National Recycling Week Celebrations

The Rural City of Wangaratta’s Waste Management team hosted a series of successful events in celebration of National Recycling Week last week. 

On Thursday they held a free tour of the Wangaratta Community Garden and the Wangaratta Organics Facility. The event was enthusiastically attended by locals eager to explore the thriving community garden, where they gained insights into the provision of plots, equipment, knowledge, and water that fosters both sustainable food production and valuable social connections among members. Additionally, attendees learnt about the impactful role of the Wangaratta Organics Facility, diverting an impressive 39 percent of local food and garden waste from landfills, and converting it into nutrient-rich compost. The event demonstrated the community's growing interest in environmental and sustainable living practices. 

On Saturday the team set up a recycling stall at the Sustainable King Valley Food Hub in Cheshunt where there was a constant stream of patrons coming to buy unpackaged bulk foods, vegetable seedlings and local fresh produce. A great addition to the hub's offerings was a clothes swap, hailed as a great success by Sustainable King Valley President, Kate Walsh. With lots of good quality clothes finding a new lease of life and new owners. Children enjoyed playing with all manner of recycled items and people of all ages were engaged in making up-cycled woven cotton cloths.  

Coordinator Jess Young expressed satisfaction in the hub's evolution into a welcoming space for the community, where ideas and skills for sustainable living are shared. The friendly atmosphere is attracting a growing number of individuals keen on adopting more sustainable lifestyles.  

Waste Education Officer Sally Hughes actively contributed by sharing recipes for simple cleaning products and fostering conversations on all things recycling. Hughes commended the King Valley Food Hub as a fantastic model for sustainable living, suggesting its potential replication in other towns and villages.  

“There are many wonderful groups in Wangaratta who make a great contribution to recycling which is helping keep resources out of landfill.” She said. 

The Rural City of Wangaratta’s programs during this week aimed to inspire individuals to make conscious choices when buying and disposing of items and materials, making them active contributors to a more sustainable future. 

The King Valley Food Hub is open twice a month on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays.