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 ====== Sustainability ======
+Owners and residents at 19 Belmont have shown strong support for sustainability measures, with many efforts reflecting the mantra “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle”.
-Owners and residents at 19 Belmont have shown strong support for sustainability measures.
+The owners corporation has made extensive use of government grants, and individual lot owners can do the same, see the [[Sustainability Grants]] page
 ===== OC Projects =====
-==== Lighting Upgrades ====
 ==== Solar ====
+An 18.5kW shared solar power system has been installed on the common roof, and the power generated is equally shared between all 10 units – this should see a reduction in electricity bills for residents of  between $500-800 per unit, per year.
 ==== Battery ====
+To maximise the amount of solar-generated electricity staying “onsite”, a 24kWh battery was installed alongside the solar power system – this allows over-generation during the day to be stored for use at night, or by common property usage.
+==== Lighting Upgrades ====
+As of late 2025, all fluorescent light fixtures on Common Property have been converted to LED motion-sensor lights.
+==== Heat Pumps ====
+In the second half of 2026, the owners corporation will replace the shared gas-powered hot water system with a heat pump system, which should see significantly lower hot water energy costs for residents.
+Heat pumps utilise the same technology as reverse cycle air conditioners, and are significantly more energy efficient than gas hot water heaters.
+==== Carbon Footprint ====
+These measures are expected to reduce the shared carbon footprint of the residents of the block by at least 25 tonnes per year.
-===== Individual =====
+===== Individual Measures =====
 ==== Energy ====
 === Electrification ===
+Converting gas cooking and heating to electric would be more efficient for any unit still utilising gas for those functions.
+Reverse cycle air conditioners are much more energy-efficient than gas heating and do not create moisture and carbon monoxide the way un-flued gas heaters do.
 ==== Waste ====
-=== Recycle Smart ===
+=== Household Waste ===
-=== Community Recycling Centre ===
+Reduce, where possible, the material put into the red bins. Larger non-perishable items should be kept for the fortnightly household waste collection on Monday mornings.
+For bulky items, such as working electronics, furniture, clothes, shoes, etc., consider donating these items to charities (see links on [[waste|Waste and Recycling]] page).
+Consider utilising online services such as [[https://www.freecycle.org/|Freecycle]], [[https://trashnothing.com/|Trash Nothing]], or [[https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/|Facebook Marketplace]] to offer items to those who might be able to use them.
+**Note:** E-waste cannot be disposed of via collections by North Sydney Council.
+=== Recycling ===
+Wherever possible, find ways to keep items out of the recycling or garbage bins.
+Reduce your use of single-use soft plastics by using cloth reusable shopping bags.
+Decline offered paper and plastic bags whenever possible.
+Reduce paperwork wherever possible – most organisations can now supply electronic versions of their correspondence/bills via download or e-mail.
+Keep your own records electronic, and avoid printing records unnecessarily. Computer operating systems these days allow you to “print to PDF”, which you can then store or e-mail as needed.
+Re-use paper printed on one side as scribbling paper.
+Home brewers might want your empty beer bottles – check on Marketplace, Freecycle or Trash Nothing.
+You can earn (or donate to charity) 10¢ per eligible bottle through the NSW Government’s Return & Earn program.
+=== Green Waste ===
+Leaf litter, flowers, pruning and offcuts, etc. can be collected for mulching fortnightly by North Sydney Council.
+Soil from pot plants cannot be placed in the green-lidded bins. It could be placed, where appropriate, in garden beds around the property.