Plastic Free Council Event Guide released

23 July 2019

 

WPlastic Free Council Event Guideildlife Queensland’s partner, The Boomerang Alliance, has released a comprehensive Plastic Free Council Event Guide to provide councils with advice on how to reduce plastic use as part of tackling plastic pollution.

The Guide is also available to any event organisers who wish to adopt plastic-free policies.

The Guide was produced in response to Queensland local government decisions to develop plastic-free policies for operations and events and to support a call to ban the deliberate release of helium balloons.

Wildlife Queensland provided input into the Guide and is pleased to report that it includes a policy to not allow the release of helium balloons at council events.

The Guide is based on practical experience and intended to assist councils to adopt policies to manage single-use plastic phase-outs from their events. Or, for councils who have already adopted plastic free event policies, additional ideas to go further.  It is endorsed by the Queensland Local Government Association and Minister for Environment.

“Plastic coffee cups/lids, straws, bags, cups and food containers, cutlery and water bottles are routinely used at public events and are also amongst the most common litter items,” said Wildlife Queensland Campaigns Officer Toby Hutcheon.

“Events are controlled spaces so by eliminating the use of these single-use plastics in favour of reusable or 100% compostable items, events can reduce their plastic footprint and slash their plastic waste.

“Eliminating the use of these plastic products is an important way to achieve less litter to waterways and the ocean, and protect our native wildlife,” said Toby.

Key features promoted for a plastic free event:

  • Events are promoted as plastic free to build public awareness
  • All vendors provide only reusable or 100% compostable food ware
  • Events utilise a refillable cup system at bars and drink outlets
  • No helium balloon releases are allowed at the event
  • Event organisers are encouraged to provide water refill stations to limit plastic water bottles
  • Discarded wastes are collected so they can be recycled or composted rather than landfilled
  • Organisers take a continuous improvement approach to reducing plastic wastes. What they can’t do this time, they will arrange next time

 

Download the Plastic Free Council Event Guide.

 


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