Be a Brimbank Gem

Householders are earning rewards for recycling right, thanks to an innovative new campaign from Brimbank City Council. Now in its second year, the Be a Brimbank Gem campaign encourages all Brimbank residents to recycle right by placing only recyclable material into their Brimbank recycling bin, with the opportunity to earn a reward for recycling right. In 2012 Council’s Recycling Inspection Team will randomly select recycling bins placed out for collection and take a look inside before they are emptied. The team will award a Brimbank Gem sticker to the bins they see as containing only the right recycling material, and the resident will be able to claim a reward. Recycling right means placing only the correct recyclable material into the recycling bin and keeping all plastic bags out of recycling. While bags are a tidy way to collect recyclables in the kitchen, residents are reminded to empty the materials out of the bag into the recycling bin, and then dispose of the bag separately. Clean plastic bags can be taken back to most supermarkets for recycling or placed in the garbage bin, but they can’t go into the commingled recycling bin at home. Correct recyclable material includes: Hard plastic bottles and containers including ice cream and margarine containers, soft drink, cordial, milk and detergent bottles clean paper and cardboard milk and juice cartons aluminium cans and steel cans Glass bottles and jars with their lids recycled separately What can go in my recycling?

The Brimbank Gem Sticker is placed on audited bins that are found to only contain the correct recyclable material.

The 2012 program is up and running so start practising excellent recycling now and you too could be recognised as a Brimbank Gem.

Brotherhood Green

Brotherhood Green, a social enterprise of the Brotherhood of St Laurence is engaging with local Brimbank residents delivering the Energy & Water Task Force program to assist them in becoming more energy and water efficient through free home assessments and retrofits. To participate in the program, householders must be either an owner or renter, living in the Brimbank municipality and be the holder of either a Concession, Pension or Health Care Card. To find out more information please contact the Environment Department on 9249 4000 or Brotherhood Green on 9380 7830 or via the Brotherhood Green website

ResourceSmart

The ResourceSmart program is a Victorian Government initiative for Victorians who want to take the hard work out of shrinking their impact on the environment.               ResourceSmart Households Whether you are taking your first steps or looking to take your next step on you journey towards sustainability ResourceSmart Households can help.

This resource has been developed to help you as a householder reduce your impact on the environment and make a difference.

Everyone can contribute to a more sustainable world and the choices we make now will affect the way future generations live.

ResourceSmart Schools

The ResourceSmart Australian Sustainable Schools Initiative Victoria (AuSSI Vic) is a holistic approach to sustainability; integrating educational, environmental, social and economic outcomes - so that schools do not see each area in isolation but as components of the bigger picture of sustainability.

ResourceSmart AuSSI Vic Modules

Schools can start their ResourceSmart journey commencing the module of their choice. These modules are designed to build on existing achievements and generate high participation of students, staff, the wider school community, environment agencies, community groups and other organisations.

There are five ResourceSmart AuSSI Vic Modules. The Core Module is about strategic and action planning across school operations, learning & teaching and community engagement.

The remaining four Resource Modules - implementing actions across specific resource areas:

• Biodiversity
• Energy
• Waste and
• Water.

For more information and downloadable resources visit Resource Smart Sustainable Schools.

ResourceSmart Businesses

Businesses and organisations have a big role to play in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, water conservation and waste management.

Implementing sustainable practices in your business now will equip you for the challenges and opportunities ahead.

Visit the ResourceSmart Business website for information.

10,000 Raingardens Program

Brimbank City Council is working with Melbourne Water to identify ways to use stormwater more efficiently and adopt water sensitive urban design measures. One way we’ve been doing this is by building raingardens in our local streets. Raingardens are just as important at home as they are in our streets.  They are an attractive, low-cost and easy to maintain way that we can all contribute to cleaner, healthier rivers and creeks.  For this reason Council has partnered with Melbourne Water to encourage homeowners to build their own raingarden to effectively manage stormwater at home.

For more information about the benefits of raingardens and how to build one visit Melbourne Water’s raingardens website at melbournewater.com.au/raingardens

What is a raingarden?

Raingardens help contribute to cleaner, healthier rivers and creeks, by removing contaminants from stormwater before it reaches our waterways.  They can be built in private yards or public spaces such as streets, parks and schools.

Raingardens work by using layers of soil and gravel to filter out pollutants such as litter, oil, excess nutrients, chemicals and sediment.  These normally build up on hard surfaces (such as roads, car parks, roofs and driveways) and are washed into drains and into our rivers, creeks and bays where they have a detrimental effect on waterway health and the animals, plants and fish that rely on them for their survival.

Free Showerhead Exchange Program

In conjunction with City West Water, Council offers a free showerhead exchange program where you can swap your old showerhead for a water efficient one for free! To participate: Visit either location below and bring your old showerhead and a water bill Complete a survey and permission form and Receive your new showerhead and information Showerheads can be exchanged at the following sites: Harvester Customer Service Centre - 301 Hampshire Road, Sunshine Keilor Customer Service Centre - Old Calder Highway, Keilor For more information visit the City West Water website.

Waterwatch

Waterwatch is a program that connects individuals, schools, and groups with river health and sustainable water management issues.

The Brimbank area has a Waterwatch Coordinator that conducts a wide range of activities including:

• Supporting school and the community with river health education and awareness-raising activities
• Providing biological monitoring and water quality training for schools, volunteers and other community groups and
• Facilitating partnership opportunities around the health of our waterways

For more information visit the Waterwatch website

Further Information

For more information call Brimbank's Environmental Education Officer 9249 4000 or email info@brimbank.vic.gov.au