repairing teaches us to value, care, learn and connect.<br />
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Thank you to every person donating their time to repair items and help run these cafes. I think you are all superheros. And so does my kid. </div>
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