Council Helps Save Tonnes of Rubbish from Landfill at Byron Writers Festival

By Jeff Gibbs

The Byron Writers Festival made a significant environmental impact this year, thanks to Byron Shire Council’s ‘Move to Reuse’ initiative, which successfully prevented 26 wheelie bins worth of rubbish from ending up in landfill. Over the three-day festival, an impressive 18,000 items were washed and reused, underscoring the effectiveness of the initiative.

In partnership with Green My Plate, the Council replaced single-use packaging with reusable plates, cups, and bowls throughout the event. This move not only reduced waste but also garnered positive feedback from festival-goers, who appreciated the shift towards sustainability.

“We were excited to have the Byron Writers Festival work with us to make this happen, and we’ve received so much positive feedback about it,” said Sarah Child, Council’s Resource Recovery Strategy and Engagement Officer. “People don’t want to be given takeaway cups or plates anymore. They told us they felt relieved and happy to be offered reusable cups and plates at the festival, and it was easy to return them to have them washed.”

Ms. Child highlighted the environmental costs of single-use food packaging, noting that such items are used for only a short time but require significant resources to produce, only to end up in landfill.

This initiative aligns with the Council’s new Single-use Packaging and Materials Policy, which took effect in June 2024 for internal Council operations. Starting December 2024, all events held on Council-owned land will be required to comply with this policy, marking a significant step towards sustainability in the region.

“Through this Policy, Byron Shire Council will be leading the way in the transition to circular systems,” Ms. Child added. “Events like the Byron Writers Festival show what’s possible on a large scale, and when you can stop 18,000 throwaway items from being used and going to landfill, it’s pretty exciting.”

Looking ahead, the Council plans to collaborate with local Farmers Markets and the Sample Festival to implement similar reusable initiatives, encouraging the broader community to join the move towards reuse.

For more information on Byron Shire Council’s Single-use Packaging and Materials Policy, please visit the Council’s website.

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Byron Writers Festival 2024 Wraps Up with Resounding Success

The Byron Writers Festival 2024, held from August 9-11, concluded on a high note, celebrating a remarkable turnout and an impressive lineup of events. Hosted at the picturesque Bangalow Showground on Bundjalung Country, the festival welcomed eager crowds with a warm introduction from Arakwal woman Delta Kay. With the theme “From the Ground Up,” the festival featured over 160 writers and speakers across six stages, making it one of the largest programs in its history.

This year’s festival attracted nearly 10,000 attendees, marking an 18% increase in box office takings compared to the previous year. The event offered 130 sessions on the festival grounds, five workshops, eight feature and satellite events, and a two-day schools program catering to primary and secondary students.

The festival bookstore, The Book Room Collective, saw impressive sales, with the top ten bestsellers being:

1. The Alternatives by Caoilinn Hughes
2. Question 7 by Richard Flanagan
3. Balcony Over Jerusalem by John Lyons (reissue)
4. The Forever War: America’s Unending Conflict with Itself by Nick Bryant
5. Thera by Bob Brown
6. Stone Yard Devotional by Charlotte Wood (2024 Booker Prize longlisted)
7. The Forest Wars: The Ugly Truth About What’s Happening in Our Tall Forests by David Lindenmayer
8. Bright Shining: How Grace Changes Everything by Julia Baird
9. Prima Facie by Suzie Miller
10. Sassafras by Rebecca Huntley (launched at the festival)

Trent Dalton’s Lola in the Mirror and Chigozie Obioma’s The Road to the Country tied for 11th place.

Jessica Alice, the festival’s new Artistic Director, expressed her delight with the event’s success: “I’m thrilled with this year’s festival, my first as Artistic Director. It was a joy to bring some of the world’s best writers to the festival and see so many delighted readers in packed marquees, enjoying stimulating conversations and great vibes. I thank the writers, our fantastic volunteers and staff, and the wonderful Northern Rivers community for coming out in droves and making the weekend truly magical.”

The festival was filled with memorable moments, including a sold-out evening feature with Bob Brown and Jan Fran, and a standing ovation for the “For The Earth” panel featuring Richard Flanagan, David Lindenmayer, Ali Cobby Eckermann, and Sue Higginson. John Lyons also received high praise for his discussion of Balcony Over Jerusalem.

Food writing was a festival highlight, with Kon Karapanagiotidis’s Greek cookbook A Seat at My Table: Philoxenia and Bundjalung chef Mindy Woods’s Karkalla At Home resonating with audiences. Bruce Pascoe’s sessions on his new novel Imperial Harvest and his insights on literary cultural touchstones were also well received.

Trent Dalton captivated audiences with his discussion of Lola in the Mirror alongside Julia Baird, and Kate Ceberano’s spontaneous performance with Mandy Nolan added a musical touch to the festival.

Caoilinn Hughes’s The Alternatives topped the festival’s book sales, with Hughes engaging in a lively conversation with Bri Lee and later interviewing Nam Le about his poetry collection 36 Ways of Writing a Vietnamese Poem.

Other standout sessions included ABC Chair Kim Williams’s candid interview with Kerry O’Brien about the national broadcaster, and O’Brien’s conversation with Richard Flanagan on Question 7. International guests Leo Vardiashvili and Chigozie Obioma provided powerful insights into the civil wars in their homelands of Georgia and Nigeria, respectively.

Sports fans enjoyed a session with AFL legend Nicky Winmar and cultural leader Rhoda Roberts discussing “Aboriginal Sporting Heroes,” with Winmar also sharing stories from his memoir My Story.

The festival concluded on a high note with the “Kids Big Day Out,” keeping families entertained despite Sunday’s rain. The weekend ended with a harmonious singalong led by Midnight Oil’s Jim Moginie and the local Shire Choir, leaving patrons with unforgettable memories.

The Byron Writers Festival 2024 has once again proven itself to be a cornerstone event in Australia’s literary calendar, bringing together a vibrant community of writers, readers, and thinkers in a celebration of literature and culture.

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Balloon-Free Byron Shire Initiative

We are committed to making Byron Shire a balloon and single-use decoration-free zone! To protect our environment and marine life, we are banning balloons and other single-use decorations from all Council-owned or managed sites and road reserves.

Our Goals:

• Protect Sea Birds and Marine Life: Preventing balloon debris from harming wildlife.
• Minimise Landfill: Reducing waste that contributes to landfill.
• Reduce Litter: Keeping open spaces and beaches clean.

What Does the Ban Include?

• All Balloons: Including biodegradable, helium, latex, and water balloons.
• Accessories: Plastic disks, ribbons, and strings attached to balloons.
• Decorations: Glitter, confetti, streamers, tinsel, party poppers, and glow sticks.

Why Ban Latex and ‘Biodegradable’ Balloons?

Studies show that latex balloons do not degrade significantly even after 16 weeks in various environments. They persist in nature and pose threats to marine life.

Where Does the Ban Apply?

The ban covers all Council-owned or managed sites, including:

• Parks and playgrounds
• Community halls
• Sporting facilities like the Cavanbah Centre and swimming pools
• Road reserves (including letter boxes and street poles)

Alternatives to Balloons and Single-Use Decorations:

It’s easier than you think to celebrate sustainably. Here are some creative, reusable, and eco-friendly alternatives:

• Bunting: Reusable and can be made from scrap materials or recycled paper.
• Plants and Flowers: Great for table settings and arches, and can be composted afterward.
• Fairy Lights, Festoons, and Lanterns: Use them year after year.
• Bubbles, Kites, Pinwheels, and Ribbon Wands: Fun and colorful alternatives.
• Chalkboards, Artwork, and Paintings: Make your event visible and artistic.
• Leaf and Flower Confetti: An eco-friendly substitute for plastic or paper confetti.
• Party Kits: Borrow reusable party kits from local libraries or community groups. Learn more about Party Kits

Why Are We Banning Balloons?

Balloons are among the most lethal debris for ocean animals and the biggest killers of Australian sea birds. Turtles often mistake burst balloons for jellyfish. This issue is prevalent in our community, with local wildlife frequently affected by balloon and plastic debris.

Local governments across Australia are taking the lead by banning balloon releases and the use of balloons on Council-owned sites. Reducing waste is a crucial step in minimising our environmental footprint and keeping Byron Shire clean and healthy.

This initiative supports our Single-Use Packaging and Materials Policy, emphasising our commitment to environmental sustainability.

For more information about reusable and waste-free alternatives to single-use decorations, see here.

Let’s work together to make Byron Shire a cleaner, safer, and more beautiful place for all!

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