Community recycling project The Bin Chicken has been named the 2022 NSW Environmental Citizen of the Year.
Started two years ago by Campbelltown resident Alexis Bowen, The Bin Chicken began as an exercise to clean up the neighbourhood with her children while on their evening walks.
Within five weeks, they had collected more than 5000 single-use drink containers, which Bowen realised presented an opportunity to support the local community with the aid of the state’s Return and Earn container deposit scheme.
“We’d noticed that a lot of the material that we were collecting were the 10-cent drink containers – and I felt like our community was missing out,” she said.
The Bin Chicken project channels Return and Earn funds back into the community, supporting local sports clubs, day care centres and a community pantry to provide food for those in need.
“The Bin Chicken is all about diverting waste from landfill. We want to make sure that we are leaving our environment better for our kids and future generations to come,” Bowen said.
James Griffin, Minister for Environment, congratulated the winner and the nominees for their environmental initiatives and community spirit.
“Grassroots initiatives are what make our communities great, and the Environmental Awards encourage community champions, everyday individuals and local organisations that are improving our environment,” he said.
The 2022 runner-up prize was awarded to the Rocky Hill Reserve Regeneration Project, a volunteer group that targets rubbish and weeds at the Rocky Hill nature reserve in Wagga Wagga.
The Bin Chicken will receive $3000, while the runner-up will receive $1000 to support their projects.
For more information, visit: www.australiaday.com.au
Related stories:
2022 ResourceSmart Schools Awards winners announced
Australian schools kicking goals with recycled shoes