Alexandra King takes out NSW Environment Awards for Council's We CARE Program

The Eurobodalla Council has taken out an award in the Behaviour Change in Waste category at the 2022 Local Government NSW Excellence in the Environment Awards for their We CARE Program

Above: Alexandra King (left) received her award this week for the We Care Eurobodalla project Held annually, the Excellence in the Environment Awards aim to recognise outstanding achievements by NSW councils in managing and protecting the environment. The We Care Eurobodalla project works with local businesses including food, accommodation and retail to reduce single-use plastic by helping them make the change to environmentally sustainable products and packaging. Having identified plastic litter to be a key issue in the Clyde River catchment, Eurobodalla Council launched the We Care engagement program to reduce single-use plastic and take away waste.

We Care has helped over 100 local businesses and community groups to switch to environmentally sustainable products and packaging. A Local Litter Check showed a 50% reduction in litter at hot spots in town centres after the first year.

VIDEO: Learn more about a few of the businesses participating in Council's We Care program. For more information - or to get involved - head to www.esc.nsw.gov.au/wecare or contact Council's Sustainability Project Officer Alexandra King on (02) 4474 1000. Local Government NSW’s predecessor organisation initiated the environment awards in 1997, aimed at the work councils do on behalf of their communities.

The awards in 2022 celebrated 26 years of inspiration from NSW councils in programs, projects and people across 14 award categories, culminating in two prestigious Local Sustainability Awards:

• For overall council performance, and
  

• To recognise the individual achievements of a council staff member or elected councillor in the field of sustainability.