STRICTLY EMBARGOED UNTIL 6AM FRIDAY 30th July
Media Release
30th July 2010
Food Collection Program OzHarvest Collects a Top Sustainable Cities Award!
Food waste minimisation program OzHarvest was a winner at the Sustainable Cities Awards Dinner hosted by Keep Australia Beautiful NSW and the City of Canada Bay Council, and attended by The Member for Drummoyne, The Honorable Angele D’Amore MP, Parliamentary Secretary Assisting the Minister for Climate Change and the Environment last night.
The Sustainable Cities program is a Keep Australia Beautiful NSW initiative to recognise outstanding environmental initiatives implemented by local government authorities, schools and community groups and businesses whilst raising public awareness of a range of environmental issues affecting metropolitan NSW.
OzHarvest won the Packaging Stewardship Forum (PSF) „Do The Right Thing‟ Waste Minimisation Award for its work to reduce food waste from restaurants, retailers and corporate outlets by reallocating it to charities for the homeless and disadvantaged in Sydney, Wollongong and Newcastle.
The simple and effective program has rescued an astounding 5,338,104 meals since its inception in 2004, which means over 1,600 tonnes of food waste has been diverted from landfill. Its expansive outcomes cover waste minimisation, social benefit and economic savings.
According to PSF General Manager, Jenny Pickles, more than $2.5 billion of edible food is thrown away in NSW each year, costing everyone in terms of wasted resources and landfill fees.
“OzHarvest‟s program has real triple bottle line outcomes - saving landfill costs, reducing environmental impacts and delivering a great social outcome for those in need. They are a worthy winner of the 2010 Waste Minimisation Award,” said Ms Pickles.
The top accolade of Overall Sustainable Council was won by Hornsby Shire Council for its strategic and focused Hornsby Shire 2020: Our Framework For A Sustainable Future plan. The plan encompasses all the council‟s policies, strategies and directions for achieving a sustainable city in one document, and provides a community and organisational engagement framework. The plan has already achieved significant water and waste reductions in the Hornsby region.
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For further media information or event photos please contact: Ilona Marchetta, Media and Communications Manager at Keep Australia Beautiful NSW on 02 9633 3380. For media comment please contact Peter McLean, Chief Executive Officer of Keep Australia Beautiful NSW m 0416 227 158.
Editors Notes:
The Packaging Stewardship Forum of the Australian Food and Grocery Council works with partners across Australia to deliver industry recycling, litter reduction and education programs on behalf of Australia‟s major beverage companies and their packaging suppliers: Amcor, Bundaberg Brewed Drinks, Coca-Cola Amatil, Fosters, Golden Circle, Lion Nathan, Owens Illinois, Schweppes and Visy.
The list below contains a full summary of all Sustainable Cities award recipients for 2010
AWARD TITLE |
WINNER |
RUNNER UP |
HIGHLY COMMENDED |
| Overall Sustainable Council Award |
Hornsby Shire Council:
Hornsby Shire 2020: Our Framework For A Sustainable Future |
Ryde City Council:
Working Towards A Sustainable City |
Waverly Council:
Environmental Action Plan |
| Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water NSW Environmental Education Award |
Willoughby City Council:
Climate Clever Education Campaign |
Lane Cove Council:
Lane Cove Sustainable Living Project |
Randwick City Council:
The Eco Heroes Club |
| Grundfos Water Conservation Award |
City of Canada Bay Council:
Saving Energy and Water by Using the Weather |
Macquarie University: Leading By Example: Water minimisation, efficiency and harvesting at Macquarie University |
Cooks River Sustainability:
Our River - Cooks River Sustainability Initiative |
| Landcom Metropolitan Schools Environment Award |
Cherrybrook Technology High School:
Outdoor Biodiversity Learning Area |
Fisher Road School:
Environmental Education and Work Education at Fisher Road School |
Karonga Special School: Greening Our Sustainable School Space
Lambton High School:
All in this together now- Building a Sustainable School Community |
| Packaging Stewardship Forum Waste Minimisation Award |
OzHarvest Limited:
OzHarvest - Food Rescue |
Pretty Beach Community:
Pretty Beach Community Preschool and Multipurpose space |
Concord Hospital: Reducing Clinical Waste and Increasing Recycling of Waste in the Operating Theatres at Concord Hospital
Macquarie University:
Motivating the future: reduction, reuse and recycling at Macquarie University |
| ClubsNSW Sustainable Clubs Award |
Oak Flats Bowling and Recreation Club:
Oak Flats Bowling and Recreation Club Sustainable Practices Program |
Long Reef Golf Club:
Ongoing Sustainable Practice Makes the Difference |
|
| NSW Heritage Branch Heritage Award |
Ebenezer Church:
Restoration of Australia's Oldest Existing Church |
Delfin Lend Lease:
Nelsons Ridge |
|
| Biodiversity Conservation Award |
Blue Mountains City Council:
Save Our Swamps |
Blacktown City Council:
Regenesis - A community engagement, revegetation, carbon sequestration and trading project. |
|