We're all concerned about keeping our own home clean and tidy but what about the environment more generally? Our neighbourhood, parks, beaches, roads, waterways and local amenities?

One positive action we can take is to participate in organised local activities such as Clean Up Australia Day and year round events.

No matter where you live, there'll be somewhere you can join in to make a difference. If you have a family, it's a great opportunity to teach children to take responsibility for their environment. Maybe their bedrooms will be tidier as a result!

National Recycling Week is a good time to focus on reducing, reusing and recycling – in our homes and gardens - particularly with the fast approaching festive season.

• According to a survey by The Australian Institute (TAI) in November 2009, Australians throw out about $5.2 billion worth of food every year; that’s $600 worth per average household.

• We also dispose of 270 million batteries each year as a nation.

• There are however lots of ways to avoid such waste.One of those is by Recycling Organics with composting and worm farms:

Green Journey promotes a wide range of events each year, and this got us thinking about just how green are visitors, participants and event organisers, in terms of environmentally friendly and sustainable practices. 

Two events that caught our eye, highlight some of the environmental standards being set by event organisers to truly reflect sustainability at their events and encourage the public to follow their green guidelines.

If you’re an event organiser, stallholder, volunteer or a visitor, and interested in 'best practices' and how you can tread lightly on the planet, we encourage you to check out these initiatives and resources ...

Reducing Waste & Consumption

Take part in 'Buy Nothing New' during October.

Buy Nothing New is not about going without, nor is it Buy Nothing New Ever. It’s about taking October to reassess what we really need, think about where the stuff we buy comes from (finite resources), where it could end up (landfill), and what our alternatives are.  It's about conscious consumption, and saving for what we do need by not spending on stuff we don’t need.

Obviously, you'll buy necessities such as groceries, medication and hygiene products; just steer clear of new items such as CDs, home décor, presents or luxury goods.  Pledge to Buy Nothing New during October and challenge over-consumption.  Click here for more information.