Tips for sustainable living
Angela Olah
Sustainability Coordinator
The impact of prolonged COVID lockdowns has not dampened the spirits of the Sustainability Club!
Members have still been hard at work, considering how they can have a positive environmental impact irrespective of restrictions. Please read their suggestions for how you can be your own green thumb at home, as well the importance of using re-usable masks.
I’m so proud the student’s ability to be agile in changing conditions and pivot to adapt to the needs of the community both in and post lockdown.
Growing your own veggies
Stella Summers Dixon
Year 9
An activity that anyone can do is growing your own veggies. There is a variety of veggies you can grow in October that can be found on: https://localfoodconnect.org.au/community-gardening/veggies-and-herbs-that-can-be-planted-now/.
Here is how you can grow a few common veggies....
Carrots:
You can plant these seeds directly into your garden. Carrots require to be planted in soil that is fairly soft and is at least 30cm deep, in a sunny spot. Plant the seeds around 6mm deep in the soil and 5cm apart. Then, cover the seeds in soil and moisten. Water the seeds regularly and in about 10 weeks (but before they flower) the carrots will be ready to harvest.
Lettuce:
You can plant these seeds directly into your garden. Choose a spot in your garden with full sun. Plant the seeds only 3mm deep in the soil, don’t plant them deeper or they won’t grow. Space the seeds 20cm apart. Lightly cover the seeds in soil and water regularly. If the lettuce plant isn’t watered enough, it will taste bitter. In 7-8 weeks, the lettuce will be ready to harvest.
Corn:
These seeds can be planted directly into your garden. Choose a larger sunny space in your garden for growing so you can grow a block of corn. Plant seeds 1cm deep in the soil and space the seeds 30-40 cm apart and cover in soil. Water regularly and in around 12-14 weeks, the corn will be ready to harvest.
Basil:
You can plant these seeds directly into your garden. Choose a sunny/partly shaded spot the plant the seeds. Plant the seeds 6mm deep in soil and around 20cm apart and cover with soil. Water frequently and in around 6 weeks, the plant will be ready to harvest.
Growing your own veggies has many benefits such as reducing food miles, having more fresh and organic food, costing less, a good source of physical activity and also serving as a great hobby to do while stuck at home!
Why you should choose a reusable mask -
not a disposable one!
Tameka Brown
Year 9
ongoing restrictions and recommendations around Covid19 community infections mean that we will likley be using
Disposable masks take a very long time to break down
- Disposable masks stay on the earth a long time, one disposable mask can take 450 years to break down!
- https://news.mit.edu/2021/covid-masks-environment-0720- click this website to find out more about how they can affect the earths environment and wildlife
Reusable masks in the long run are much more cost efficient
- One Reusable mask can be used over 100 times, but one disposable mask can only be used once. Even though the price of one disposable mask might be cheaper than a reusable one, the reusable mask use will eventually outweigh how much it cost.
- For more info click here- https://3sixtyhome.co/why-reusable-face-masks-are-the-eco-friendly-and-better-option/
How disposable masks harm our eco-systems and animals
- Disposable face maskd also get put into our waterways and eventually out into the ocean. Just as with plastic bags, sea creatures also mistake masks for food and end up getting entangled in them or inhaling them and dying as a result.
- Pollution has such a massive impact on our eco-systems and creators living in the and if this keeps going it could ruin some species and eco-systems forever. (Click the website above for more information)
How can I get a REUSABLE mask?
- There are many websites that sell sustainable reusable mask here is a website with different sustainable places you can buy reusable face masks from.
https://ethicalclothingaustralia.org.au/where-to-buy-face-masks-made-in-australia/
- Another cheap option is to make them yourself. There are many websites and videos that can show you how to make them with just a few materials.