Foodbank WA Gets Green Nod
15 September 2011 at 12:58 pm
Hunger relief charity, Foodbank WA has been named as a finalist in this year’s Banksia Environmental Awards for its efforts to reduce food waste and implement recycling strategies.
The Banksia Environmental Awards are described as Australia’s premier environmental awards recognising excellence and leadership in achieving an environmentally sustainable future.
Foodbank WA CEO Greg Hebble says the organisation was one of only two finalists from Western Australia.
Hebble says each year Foodbank WA supplies the equivalent of more than five million meals to people in need and i most cases this is from food otherwise destined for landfill.
He says food and packaging that is damaged or spoiled is utilised in re-use and recycling activities such as animal feed and composting.
Hebble says the award recognises that in addition to fighting hunger, the organisation also had a positive impact on the environment.
Over the last two years, Foodbank WA says it has saved more than 46,000 cubic metres of food from landfill, and partnerships with recyclers such as Custom Compost and Darlings Environmental has resulted in a further 930 cubic metres of spoiled food and packaging being recycled.
Custom Compost Director Andy Gulliver says the partnership with Foodbank was a win-win relationship.
Gulliver says that each year they receive 25,000 litres of expired fruit juice and drinks which provide sugars that are vital in the production of compost.
Darlings Environmental Director Anthony Darwinto says the outstanding environmental practices shown by Foodbank WA should be a leading example for other organisations in WA with regards to environmental awareness and responsibility.
The winners of the 2011 Banksia Environment Awards will be announced in Sydney on October 28.
