Friday 31 October 2008

Sustainable Times Newsletter T4 2008

Latest Sustainable Times Out Now!

The latest edition of Penrith City Council's Sustainable Times Newsletter is out now. The Sustainable Times is a newsletter aimed at local schools, and provides information on activities, projects and upcoming initiatives that might be of interest to schools and school children.

To download your copy simply click here. If you would like to be added to our mailing list send Krystie Race an email stating your prefernece for an electronic or hard copy. The term 4 edition for 2008 is packed with useful information, including stories on:

- Solar Boat Challenge State Finals - A big success!
- Planting Days - Tench Reserve Penrith
- Keep your worms cool!
- Next SpenSEN Meeting
- Reducing our Carbon Footprint wtih Organics
- Get down to Earth - FREE Compost Bins for schools
- Walk Against Warming
- Nominate Outstanding Penrith City Citizens
- Activate 2008

Tuesday 14 October 2008

Time to get rid of your 2nd Fridge!


The popular Fridge Buyback program is again ready to collect fridges in the Penrith Council area. Residents can hand in their old, inefficient working second fridges by calling 1800 708 401.

Fridge Buyback was very popular with a number of residents taking it up when it was first offered. I am delighted that this service is again available to residents and encourage you to take advantage of Fridge Buyback’s fantastic offer. It is a tangible step that residents can take to cut their energy bills and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

In the first two rounds of Fridge Buyback a number of residents handed in their working second fridges, saving $320 and 18 tonnes of greenhouse gases being emitted.

As well as free collection from their home, residents may also be eligible to receive a $35 rebate for handing in their fridge, Councillor Karen McKeown said. Residents will receive the $35 rebate if 6 stairs or less are involved in removing their fridge. Residents will receive free fridge collection from their home by experienced removalists if 20 stairs or less are involved in removing the fridge.

Fridge Buyback accepts working second fridges that are 250 litres or more in size and 10 years or more old. These are often the beer fridges in people’s garages. Older fridges are expensive to run and residents frequently don’t realise it’s costing them around $190 a year in electricity and creating a tonne of greenhouse gases every year.

Fridge Buyback has received funding from the NSW Government’s Climate Change Fund to collect, degas and recycle 19,000 working second fridges over the next three years, saving the residents who participate more than $24 million in avoided electricity bills and 150,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases.

The Climate Change Fund also provides rebates for rainwater tanks, climate-friendly hot water systems, ceiling insulation and washing machines.

For more information visit the Fridge Buyback wesite at http://www.fridgebuyback.com.au/index.html