BAYSIDE IN 5: KEEPING THE BAY CLEAN
To keep Bayside clean, everyone in the community needs to do their part. Fortunately, Bayside residents are passionate about the environment and keeping our surroundings healthy and pristine, from the beaches and foreshores to our parks and waterways and, of course, our homes.
Ready to roll up your sleeves? Here are our five tips for keeping the Bay clean!
- Reduce your carbon footprint at home
A healthy community rests on the foundation of a healthy home. If you want to make changes to live a more sustainable lifestyle, now is the perfect chance to start! There are so many great ways to make your home more eco-friendly:
Use less electricity
Using less electricity is great for the environment and your wallet! It can be as simple as turning off the lights when you leave the room, unplugging or switching off electronic devices when they’re not in use and keeping your thermostat at a lower temperature. Even reducing your shower time by as little as 60 seconds goes a long way towards greener living!
Make your home energy-efficient
If you are renovating, moving into a new property or wanting to make changes around the house, why not make your home green? Insulating and draught-proofing your property, installing solar and rainwater tanks, LED lights and automated devices like Smart air conditioning and power outlets can help the environment and save you money in the long term.
2. Make recycling a top priority
When we don’t recycle correctly, more waste ends up in landfill and hurts the environment. Unsure what bin to use?
Items you can recycle at home using your yellow bin:
Paper, cardboard, bottles and jars, plastic containers, steel and aluminium cans and foil can all be recycled at home. Remember to cut up any cardboard so it can break down for reuse!
Items you can’t recycle:
Takeaway coffee cups, baking paper, long-life cartons, waxed or laminated cardboard boxes, shredded paper, clothes hangers, plastic cutlery, pots and pans should all be disposed of in your red bin at home.
Glass recycling in Bayside
You can recycle glass bottles and jars at home and drop any excess into one of Bayside’s communal glass recycling bins!
● Albert Park: Little Finlay Reserve
● Port Melbourne: Buckingham Reserve
● South Melbourne: Corner of Park and Nelson roads
● South Melbourne: Lyell Iffla Reserve
● South Melbourne: Sol Green Reserve
● St Kilda East: Alma Park West
● St Kilda West: H R Johnson Reserve
Be sure to look out for the Australasian Recycling Label printed on the side of each item’s packaging using this easy-to-follow guide from Planet Ark.
3. Compost food waste at our local recycling hubs
Composting prevents food waste from ending up in a landfill. While not everyone can compost at home, there are seven hubs in local parks and reserves across Bayside with communal bins designed for discarding your organic food waste. Just be sure to check that your scraps are compost friendly before dropping them off!
Scaps you can compost:
Fruit and vegetable scraps, meat and seafood, uncooked bones, bread, pastries, grains and cereal, mouldy and expired products, loose tea leaves, coffee grounds.
Scaps you can’t compost:
Tea bags, pet waste and cat litter, cooking oil, plastic bags, cooked bones, shellfish shells.
4. Get involved with local environmental community groups
It is up to all of us to keep the Bay sparkling! No matter how busy your schedule is, there are plenty of various community groups making a real impact on our environment.
Beach Patrol Australia
Beach Patrol volunteers meet up once a month at five beaches across Port Phillip Bay; St Kilda Beach, Elwood Beach, South Melbourne Beach, Albert Park Beach and Port Melbourne Beach. The group’s focus is to reduce the negative impact of litter and pollution on the marine environment and food chain and to provide a safe environment for beach and foreshore users. Get involved here!
Earthcare St Kilda
Earthcare volunteers work to reduce the amount of pollution flowing into Port Phillip Bay and maintain the prosperity and health of Elster Creek through monthly water quality testing and advocating for the protection of indigenous flora and fauna in the area. Get involved here!
St Kilda Community Gardens Club
Join other locals to grow flowers, herbs and vegetables, and maintain the beauty of the gardens. Those who join the club gain access to gardening tools and equipment, herb gardens and a citrus grove, and regular community meet-ups to share gardening knowledge and ideas while enjoying a barbeque! Get involved here.
5. Swap your car for a bike
As well as being the most environmentally friendly form of transport, riding your bike is the best way to see the Bay! Our cycling facilities are some of the best in Melbourne, with our extensive bicycle network consisting of 38 km on-road and 21 km off-road routes. Time to get moving!
Pop-up bike repairs
The team at Back2Bikes offers free bike tune-ups on the fourth Saturday of every month at South Melbourne Market. Head to the market between 10 am and 1 pm to keep your bike in top condition and learn about upcoming bike infrastructure projects and local events.
Bicycle User Group
Port Phillip BUG wants to make cycling better for everyone! You can join in on fun social rides at locations across the Bay and attend their monthly meetings at the Port Phillip EcoCentre.
Bike riding maps and resources
Whether you’re new to Bayside or want to feel more comfortable on your bike, the City of Port Phillip Council has a list of resources available for residents. The list includes maps, safety information, bike pump locations and more. Get bike smart here!