Thanks Jim for guest speaker, a topic that we should focus on every day.  Was it a coincidence or not, that Coles announced the next day, that it would discontinue use of single end plastics containers, I would imagine that others will follow. Kevin asked me to mention that Bunnings BBQ had raised approximately $1000. If an opportunity exists again Kevin believes there is scope to fine turn the labour component further.

Stew’s working bee at Lightning Reef is cancelled this coming Wednesday due to A YMCA program being run during the school holidays.

Good News from Doug/Kev with respects to the up and coming Sheep and Wool Show with a bit of luck there will be no lock downs, watch this space as rosters will be out forthwith.

If you are still thinking of going to Barham do not forget to book in, at last count there were 16 going.

I have being informed that Sathie has been taken to the Epworth Hospital for surgery, our thoughts are with Sathie and family.

See you on Wednesday and for our on line members and guests Zoom will be up and running

 

The guest speaker for the meeting was Deanne Fernie, the Education Officer with the Resource Recovery Unit of the CoGB. Deanne is passionate about the importance of recycling and committed to trying to allay the confusion in the community about what materials are recyclable? She has first hand experience of waste collection having completed a two month project which involved work in actually collecting waste. The image of a circular economy with a focus on reuse and recycle as opposed to a linear economy sums up the work of the Resource Recovery Unit.

 

In general terms items such as plastic bottles, aluminium foil, wine bottles, empty aerosol cans, shiny cardboard and empty yogurt containers are recyclable. Low grade plastics such as meat trays, fruit punnets, take away containers, cake baking domes and biscuit trays should be placed in the waste bin. Alternatively low grade plastics (soft) can be placed in the REDcycle bin at Coles or Woolworths. There is special provision for e waste in Bendigo. It was noted that something as small as a household battery can start a fire in a garbage truck. 

 

Member questions raised the possibility of future developments which Rotary could support. The promotion of the benefits of compostable coffee cups and take away containers was suggested by members as an example of something which would be very worthwhile. It was also noted that recycling is an issue which young people engage in. A mechanism for recycling polystyrene was developed by a thirteen year old. The reality is that recyclable materials are no longer exported. This adds to the urgency of finding better solutions to recycling challenges.

 

Deanne reassured members that a fourth and fifth bin is not a council priority at the moment. She also alerted members to the fact that compost can be sourced from the Council for the Lightning Reef garden. Deanne welcomed members to stay in communication with her. She sees Rotary as a great ambassador for the recycling cause. Her email is deanne.fernie@bendigo.vic.gov.au. We thank Deanne for her very well researched presentation and for giving the time to be our guest. This was the most lively question time we have had for quite awhile!