Sculptor and recycler Laurie Collins with two of his recycled metal and wood creations.SINCE its inception, Gembrook Market has embraced the challenge of promoting sustainable living throughout its activities.
The market was declared plastic bag-free from its launch last year and strict guidelines were set on the types of products sold to ensure the market “walked-the-talk”.
While other markets might adopt similar values, Gembrook Market demonstrated leadership by introducing an education program on sustainability issues and ideas.
In the past 12 months many groups and individuals have attended the market to provide displays and talk with visitors on ways to support sustainability.
The Active Catchment Education (ACE) trailer from Melbourne Water and Keep Australia Beautiful began the program demonstrating the journey of rain through water catchment and stormwater drains.
Growing bush foods and cooking them, weed alerts and wise plant choices for residential gardens followed.
Most recently conservation volunteers who protect remnant bushland have attended, along with others involved in water monitoring local waterways.
The first birthday market on Sunday, 27 August will feature Year 11 students of Berwick Secondary College. The students are working on environmental projects, studying horticulture and recycling and will sell native plants grown in papier mache pots they have made as well as worm juice fertiliser from the college’s worm farm.
They will also be carrying out a survey of market-goers to gauge the level of awareness of recycling knowledge.
