AlburyCity Council is working to make community events more sustainable with the introduction of the ‘Scrub Hub’, which enables reusable bowls and cups to be used at local events.
Backed by a $20,000 grant from the NSW Environment Protection Authority’s Local Government Waste Solutions Fund, in partnership with North East Waste, the Scrub Hub made its debut at Albury Carols by Candlelight and will feature at other Council events throughout 2026.
The Scrub Hub was created by repurposing an enclosed Council trailer, transforming it into a fully electric mobile cleaning hub with a new commercial dishwasher. It connects directly to potable water via a standard tap, allowing for quick and hygienic cleaning on-site. The trailer includes 300 ‘Bring Back Bowls’ and 400 ‘Come Back Cups’, enabling attendees to enjoy food and drinks without single-use containers.
Attendees simply collect their meals in reusable containers, return them to drop-off stations after eating and the Scrub Hub takes care of the rest. This system reduces single-use waste while supporting a seamless event experience.
“The Scrub Hub is a practical step towards our commitment to sustainability,” said Council Assets, Sustainability and Environment Service Leader, Steven Millett.
“It allows our community to enjoy events responsibly while reducing the environmental impact of single-use plastics.”
The initiative builds on AlburyCity’s Single Use Plastic Policy, first introduced in 2020 and updated in 2023 following community consultation and advice from the Sustainability Advisory Committee. The policy progressively phases out single-use plastics across Council operations, events, and activities on Council-managed land.
“By introducing the Scrub Hub at our events, we’re demonstrating how innovation and community action can work together to reduce waste,” said Mr Millett.
