The Festival fun begins!

It's here, this weekend at the waterfront in Hobart, our annual Sustainable Living Festival. We've planned a weekend full of music, kids activities, art and cooking. There will be thought provoking discussions on all things sustainable with some of Tasmania's best thinkers and doers. To top it all off, we've got over 80 businesses displaying their sustainable products and services, so it's a great time to do your holiday shopping with the kids. And if you're thinking of renovating, our exhibitors will show you what's possible and sustainable. We look forward to seeing you there! Entry by gold coin donation.

Watch and learn

Throughout the Sustainable Living Festival this weekend, there will opportunities to catch some great live acts, like the Sands Family Circus. You can also learn new skills, like juggling, diabolo, poi, hula hoop, devilsticks and ribbon sticks with the Social Circus who are running workshops all weekend. They'll teach you how to make your own circus equipment at home and how to juggle in just 15 minutes! The weekend is full of entertainment and there is something for young and old.

The most cost effective solar in Tas

Heat Pumps aren't often thought of as using the sun's energy, but that's exactly what they do, and are in fact the most cost effective way of doing so for most Tasmanian households. That's why we're pooling the community's purchasing power to secure an amazing deal on high quality heat pumps. Low income households can apply to NILS for a no interest loan and an additional 30 % subsidy! Express your interest or RSVP to one of our information sessions next week in Kingston and Hobart (ph. 62819360).

Want a Flow Hive?

We have a Flow HiveTM (worth over $1000) in our Festival raffle. Festival raffle tickets (available at the Festival only) are $2 and other great prizes include a weekend stay, a 3 hour Pennicott Wilderness Tour, a gift voucher from Chandlers Nursery, High Tea for two at Hadleys and more. The raffle will be drawn at 3.45pm Sun 1st Nov and winners will be notified by telephone. All proceeds come to us, so we can continue our fantastic work. And don't miss our Science of the Hive presentation at 12-1.30pm on Sun.

Win a solar hot water system

Give your home and lifestyle a sustainable kick through our Sustainability Challenge this week! Not only will you reduce your ecological footprint and utility bills, but if you track your progress using our online form and bring it into the festival, you will go in the draw to win a fully installed Solar Hot Water system (conditions apply) valued at close to $6800 – thanks to Apricus! Heart 107.3 Dave & Kylie will be doing a live broadcast on Sat 31 Oct, so come along to the Festival to join in the fun.

ENJO

There are over 80 exhibitors showcasing their sustainable products and services at the Festival this year, including ENJO who are returning with their chemical free cleaning products. The ENJO range of fibres and microfibers remove bacteria and grime and last for up to three years. Using just nature's super solvent and a simple Wet, Wipe and Dry! Using ENJO means you can rid your home of toxic chemical cleaners. Come and visit the ENJO stand at the Sustainable Living Festival to learn more about safer, healthier and easier ways to clean in your home.

EPA Sustainability Award

This year, organisations and individuals were invited to enter the Sustainability Award as part of the larger Tasmanian Community Achievement Awards. The award, sponsored by the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) recognises projects or initiatives that have resulted in reduced waste and more efficient use of resources. Congratulations to the three 2015 finalists - Cubed Espresso Bar, Environex and Veolia. The winner will be announced at a gala dinner on Fri 27th Nov. Last year’s winners, pictured above, were Hazell Bros Group for their quarry rehabilitation. In line with its aim to encourage sustainability, the EPA is a Friend of our Festival.