The Boomerang Alliance, throught the Plastic Free Places Program has developed a set of free guidelines for councils to work towards a plastic free environment.
The Plastic Free Places program works in communities to directly reduce single-use plastic items and to empower the communties to make lasting changes towards a cicular economy. The program is a partnership between Boomerang Alliance and the Australian Packaging Covenant (APCO).
The guidelines, which you can download below or via the website, also include a foreward by LGAQ CEO Greg Hallam (which you can read below) and by the Queensland Minister for the Environment the Hon Leeanne Enoch.
FOREWORD BY GREG HALLAM AM, CEO
Queensland councils have been at the forefront of acting to reduce plastic waste and litter as part of our efforts to create better communities. Our wonderful natural environment provides Queenslanders and visitors an opportunity to enjoy a healthy outdoor lifestyle, however, we are well aware of the threats that plastic litter can have on these sites. And we want to ensure that we play a part in protecting them.
With global and national attention on reducing single-use plastics, Queensland councils are cutting down on single-use plastics and demonstrating to others how it can be done. At last year’s LGAQ Conference (2018) Queensland councils supported motions to phase out plastic straws and other single-use plastics from council operations and events, to support a transition away from plastics and support a ban on the deliberate release of helium balloons.
In response to the state-wide resolution to transition away from single-use plastics, LGAQ would like to support the collaborative efforts of the Queensland State Government and the Boomerang Alliance in developing practical guidelines for councils to enable community based events to be plastic-free.
We encourage all Queensland councils to consider the adoption of these guidelines and lead the way on plastic reductions in their communities.
Switching from single-use plastics to reusable or 100% compostable product alternatives at events is a positive contribution we can make towards reducing plastic litter and waste, and to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
These guidelines are available for everyone and we encourage all other event organisers and local councils around Australia to use them for your own plastic-free events.