Want to save money off your next electricity bill?  Need some inspiration for how to use up those food leftovers?  Living more sustainably is easier with the help of Lake Macquarie City Council’s free sustainable living workshops.

Council’s Manager Sustainability, Alice Howe, said the sustainable living workshops are always popular with residents.

“These free hands-on workshops will help residents save money and help the environment,” Dr Howe said.

“At the Love Food Hate Waste workshops, residents can learn useful shopping and cooking tips like how to save 20% on your grocery bill, cooking with leftovers, and how to preserve food.”

“Workshop topics also give residents the opportunity to gain valuable knowledge on native habitats in the backyard, and composting.”

Places are limited and bookings are essential.  Book your place now by calling 4921 0333.

Lake Macquarie City Council and Hunter Resource Recovery are inviting residents to drop off a wide range of unwanted electronic items at the Awaba Waste Management Facility.

Residents will be able to drop off eWaste such as computers and accessories, mobile phones, TVs, iPods, stereos, DVD/ video players, microwave ovens, and other hand-held electric items.

Council’s Manager Sustainability, Alice Howe, said the free eWaste drop offs are very popular with residents.

“eWaste is a growing problem because as technology continues to improve and advance, electronic devices are replaced at an exorbitant rate,“ Dr Howe said.

“Many people update their TVs and computers at Christmas.  By collecting electronic items before they enter the waste stream, we can reduce the environmental risk associated with metals going into landfill and recycle the valuable parts they contain.”

eWaste can be dropped off anytime at the Awaba Waste Management Facility, Wilton Road, Awaba.  Opening hours 8am to 4pm daily, except Christmas Day.

For more information contact Hunter Resource Recovery on 1800 838 884 or visit www.hrr.com.au.

Lake Macquarie residents who took part in a home composting trial reduced their food waste by 1 kilogram a week. 

The trial involved auditing bins in September 2010 and October 2011.

Council’s Manager Sustainability, Alice Howe, said before the trial about 22% of the participant’s bins was food but 12 months later, it had decreased to 12%.

“The trial was initially conducted to see if there was enough interest from residents to roll out a citywide home composting program to address the need to decrease waste to landfill, particularly food and garden waste.” 

Residents learnt about composting through workshops held at a local Bunnings store.