Sustainable Ipswich bursting with homegrown initiatives
23 September 2024
Ipswich has rallied behind the annual Sustainable Ipswich celebration by hosting a wide range of events and activities for a cleaner, greener future.
Environment and Sustainability Committee Chairperson Councillor Jim Madden said throughout October and into November there were community-led activities for everyone.
“Some of the highlights include the trained, passionate and patient coaches from Ipswich Cycling Club delivering Active and Healthy bicycle riding classes for beginner and returning riders,” Cr Madden said.
“You can also learn from Ipswich Spinners, Weavers and Fibre Artisans the basics of visible mending and crochet at the Queens Park Environmental Education Centre.
“Join a free bus tour of Swanbank’s future Clean Energy Hub site with CleanCo or see how reclaimed items can be turned into fashion with the Ipswich Climate Action Group’s Trashion show.
“There will also be a return of popular events hosted by Ipswich City Council, including the Sustainable Open Garden Trail, and the Ipswich Sustainable Living Festival in Tulmur Place on Saturday 19 October.
“This is just a taste of what will be happening across our city in celebration of Sustainable Ipswich – the program is bursting with ideas for how we can join community efforts for a more sustainable future.”
North Booval’s eWaste Connection initiative has joined Sustainable Ipswich this year by hosting an Open Day on Saturday 12 October and joining the Ipswich Sustainable Living Festival.
The centre accepts community donations of electronic items, from laptops to toasters, which are broken down and stripped for recyclable components by participants living with disability, with the assistance of volunteers.
The Open Day will allow the community to see ‘behind the scenes’ of the eWaste Connection facility which processes tonnes of donated e-waste each year, achieving a recycling rate of about 84 per cent of material.
CEO Monique Lowndes said the initiative had strong social outcomes, building relationships and creating opportunities for participants and volunteers, with “recycling e-waste almost like a happy side effect”.
“We have four regular volunteers, but could easily have double that, mostly mixing with the participants and helping with the sorting,” Ms Lowndes said.
See the full Sustainable Ipswich program at Sustainable Ipswich.
Sustainable Ipswich is made possible with the support of partner Suntory Oceania.