The Marion and Mitcham Environmental Education Project aims to improve the environment through the education of business, community and Council. The Cities of Mitcham and Marion in South Australia have identified the need to educate, assist and advise businesses within the area, with the aim of improving their environmental performance and minimising the impact of their activities.
To achieve this, project officers work on a range of activities including conducting on site environmental reviews of business premises, providing education to Council staff and disseminating information to a target audience of more than 3,000 businesses.
A joint initiative between the two Councils and the Patawalonga Catchment Water Management Board, the project focuses on a number of areas, including stormwater pollution prevention; water conservation and waste water reuse; chemical management; emergency planning; waste minimisation; eco efficiency; and environmental responsibilities and legislation.
“To assist businesses improve their waste management practices, the project developed a Waste Exchange Register which was set up for businesses that have a variety of waste materials to give away to other businesses, residents and community groups,” said City of Mitcham’s Environment Officer, Chris Gibson.
The register is then advertised through a variety of means to other businesses and the wider community. Items on the register include cardboard boxes, drums, wooden crates and timber. The register is soon to be included on an updated project website.
Future activities include linking this register to other project waste exchanges in neighbouring Council areas. “The concept of waste is changing,” said Chris Gibson. “As natural resources become scarcer, the materials traditionally perceived as waste are increasingly being considered a resource.”
For further information, contact Chris Gibson on (08) 8372 8823.
