Keeping Australia Day plastic-free

Wollongong City Council is encouraging stallholders and attendees to make a positive change this Australia Day by going single-use plastic free.

“Living on the coast, we know that single-use plastics have a devastating effect on the marine life that live in our beaches and waterways,” said Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM.

“That’s why we’re taking steps to help our community reduce single-use plastic and take an active role in protecting our environment.

“Working towards making Australia Day plastic free follows on from our experience at New Year’s Eve 2018 where we diverted 57% of event waste from landfill,” Councillor Bradbery said.

“We’ve learnt from New Year’s Eve that our biggest challenge is reducing the amount of plastic waste that party-goers bring with them to the event. This Australia Day, have a look at your picnic basket and swap the single-use cutlery, plates and food wrap for reusable alternatives.”

Council encourages all attendees to bring along their own reusable bag, keep cup and water bottle. There will be spots throughout the event where bottles can be refilled.

Red (general waste), yellow (recyclables) and green (organics) bins will also be onsite and Green Connect will be at the event to help make sure rubbish goes in the right bin and waste to landfill is reduced.

“Australia Day has a strong focus on our environment with ‘under the sea’ as the event theme,” Councillor Gordon Bradbery said. “As you enjoy yourselves with friends and family; spare a moment to make sure that you don’t leave any rubbish behind.”

Australia Day stallholders have been asked not to use single-use plastics such as:

Wollongong City Council has been working with the Boomerang Alliance as part of the ongoing Plastic Free Wollongong program which aims to avoid the use of single-use plastics locally.

For more information please visit Council’s website at www.wollongong.nsw.gov.au or call Customer Service on (02) 4227 7111.

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