CBCity leads the fight against plastic

The City of Canterbury Bankstown has committed to phasing out single-use plastics, including straws and cups, from all Council-run facilities and events.

The decision, which was unanimous supported by Councillors this week, coincides with Plastic-Free July.

Mayor Khal Asfour said Canterbury-Bankstown was one of only two NSW councils to get behind the world-wide push to eliminate the products.

"This issue can’t be ignored," Mayor Asfour said.

"A single plastic bag will take up to 1,000 years to break down; as a state, we litter approximately 61 million plastic bags each year; and more than 70 per cent of the rubbish entering our oceans is plastic.

"Council is taking the lead and I am now urging residents to join the ‘Choose to Refuse’ movement. It can be as simple as remembering to take your reusable bags when shopping; using reusable drink bottles and lunch containers; and picking up any litter you see on the street."

Councillor George Zakhia, who put the motion forward, said Plastic-Free July was the perfect time to raise awareness of the problems faced with plastics throughout the world.

"We use these single-use plastics for a moment, yet they live forever," he said.

"I’m proud we are doing our bit for the environment and leading by example."

The City’s focus on sustainability continues at Bankstown Arts Centre’s new exhibition, Thinking Local. It highlights the importance of ecofriendly actions in our local neighbourhoods and will run until Friday 31 August.

Artist Jyi Westaway began painting his mural on the Arts Centre’s Imagine Wall last week, with fellow artists Basilios Papaioannou and Gemma Quilty creating artworks and video installations.

"Sustainability is second nature to me and it’s also how I create my artwork," the artist, who goes by Jyiro, said.

"After learning the regent honeyeater birds are on the endangered list in the Bankstown area, I decided to paint three regent honeyeaters in different perspectives.

"I believe, if we don’t all come together and fight for our earth, we’ll trap ourselves."

For more information about going plastic free, and to take the pledge, visit plasticfreejuly.org, and to learn more about Thinking Local, visit cb.city/artscentre