Bill Tink is once again joining us at Homegrown Parkes on behalf of Netwaste.

Bill has provided workshops at our last two events and this time is bringing a focus to next years Waste to Art theme of Toys!

As a society, we love our toys. We can’t wait to get one of the free goodies in packaging from Woolies, Coles or Big W.

I must admit that I am a bit over them….but when I saw that Big W were giving away cards this weekend when I purchased I gift for my nephew (lego….the gift that keeps on giving), I did accept some to give to him. Unnecessary….yes, but he might like them….and he did!

I am one of those…toy horders. I always think that I can fix the broken plastic or stitch the ripped seam, but it doesn’t always happen…then, what are the options? Most of the time, at least the plastic items will end up in the red bin.

Netwaste is encouraging consumers to put a bit more thought into purchases….and asking for people to get creative with their Waste to Art projects next year and integrate some toy recycling in their pieces.

I always learn something at the Netwaste workshop….it doesn’t matter what the theme is. I am a committed recycler. I do put that little bit of thought into it….and reap the rewards.

The Netwaste workshop is one of three workshops on the day, with another reveal next week that will get your tastebuds tingling!

We provide as many activities as possible free to the community at Homegrown Parkes because we don’t want any barriers to learning. There are pressures on our households and we want people to learn how they can be producing and processing at home to help cut some of these costs….and of course, we want to share some cool, niche demonstrations as well.

It is our great pleasure to be able to bring new workshops to the Homegrown event to provide opportunities for our community to learn about processes and concepts that allow ‘non-experts’ to give it a go at home.

The Expression of Interest form for Stallholders is accessible via our social media or Homegrown Parkes page on the Central West Lachlan Landcare website under the ‘Get Involved’ tab, or follow this link.

Homegrown Parkes events are supported by volunteers from our Committee, volunteers from Central West Lachlan Landcare, Parkes Community Arts Committee and with in-kind support from Parkes Shire Council. This event also received support from the Northparkes Evolution Community Investment Program.

For further information on this article, please go to www.centralwestlachlanlandcare.org, twitter, facebook or Instagram @cwllandcare or contact Marg Applebee on 0418 611 053.