My sustainability journey started when I was still at uni, back when recycling was put out in black plastic tubs. They didn't have lids on them back then; if it rained, too bad! At about the same time, I started growing parsley. It wasn’t in the mini-forest tabouli salad amounts that I have done recently, but it was a start nevertheless in growing my own produce. 

I started as the new manager of the Burwood Neighbourhood House this May, where I now run talks, events and initiatives on sustainability.

I have learnt that small habits go a long way in helping the environment. I try to maintain these habits as well as I can, by considering the environmental impact of everyday decisions. For example, I try to buy drinks in a can (which are infinitely recyclable) rather than a bottle (which can lose quality during the process). 

At the same time, I have learnt to draw the line when it comes to practicality. There was a time when I had perfected the technique of carefully separating the aluminium from the plastic of a specialty chocolate ball wrapper by hand. However, this was quite impractical in the long run. As much as it is better for that aluminium to be recycled, it is sadly much more practical to put the whole wrapper into landfill or look for an alternative treat. As with everything, finding a balance is important.

While I was originally born in Melbourne, I had never lived here as an adult. I previously worked as the coordinator of an adult learning centre in Perth. A few years ago, my wife suggested that we move to Melbourne, and our whim eventually gained the momentum to become resolve. I applied to Burwood Neighbourhood House, which happened to be in a managerial transition. I am slowly getting accustomed to the sector and the weather!

I believe every little habit counts, as each environmentally-conscious habit sharpens you to look out for more. At the House, there have been many small initiatives, including adjusting the timing of the urn so it turns off at night and is not maintaining boiling water 24 hours a day. 

Other sustainability initiatives that are worth mentioning are our partnership with the Victorian Container Deposit Scheme and our program that aims to revitalise old computers using Linux. Just last month, Microsoft ended support for Windows 10, which has made computers from before 2017 functionally obsolete. This potentially sends 240 million computers to landfill. By installing Linux, these pre-2017 computers can be put back into service. Burwood Neighbourhood House is part of endof10.org, a global initiative that aims to restore usage to these older systems for the sake of both our communities and planet. 

1. Refine your habits: Start small with your environmentally-conscious habits, and they will organically grow larger. Soon you will be able to set a good example for those around you.
2. Do your research: There's a lot of information out there on what to recycle and how to recycle, and new ideas are constantly being shared, keep abreast on the latest news.
3. No person is an island: Get together with like-minded people who are passionate about recycling or sustainability as a whole. There are many Facebook groups, meetups, and sustainability events organised by Whitehorse City Council that can also help connect community.

Find out more about Burwood Neighbourhood House and their range of exciting, sustainable programs.