Challenge to Change – Community Events Opportunity
Maribyrnong Council is launching a new online sustainability program in October called
Challenge2change. This free program encourages participants to signup and reduce their carbon
emissions by making small behavioural changes in their households. They set their unique
emissions reduction action pledges and tick off their completed actions across energy efficiency,
waste, and transport. Through the website, people can improve their sustainability knowledge and
see how much energy and money can be saved. www.challengetochange.info
However the success of the program relies on promoting it through the community. So we are
inviting community groups across Maribyrnong to host sustainability themed events during October
and help us to get people signed up to the website. This could be either bringing a sustainability
element into an existing event, or running a new one. Council can provide partial reimbursement of
selected costs for approved events.
We will be also hosting a website launch event on October 1st to bring the community together for a
sustainable living. The launch will be a great opportunity for community groups to come together
and involve their audiences in the challenge, as well as meeting other like-minded community
groups.
Community Group Benefits



Raise the knowledge of sustainability in your group
Receive funds to assist with running your event
Increase publicity and exposure to your group
What we are asking of community groups:



Organise a sustainability themed event - creative, entertaining and informative
Promotion of the event and the Challenge2Change in any social media and newsletters
Attend one or more free community events during October (Launch, ChallengeDrinks,
Celebration, workshops)
Criteria for Event re-imbursement




Communicating and encouraging participants to sign up to the Challenge 2 Challenge
Audience size
Ongoing engagement around sustainability
Receipts for reimbursement costs
Timeframe
Mon Sept 29th – Application Forms due
Tues Sept 30th – C2C community events selected and community groups notified
Wed Oct 1st
- C2C Launch, 6pm Footscray Library, community events promoted
th
Wed Nov 12 – Celebration gathering
Application Form
Community Group:
Name:
Email:
Telephone:
Proposed event description. Please specify how sustainability will be communicated at the event ,
how people will be encouraged to sign up to the challenge and estimated numbers of attendance.
List the social media /communication channels that you can promote your event through – in the
lead up to it and during the rest of October. Please be specific.
Proposed venue
Date and time
Reimbursement required (please specify)
Woru
Would a representative of your group like to speak at the launch or another event during October?
Any additional information regarding the event:
Here is a list of actions that will be on the website for people to select – you may wish to promote specific ones with
your event.
Title
Summary
Action
Type
Energy Type
Installbulk insulation
If your ceilings are not insulated you could be losing over a third
of your precious heating through the roof. A well insulated
home saves on heating/cooling bills and keeps you more
comfortable.
Solar hot water systems are highly efficient in their use of solar
energy (sunlight) to heat water. It's possible to use solar
powered hot water all year round for most Australian homes.
On cloudy days, gas or electric boosters kick in to ensure you are
never without hot water.
By switching to renewable energy, you remove the need for coal
- and its many waste products - to be utilised to provide you
with electrical power (approx 2.3 tonnes of CO2 in the
atmosphere per person per annum).
By switching to renewable energy, you remove the need for coal
- and its many waste products - to be utilised to provide you
with electrical power (approx 2.3 tonnes of CO2 in the
atmosphere per person per annum).
Reduce your bills, insulate yourself from future price rises, and
increase the value of the your home. Estimated saving are from
a 1.5kw system.
Have you got one lurking in the garage? Phoenix fridge (1300
366 283) will pickup your old fridge in any condition for free they are recycled and support the Brotherhood of St Laurence's
social programs.
Switch off heaters at night, when you go out, half an hour
before you go to bed and other times when not needed.
Heating
Energy
Hot Water
Energy
Power
Energy
Power
Energy
Power
Energy
Appliances
Energy
Heating
Energy
Is your hot water heater too hot? Set the cylinder to 60?C,
which is the minimum recommended storage temperature. Very
high temperature are unnecessary and unsafe.
Modern detergents usually work just as well in cold water.
Alternatively drop the water temperature to the coolest that
your washing machine allows.
Sun's rays contain UV which kills bacteria as a bonus.
Hot Water
Energy
Hot water
Energy
Laundry
Energy
You will be saving water reducing your water bill, as well as your
energy bills!
This can save the most energy in rooms where lights are on for
long periods.
Hot Water
Energy
Lighting
Energy
Exchange your showerhead for free water saving showerhead at
the customer service centre at the Footscray Town Hall, just
bring along your latest water bill. Water efficient showerheads
also slash your hot water energy use.
Try reducing your usual daytime temperature by at least one
degree. For each lowered degree, you can save up to three to
five percent of heating energy used.
Hot Water
Energy
Heating
Energy
Install solar hot
water
Switch to 100%
Greenpower
Switch to 50%
Greenpower
Get solar panels to
generate your own
power
Turn off your
second fridge
Switch off your
heater when not
needed
Drop the hot water
temperature
Wash clothes in cold
water
Dry your clothes
using a clothesline.
Limit showers to 4
minutes
Replace
incandescent bulbs
with compact
fluorescent globes
or LEDs
Install a water
efficient
showerhead
Lower your
thermostat
Heat only rooms
that are being used
Manage your
window coverings
Draft proof doors
and windows
Service your heater
Use the coolest and
shortest settings on
your dishwasher
Install flow
restrictors on taps
Adjust your fridge
temperature
Use fewer
televisions
Only boil as much
water as you need
when you use a
kettle
Wash with a full
load.
Use cold water if
possible when
washing hands
Turn off lights in
unused rooms
Open curtains and
blinds during
daylight hours
Don't leave
machines on
standby
Make sure the
energy star function
is enabled
Smart food handling
Use the most
economical washing
program
If your heating system has vents, close off heating vents to as
many unused rooms as your heating system allows.
Keep curtains and blinds open on sun-exposed windows during
the day. Close these same curtains at night to help impede the
escape of heat.
Ensure doors and windows have tight seals and remain closed
when possible. Use inexpensive draft stoppers (snakes) on
external doors. If you add up all the gaps and cracks in the
average home, it’s the equivalent of having a window open 1
metre all the time!
Heating systems, require regular maintenance. Maintenance
should include ensuring equipment is dust free, cleaning
burners and air conditioner coils, replacing and cleaning air
filters and checking ducts and pipe insulation for leaks and
damage.
This will usually be enough to get your dishes clean. Remove
large food particles using a damp cloth and a small amount of
cold water so you can use an economical cycle with the same
result.
An easy way to save water and energy that only costs a few
dollars.
Many refrigerators are colder than they need to be, set them to
4°C only
Watch TV as afamily or group. Try to get out of the habit of
having 3 or 4 TVs on in the house. If you can watch TV together,
you will lower your TV power use (as well as being more fun!)
Use the smallest and/or most efficient one.
Add water to the cup or pan you wish to use then pour it into
the kettle.
Heating
Energy
Heating
Energy
Heating
Energy
Heating
Energy
Hot Water
Energy
Hot Water
Energy
Appliances
Energy
Appliances
Energy
Appliances
Energy
A lot of energy is consumed to run a load so you may as well
make the most of it !
Avoid using small amounts of hot water if cold water will do.
Each time you run the hot tap your system will heat up around a
litre or more of water that will go cold.
This will reduce your electricity bill and save unused energy.
Laundry
Energy
Hot Water
Energy
Lighting
Energy
Make the most of existing natural light and avoid using powered
lights - its also better for you!
Lighting
Energy
Switch them off at the wall when you're not using them.
Appliances
Energy
On computers, fax machines, scanners or printers, if your
appliance has this function.
Appliances
Energy
Defrost food in the refrigerator Instead of the microwave. Let
food cool down before putting it in the fridge. Serve in the
cooking dish to save the cost of hot water for dishwashing.
that gives you a satisfactory wash result with the lowest
temperature or shortest running time.
Appliances
Energy
Laundry
Energy
Clean the dryer filter A clogged filter will restrict flow and reduce dryer performance.
after each use
When using dryers, use the lowest temperature that is
necessary.
Reduce your waste
The best way of avoiding waste is to not generate it in the first
until you only need
place!
to put out your
waste bin fortnightly
Source half of your
It's easier than it seems - once you start looking around there
household items
are so many places to get good quality second hand products from secondhand
that will often last longer than equivalently price new ones!
outlets - charities,
Make sure you give back by getting rid of your items through
garage sales, swaps the same channels rather than landfill
www.buynothingnew.com.au
Reduce your waste
The best way of avoiding waste is to not generate it in the first
until you only need
place!
to put out your
waste bin 3 times a
month
Source a quarter of
It's easier than it seems - once you start looking around there
your household
are so many places to get good quality second hand products items from
that will often last longer than equivalently price new ones!
secondhand outlets Make sure you give back by getting rid of your items through
- charities, garage
the same channels rather than landfill
sales, swaps
www.buynothingnew.com.au
Recycle your old
Local charity Kids off the Kerb (KOTK) run an appliances
appliances
refurbishment/recycling program, where items are either
refurbished for second hand sales, or used for spare parts or
scrap metal. They carry out a free collection - call 9918 7999
Purchase fresh, local Foods that are out of season locally have to be transported from
and seasonal foods
other parts of the world (think greenhouse gases!). Eating locally
grown food reduces your carbon footprint and enables you eat a
greater variety of food which is good for your health. Check out
your local farmers market for cheap local food!
Purchase organic,
Organic farmers grow food without using synthetic chemicals
unprocessed foods
(such as pesticides or fertilisers). Buying organic food supports
them and protects our land and waterways from toxins. Simple,
unprocessed foods generally require the least amount to water
and energy to produce. They require less packaging and they are
also the healthiest!
Compost your food
Food waste accounts for around 50% of the amount of
scraps instead of
household waste, and emits methane as it breaks down (a
throwing them away greenhouse gas 20 times as damaging as carbon dioxide)
Composting avoids this and you also end up with a fabulous
fertilisers that can help you grow veggies!
Grow your own
It's easy to start with herbs or lettuces and you'll be surprised at
vegies
what you can grow in pots and small spaces. There are lots of
free gardening workshops available in Maribyrnong to get you
going. Check out Sustainable Living Maribyrnong and My Smart
Garden. Additonal options include joining a community garden
or community group such as Permaculture Out West.
Eat Less Meat - go
Replace meat meals with a vegetarian options to get healthier
meat-free for 2
and lesser your environmental impact. Land used for beans and
day/week
vegetables can produces 10 times as much protein as land used
for raising beef, with less carbon emissions.
Laundry
Energy
Reduce
Food, waste
and
consumption
Reduce
Food, waste
and
consumption
Reduce
Food, waste
and
consumption
Reduce
Food, waste
and
consumption
Recycle
Food, waste
and
consumption
Food
Food, waste
and
consumption
Food
Food, waste
and
consumption
Recycle
Food, waste
and
consumption
Food
Food, waste
and
consumption
Food
Food, waste
and
consumption
Eat Less Meat - go
meat-free for 5
day/week
Replace meat meals with a vegetarian options to get healthier
and lesser your environmental impact. Land used for beans and
vegetables can produces 10 times as much protein as land used
for raising beef, with less carbon emissions.
Replace meat meals with a vegetarian options to get healthier
and lesser your environmental impact. Land used for beans and
vegetables can produces 10 times as much protein as land used
for raising beef, with less carbon emissions.
You'll save a lot of energy going into making the bottle as well as
the energy required to dispose or recycle it. Consider glass or
stainless steel and you'll never have to worry about BPA or any
other nasties that can be found in plastic.
Plastic bags often end up in waterways, killing sea life. They are
mostly unncessary with a little planning.
Food
Food, waste
and
consumption
Food
Food, waste
and
consumption
Reduce
Food, waste
and
consumption
Reduce
Food, waste
and
consumption
Arrange a swap
afternoon with your
friends or
neighbours - your
trash could be their
treasure!
Recycle all your
cans, glass hard
plastic, paper and
cardboard - but not
soft plastic bags!
Recycle your
electronic products
and whitegoods at
Moonee Valley or
Citywide Transfer
Stations
Reuse take-away
containers
Enter the Garage Sale Trail on 25th October /www.garagesaletrail.com.au
Reuse
Food, waste
and
consumption
Offset your car's
emissions
Go full vegetarian
Use a refillable
water bottle instead
of buying new ones.
Use reusable bags
instead of plastic
bags
Replace short flights
with land transport
Convert your car to
gas
Walk - 5km/week
Walk - 10km/week
Recycling saves energy and landfill - but make sure you don't put Recycle
them in plastic bags or it will end up in landfill!
Food, waste
and
consumption
You will save valuable scrap metal from going to landfill
Recycle
Food, waste
and
consumption
It's easy and they have so many uses… Better still purchase a
set of glass storage containers and say good bye to plastic take
away containers forever!
Reuse
Food, waste
and
consumption
While reducing your car use is the best, if you've done what you
can, then offsetting your car use with a reliable carbon offset
provider can make a large difference.
Air travel is the most polluting form of transport and emissions
are responsible for driving both climate change and respiratory
ailments. Take the train to sydney instead of flying - it’s a much
more enjoyable trip!
If you drive a lot, converting your car to gas will cut costs and
reduce emissions. All those taxi's cant be wrong!
Walking is the cheapest, most environmentally friendly form of
transport available! Just by swapping your car for walking shoes,
you help the planet and your heart! Replace one (5km return )
car trip a week by walking.
Walking is the cheapest, most environmentally friendly form of
transport available! Just by swapping your car for walking shoes,
you help the planet and your heart! Replace two (5km return)
car trips a week by walking.
Driving
Transport
Driving
Transport
Driving
Transport
Active
Transport
Transport
Active
Transport
Transport
Cycling - 10km/week Cycling might get you there faster than a car! The average
speed of a car in metro Melbourne is 22km/h. If you cycle
10km each way to work, once a week, instead of driving saves
about $926 and 304kg of greenhouse gases each year.
Cycling - 20km/week Cycling might get you there faster than a car! The average
speed of a car in metro Melbourne is 22km/h If you cycle 20km
each way to work, once a week, instead of driving you could
save over $1800 and 600kg of greenhouse gases each year.
Public transport Trains and trams are 40 times more energy-efficient than cars
20km/week
(and 90 times more efficient than aircraft). So, as we try to
reduce our personal contribution to greenhouse gas emissions
from car and aircraft use, public transport provides an ideal
alternative that is available to all right now.
Public transport Trains and trams are 40 times more energy-efficient than cars
10km/week
(and 90 times more efficient than aircraft). So, as we try to
reduce our personal contribution to greenhouse gas emissions
from car and aircraft use, public transport provides an ideal
alternative that is available to all right now.
Car pool
Typically this involves two to three co-workers or people from
the same community driving together, rather than commuting
individually. It's more fun of course!
Drive the small
If you own a 4WD and a fuel-efficient sedan, then the smaller
car/sell the second
car on any long trips you can. Or better still sell the second car
car
and be more efficient with just one.
Share school
Instead of picking up your kids from school every day, ask a
pickups and drop
neighbour with kids in the same school to help.
offs
Minimise weight
Have you checked your boot lately? Has your car become a
within your car
filing cabinet on wheels? Taking out all heavy items will increase
fuel efficiency.
Pump up those tyres 10% under-inflation of tyres can increase fuel consumption by
10% or more.
Sustainable gift
Making ones gifts environmentally friendly can send a strong
giving
message and can get others thinking. Share inspiring,
informative books or magazine subscriptions with friends.
Volunteer locally
You would be surprised at how many local community groups
are active around environmental issues. Meet other inspired
people, multiply your efforts, be included, and have fun!
Support alternative
There are a wide variety of magazines, websites and channels
media
that engage with environmental issues.
Inspire friend(s) to
Encourage your friends, family, neighbours, workmates to live
adopt more
lighter on the planet. The challenge is to support and inspire,
sustainable lifestyles rather than to preach. Or find an inspiring person to mentor
you to make changes.
Green 'tupperware' Hold an issue-based 'tupperware' party in your house - invite
party
friends, discuss, and get everyone to make individual (or
collective) pledges.
Start your own
It could all begin with you and a few friends over the kitchen
community group
table - that how the largest charities started out! You will be
surprised at how many people come out from the woodwork to
follow.
Tour/Field trip
Get a group of people together to visit environmentally
un/friendly organisations, government etc to learn first hand
rather than just on the net. Create a media story, educate the
Active
Transport
Transport
Active
Transport
Transport
Public
Transport
Transport
Public
Transport
Transport
Driving
Transport
Driving
Transport
Driving
Transport
Driving
Transport
Driving
Transport
sharing
Sharing and
learning
sharing
Sharing and
learning
learning
Sharing and
learning
Sharing and
learning
sharing
sharing
Sharing and
learning
sharing
Sharing and
learning
learning
Sharing and
learning
attendees.
Advocacy
Instead of just blaming your local/state/federal government or
corporations, do proactive something about it - engage in
consultation processes, write letters, meet with decision
makers.
sharing
Sharing and
learning