Survey Results from BMPN members

Over the busy Summer/Christmas school holidays 20 members were able to respond to the survey and they overwhelmingly asked for opportunities to meet informally to exchange information, produce and plants.

Marianne summed this up beautifully "A regular gathering/'market' for seed and cutting or home grown produce exchange/purchase would be nice. I would like a communal space where we could drink tea and relax or are creative together while we socialise and meet new people, exchange handy hints, tips and recipes: A bit like a gardening magazine, but with face-to-face rather than written information. This is not to exclude to finally gather this information and include it in the newsletters for all to share."

Here are the survey results in more detail:

20/20 wanted to remain on this contact list.
7/20 were able to contribute or assist in editing articles.
13/20 want informal gatherings monthly or bi-monthly.
13/20 were happy to participate in working bees.
17/20 were very keen to visit PC garden. Paul made a special request for Cittaslow Kitchen Garden and Kathy and Murray are interested in bee keeping.
16/20 welcomed guest speakers/workshops. Anna suggested they be held quarterly. Jackie suggested that they coincide with existing festivals eg Blues and Folk or Winter Magic and along with Marianne and Ian, requested information on small scale poultry farming in the mountains. Raymond produced a list: "Intensive Small Area Gardening; Propagation/Pruning Techniques; Sustainable Living Practices; Seed Saving".
9/20 were interested in some form of PC education, however David made the valuable point that "The idea of the courses is good but previous experience has been that such courses are too expensive."

Additional information was supplied by these members:

Vera: "I would like to set up a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) set up with a farmer/s as close as possible to the Blue Mountains" and welcomed contact through BMPN from consumers or growers." She also suggested a film night showing The Real Dirt on Farmer John with "guest speakers like Michael Burlace, Stuart Hill to talk about the subject".

David: "...we are interested in productive gardens, alternative building techniques and food networks." He also offered quarterly workshops or demonstations to coincide with seasonal activities eg Spring and Harvest festivals. Thank you David.

In order to meet bimonthly or seasonally, we now need a suitable venue in a location convenient to the majority of the members. Help me make an accurate choice by responding to my email asking for your postcode and any suggestions. Also please email me directly Maryanne@belldesigns.info if you would like to attend our meetings. (My apologies if I have misquoted anybody.) Maryanne Bell

Recycling Plastics

When I recycle plastic, what does that actually mean?


Did you know that the Katoomba Waste Management Facility takes in about 28,000 tonnes of garbage each year? According to Blue Mountains City Council, 16% of that amount could have been recycled in some way. Plastics are of course one of the major problems.


According to Clean Up Australia, the average family can accumulate 60 shopping bags in just 4 shopping trips; which works out at 6 billion shopping bags each year. Of these 3.3 billion or more are the flimsy supermarket type bags. Apparently if tied together in a chain that’s enough to circle the world 37 times. No wonder the Federal Environment Minister, Peter Garrett wants to ban plastic bags by the end of the year.


The idea of no plastic bags gives me the vision of less green house gas emissions and a cleaner environment. What else does reprocessing/recycling plastic mean for me?

The High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) plastic is found in these flimsy supermarket type bags (as well as milk and juice bottles) and Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) found in soft drink bottles are the commonest types of plastics can be reprocessed. I guess we are all familiar with the Δ symbol on some of the products we buy at the shops that can go in our local recycle bins at present. Numbers Δ 1 PET, Δ 2 HDPE; Δ 3 V (Vinyl) found in cordial and juice bottles; and Δ 5 PP (Polypropylene) found in yoghurt and sauce bottles.


As in everything in life there are exception to every rule, those supermarket plastic bags are made from the recyclable HDPE, but they need to go to a central collection point rather than residential recycling bins. They are available, but this has meant that a mere 10% get reprocessed.


Those tougher plastic bags from those more exclusive clothing shops are made from Low density polyethylene (LDPE, Δ 4) and unfortunately BMCC aren’t able to recycle these and a few other types of plastic available, just at this stage. But it’s often surprising what can be reprocessed rather than chucked in the bin - even some plant pots.So what are the finished products of this reprocessing?

PET plastics can be remade into can become fabric, insulation for sleeping bags and sports jackets, furniture, carpets, overhead transparencies, erasable wall planners, business cards, computer bags.

HDPE on the other hand can become irrigation pipes, garden hoses, kitchen drainage boards, buckets, doghouses plastic trays for greenhouse plants.

• V becomes loose-leaf folders, mud flaps traffic cones.


• PP can become car battery cases, rakes, funnels, bicycle racks.

The list is amazing if you are as fascinated as I have become about this topic. Try this site http://www.corporaterecycling.com.au/ for more information.

Sue

Enviro Grants for Schools up to $1500!

Aussie Solar, a renewable energy company based in the Blue Mountains
(a supporter of Cittaslow and accredited through Council's Blue Mountains Business Advantage program), has just launched their 2008 Greenhouse Grants Program.

All schools from Kindergarten to Year 6, within the Blue Mountains local government area are eligible to apply for funding for environmental education activities such as bushland conservation, kitchen gardens, energy, water and waste reduction programs.

Tips to help you on your way
There is part funding to assist teachers and or parents to develop a program (which could include writing the application) as long as the education program is integrated into your school’s curriculum or program. Plus a list of project ideas and experienced local environmental service providers who can write applications, develop programs, lesson plans, suppliers of organic veggie seedlings and people to assist you with creating your dream environmental educational program - a real bonus!

For more information visit http://www.aussiesolar.com.au/ contact Amber on 1300 794 110 or email grants@aussiesolar.com.au .
Applications close 20 March 2008.