Hot news:

A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR- Director John Burgess
We welcome three new directors to the board this year, Cr Stephen Hart from Colac Otway Shire, and Cr John Doull and Cr Andy Richards from City of Greater Geelong. They join Cr Bruce Harwood, Cr Jim Tutt, Mr Kingsley Love and myself to make up the 2009 BRWMG Board.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the following directors who have finished their term on the board.

Peter Mercer from Colac Otway Shire as been a director for the BRWMG for ten years, in that time he has been an important advocate for the rural sectors in our region.

Barbara Abley and Tom O'Connor, from City of Greater Geelong have been a directors for the BRWMG for the past four years. Barbara has played a critical role as Waste Wise Champion for our business network. Tom's enthusiasm and energy has contributed to many of our innovative behaviour change and infrastructure projects.

We thank all our departing directors for their contributions and wish them well on their future endeavors.

NEWS FROM THE EXECUTIVE OFFICER- Enzo Bruscella
The region is pleased to announce that we were successful in gaining funding for a number of projects through Sustainability Victoria's Regional TZW Support Program- successful projects include:

Broad Acre use of compost- pilot demonstration and marketing project

Waste Wise community events PPR infrastructure project.

Major Sporting venues PPR project.

Organics study to benefit manufacturing
There will be future cost penalties for organic materials being deposited in landfill, according to a local waste management group.  A new study into organic waste is being conducted, to position the Barwon region for the post 2010 carbon trading future.

Organic materials in landfill create harmful methane gases as they decompose and methane is 21 times more potent as a greenhouse gas than CO2.

In recognition of this, the Barwon Regional Waste Management Group has commenced a study of organic waste derived from the industry and manufacturing sector of the Barwon Region.  

Find out more...

Aussie Tosser's Litter Campaign
In the lead up to Australia Day the BRWMG enlisted the support of local radio station K-Rock to conduct a summer litter campaign. Under the banner of 'Aussie Tossers' the campaign involved three weeks of radio promotions spruking the Report Litterers Hotline, culminating in a weekly beachfront 'tossing' competition. Listeners were encouraged to head down to three local beaches to 'toss' iconic Aussie items (thongs, bbq spatulas and stubby holders) into bins.

Competition days were very well received with hundreds of listeners descending to the beach to compete for the great prizes. Aided by the faces of local identities Dan Sultan (blues and roots musician) and Nick Muscroft (the surfcoast's latest surfing sensation), the campaign message 'Don't be a Tosser- Bin Your Rubbish' was promoted through the airwaves.

To extend the legacy of the campaign over 10,000 co-branded bumper stickers are being distributed- see artwork below.

 

 

 

The Potty Recycling Story
Local plastics recyclers GT Recycling have been pivotal in coordinating the recovery and recycling of the common plant pot. In partnership with local councils and major nurseries, GT Recycling collect used plant pots and prepare them for processing. The pots are sent to Melbourne processors Garden City Plastics where the used pots are reprocessed into new pots for distribution to local nursery growers in a perfect closed loop recycling process.

Used plant pots can be returned to participating nurseries, alternatively Anglesea, Drysdale and Duoro Street Transfer Stations also have plant pot collection bins.

Waste Wise Geelong Network
Faced with the deluge of information about climate change, emissions trading and carbon reduction schemes, business operators are often unsure how they may be affected.  It can also prove difficult to accurately assess and adjust business operations to prepare for a future with higher energy, water and material costs.

In a determined bid to provide hope and give a practical insight into what individual businesses can accomplish, a 2007/09 Leaders for Geelong Project Research Group is exploring how to improve a business’s capacity to cope with future challenges, in particular office based micro and small businesses.

Working in collaboration with Barwon Regional Waste Management Group and Geelong Chamber of Commerce, the Leaders for Geelong Group is conducting a survey to assess how businesses (particularly small businesses) can be best supported and assisted. 

An online survey has already been distributed to members of the Barwon Regional Waste Management’s Waste Wise Geelong Network to seek feedback.  In March, a second round of the survey will be distributed to Geelong Chamber of Commerce members, seeking further responses.

To find out more and to see survey results collated so far- click here