We’re Making Plans.

We’ve gathered the troops (partners, colleagues and kids) and are taking one serious sustainable step every month to move towards a more sustainable lifestyle. Our starting point is making a list of what we currently are doing and over the course of the month, add to that list in meaningful and significant ways.

Each month will have its own sustainability focus, giving us a full four weeks to explore, experiment, and embed one new habit.

And while on the journey, don’t forget to celebrate the small wins and let imperfection in!

September. Spring Clean. 

Spring is here, and with it comes the perfect opportunity to clean our homes and clear away the clutter. Spring cleaning isn’t just about a tidy home – it’s a chance to reset, lighten the mental load, and create a space that supports everyone’s well-being. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you tackle spring cleaning effectively and mindfully this season.

1. Make a list of what you want to accomplish in the month, when you are going to tackle the task and what you want to achieve.
2. Gather eco-friendly supplies like bi-carb and vinegar, and storage boxes.
3. Declutter before you clean and rotate seasonal storage, for example clean and pack away your winter gear.
4. Focus on one room at a time, deep cleaning as you go.
5. Bring nature indoors to improve air quality and open your doors and windows on those beautiful warm days.

Still need some motivation? Try these ideas. 1. Set a timer and clean at time intervals. Aim for 20 – 30 min sessions. 2. Listen to music or a podcast as you clean. 3. Don’t forget to reward yourself and celebrate your progress.

Ref – Happy Turtle Straw.

October.  Buy Nothing New Month.

This month, I’m going to challenge myself to a month of no new purchases. I’ll be repairing (going to finally check out my local Repair Cafe), borrow or make do with what I have.

The Buy Nothing New Month is a global movement for conscientious consumption. And did you know, the movement started right here in Melbourne. In brief – it’s a one month challenge to buy nothing new, with the exception of essentials like food, hygiene and medicines.

It’s about thinking where our stuff comes from and where it goes when we’re done (often landfill) and what are the alternatives out there to extend the life of our ‘stuff’.

Take a break from buying reduces your impact and encourages mindfulness about material goods. It’s good for us, our wallets and our planet. If you really want to ‘get in the swing’ join the movement at Buy Nothing New.

November.  Looking after the pollinators. 

When we look at our ecosystems in finer detail, we see it’s all about the mini beasts – bees and wasps, moths, butterflies, moths, birds, flies, beetles, and bats.  Each of these insects and small mammals is a pollinator, and all  are crucial to the continuation of life as we know it.

Pollinators help fertilise plants by carrying pollen from the male part of the flower (stamen) to the female part (stigma) of the same or another flower. A plant can’t be fertilised without pollination, and without fertilisation, we’d have no fruits, seeds, or young plants.

Some plants can pollinate themselves. Some plants get a little help from the wind or water. Others are just lucky, as some pollinators like butterflies, birds, and bats move pollen accidentally. When they drink or feed on nectar, pollen sticks to their bodies, which they unknowingly transport from flower to flower, wholly unaware of their service to the ecosystem.

Here’s six ways we can help our little pollinators in our gardens and on our balconies.

1. Plant flowers! Preferably flowers that are native to Australia or indigenous to the area in which you live. No pot or balcony is too small. Your local native nursery will have a long list of flowers that are just right for your area. Ensure to plant a variety of colours.
2. Convert a section of lawn into a pollinators garden. With long-blooming perennials and shorter-blooming annuals, pollinators will have an unbroken source of nectar through out the year.
3. Embrace weeds. Try to identify the weeds popping up in your garden, and if you find they are helpful to pollinators, consider letting them grow and bloom!
4. Provide water. Bees are thirsty. In fact, on hot days, bees cease all foraging except for water. If you notice bees visiting your garden often, put out a water source for them, like a decorative fountain, a bird feeder, or a birdbath. But make sure there’s a landing spot for them as they don’t like to get their feet wet, so they need pebbles, twigs, or trim to land on while they sip.
5. Avoid pesticides. No explanation needed.
6. Buy organic. Organic farming nourishes healthy pollinator communities.

Reference – One Earth.

Would love to hear your thoughts, and how we can ‘up the ante’ on living a more sustainable life. Send your thought to <[email protected]>.

Next season is summer where we will be focusing on eco-gifting, good food choices and ….. Stay tuned.

Writer: Colleen B. Filippa

With a background in Environmental Science, Colleen is the Founding Director of Fifteen Trees, a social enterprise she launched in 2009 after two decades in primary, secondary, and tertiary education. Stepping out of the classroom and into climate action, Colleen created Fifteen Trees to help individuals and businesses reduce their carbon footprint by supporting community-based revegetation projects across Australia.