At Random Valley we are committed
to using recycled products as much as possible as part
of greater commitment to creating a vineyard that utilises
environmental sustainable practices. Some examples of
we have creatively recycled include:
Steel
poles: Used as our vineyard trellis as steel is 100% recyclable
Aluminium cans: From our local Lions group are used on top
of vineyard steel poles to prevent bird nets tearing. Aluminium
is compatible with the zinc coating on the steel.
Fallen trees: From storm damage Marri (Redgum) and jarrah
have been solar kiln dried and used for our cabinet work,
building construction, doors and furniture
News
papers: One tonne of newspapers (black and white sections)
from our local Lions group used as weed mat and mulch for
our native flowers.
Gyproc
wall sheeting : Off cuts from our house construction a source
of calcium and qypsum used as weed mats and calcium fertiliser
for our native flowers.
Fence
posts: Posts removed from fences when laying out the vineyard
became the cottage garden fence around the house.
Corrugated
iron: The iron that was replaced when renewing the roof on
our cottage has become the pump house.
Group
Settlement Cottage: Has been refurbished. Walls and ceiling
have been insulated to make the cottage a very effective solar
solution for our climate
Additions:
Old sheets of polystyrene from a demolished lean- to were
used to insulate 30 tonne of earth under the floor of our
extensions. This is one of the ways we keep our solar additions
cool in summer and warm in winter.
Weeds
and grape cuttings: These are hammer mulched and turned into
a thick mat in our vineyard for moisture control, temperature
control and soil humus.
Cow manure:
The dung beetle that has been around since the time of the
dinosaurs recycles our cow manure before we can.
Plastic
pipe offcuts: Our neighbour “Cliff” has shown
us how to use these offcuts in our dam for marron houses.
This way the marron escape the shags who feed on them.
Milk
cartons: Any brand, are used to protect small plants and vines
when the rabbit numbers build up.
Water:
Water is recycled through shelter belts, nutrient ponds, tea
tree thickets and reed beds to ensure water leaves our property
cleaner than it comes in.
