Moving in the right circles: creating healthy and sustainable solutions in your home

Sustainable House Day isn’t only about the open homes on 4 May – Renew has made this a national celebration of sustainable living that extends throughout the month of May. On Sunday 25 May 2025, as part of the Sustainable House Day Community Partner Program in our region, Renew Hunter Branch invites you to our special community forum about creating healthy and sustainable solutions in your home. We present a recycler, a reducer, a repairer ... and an interior designer!

Come along to this free event on a relaxing Sunday afternoon and join our friendly vibe at The Hive where three creative and resourceful women will share their experiences and guide us on our sustainability journey. 

There will be plenty of time to join in discussions with our presenters and participants — so bring your questions (and your answers) to share. Waste-free event — please bring your own reusable cup. 

This is a free event and places are limited – bookings essential.

Our presenters:

From Overwhelmed to Confident: how to choose the right sustainable materials for your home.

Nadine Samwell is an interior designer who specialises in sustainable and healthy materials, serial home renovator and founder of Eco Edition.

What we buy to renovate or build our homes can have an impact on the environment – and it’s our choices that will determine whether this impact is a good one or not. Choosing eco-friendly materials can feel overwhelming — but it doesn’t have to be!

In this workshop, we’ll learn a simple framework to confidently select sustainable, healthy, recycled, durable, and budget-friendly materials — without falling for greenwashing or overspending. Discover the best options for your home and where to source them. Plus, explore a variety of samples to see and touch, helping you make informed choices.

Beyond the Bin: creating a circular economy at home.

Jessica Hodge is the managing director of Resourceful Living. In 2021, during the height of the Covid pandemic, the Hodge Family launched their new start-up company outside Newcastle. The multi-award winning Resourceful Living team manufacture products from 100% post-consumer waste using recycled plastics to make stylish items such as furniture, homewares and building supplies such as the latest in smart skirting boards

Jess talks a lot about how recycled plastic is the new raw material. ‘Many people think we should stop using plastic altogether and yes of course, we should limit our use of plastic wherever possible. However, it is a practical product as long as it is not used for convenience or single-use, but can continue to be reused and remanufactured as a valued resource’.

Some people question if recycling plastics is really worth the bother and if what we put in our recycling bins ends up in landfill anyway. Jess will demystify the recycling process, tell us what those little symbols mean on plastic packaging, show us some practical household items, and help us embrace a circular lifestyle.

Let’s talk ‘Re’s’: reduce, reuse, reimagine, and more. Learn how to make them work for you.

Mardi Lee is a Newcastle-based eco-living facilitator and founder of ReNewy Living. She likes to simplify sustainable living, making it practical and accessible. Mardi grew up embracing reuse, resourcefulness, and a love for nature. She moved to Newcastle in 2000, witnessing its shift from industry to community-driven sustainability. A mother and former early childhood teacher, Mardi blends lived experience with action, connecting people to local solutions and inspiring meaningful change.

Many people believe that recycling is the best thing they can do for the environment, often placing it above reducing and reusing. While recycling has its place, it’s a last resort, not the first step. Find out how re-thinking your consumption habits can lead to meaningful change.

This is a Partner Event hosted independently as part of Renew’s Sustainable House Day 2025 program. Visit sustainablehouseday.com for the full program.