Home of the Arts Gold Coast and Global Orchestra Foundation wished to hold their Concert for the Planet, Earth Hour event (March 24, 2018) using sustainable waste management practices and we are making that wish come true 🙂
Emma-June Curik, HOTA Producer & Kathryn Pearson, HOTA Outdoor Program Production Manager already had sustainability in mind and with the blessing of their organisation contacted Climate Wave to start working on the jigsaw puzzle to make it happen. I say jigsaw puzzle because what we are attempting here is not a tried and true practice.
So by requesting all the food vendors use compostable catering materials like bamboo, sugarcane, paper/cardboard & PLA this will allow us to divert the material away from landfill and into a resource not a waste.
We then found Joan Park Community Gardens whose committee were thrilled with the idea and especially knowing that this project will be scientifically researched & studied by our Griffith University Service Learning Intern, Emily Looke.
We hope this research will show that these materials will breakdown without the need of an industrial composter and therefore be able to utilise community garden systems. This practice will reduce costs therefore making it more appealing which will allow these systems to go mainstream.
The information collected will then assist Surfrider Foundation Australia (coastal non-profit environment organisation) Ocean Friendly Program connecting cafes, restaurants & businesses with their local community gardens. The program, is an Australian adaptation of the Surfrider Foundation US ‘Ocean Friendly Restaurants’ program which aims to reduce single-use plastic at it’s source, in favour of reusable items and non-plastic alternatives, as well as ensuring food and other consumables are ethically sourced. The program further aims to reduce the environmental impact of participating venues by encouraging efficient water and energy usage.
Always aiming for Zero Waste!
Now this system will only work if we have an uncontaminated waste/resource stream, so to make this happen our Eco Angel volunteers will attend our waste stations made up of four bins, Organic, Compostable, Recycle & last of all Landfill. Our aim is to recycle and reuse as much as possible which will lessen the negative impact from this event by drastically reducing waste polluting our earth.
They say the proof is in the pudding, so watch this space for the outcome of an event that is concerned with lessening their negative impact, working with a business that holds highly the valuable connection with our community!
working with the planet
Greg Howell
