Tuesday 1 March 2016

The New Joneses - Melbourne City Square

I was in the city the other week on my way to a Yarra Link meeting and I came across this demonstration of sustainable living. I thought it was great to see companies showing off their products and systems to assist ordinary people to leave a smaller footprint on earth. 

I ended up spending quite a considerable amount of time reading all the interesting facts that were placed everywhere from the bedroom to the kitchen stating statistics and info-graphics about consumerism and what we can do to make our lives more efficient and green. Also the  worm farm set up and the hanging plants caught my attention as something everyone should try to incorporate into their lives.

The initiative stated 10 steps to use less and live more (company and brand names are dropped extensively, all for good reason): 


1. MAKE YOUR MONEY COUNT
One of our biggest environmental and social impacts is our choice of bank. Part of the global movement refusing to finance fossil fuels, Bank Australia values our people & planet. Get a free home loan health check to see how you can save money & support a healthier planet.

2. BETTER ENERGY
Choose a greener energy company & support our clean energy future. Currently ranked 'greenest' by Greenpeace, Powershop is Australia's only 100% carbon-neutral power company. Consistently one of the cheapest, Powershop loves our planet & is easy on your wallet.

3. LOVE FOOD, HATE WASTE
Victorians throw $4 billion of edible food a year to landfill. This creates methane & wastes the money, resources & energy used to grow, process, package & transport our food. Shop to a list, buy what you need, eat your leftovers! Download theyumeapp.com for half-price, surplus food from Melbourne's top cafes and restaurants.
4. THE FUTURE IS ELECTRIC
When The New Joneses aren't walking or cycling, they're cruising their way to our fume-free future in their electric BMW i3. Their emission-free drive makes trips to the petrol station a thing of the past.

5. HEALTHY HOMES
Ecoliv Buildings' affordable, sustainable homes save space, energy, resources & money. The 8.2 star, off-the-grid, prefab home shows how easily we can embrace small spaces, maximize functionality, minimize material objects and unplug from urban life.


6. GAME CHANGING SOLAR STORAGE
Every hour, the sun provides enough power for our global annual energy demands. Battery storage now means we can harness clean power, AND store it for later. As fossil-fuel costs rise & solar prices plunge, join the rooftop revolution and be part of our clean energy future.

7. CHEMICAL DETOX
Keep chemicals from our skin, air, waterways & food supply with natural cleaning products, like lemons & vinegar. Choose grey-water-safe, plant-based products, like Earth Choice & Organic Care, who use recycled & recyclable packaging.

8. SOIL - WHERE FOOD BEGINS
Like us, soil needs food. Keep kitchen scraps out of the bin. Feed them to chooks, put them in worm farms or make compost to send nutrients back into our soil. Council-supplied green-waste bins take garden waste to make compost for farms and gardens. Use today's food & garden waste to grow tomorrow's lunch.

9. SHOP LOCAL
About 50% of money spent with local independent shops goes back into our local economy, compared to less than 14% from chain stores. Support local independents, like Barry the butcher, for healthier, happier, connected communities. Get online for home delivery from locals you love. 
10. LIGHTEN UP
LED lights not only save up to 89% off energy bills, now they can change how we live. Sengled revolutionary LEDs light bulbs, with built-in speakers, cameras & WiFi, reduce clutter, energy & waste. Lighten up with Sengled for smart, safe, super-sounding homes.

 Here are some photos from the set-up :

Hanging plants inside a cocoon of coconut fibre

Worm farm set-up

Growing your own vegetables is a highly rewarding activity


Very impressive set-up at City Square, Melbourne


The initiative was on from the 9th - 27th of February.

 For more information about the event go to:

http://www.thenewjoneses.com/