Single-use plastic no more

Published on 30 August 2021

At the August Ordinary Council Meeting earlier this month, Council endorsed its first-ever Single-Use Plastic Policy detailing its commitment to the elimination of single-use plastics across all Council facilities, activities and events.

The Policy will ensure Council, and those who use Council venues or attend Council-run or endorsed events, are doing their part to reduce their impact on the environment.

Single-use plastics not only emit greenhouse gas throughout their entire lifecycle, they are also a key source of litter, polluting waterways, oceans, land and air with harmful micro plastics, which end up in our food chain. Single-use plastics also have significant and damaging impacts on birds and other animals, who either ingest the plastic or become caught in it.

Under the Policy, a range of single-use plastic items will no longer be allowed at Council venues and events, including:

• Single-use plastic bags
• Single-use plastic cups and lids, straws, plates, bowls, cutlery and take-away food containers
• Balloons, plastic glitter, glow sticks and plastic confetti
• Plastic bottled water and single-use plastic bottled drinks

Waivers will be provided only in emergency and health situations where no other option is available.

This means event organisers using Council venues or vendors at Council-run or endorsed events, must use reusable materials where possible and help educate and guide their staff and audience on single-use plastic free practices.

The Single-Use Plastic Policy is underpinned by a range of Council plans, including the Towards Zero Waste Strategy 2019, which focusses on reducing waste, increasing recycling and avoiding unnecessary waste – such as single-use plastic. Council’s Climate Emergency Strategy also supports the elimination of single-use plastic and the generation of increased carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions in the creation and disposal of single-use. It also considers the Victorian Government’s legislation on single-use plastic bags, and commitment to phase out specific single-use plastic items across the state by February 2023.

There will be a 12 month transition period to support implementation, with some extensions available by application.

For more information and to download a copy of the Policy, visit the website: www.maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/SingleUsePlastics

Message from the Mayor, Cr Michael Clarke

This ground-breaking Policy is a tangible demonstration of Council’s commitment to leading the way on this important issue by embedding the elimination of single-use plastic across the whole of its operations and services.It is integral in supporting Council’s efforts in waste reduction and responding to the Climate Emergency.

I encourage residents throughout our community to also do their part in opting to use recyclable and reusable products over single-use plastic wherever possible.

Maribyrnong News

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