How Can I Help? | Sustainable Learning Portal

Contribute to a cleaner, greener Maribyrnong

Understanding the effects of climate change and how it impacts our local environment equips us with the knowledge we need to make informed decisions on how we respond as individuals.

Each and every one of us has a part to play and can take action in our home and workplace by making small changes that can have big impacts on our community. Below are climate related actions you can take now and for your future.

There are many ways you can reduce your own climate impact today:

Choose renewable energy by buying green power or installing rooftop solar panels
Choose energy efficient appliances and LED lights, and switch off lights and appliances when not in use
Cycle, walk or use public transport instead of driving where you can
Recycle and reduce food waste going to landfill
Shop local and eat local
Choose sustainable products and try to limit food wastage
Calculate your carbon footprint for more tailored ways to reduce your carbon footprint with the Climate Hero calculator
Consider choosing financial institutions that do not invest in fossil fuels. Market Forces provides information if you want to make the switch
Consider growing your own food. My Smart Garden has great workshops, tips and resources that can help you get started
There are also climate action groups you can join that are active in this space

Change happens when we start the conversation, and that’s exactly what you can do with friends, family and work colleagues. Instead of reading or watching, start talking. For more information about how to have effective and engaging conversations, click here.

There are also great tips and resources for talking with your kids about climate change, including from the Australian Psychological Society.

Maribyrnong City Council is committed to supporting our community by offering services and programs that foster a more sustainable future. Work with friends, family and local residents to build a healthier environment for current and future generations through our Sustainable Living program.

Be an active community member and stay up to date with the Sustainability Learnings Portal for information and resources.

Become more sustainable for the future

Here are a few ways you can be more sustainable at home. While these activities won’t stop climate change all together – it’s still good for our environment to contribute to a greener, healthier Maribyrnong.

A lot of cleaning products on our supermarket shelves contain ingredients that can be harmful to the environment. These chemicals used to clean our clothes, dishes and house have devastating impacts on our planet and its biodiversity. Opt for products that contain sustainably grown or no synthetic ingredients that do not deplete our eco-system when disposed of. Coles Supermarkets have a range of plant-based sustainable products that won’t hurt the environment or your weekly shopping bill. You can shop the entire Green Choice range here.

This might sound like a small change, but the benefits are enormous – both to your wallet and the environment. Failure to properly recycle means that water bottles often end up in our oceans – one water bottle will breakdown into 10,000 micro-plastic pieces over time, making the clean-up incredible difficult. You could also save over $900 a year by opting for an eco-friendly water bottle in place of a store bought.

In 2017, approximately 419.69 million tonnes of paper and cardboard were produced globally – that’s more than the weight of an Airbus A380. Wrapping paper is also often dyed or laminated, making it almost impossible to recycle. Try and wrap gifts in recycled or found materials, like newspapers or fabric cut offs. This is a creative and innovative way of recycling that won’t cost you the earth. To find out more, click here.

Fast fashion is exactly that – fast. The materials used to make clothing in high quantity can take up to 200 years to decompose (such as polyester). These materials also threaten our biodiversity and consume an exorbitant amount of energy to produce.

Support our community and environment by shopping local. The city of Maribyrnong is home to a dynamic range of retail traders, food vendors and local artists all within in walking distance of your home. Spending money in our local shops and restaurants can help our community overcome financial adversities faced as a result of the climate emergency. To find out more about where to shop in our City, visit the Love Your Local webpage.