Community and environment groups with hundreds of thousands of members in Victoria are mobilising to stop beverage giants Lion and Coca Cola from taking control of Victoria’s soon-to-implemented Container Refund Scheme (CRS).

As part of the Boomerang Alliance Zero Plastic Pollution Campaign, we are launching SUPTEMBER! A whole month dedicated to getting rid of Single Use Plastics by inspiring and mobilising our supporters to take action. 

TAKE ACTION

SUPTEMBER CALENDAR

Visit our SUPtember Calendar where every day for 30 days, you will be challenged to take a pledge or a small action to refuse Single Use Plastic items. If you have young children, you may like to visit the Ocean Action Pod SUPtember Calendar also, where your kids can challenge themselves to be Ocean Action Heroes. 

If you're a busy person, just do what you can. Every small action matters!

Take on the challenge

SEND A GRATITUDE CARD 

Are there cafes or restaurants in your local area who have done the right thing and got rid of single-use plastic cutlery/coffee cups/straws/take away containers? Send them Gratitude cards to let them know that their effort hasn't gone unnoticed and is much appreciated. They can stick it on their wall as a badge of honour too!

The cards come in a pack of 10 or 25 and can be bought from our online store.

Buy a pack of Gratitude cards | More Information & FAQs

SEND A BE THE CHANGE CARD

If your local cafes or restaurants are still using single-use plastic items, why not send them Be the Change cards to encourage them to switch to reusable or compostable alternatives. You can also point them to our Covid-19 Plastic Free Guide which will help them choose the right products. 

The cards come in a pack of 10 or 25 and can be bought from our online store.

Buy a pack of Be the Change cards | More Information & FAQs

SEND A MESSAGE TO YOUR ENVIRONMENT MINISTER

SA, QLD and ACT have earned congratulations for getting the ball rolling on SUP phase outs and need to keep up the momentum. But NSW, VIC, TAS, WA and NT are still not taking action in phasing out Single Use Plastics and we need your help to send them a message of encouragement!

While you're at it, maybe attach a few photos of littered SUPs that you've picked up?

Use our email template | Find the contact detail of your State Environment Minister

RESOURCES

• Download Good SUP & Bad SUP Facebook Banner
  
  

REPORTS

• WWF: The States of Plastics in Australia 2020
• WWF: Single Use Plastics Report 2020
• Nine News Australia: Plastic Problems
• Tasmania Backs the Use of BYO Cups and Containers
• Queensland Introduces Plastic Ban Into Parliament
• Plastic Free Places Guide
• ABC News: Coronavirus lockdown spurs growth in single-use plastics

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BOOMERANG ALLIANCE Good SUP, Bad SUP Cards - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What are you trying to achieve with your SUP cards?

The aim of our Good SUP, Bad SUP cards is to make it easy for community members to express gratitude to businesses making an effort to go Single-Use Plastic (Bad SUP) free or to politely encourage businesses who are still using Single-Use Plastics to make the switch to re-usable or compostable. Two good examples of Re-usable options include Green Caffeen and Globelet.
For single-use items look for accredited compostable items that will have the Australian Standard AS5810 (home compostable) or AS4736 (commercial compostable) on the label.

How do people use the SUP Gratitude Cards?

If you know a local business that has taken action to reduce or remove Single Use Plastics (bad SUPs) eg plastic straws, plastic cutlery or polystyrene, simply give them a Boomerang Alliance 'SUP Gratitude card' with a personal thank you message and share the news with Boomerang Alliance and your friends on social media. These businesses deserve our support and are leading the way in what will hopefully become the norm and help put an end to plastic pollution. The card is designed so that they can display it on their counter or wall, to share the love and thank their customers for their support.

How do people use the SUP Be the Change Cards?

If you know a local business that is using Single-Use Plastics (bad SUPs) eg plastic straws, plastic cutlery or polystyrene you can give them a Boomerang Alliance 'SUP Be the Change' card to encourage them to make the change to re-usable or compostable alternatives. The card has the Plastic Free Places website address on it to help them find out more about the alternatives and the greenwash products to be avoided. Check it out yourself: https://www.plasticfreeplaces.org/

We know businesses like cafes and restaurants are busy places and staff often don't have time for a chat so a card can be referred to later when they have time. If they receive cards from several people they will know their customers will support them taking action and appreciate their efforts to reduce plastic pollution.

Can we make our own posters or signs to promote the message to Wise Up to SUP's?

YES! We would love you to do that. You can download the front and back pages of the Gratitude card and the Be the Change card here (right click on the image and save it in your computer):

Gratitude Card

Be the Change Card

What if Cafes receive several or lots of cards?

Ideally that is exactly what will happen. In communities where the cards are available ....and the community is engaged in the campaign... businesses may receive multiple cards. That's great!

If they receive multiple Be the Change cards then we hope that will provide the encouragement that they need to re-think their next order of bad SUPs, look at the Plastic Free Places website, seek advice if needed (Plastic Free Places now offer 45minute consultations) and ask their suppliers for non plastic alternatives - knowing that their customers will notice and thank them for helping reduce potential plastic pollution.

Can we send you some feedback or suggestions for using the SUP cards?

YES! Your suggestions are most welcome. If you have come up with a good way to spread the bad SUP message please let us know so we can share it with others.
You can email [email protected] with any feedback.

BUY THE CARDS AT THE BOOMERANG ALLIANCE ONLINE STORE

The Boomerang Alliance Plastic Free Townsville program was officially launched today (6 August, 2020) by Queensland Minister for the Environment, Leeanne Enoch. The program is funded by the Queensland Government, and supports the State Government's agenda to eliminate plastic takeaway litter and waste.

We believe that the primary objectives of a Container Refund Scheme (CRS) should include:

• Grow community benefits by providing sustainable income to charities and other NFP community organisations
• Significantly reduce litter from beverage containers
• Increase recycling of containers
• Create new jobs and business opportunities in resource recovery

Our aim is to rapidly accelerate adoption of reusable and refillable foodware and containers by product providers, business and consumers. Apart from avoiding single use plastics in the first place, the next best solution is to reuse containers. This eliminates waste and ensures containers stay in use for as long as possible.

We have identified five scenarios on which to focus. Whilst food safety standards do prevent unmanaged reusable container use, properly designed services are available and active in Australia and around the world that show it can be done.

The International Standard (ISO 1860:2013) outlines the requirements of reusable packaging to reduce its environmental footprint (compared to single use) and be designed to achieve a minimum number of trips or rotations.

Our Goals

1. Events
   
   
   • All public events to adopt reusable/refillable foodware policies that support reusables and, where possible, incorporate reusable/returnable container services into operations.
     
     
   • Every national, state, local jurisdiction should include reusable/refillable foodware policies for any events they manage or for any events that require permits or funding support (by 2021).
     
     
   • Reusable Foodware policies for events should be based upon a continuous improvement approach and initially focus on the use of reusable/returnable/refillable foodware provision by event organisers and vendors and the introduction of reusable/returnable containers for product transport by suppliers.
     
     
2. Takeaway outlets
   
   
   • Food outlets allow/ initiate customer returnable/refillable services for takeaway food and drink
     
     
3. Supermarkets/retail
   
   
   • Major supermarkets to introduce returnable/refillable container service for their customers to access delicatessen and identified other food services by 2021.
     
     
4. Specific controlled environments
   
   
   • All government office precincts (that include food outlets) to introduce (or include in new or renewed vendor contracts) a requirement to allow/promote returnable/refillable foodware services or earlier with agreement of vendors. (Other office precincts are encouraged to implement similar requirements)
   • Other locations (e.g. universities, public institutions) to initiate returnable/refillable service and networks where under management control.
     
     
5. Transport (ISO 22984)
   
   
   • Manufacturers, retailers and transport logistics companies can introduce reusable/returnable containers for bulk deliveries now. These should be introduced coupled with investment and research to investigate further reusable/returnable container use in the future.

Our aim is to ensure that problematic and unnecessary single use plastic packaging is eliminated by supermarkets and other retailers. In keeping with the national target, all plastic packaging needs to be avoided where unnecessary or reused, composted or recycled.

For any plastic packaged product to be labelled as reusable, compostable or recyclable, it must be able to demonstrate that it is indeed reused, composted or recycled.

Boomerang Alliance is campaigning to ensure this happens and the national packaging goals for 2025 are met.

Our Goals

• All retailers to phase-out excessive plastic packaging, firstly of fresh food and vegetables, followed by other non-putrescible and ‘brand’ products (continuous improvement).

• Where packaging cannot be avoided, switch to packaging that will be reused, composted or recycled based upon accepted standards at scale, across multiple regions

• Take action to eliminate unnecessary single-use packaging items through re-design, innovation or alternative packaging

• Phase out expanded polystyrene

• Remove single use plastics from outdoor activities/picnic sections and replace with reusable/compostable alternatives (reusable/certified compostable coffee cups, cups, plates, other foodware)

• Introduce plastic free aisles/areas for fresh fruit and veg

• Encourage the use of reusable containers at the butcher, deli, etc. and use reusable/returnable containers and bags for delivery services

• Negotiate with suppliers on their use of plastic packaging to eliminate unnecessary packaging

• Set new requirements for internal bulk supplies that reduce plastic packaging waste through reusable/returnable supply containers and ensuring that all discarded packaging is composted or recycled

Our aim is the introduction of legislation and financial supports to solve Australia's plastic pollution problems – creating a 'circular economy'. Action needs to be mainstream – not pilots and case studies that work at the edge of society and the economy.

Like many jurisdictions around the world, Australia has committed to a target of all packaging being either reusable, compostable or recyclable by 2025. Achieving this means focusing on avoiding and reducing unnecessary single use plastics; and reusing, composting or recycling the rest. The landfilling, incineration or energy recovery of plastic wastes is rejected by Boomerang and key experts and jurisdictions as part of a circular economy approach.

Our Goals

1. A strengthened Product Stewardship Act 2011 to specifically address plastic packaging and mandate national targets.
   
   
2. Addressing greenwash labelling to ensure that all packaging labelled as reusable, compostable or recyclable will be reused, composted or recycled in practice and at scale.
   
   
3. The phase-out of problematic and unnecessary plastics by supporting best practice legislation by state and territory jurisdictions, and continue the process, through continuous improvement, to deal with other problem plastics.
   
   
4. A ban on the export of waste plastics, but coupled with the provision of Commonwealth and State investment in modernised composting and recycling facilities, and the setting of consistent recycled content procurement policies in all Australian jurisdictions.
   
   
5. Ensuring circular economy principles, and practices are applied, in all national and state/territory waste policies and programs.
   
   
6. The banning of plastic packaging from landfill, incinerators and waste-to-energy facilities before 2025 in all jurisdictions.
   
   
7. Pressuring all jurisdictions to apply effective and consistent waste avoidance and resource recovery practices. This includes a particular focus on effective plastic bag bans (New South Wales and updating older laws in other states and addressing thicker bags) and best practice container refund schemes (Victoria and Tasmania).
   
   
8. The introduction of a national/state-engaged Plastic Pollution Reduction Plan to address single use plastics in the home, away from home, in agriculture, in business and industry and in the marine environment, including a strategy of continuous improvement.
   
   
9. Fund research into the extent, sources and impacts of plastics/micro-plastics on the environment and human and wildlife health. This should include the establishment of citizen science programs that add to scientific understanding and litter data collection.
   
   
10. Increase funding support for marine and litter clean-ups. Support Commonwealth direct involvement and resourcing of global initiatives that reduce plastic use and litter generation. Assist regional neighbours with litter clean-up activities and economic development programs centred on plastics recovery and recycling.

'At least 8 million tonnes of plastic leak into the ocean every year. By 2025 the oceans will contain one tonne of plastic for every three tonnes of fish and by 2050 more plastic than fish' - Joint EM Foundation/World Economic Forum Report Davos 2016

Globally 95% of all plastic packaging is used once and then wasted, often as litter. In Australia we recycle 9% of plastic (with just 16% of plastic packaging recovered). The CSIRO reports that 'three-quarters of the marine debris found along our coastline is plastic, most from local sources.'

According to the latest CleanUp Australia Report (2019), plastic represents 31% of all litter collected. Plastic bag litter remains unacceptably high despite state (with the exception of NSW) and supermarkets bans. Heavyweight plastic bags are still available in all states and territories.

Virtually all of this discarded plastic does not decompose but, over time, ‘breaks up’ into ever smaller pieces (microplastics). The marine plastic problem is both about the plastic litter we can see and the plastic litter we can’t. It accumulates in the environment, year on year.

Australia needs to solve this problem, urgently. Over the next 24 months to 2022 we will be campaigning for governments to implement the legal and financial instruments to achieve a significant reduction in plastic pollution.

Source: Clean Up Australia Report, 2019

Our goals

• To transition to a zero-waste society by leveraging strategic opportunities to drive best practice resource efficiency, recovery and recycling.
  
  
• To eliminate unnecessary and problematic single use plastics from use.
  
  
• To cut 70% of Australia’s contribution to plastic pollution entering the oceans (before 2025).

Our Five key programs

The NSW government has just released a discussion paper Cleaning Up Our Act: Redirecting the Future Plastics in NSW. The paper seeks public views on what action NSW should be doing to address plastic pollution in the State. 

Did you know that 75% of marine debris found around the coastline of Australia is plastic, and comes from local land-based sources?

Boomerang’s Director, Jeff Angel attended the National Plastic Summit recently and reports some momentum on action was evident, but current commitments are unlikely to be enough. Read about the 5 core actions we advocated and the updates on our other campaigns. Enjoy our latest newsletter!

Did you know that 75% of marine debris found around the coastline of Australia is plastic, and comes from local land-based sources?

The New South Wales Government has released its Cleaning Up Our Act- Redirecting the Future of Plastics in NSW Discussion Paper. It is seeking your views on how plastic waste and litter could be reduced, with four outcomes:

• The phase-out of single use plastics
• Tripling the proportion of plastics recycled in NSW by 2030
• Reducing plastic litter by 25% by 2025
• Making NSW a leader in plastic research and innovation

A welcome, long awaited promise is to phase-out lightweight plastic shopping bags (less than 35 microns thick, including those made from degradable and 'compostable' plastic).

You can read the discussion paper and respond via their simple or longer survey at https://yoursay.dpie.nsw.gov.au/plastics-plan - we encourage you to make a submission (closing date 8 May). You can make an individual submission by sending your views (key points below) to - [email protected].

The more submissions that support a single use plastics phase-out, the more likely it is to happen. Please act as soon as possible.

SUBMISSION TEMPLATE

I support urgent action to eliminate problematic and unnecessary single use plastics in NSW, including:

• A ban of lightweight plastic bags (including degradable and ‘compostable’ bags) in 2020
• A ban on single-use plastic takeaway items such as straws, stirrers, cutlery, plates/bowls, coffee cups/lids, containers and heavyweight plastic bags in 2021
• An immediate ban on polystyrene cups, bowls and containers
• An investigation into and future policies designed to reduce other single use plastics in the home, in retail, business and industry, agriculture and used in the marine environment

Your Name and address

Back to March 2020 Newsletter page >>

End of life mattress recovery, recycling and refurbishment is a valuable activity that delivers significant environmental and economic benefits. For every tonne of used mattress material recycled there is an estimated 1.5tonnes of Co2‐e savings in greenhouse gas material and some 25M3 (cubic metres) of landfill space preserved.

Did you know that a tyre dump on fire can burn for months and even years, spewing toxic pollution into the air?  Tyres are also the perfect habitat for disease carrying mosquitos, and have been implicated in the spread of dengue and ross river fever. Tyres are recognised internationally as one of the most hazardous wastes.

Enregistrer

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On Saturday 14th December 2019. Hon. David Speirs MP, Minister for Environment and Water, launched the Plastic Free SA project.

At the launch, South Australia’s first 'Plastic Free Champion' Brick + Mortar Creative, was identified using the Boomerang Alliance's Plastic Free Places guidelines. On hand with the Minister was Boomerang Alliance Director, Jeff Angel, Taryn Hansen, Plastic Free SA Coordinator and Elizabeth Donaldson, Brick + Mortar Creative Director.

Plastic Free Champions are those cafes who have eliminated plastic coffee cups/lids, straws, foodware (cutlery, cups etc), takeaway containers, thick plastic bags and plastic water bottles. They provide reusable foodware instead, and where they can’t, 100% certified compostable packaging.

The Minister also took the opportunity to release the draft Single-use and Other Plastic Products (Waste Avoidance) Bill 2019 for public comment. This proposes a ban on plastic straws, stirrers and cutlery and certain other single use plastics in South Australia. Comments are sought by 7 February 2020.

https://www.greenindustries.sa.gov.au/plastics

Download the media release from Hon David Speirs MP, Minister for Environment and Water

A Boomerang Alliance Backgrounder.

A Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) or refund scheme is in place or planned in all states and territories - except Victoria. Boomerang Alliance continues to campaign for this to change in Victoria.