News in brief
E-WASTE RECYCLING RECORD
Residents of the City of Sydney Council area have reached an e-waste recycling milestone. A record 581 e-waste drop-offs were made as part of the City’s latest e-waste collection, held on Sunday, September 9. An estimated 22 tonnes of e-waste – including televisions, computers, printers and telephones – were diverted from landfill, bringing the total to 218 tonnes since the program began in 2008. “By bringing in these electronic products for recycling, Sydneysiders are preventing large amounts of toxic chemicals, including lead and mercury, from leaching out of our rubbish tips and polluting our waterways,” said City of Sydney Resource Recovery Manager, Leisha Deguara.
OCSOBER LAUNCHED IN THE CROSS
The annual Ocsober initiative – a fundraising drive which sees Australians give up alcohol for the month of October – was launched at Hugo’s Bar, Kings Cross last Thursday. Featuring ‘mocktails’ made by celebrities including Richard Wilkins and Nathan Joliffe, the event kicked off Ocsober 2012, which will raise funds for Life Education Australia. Established in the late 1970s, Life Education Australia conducts drug education programs in schools using mobile learning centres and their popular ‘giraffe’ mascot, Healthy Harold.
NEWTOWN WEBSITE LAUNCHED
The City of Sydney has joined forces with Marrickville Council to fund a new website promoting all things Newtown. The Newtown Precinct Business Association (NPBA) website aims to promote the eclectic businesses of Newtown, Enmore and Erksineville. “The City of Sydney is proud to be working with Marrickville Council to showcase one of Sydney’s most lively and exciting villages,” said City of Sydney CEO Monica Barone. “This new website offers a one-stop shop for interstate and overseas visitors, as well as locals, to discover everything Newtown has to offer.” The website is located at newtownprecinct.com.au.
