Make your New Year's resolution a green one

“Be the change that you wish to see in the world"
- Mahatma Gandhi

2018 was a big year for Lone Pine’s Green Team, as we focussed on reducing the sanctuary's environmental footprint. We thought we would share with you a few of our green achievements, as well as a couple of simple changes you can make in your life in the New Year.

Our 2018 achievements

• Reduced energy consumption by looking at more efficient appliances when items reached their life expectancy.
• Introduced timers to ensure air-conditioners, fridges and lights are turned off daily.
• Added to the on-site renewable energy alternatives, including solar power and geothermal power, to buildings such as our Platypus House, Amphibian & Reptile Habitat, and the Brisbane Koala Science Institute.
• Reached 100kW of solar power on site which provides approximately 60% of our daily power requirements.
• Installed three Tesla battery walls which are used during blackouts to supply power to essential equipment such as our ‘Koala Biobank’ freezers.
• Joined the ‘Simply Cups’ coffee cup recycling program in July, and already diverted approximately 8,000 paper cups from landfill.

Our 2019 New Year’s resolution

Our New Year’s resolution is to continue to reduce the sanctuary’s reliance on old energy sources, and to research more efficient alternatives when making purchases of any kind. We also aim to grow our current solar array and battery power capacities.

How you can make simple switches

If it isn’t an option to install sustainable energy at your home or business, there are other easy ways that you can make a difference. Solar-powered battery chargers are available at Lone Pine’s gift shop and are a great way to charge any USB-powered device while on the go. These are a favourite among our Green Team.

Bring any reusable cup to Lone Pine, and receive $1 off every coffee. To help you make this simple switch, we have introduced the ‘rCup’, a re-usable thermal coffee cup (pictured in header). The rCup is made from recycled coffee cups and is now available at Lone Pine for just $25. Recycling, and using recycled products, are two of the easiest ways to help the environment.

Recommended local businesses

If you are interested in installing solar at your home or business, we recommend the team at Springers Solar (www.springers.com.au), based in Lawnton and Capalaba.

For any enquiries into geothermal power and how this could be used in your house or business, we recommend contacting Rob at Alinta Energy (www.alintaenergy.com.au/qld/home).

What's your New Year's resolution?

If you are committed to a green resolution this year, share it with us by replying back to this email or posting a photo of your resolution on our Facebook page.