4 minute read
Kicking Our Sustainability Goals
OUR SUSTAINABILITY SUCCESS
Children grow their own lettuces, tomatoes and cucumbers at Council's childcare centres
Penrith City has developed a reputation for being at the forefront of innovative sustainability efforts, the unofficial titleof “sustainability champion of the west”, well within our sights. Taking a look at just a little of what’s happening in this area in our City, it’s safe to say Penrith is doing its part to protect our future.
PREPARING THE NEXT GENERATION
Education is vital for a sustainable future, and Penrith Council’s childcare centres are taking this responsibility very seriously with the introduction of Vegepod garden beds. Children not only learn about growing their own healthy food, but they also learn about the value of composting leftover food and using compost to grow more vegetables. Visit penrith.city/childcare for more information on Council’s quality childcare services.
The initiative is part of Council’s Food Organics Garden Organics (FOGO)/ Circular Economy project managed by Council’s Resource Recovery Education Team and funded by the Environmental Protection Authority. Penrith was the first metropolitan council in Australia to introduce the innovative FOGO system – otherwise known as the greenlidded FOGO bin and kitchen caddy, with Council providing free, green compostable bags to all residents. The program has been very successful at diverting food and garden waste from landfill for over 12 years. Leading the way in this space Penrith City Council have been actively encouraging other councils and tiers of government to get on board.
USING THE TOOLS OF TODAY
Technology is a valuable tool in the mission for sustainability and Penrith City Council recognises the role it can play in creating positive customer experiences that ensure support for environmental initiatives. One of the best examples of this is Council’s WasteChampion App, which harnesses the power of the smartphone to make it easier for residents to reduce waste by sorting it correctly and recycling more.The App can be downloaded from the Google Playstore or the Apple App Store. It has many features including encouraging residents to send their problem waste to the right place by utilising Council's special events like our e-Waste drop-offs and Chemical CleanOuts.
REDUCING OUR IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT
As a trailblazer in the environmental protection field, Council constantly seeks ways to take a proactive approach. While electric vehicles are slowly gaining more of a profile in Australia, Council has just marked the third anniversary of their electric vehicle (EV) in the fleet. The Renault Kangoo is a small van, that is used for work like inspecting and fixing bins, transporting small items and at events. Council have found that staff getting out and about in the EV are able to start conversations about the vehicle and help increase community awareness of their effectiveness, playing an important part in environmental education.
The introduction of the EV has been a great success, in three years it has covered a mileage of 44,500km, costing just $911 to recharge. Not only that, but it’s also emissions free! The vehicle is 100% electric and is recharged from renewable energy sources like wind and solar.
Council's EV runs on green power and creates zero emissions
CARBON NEUTRAL CRICKET – LOWERING OUR CARBON FOOTPRINT
Paul Goldsmith (Penrith Cricket Club), Todd Greenberg (Australian Cricketers' Association) and Pat Cummins (Australian Men's Cricket Captain) unveiling the solar installation at Penrith's Howell Oval.
Photo by Getty Images Australia
Before he became Australia’s 47th men’s Test Captain, Pat Cummins played for Penrith Cricket Club. Despite his meteoric rise to fame, Cummins hasn’t forgotten where he came from, returning to his old club to launch an important climate initiative.
Cricket for Climate supported by the Australian Sport Climate Fund, aims to drive zero net emission outcomes for cricket in Australia by 2050. The plan is to unlock the potential of rooftop solar at the 4,000 community cricket clubs across the country. Penrith was the inaugural club to install solar infrastructure in January 2022. A 10kW solar system is reducing carbon emissions and saving the Penrith Cricket Club $3,000 a year on their electricity bill allowing funds to be redirected into resources such as coaches and programs for female cricket.
The Australian Captain hopes to encourage other elite playersto give back to the cricket community by supporting their local clubs to secure the funding to go solar and protect the future of the game.
