Waverley Council endorses Plastic Free July

06 July 2017 | Media Release

MEDIA RELEASE 

Source – Hilary Price “Rhymes with Orange”

With scientists predicting there will be more tonnes of plastic in the ocean than fish by 2050, Waverley Council is encouraging everyone to pledge to be Plastic Free this July to help our environment.

Plastic Free July is a global initiative to raise awareness on the usage of single-use plastics,and the impact it can have on polluting our waterways and beaches. The initiative also offers easy solutions to adopt simple life-style changes to help us individually reduce our impact, and be a part of the solution.

Council has been supporting the program for two years in partnership with local community groups. The month kicked off with a popular natural skin-care workshop by Seaside Scavenge, a joint film screening and panel discussion at Bondi Pavilion on Sunday 2 July, attended by over 150 locals.

 “Plastic pollution plays havoc in our environment, clogging our coastline, harming wildlife and threatening our health.

“We’re hoping everyone will take the challenge to refuse single-use plastic like straws,plastic bags, plastic bottles and take-away cups which is a great step to helping our environment. Let’s keep this area beautiful.” Mayor of Waverley Sally Betts said.

There will also be a number of community activities this month to promote Plastic Free July, including:

  • Sunday 9 July,12.30pm - A clean-up of Bronte and Bondi Beaches, with data collected going towards the Australian Marine Debris Initiative Database
  • Thursday 20 July, time, 7pm – The film screening of The Plastic Gyre and networking event with Transition Bondi at Bronte Surf Club
  • Saturday 29 July – A pop-up stall at the Bondi Farmers Markets. Meet our community groups,join Council’s Second Nature sustainability program, and create your own reusable tote bag

In addition to the community lead events, Council will also be offering local business free waste assessments and a resource guide.

Council’s Plastic Free July efforts are part of their ongoing campaign Second Nature which supports the community to make sustainability as the name suggests, second nature, and make conscious changes in their everyday lives.

Waverley Council would like to thank the following groups for their ongoing collaboration – Transition Bondi, Take 3, Responsible Runners,Seaside Scavenge, Plastic Free Bronte, Blue Bondi Green, Underwater Research Group, Happy Fish and Tangaroa Blue Foundation.

For more information and to pledge to be plastic-free, visit www.secondnature.org.au/plastic_free_july, or call Leslie Mallinson on 90838106.