School tour highlights sustainable city initiatives
From recycled roads to solar powered buildings, Mitcham Primary School students heard about some of Council’s sustainability initiatives as part of an excursion at Hawthorn last month.
Students heard about City of Mitcham’s solar energy program, waste and recycling initiatives and its Brownhill Creek project.
City of Mitcham Engineer Will Brown talked about Mitcham’s use of recycled materials in roads, footpaths, bridges and playgrounds.
“In our roads we often replace some sand with crushed glass; some of the bitumen, made from crude oil, is replaced by crumb rubber from old truck tyres and old roads, and we also put old roads in, because roads are 100 per cent recyclable,” he said. “By doing this our roads last longer, are stronger and use waste that would otherwise go to landfill.”
Students heard tips on how to use a kitchen caddy to recycle kitchen scraps for the green bin and turn them into compost.
City of Mitcham Strategic Projects Engineer Rick Hennig spoke about Council’s work to restore and landscape Brownhill Creek at the Mitcham Memorial Library, incorporating natural elements and native plants to stabilise the soil and increase biodiversity.
Students heard how solar panels and batteries across Council owned buildings powered the city’s buildings and streetlights.