Green Living in Casey Champions help promote sustainable living by sharing their green living stories and tips. This month we welcome Fiona Spargo, who recently won the City of Casey’s Environment and Sustainability Champion Award for her hard work and efforts to help reduce waste by recycling more in the community.
Fiona had always been a bit of a crafty person and has been recycling her whole life. When her children’s school had a bread bag collection, and the bags from the bread her family ate weren’t able to be contributed, she asked her work colleagues to help. From there, her extra recycling efforts snowballed.
Fiona has set up her laundry with many containers and bins made from printer paper boxes to sort her recycling — with the help of her kids. On Friday nights, Fiona and her husband drop-off the contents off at numerous recycling locations.
“I used to deliver my household recycling to specialist locations. However, I figured that if I was going to the effort, I might as well expand the collections,” she said.
At her former workplace, a retirement community, Fiona organised collection points for the residents. This was important because many residents could not access specialised recycling options. Now, at her new workplace, they also collect items for her to dispose of.
“I currently organise the collection of batteries, plastic bottle lids, plastic bread tags, bread bags, toner cartridges, paper towel inner-tubes and blister packs,” she said.
“The paper towel tubes are often given to two of the childcare centres close to my work or used at the retirement community to make Christmas bon bons.
“The residents are also collecting bottles and cans for the Container Deposit Scheme to help fundraise for my son, nine scouts and venturers and three leaders to complete the Overland Hike in Tasmania.”
Fiona has found organising these collections easy.
“At first, I thought the residents would have reservations about the collections, but they have happily contributed. They have given so much that the collections are much larger than I expected," she said.
Fiona enjoys knowing her efforts not only cut waste going to landfill, but allows other people to access recycling services they otherwise wouldn’t. The residents’ where she works are now more aware of their waste and recycling as a result.
“I feel warm and fuzzy knowing my efforts are helping keep these items out of landfill and the environment, and getting recycled for a new life,” she said.
Fiona’s three top tips for those starting their Green Living journey:
1. Have a designated area for your collections,
2. Empty bins and containers regularly so they’re not overflowing and becoming a hazard
3. Label everything clearly so those in the house/workplace don’t have to keep asking you. Images are great.
Interested in becoming a Green Living in Casey Champion?
Whether you are just starting your green living journey, are a keen composter or gardener, or work hard to reduce your waste – if you are committed to sustainable living we would love to hear your story.
By sharing your sustainable living story and tips you will help others in our community live their best sustainable life, which will go on to help our environment. Find out more and apply now.
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