Green Renters is a not-for-profit organisation providing sustainability advice specifically for people living in rental accommodation. Promotional material refers to those who have been otherwise excluded from the sustainability movement (for example, boarders and renters) and affirms a commitment to inclusive, fun, hands-on, interesting and relevant approaches to sustainability. The Green Renters website is a treasure trove of tips, tutorials, product reviews, inspiring stories and information on projects, activities and workshops.
Your Place participants learned to cook healthy and inexpensive meals, reduce food waste, make jams and pickles, assemble bike panniers and garden in limited space. Indira Naidoo offered advice on container gardening, with tips on watering, what to grow and how to get started.
Michelle Zirkzee of Green Renters led a workshop on saving energy and saving money. “We’ll offer tips and advice so you can make your own decisions,” she said. “The emphasis is on ways you can save money.” Participants learned how to read utility bills, which appliances use the most energy and how to make their appliances and homes more energy-efficient. Kate Liu co-presented the workshop, translating for Cantonese-speaking participants.
Top tips included draught proofing with door snakes and thick curtains, switching off appliances when not in use, washing clothes in cold water and installing energy-efficient light bulbs. Ms Zirkzee recommended newer LED over fluorescent bulbs as the latter contain mercury, which can be released if the bulbs are broken. Ms Liu demonstrated an ingenious solar-powered LED desk lamp. Practical advice ranged from checking efficient use of refrigerators (fridges that are two-thirds full work most efficiently) to flushing toilets with grey water.
Cate Lawrence led a workshop on do-it-yourself natural cleaning. “There’s so many natural products that can be used around the house,” she said. “The toxic side-effects of using commercial products are easily avoided, and you can save a lot of money too.” The workshop offered hands-on experience mixing an all-purpose cleaner (a dash of detergent, half a cup of white vinegar in a bottle of water), and making a laundry powder from washing soda, grated soap and eucalyptus oil. An “enviro-ball” placed in a machine with the washing offers a soap-free alternative that is gentle on clothes and the environment. “It’s great for people who might be sensitive to soap powders,” Ms Lawrence said. “It also means safe disposal of grey water in the garden or for pets.”
Ms Lawrence continued: “White vinegar, diluted in water, is perfect for pet smells, too. And no, your house will not smell like a fish and chip shop. Your house will be clean and fresh.”
