Resource Efficiency in Australia

I started to get the feeling energy and resource efficiency is a way of life Down Under.  While I didn't meet enough Australians to be able to make general claims about their way of life, there were specific examples that exposed me to energy efficiency, waste reduction efforts and recycling availability.  The couple we sat next to at the Botanical Gardens for the NYE fireworks mentioned family friends that just live simply and have only the appliances they need.  The plugs on the walls oftentimes had little switches where you could turn off the power supply while things were still plugged in.  The following pictures and video are some things I came across while traveling throughout the country that pointed towards good stewardship of natural resources.

Energy Star Ratings on appliances

Small washing machine and drying rack

A page from a pamphlet explaining Sydney's Zero Waste goals. Great Resource: http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/zerowaste/

2 buttons to choose from!  1 button is a full flush, the other is a half flush  

100% Degradable Bag in Cairns 

Garbage and Recycling Station at Featherdale Wildlife Park in Sydney

100% Compostable napkin and tray from Pie Face, a popular meat pie cafe in Australia (taken at Sydney Airport)

Sydney Airport food court

Garbage and Recycling at Fitzroy Gardens in Melbourne

Calorie counts were published at all fast food restaurants.  This also gives you an idea for how expensive things were. At least to me, Australia was more expensive than the US, and other travelers I talked to had the same impression.  

Our guide in the Daintree Rainforest talking about resource and energy efficiency up in the Rainforest!  We were riding in the van back from the night walk through the forest, and once he started talking about the rainwater collection, ecotourism, and electricity, I started filming :D