We take the care of the environment seriously as part of our discipleship. In response to our creator God, and as caretakers of creation, Adelaide West has implemented a number of initiatives to be environmentally responsible and to reduce overhead costs.
Rainwater harvesting project
This project was initiated in 2011 and includes:
(a) 15,000 litres of storage in 3 colorbond galvanised metal tanks complete with level gauge.
(b) Underground piping links the roof capture system into the tanks (wet system) and from the tanks to an inside store room to a pump and filtration system. Overflow is connected back into existing storm water system, again via underground piping.
(c) Pressure pump (100 litres/min) with associated filter, valving and power supplies.
(d) Automatic switching device to go back to mains water in the event of the tanks running empty and then immediately back to rain water after level is re-established in the tanks after rain.
(e) Distribution of rain water into the church, segregated for use exclusively within the toilets, ablutions and cleaning sinks area of the church.
The impact of this project on reducing our water usage is estimated to be 50,000 litres p.a., and coupled with this is a commensurate reduction in our storm water run-off.
Funds for this project were achieved through a variety of sources and raising them was used as a community building exercise.
Adelaide West Uniting Church gratefully acknowledges the generosity of the West Torrens City Council on the provision of the Environmental Grant. We also thank the Adult Fellowship for providing a significant portion of the AWUC funds to ensure the project proceeded.
(Source: 2011 Annual Report)
Solar Panels on Manse
Solar Panels on the Church(Click for more information)
Recycling & repurposing of various items
We provide boxes for the following items for recycling and repurposing:
- Batteries – to Battery World
- Pull tags from cans
- Printer cartridges – to OfficeWorks
- Postage stamps for International Mission – to Synod
- Spectacles – for overseas
- Oral hygiene – as part of Terracycle’s Colgate Oral Care Recycling Program
- Writing instruments – as part of Terracycle’s BIC’s Best in Class Recycling Program
- Plastic bread tags – collected to sell plastic for wheelchairs for overseas