The Riverina it's a Living Thing

The Riverina It's a Living Thing project aimed to introduce environmentally sustainable technologies to households in the eastern Riverina.

Residents could purchase a sample kit that included: energy efficient lights, tap timers, reusable shopping bags, compost scrap bins, worm compost, car tidy bags, butt bins, diary (containing discount vouchers for environmentally friendly products) and a calendar.

1500 Kits were produced and were sold for $15.00 each. The value of the products in the Kit was approximately $80.00. Promotional events were held in each LGA. The promotional display included a demonstration of a working water efficient shower and a demonstration of energy efficient lighting.

The project evaluation of 100 participants showed of those that purchased the Kit for their own use:

• 92% had used all the items in it;
• 70% of respondents advised that they thought they were using less water;
• 25% of respondents felt that they were using less electricity;
• 89% of people indicated that they were likely to purchase more items like those in the Kit;
• 94% of respondents thought that the project was extremely worthwhile or very worthwhile.

The project received a Highly Commended in the 2005 Local Government Environmental Awards