Anglesea’s Village Fair cuts back on rubbish

THE Anglesea Primary School community has cleaned up in a big way after its Village Fair, dramatically cutting the amount of waste from the event that was sent to landfill.

Organisers had several initiatives in place during the fair, held on the Labor Day weekend, resulting in an event that drew thousands of people but only produced half a wheelie bin (or about 120 litres) full of rubbish this year, compared to 4,000-5,000 litres in 2018.

Organics were a big component of the waste (720 litres, or about three big green wheelie bins), and thanks to the Surf Coasts Shire’s organics trial it will be reused as compost.

The fair also recycled 12,000 litres of mixed recyclables (equivalent to five big yellow wheelie bins), 180 litres of soft plastics (which went to Redcycle) and 980 litres of cardboard.

Alex Edwards, one of the organisers, said simple actions resulted in a significant reduction of waste to landfill at the fair.

“All food plates, coffee cups and cutlery were organic, no plastic water bottles were sold at the fair thanks to Barwon water’s hydration station, and the passionate bin fairy helped the fair attendees bin their waste right and ensure that organics and recycling were not contaminated.

“It couldn’t have been done without the support of the Surf Coast Shire council, who provided their expertise and infrastructure, the vendors who who got on board the commitment to reducing waste, and all the parents who volunteered to make the fair a success.

“As the fair is a fundraiser, the volunteer and in kind support is essential to ensure that all money raised goes straight to the school.

This year was a first step – we learnt so much this year about what waste was generated and where it came from that.”