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5 Simple Ways to Get A Weird Look In Public

March 17, 2015 @ 22:56 By Gavin Webber 9 Comments

Being green can draw weird looks in public, especially when you do some of the things I am in the habit of doing.  Most of these are tongue-in-cheek, but quite frankly, I still can’t figure out why some of these behaviours or actions are not yet mainstream where I live.

Let me describe a few for you.

Taking Your Own Cup to the Coffee Shop

This simple act still gets me weird looks from coffee shop clients and barista alike.  You would think that people would be used to seeing eco-conscious folk take their own cups for a cup of java, but noooo, apparently it is more fashionable and planet destroying to ask for a disposable one.  But then again, I like to set my own trend.

My favourite reusable coffee cup is the KeepCup.  You can reuse it thousands of times, and if it ever breaks, you can recycle it in curbside recycling.  Try doing that with a styrofoam or plastic coated paper coffee cup!

keepcups

My hope is that more people take my lead at my local coffee kiosk, partly because it is the right thing to do, and partly because some café offer a small discount off the price of your cuppa.  What is not to like about that.

Wearing Gumboots to the Hardware Store

Yes, I must admit that when I am working hard in the garden and I need something urgently, I often forget what I am wearing on my feet and visit the hardware store with muck covered gumboots (aka wellingtons or rubber boots).  You should see the funny looks I get as I am pondering over which veggie seedlings to buy, or which bag of organic manure to lug home.  It may be okay in the country, but in the urban fringe of Melbourne, it still turns heads, especially when I have just mucked out the chook house!

Travelling on Public Transport with a Climate Change Placard

This one certainly got the most weird looks so far.  Ben and I had just attended a climate change rally in the city, and were travelling back to sleepy old Melton on the train.  You would have thought that we had two heads by the ogling that we received.  It was as if our fellow passengers had never heard of Climate Change!  May be they were blissfully unaware as I was before September 2006, but really, who hasn’t heard of Climate Change these days.  Denial or what?  What’s wrong asking for action on the most single issue affecting mankind?

DSC_0101

Using Canvas Shopping Bags instead of Plastic bags

Kim and I still get weird looks, especially from the supermarket checkout chick or rooster from this one (probably more like a groan than anything else).  A simple bit of forethought and planning to make sure that you have canvas bags if you go to the shops.  How hard is it, honestly?

The look usually starts when they (the cashier) asks “do you want a bag” and I reply, no thanks, I have my own.  Just that is enough to get a raise eyebrow or two.  Maybe it is my return look of disbelief that I still got “the look”.  It bugs me.

I wish our state was a bit more forward thinking like South Australia where all plastic LDPE shopping bags are banned and shoppers have to take their own.  It would be just so much easier on the environment and certainly people quickly get used it.

Refusing Bottled Water at a Function

This one gets some serious weird looks.  Not drinking water from a plastic bottle?  You must be crazy.  Yes, that is actually what I have had said to my face.  I told them that I was certainly not crazy and that there was nothing wrong with tap water, which I proceed to go and find.

I think it may be time to look in the mirror, because not only is bottled water so expensive compared to tap water, the empty bottles themselves are rarely recycled and take thousands of years to breakdown in the environment.  It is a luxury that is just not worth it.  Life’s a bitch with a Mitch.  You’ll know what I mean after watching the video!

 Take a look at this post I wrote about bottled water.  It is still relevant today as it was the day I wrote it.  Once you have tap, you won’t go back.

What Happens When “The Look” Stops?

I have probably missed hundreds of examples, because I am just that sort of guy.  The one that doesn’t give a hoot what sort of attention I attract when I am different from mainstream.  And you know what?  It’s okay to be different, and try to lead by example.  People take notice, then think a little bit more deeply if they see you doing it repeatedly.

You will know when green living is mainstream when “the look” stops or is seen on the rare occasion.  I am sure there are places around Australia and the globe for that matter where the things I listed don’t get a second look or raised eyebrow ever.  Now wouldn’t it be nice to live somewhere like that!

Where I live, we are not there yet by a longshot, but it will happen eventually if I have anything to do with it.  It will be a massive day of celebration at my house when it does!

So over to you.  What green behaviours or actions make you the receiving end of a weird look in public?  Oh, and Blue Steel or Ferrari don’t count.

 Post your comments below.  I’d love to read about your weird look moment!

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Filed Under: Bottled water, Change, consumerism, Pollution, reuse

TGoG Podcast 080 – Reaction Podcast Interview with Voicemail Questions

September 3, 2014 @ 22:28 By Gavin Webber 2 Comments

The main part of this episode is an interview that I gave when I appeared on Reaction Podcast as a guest of Matt and Beau. We talk about all things sustainable living, including a bit of analysis about this podcast.

Listen to the Episode Below (0:46:33)
Download Listen in a New Window iTunes Stitcher SoundCloud Leave a Review Clammr It Subscribe via RSS Subscribe on Android RSS Patreon

It is full of fun and laughs and the odd swear word.  What can I say, I was excited so my accent and banter was heavier than usual.

The Reaction Podcast is all about other podcasts where Matt and Beau (I believe they are brothers) review other podcasts.  You can find all their shows at reactionpodcast.com.  Previous episodes that I have listened to have been a laugh-riot, and their style of humor is infectious.  Thanks for having me on the show fellas!

Reaction Podcast

After the interview, I answer lots of listener questions that have been sent in via voicemail over the last month and a half.  From growing sweet corn, to where to get african horned melon seeds and everything in between!

During the show I mention the following links

  • Podcast Answerman podcast
  • School of Podcasting podcast
  • Kiwimana Buzz podcast
  • Simple Life Together podcast
  • Smart Passive Income podcast
  • The Watching Dead podcast
  • Game of Thrones podcast
  • Fair Dinkum Seeds
  • The Diggers Club
  • My Salami

If you enjoyed the show, please visit iTunes and rate the show and leave an honest review. You can also do the same within Stitcher Radio if you use that service.  It would help me out so much, and elevate the ratings so that others can find out about the podcast and learn about sustainable living in the ‘burbs.

You can subscribe to the show via RSS or iTunes or Stitcher for your portable device.  Just use the subscription buttons below.

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iTunes

Stitcher Radio
Listen to Stitcher
 

Until next time, stay green and keep keen!

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Filed Under: Bee Keeping, Bottled water, brown coal, Cheese, climate change, Coal, Diggers Club, Podcast, recipes, Suburbs, Sustainable Living, TGOG Podcast

Melton Library and Learning Hub – Green Building

April 25, 2014 @ 22:01 By Gavin Webber 10 Comments

Recently Kim, Ben, Pam, and I had the pleasure of a guided tour of the Melton Library and Learning Hub provided by the city’s Sustainability Officer, Kellie Hack.  The Melton Library and Learning Hub is located at 31 McKenzie St, Melton.

I love libraries.  Always have, always will.  The books within them help me learn new things about sustainable living, and when I started to green up my lifestyle I used our local library extensively.  It saved me so much money!

So I was very interested in visiting our new one because our library has been given a 5 star green star accreditation, which means that it is one of the most environmentally sustainable buildings in Australia!  Very cool, and all in my town.

Melton Library and Learning Hub reception

Melton Library and Learning Hub reception

Let me attempt to regurgitate some of the interesting facts that Kellie pointed out to us as we walked around.

The vast wall of glass at the front of the building is all double glazed.  This not only keeps the noise as there is a busy road way just out front, but in summer, it keeps the heat outside and in winter it keeps the heat inside.

All outside landscaping is native flora, which means that it doesn’t require much rainfall.

Cafe in the library

Cafe in the library

The cafe serves very nice coffee, which I believe was rainforest alliance.  All the wood you see is FSC accredited from a local supplier in Victoria, and much of it is recycled.  The wood throughout looks fantastic.

The timber from the old library (that they knocked down and replaced with this one) was used during the construction of the concrete formwork. Speaking of disposal, during the demolition of the old library, 92% of the waste materials was recycled.

Stairway to second level

Stairway to second level

The library is on two levels, with meeting rooms on both floors, including an 77 seat auditorium with video conferencing facilities.

The ventilation is underfloor, so all of the air moves naturally upwards.  There are no high-speed fans required, and the air is purged via upper floor windows at night.  Kellie told us that there are CO2 sensors throughout the building that adjust the flow of air so no one gets sleepy in the afternoon.  If you do, you had too many carbs for lunch!

Ventilation windows that are remotely controlled

Ventilation skylight windows that are remotely controlled for purging air at night

All lighting throughout changes with outdoor light levels via sensors fitted to the lighting array.  That way, the lights dim if it is bright outside, which in turn lowers electricity usage.  The fluros are T5 which are energy-efficient.  60% of the building is lit with natural lighting.

Now if the glare gets too much, there are automated blinds that can be raised and lowered during the day.  There is a massive pergola at the front of the building which blocks summer light from shining on the windows, and lets in light during winter.

The concrete, which is normally one of the most energy intensive materials used during construction of a building, is also green.  They used 40% less cement during construction, and in a worlds first, the structural concrete panels were made from e-crete™.  This brand of concrete has no Portland cement in the mix.  Portland cement production is very greenhouse gas intensive, so it is great that these panels have none.

Structural e-crete panels at the rear of the library

Structural e-crete panels at the rear of the library

Behind that wooden wall are massive rainwater tanks that collect water from the roof.  The rainwater is used to flush toilets and to irrigate the surrounding landscaping.

On the roof are 80 solar panels that provided electricity for the building and there is 130m² of solar hot water panels for the rest rooms and kitchens.  Kellie mentioned that there are screens throughout the library that display energy and water statistics from the building sensors, so that the public can see how much electricity is being generated, or water being saved and stored in the tanks.  It is a good way to show off the eco features without being to in-your-face.

Now for the internal library type features.

Mills and Boone area

Mills and Boon area

There is a dedicated Mills & Boon escapism romance section for those interested, with matching pink chairs!

There is a gaming area for kids, which I believe have Xbox, Playstation, etc.

IMG_0451

There are drinking fountains throughout the building, and no bottled water or vending machines.  This was designed this way on purpose.

Ben at the drinking fountain

Ben at the drinking fountain

There are the usual internet facilities, and wi-fi for free.  The book collections are extensive.  I borrowed five books about blogging which have helped me design my blogging course (happening Wednesday 30th April).  Usually there are limited titles that are up to date, but I was pleasantly surprised.

Besides the great books, free internet, lots of meeting rooms etc., another great feature is that this building is centrally located in the middle of town.  It is a couple of minutes walk from the bus terminal, there are bike racks out the back, and if you really feel the need to drive, there is limited car parking (design feature to encourage other modes of transport).  Ben and I will now be able to ride down here and safely lock our bikes up.

Bike racks out the back

Bike racks out the back

The furniture inside the building has up to 40% recycled content.  They were built under strict guidelines to ensure that it was produced with low or no formaldehyde.  All the paints, carpets, and furniture are low in volatile organic compounds (VOC).  VOC’s are particularly troublesome for people with respiratory conditions such as asthma.  The carpet squares are made from recycled material, and when worn are sent back to the manufacturer to be recycled again.

Low VOC furniture and fittings

Low VOC furniture and fittings (second level)

Finally, there are recycle bins out front and back.  The paper is separate from the mixed container bin (plastic, glass, and metal).  The kitchens also have organic waste bins, the contents are turned into compost.

Recycle Bins at the library

Recycle Bins at the library

What do I think of our library and learning hub?  I believe that is was $20 million well spent, and is an asset to the city.  Not only is it the greenest building in town, it has a warm feeling about it.  Some place that you really want to visit and spend a bit of time in.

If you are ever in our city, please drop by and check out the Melton Library and Learning Hub.  You will not be disappointed.

To finish off, here is a video that recaps the 5 star features of the building.

Hopefully I haven’t missed out too much, but I would just like to thank Kellie for our guided tour.  She was extremely knowledgeable about all the features, and is a very friendly person, which made the tour all that much better.  It was a lot to take in, and I hope I did you proud.

So dear reader, do you have any green public buildings in your town or city?  What do you think of them?  Are they nice places to visit?

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Filed Under: Books, Bottled water, Carbon Dioxide, compost, energy efficiency, Libraries, recycle, solar hot water, Solar Power, Sustainable Living, waste, Water harvesting

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About Gavin Webber

About Gavin Webber

An Ordinary Australian Man Who Has A Green Epiphany Whilst Watching A Documentary, Gets a Hybrid Car, Plants A Large Organic Vegetable Garden, Goes Totally Solar, Lowers Consumption, Feeds Composts Bins and Worms, Harvests Rainwater, Raises Chickens, Makes Cheese and Soap, and Eats Locally. All In The Effort To Reduce Our Family's Carbon Footprint So We Can Start Making A Difference For Our Children & Future Generations To Come.

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    Another brilliant podcast from Gavin Webber encouraging us, and showing us how, to cut down on food miles, growing our own food, and cutting down on food waste. Gavin is a really interesting speaker, showing us how to eat better, growing our own food and how to live more sustainably.

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    Fantastic podcast, with a wide variety of well thought and researched topics. Gavin is a honest, forthright pod aster with a genuine interest in helping others get green. Like a day alongside is a day wasted, so too is a week without listening to Gavin. Highly recommended for people starting out, or those in the midst of their new lifestyle. Keep it up Gavin, wish there were more great reviews! Kimberley

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    This is a wonderful podcast. Not only does Gavin talk knowledgeably on a range of sustainability topics from gardening tips all the way to the issues facing humanity as a whole, but he does so in such a wonderful voice, it's like listening to my Dad, love it!!

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    Gav knows how to share his journey to a more sustainable life in a manner that shows just how easy it really is. Not to mention healthier, economically beneficial and generally rewarding. The podcasts are an easy way to absorb Gav's great lifestyle. I recommend to anyone.

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