At BallyCara, we take environmental responsibility seriously!

To commemorate World Environment Day, we spoke with our gardeners who keep our Retirement Village looking fantastic to find out how they are environmentally conscious whilst maintaining the grounds.

We are committed to fostering a healthy environment for everyone. We achieve this through a multi-faceted approach that minimises our impact and promotes long-term sustainability.

One key pillar of our strategy is comprehensive recycling. We go beyond the typical cardboard and bottles, also collecting used toner cartridges for proper recycling. This significantly reduces the amount of waste ending up in landfills. Landfills not only take up valuable space, but they also contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and environmental pollution. By diverting these materials from landfills, we're helping to conserve resources and protect the health of our planet.

Water conservation is another crucial aspect of our commitment. We strategically select water-wise plants, with a particular emphasis on native species like grevilleas and callistemons. These beautiful plants are naturally adapted to our climate, requiring less frequent watering compared to non-native options. This reduces our reliance on irrigation. Additionally, we water gardens during appropriate times of the day, typically early morning or evening. This minimises evaporation, ensuring that every drop of water goes towards nourishing our plants.

We also promote a healthy ecosystem through thoughtful practices. We mulch our gardens with organic materials like wood chips or bark. This serves a dual purpose: it helps retain moisture in the soil, reducing the need for frequent watering and minimising the need for chemical herbicides. Mulch creates a natural barrier that suppresses weed growth, allowing desirable plants to thrive without relying on chemical control methods. This not only benefits the plants but also protects the surrounding environment from potential contamination associated with herbicides.

Furthermore, we utilise battery-operated machinery whenever possible. This significantly reduces harmful emissions compared to traditional gas-powered equipment. Gas-powered machinery releases pollutants like carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and hydrocarbons, which contribute to air pollution and climate change. By opting for battery-powered alternatives, we take a significant step towards cleaner air and a healthier environment for everyone.

These combined efforts, along with our ongoing commitment to recycling, demonstrate our dedication to responsible groundskeeping. Our practices directly align with the World Environment Day campaign's theme, "Our land. Our future. We are #GenerationRestoration." We recognise that the health of our land is intricately linked to our shared future, and we strive to be responsible stewards for the environment.