Every day more than 15,000 single-use coffee cups are thrown away on the Mornington Peninsula (VIC) alone. Single-use takeaway packaging is only used for a few minutes before it tends to end up as litter or landfill, even when it’s compostable.
That’s why Boomerang Alliance is urging residents and visitors to the Peninsula to make the switch to reusable cups, water bottles and bags this summer.
"Simple switches have a big impact," said Birte Moliere from Plastic Free Places, a program managed by Boomerang Alliance and funded by Mornington Peninsula Shire. "The response from the community has been overwhelming with residents and visitors alike eager to support the reuse revolution."
With the support of Plastic Free Places, many Peninsula businesses have responded to community concern over litter by switching from single-use cups to reusables. A new directory of those that actively encourage and incentivise customers to use reusables is being created at www.wastewisepeninsula.org;
"As a father of two young boys, litter-free beaches are very close to my heart," said Peninsula resident Jack. "It only takes a few simple changes to get there."
A Peninsula café owner and Plastic Free Places member said: "I don’t want the packaging that I use in my business to outlive me."
MARK YOUR DIARIES: CELEBRATE BYO CUP DAY WITH COMMONFOLK & HOME GROUND
On BYO Cup Day, local venues are celebrating the reuse revolution and aim to serve 100% of coffees in reusables.
JOIN US FOR BYO CUP DAY LAUNCH:
- FRI 08 December at COMMONFOLK Mornington – 16 Progress Street, Mornington
- SAT 09 December at HOME GROUND Mornington – 22 Robertson Drive, Mornington
DINE IN, BYO OR BORROW TO WIN: Plastic Free Places is running a competition for you to win a beautiful ceramic cup by Peninsula artist Natalie Heriot. To enter, share a photo with a reusable cup and tag @wastewisepeninsula on Facebook or Instagram or submit a photo with your cup.
BYO CUP TO SUPPORT YOUTH AT RISK.
Did you know, each single use cup costs our local venues up to 50c in packaging? When you bring your own cup to HOME GROUND in Mornington, the money saved in packaging supports youth at risk.
Whether it’s lack of public transport, inadequate training or low self belief, the challenge of finding a good job for young locals is very real. HOME GROUND bridges these gaps and provides training & employment pathways for young people at risk.
They also have a big focus on limiting their footprint and have officially joined the Plastic Free Places program with Boomerang Alliance. You can support their mission by making One.Change. When you bring your own cup to this venue the money saved in packaging goes straight back into supporting at risk youth.