Over the past month the topics of plastic and recycling have featured among the articles we have read and our discussions. ‘Plastic Free July’ is almost here; the new series of ‘The War on Waste’ is just about to appear on the ABC and the community will soon be adjusting to the new single use plastic bag free practices of the major supermarkets.
In our ‘third age’ we find ourselves reverting to the plastic bag free environments of our ‘first age’ when string bags and baskets were the order of the day! You may have seen Plastic Wise Benalla’s ‘upcycled bags’ being made at the Drill Hall by volunteers, including a number of our U3A members. The bags cost $5 and are available at Fruits ‘n Fare, the West End Post Office, One Wild Apple, Benalla Aquatic Centre and Blooms on Bridge. The change from single use plastic bags by the supermarkets is just the start – it is quite possible we’ll soon be taking our own containers with us when we purchase take-away, meat from the butchers, and more.
As well as reading and discussing articles of interest, we’ve kept abreast of local news related to sustainability, including the Church Street Surgery receiving the Benalla Business Networks’ Environmentally Sustainable Business award this year; the monthly building efficiency workshops being held by Renewable Energy Benalla; the uptake of the Mondo battery ready solar bulk buy offer; and the proposed solar farm at Winton.
Many U3A members attended the Swanpool Environmental Film Festival recently - our class members will no doubt be discussing the excellent speakers and films shown with John at our next session.
Bev Lee
In our ‘third age’ we find ourselves reverting to the plastic bag free environments of our ‘first age’ when string bags and baskets were the order of the day! You may have seen Plastic Wise Benalla’s ‘upcycled bags’ being made at the Drill Hall by volunteers, including a number of our U3A members. The bags cost $5 and are available at Fruits ‘n Fare, the West End Post Office, One Wild Apple, Benalla Aquatic Centre and Blooms on Bridge. The change from single use plastic bags by the supermarkets is just the start – it is quite possible we’ll soon be taking our own containers with us when we purchase take-away, meat from the butchers, and more.
As well as reading and discussing articles of interest, we’ve kept abreast of local news related to sustainability, including the Church Street Surgery receiving the Benalla Business Networks’ Environmentally Sustainable Business award this year; the monthly building efficiency workshops being held by Renewable Energy Benalla; the uptake of the Mondo battery ready solar bulk buy offer; and the proposed solar farm at Winton.
Many U3A members attended the Swanpool Environmental Film Festival recently - our class members will no doubt be discussing the excellent speakers and films shown with John at our next session.
Bev Lee
