Maribyrnong council is encouraging the community to take action against plastic waste this Plastic Free July.
Plastic Free July is a globally recognised initiative that encourages individuals to reduce their plastic consumption and make more sustainable choices.
Council endorsed its first-ever Single-Use Plastic Policy in 2021, detailing its commitment to the elimination of single-use plastics across council facilities, activities and events.
This July, council have reinstated their commitment to supporting the community in their mission to refuse single-use plastics.
The start of July will also mark the beginning of council’s involvement in the Plastic-free Innovation for Change (EPIC) journey, a year-long behaviour-change program that delivers a solutions-based approach to plastic reduction.
This program will guide council through four stages – to reduce, and ultimately eliminate, single-use plastic from our workplace and supply chain.
The Plastic Free July challenge offers a wealth of resources and ideas to help millions of participants worldwide reduce their daily consumption of single-use plastics at home, work, school, and within their communities.
It can be as simple as selecting one plastic item to avoid or replacing it with a reusable alternative.
Council says participation can be as simple as using a reusable cup for coffee, purchasing pantry staples like grains and nuts from bulk bins using reusable bags and containers, and choosing plastic free packaging for fruit and vegetables
Mayor Sarah Carter said Maribyrnong is not excused from the widespread issue.
“The problem of waste is widespread across the globe, but its solution largely lies within local contexts,” she said.
“Each and every one of us can actively engage in the effort to minimise waste.
“Participating in initiatives like Plastic Free July presents an excellent opportunity to embrace a challenge or simply begin making small changes towards a more sustainable lifestyle.”
Details: www.plasticfreejuly.org
