A social media campaign to reduce the amount of household waste going to landfill has won Forbes Shire Council a Local Government NSW Environmental Award.
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Our council won the Behaviour Change in Waste category of the 2020 awards for their Waste Wednesday social media campaign.
"Through this campaign we engage with the community and spread awareness about the ongoing resource recovery facilities available in the Forbes Shire, as well as innovations and additions to the existing resource recovery programs," Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM said.
"The whole project has been implemented by our internal resources. The Waste and Environment Specialist identifies the subject topic for the social media post each week and the Senior Communications Officer prepares the infographic post based on the information provided and then posts on the council's social media platforms."
The mayor added the council has committed to continue the campaign on a weekly basis for the foreseeable future.
Forbes also received a Highly Commended in the Sustainable Infrastructure division for the installation of solar lights around Lake Forbes walkway (pictured).
Forbes Shire Council installed five kilometres of solar lighting along the ten kilometres of walking track surrounding Lake Forbes.
"This is actually believed to be the longest installation of solar lighting in the world," Mayor Miller said.
"The work so far has been undertaken by farmers and farm labours affected by the 2018/19 drought in a special employment program created by Council to help support the local farming community during the drought.
The lights have proven popular with locals and visitors, and are also being used in lower Templar Street due to their efficiency and the ambiance of the light they provide.
Forbes Shire Council has also been nominated as one of three councils to be involved in a NSW EPA pilot education campaign designed to reduce the organic waste going into landfill.
The Forbes Shire Council Facebook page has weekly tips on using the Food Organics and Gardens Organics (green lid) bin and reducing food waste.
"It is proven that compost improves soil health - soils with high amounts of organic matter hold more water, and that's what we need in drought conditions!" Mayor Miller said.
Another bin audit will take place in November to identify if waste behaviours have changed due to the education program.