Resources

Energy Literacy & Efficiency

Understanding how energy works and how we use it is more important than ever. Energy literacy not only helps reduce costs, but also plays a critical role in a sustainable future.

Thanks to funding from the Foundation of Rural & Regional Renewal, our range of fact sheets offers accessible, easy-to-understand information designed to help you assess your energy consumption and make your home more comfortable.

We aim to empower everyone with crucial knowledge about energy use, to demystify complex concepts, and offer practical advice that anyone can follow.

Local waste and recycling information

More items than ever can be recycled! Find out where by clicking the headings on the right:

  • Soft plastics can now be taken to the Eaglehawk Recycle Shop (at the front of the landfill), or the Strathfieldsaye, Goornong or Heathcote transfer stations. Hard plastics can go in your recycle bin at home.

    More info

  • There are also Drop Zones for recycling of ewaste (such as computers, printers etc). For a full list of acceptable items and drop off locations visit: https://recyclingnearyou.com.au/electrical

    Bendigo Ewaste is a local ewaste recycler

  • Check out B-cycle website for a lot of information on battery recycling

    • Aldi *

    • Eaglehawk Eco Centre

    • Battery World

    • Officeworks *

    *Locations don’t accept industrial or commercial grade batteries, such as machinery batteries.

  • Officeworks offer free ink and toner recycling so you can return your empty ink & toner cartridges to any store.

  • No Longer collected at BSG Office – Take to Post Office

  • It is time to stop using take away coffee cups. Purchase a reusable cup to take with you or even better take the time and drink in the cafe from real china or glass. Take away coffee cups are not recyclable in Victoria and their presence in recycling bins can cause a lot of extra waste to be taken to the tip. Visit Responsible Cafes website to find a cafe that cares about our environment.

  • Plastic bottles that contained water are also a huge problem in the environment. Take water from home in a reusable container. Most water in Australia from the tap is very safe – also much cheaper.

  • ASGA Initiative, they accept sports shoes only – local drop off points on their website

    TreadLightly is a national recycling initiative that takes unwanted sport and active lifestyle footwear and responsibly recycles it to give it new life. Find local drop off points

    • Royal Canine Packaging

    • Mecca Beauty Products

    • L’Occitane

    • Kiehl’s products

    • Wetsuits (only Rip Curl Torquay or Sorrento)

  • There are collection points in Bendigo and surrounds. Go to Paintback for your nearest drop off point.

Local Solar information

We get asked frequently about recommended solar providers, but as matter of policy we cannot recommend specific suppliers as we wish to remain impartial, and they are also constantly changing.  What we do advise is to go with one of the solar-only companies around Bendigo found here:

https://www.newenergytech.org.au/find-an-approved-seller

These approved sellers meet consumer protection standards for solar, battery storage, EV chargers and more. Some are electricians who also do solar, but we recommend companies that focus only on solar for their expertise and track record.

You can also download our shortlist prepared as of March 2023 here.

BSG presents Mr Paul Hawken.

Talking about project Drawdown, discussing climate change and what we can do to help slow down the change. The talk was part of Pauls Australian tour, and was presented at the Ulumbarra Theatre, Bendigo in February 2018.

BSG Office - Oral Hygiene, Blister Packs, Dish & Air Care, Coffee Capsules

At the BSG Office, we are also recycling some products; It’s as easy as 1,2,3!

  1. Save your item from going into the regular rubbish collection

  2. Visit the BSG Office at 23a Somerville St, Flora Hill

  3. Look for the filing cabinet outside the front door and place your recycled item in the corresponding drawer for the following four items:

  • Any brand of used toothpaste tubes, toothbrushes, plastic toothbrush packaging, inter-dental brushes, wisps, pumps, stand up toothpaste bottles and any kind of non-electric toothbrush or toothpaste tube and all affiliated non-recyclable packaging. This program now also includes electric toothbrush heads.

  • Any brand of dish care and air care packaging including:

    • Dishwashing liquid bottles (including caps)

    • Dishwashing tablets flexible packaging (including snap locks and zip locks)

    • Plastic spray bottles (including spray and trigger heads)

    • Air fresheners and refills (including plug-ins and plastic outer packaging)

    • Air freshener aerosol cans

    • Clip-on car fresheners and refills (including plastic outer packaging)

  • Aluminium capsules only, no need to empty coffee, recycle box with other cardboard.

    In order to recycle this waste stream properly, please make sure your coffee capsules are sealed in a plastic bag or dry before placing them in your collection box. Additionally, if you choose to rinse your product, please note that it must be completely dry prior to shipping. We cannot ship dripping packages.

  • In order to recycle this waste stream properly, please make sure your coffee capsules are sealed in a plastic bag or dry before placing them in your collection box. Additionally, if you choose to rinse your product, please note that it must be completely dry prior to shipping. We cannot ship dripping packages.

  • Any fully empty medication blister packs, clean and dry

Want to Set up Your Own Collection?

Visit TerraCycle for many options or if you don’t want to pay as much – visit banish for many options. With Banish you will pay the cost of postage.