Useful links - University of Wollongong

The links below have been provided to help you with your own green initiatives and provide information about environmental sustainability whether it is at home or at work or university. This list should be viewed as a starting point on your journey to becoming more informed.

Please note we can take no responsibility for the content of websites that are external to our organisation.

Energy efficiency and renewables information

Home Design and Renovators Guide is a great tool with loads of information to design and build or renovate an environmentally friendly home.
Renters Guide to Sustainable Living is or renters and home owners on how they can make the rental homes more sustainable.
Department of Climate change and Energy Efficiency government website has information about climate change initiatives in Australia and actions you can take to reduce your carbon pollution.
Department of Environment and Energy government website provides information on how to save energy, reduce bills and make your home more comfortable.
Fridge Buyback Scheme pays you money to give up your old second fridge.
Renew (formerly the Alternative Technology Association) supports and provides advice on sustainable living. There is a local branch in Wollongong. They have a number of buyers guides (e.g. solar PV, solar hotwater) for help you understand the different systems and your needs.

Water efficiency and reuse information

Sydney Water provides advice on how you can save water at home or at work.
Water Efficient Labelling Scheme provides information on the WELS water efficient appliance labelling scheme.
Rainwater tank advice from Sydney Water helps you with all the information about installing a rainwater tank and what you need to consider
Home Design and Renovators Guide is a great tool for creating a sustainable home.
Greywater reuse policy for single domestic premises is a NSW Health guide to reusing greywater.
Wollongong City Council have approval requirements for some grey water reuse options and these are outlined in the Wollongong DCP - Ch E8- Onsite sewerage management Systems

Waste and recycling information

Recycling Near You is a resource to find where and how to recycle just about anything.
Love Food Hate Waste is a NSW government initiative aimed at reducing food waste. There are plenty of tips and resources to help householders and business to reduce their food waste.
Compost and worm farm information from Wollongong city Council.
Planet Ark provides information on various environmental issues and campaigns.
Wollongong City Council second hand shopping page provides a list of local op shops in the Wollongong area and places to buy other second hand goods
Plastic free Wollongong is an initiative of the Boomerang Alliance to reduce single use plastics
UOW Cycling Club is running a Give a bike Wollongong initiative to reuse and repair old bikes and provide these to people in need.

Food sustainability

Sustainable Seafood Guide is a great guide to purchasing sustainable seafood.
Permablitz the Gong is a community volunteering program that assists people to create permaculture gardens in their backyards. The program hosts events like a backyard blitz but with a permaculture focus.
Hidden Harvest is a community initiative to reduce food waste.
Fair Food Forager is a great tool for helping you to find ethical and sustainable food.
Flametree Community Food Co op is a local food cooperative.
Food Fairness Illawarra is a community network promoting healthy food for all.
Illawarra Grow Local Food Guides are a great guide to growing your own food.
Low Cost and Free Meals Directory helps to link people in need with nutritious low cost and free food options.
UOW Garden club runs the community garden on O'Leary's Road at Wollongong Campus. Get involved in garden working bees, meet like minded people and learn new skills. Open to students, staff and the community.

Biodiversity

Atlas of Living Australia combines biodiversity data from multiple sources and makes it freely available and usable online.
Birds in Backyards provides information about the common birds found in your backyard and other urban areas.
Birds of the Illawarra Brochure shows the local Illawarra birds you might commonly find.
Butterflies of the Illawarra brochure shows the local butterflies you might commonly see in your garden.
Councils have Bushcare programs for volunteers to undertake bush regeneration in local council reserves. Wollongong City Council Bushcare, Shoalhaven Council Bushcare, Shellharbour City Council Bushcare and Sutherland Shire Council Bushcare all run their own bushcare programs.
Frogs of the Illawarra Brochure is a great guide on the local native frogs
Illawarra Biodiversity Strategy outlines the approach to protecting Illawarra's biodiversity.
Landcare Illawarra is a community volunteer organisation undertaking a range of environmental restoration activities. There is also a Youth program called Intrepid Landcare.
Illawarra Grow Local Native Guide is a great guide on local native plants to grow in your garden.
Growing Illawarra Natives is a website that has been created by Urban Biodiversity Illawarra. It showcases native plant species and provides tips on sourcing and growing them.

General sustainability information

NSW Office of Environment and Heritage - An A-Z of topics and initiatives in NSW.
TED Talks- TED is a not for profit devoted to ideas worth spreading. This link is to the "A Greener Future Theme" were you can view over 100 talks on this topic
Council Sustainability websites. Many have sustainability specific webpages, newsletters that you can subscribe to promoting events and workshops happening in the local area. Wollongong Council Sustainability website, Shellharbour Council Sustainability website, Sutherland Council Sustainability website.