Rianti Bieler at Boomerang Alliance

Rianti Bieler

Rianti Bieler published Container Refunds now law in VIC in Latest News 2021-12-03 12:25:41 +1100

Container Refunds now law in VIC

Last night the Victorian Parliament passed a new law to set up drink bottle and can refunds (CDS) to stop the litter and maximise recycling. At last!
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Rianti Bieler published ABC Breakfast - Big W Flouts QLD Plastic Ban in Latest News 2021-11-23 10:48:37 +1100

ABC Breakfast - Big W Flouts QLD Plastic Ban

In a shocking exercise of corporate irresponsibility, BIG W has continued to sell banned single-use plastics in Queensland. They have greenwashed previous one-off items as "reusable", when the clear intent of the law is to remove them from supermarket shelves - to be replaced with genuinely reusable items.
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Rianti Bieler published Industry Packaging Covenant admits failure on national targets in Plastic Pollution 2021-11-18 17:44:39 +1100

Industry Packaging Covenant admits failure on national targets
Rianti Bieler published Industry Packaging Covenant admits failure on national targets in Latest News 2021-11-18 17:36:04 +1100

Industry Packaging Covenant admits failure on national targets

Industry based Australian Packaging Covenant (APC) released a major review today but almost all of Australia's key packaging waste and recycling targets are on the path to failure.

The report is a shocking indictment of the voluntary nature of the targets which are to be met by 2025 and reinforces our call for mandatory targets. This is the only rational response to the revelations that recovery of plastic packaging will miss the 70% goal by a large amount; and recycled content of plastic packaging is 3%, way below the 20% target.

The bright spots on banning single use plastic items and accelerating recovery of drink containers under Container Deposit Schemes are the direct result of legislation, not APC action. The report repeats more of the same mantra about voluntary action to develop more plans, encourage investment and collective action. These are just words. Government needs to step in to stop the waste, protect the environment and get the packaging industry on the path to quick results.’

Under the current situation, we’ll get to 2024 and business will seek an extension of time to reach the targets. That would be unacceptable. The Packaging Covenant has missed too many goals and should not be given another chance. We’ll give them credit for admitting failure and being transparent but that must mean they join with us to craft an effective regulatory response now rather than wait till 2025. Last year we issued a Plan B, for this eventuality and it’s time to put it into action. We also note that other countries such as the UK will be imposing a tax on plastic packaging if it has less than 30% recycled content.
Rianti Bieler published ALP Container Refund Inquiry - dangerous waste of time in Cash For Containers 2021-11-01 09:47:21 +1100

ALP Container Refund Inquiry - dangerous waste of time
Rianti Bieler published TAS Container Refund Scheme in Campaigns 2021-10-28 15:29:44 +1100

Stop TAS ALP from supporting Coca Cola on Container Refund Scheme

UPDATE - 10 MARCH 2022

HISTORIC MOMENT IN CONTAINER REFUNDS BATTLE

The Tasmanian Upper House has just passed the Container Refund Bill unamended. This brings to a close our 18 year battle for all of Australia to have Cash4Containers. Coca Cola had a series of amendments that would have stifled the litter and recycling aims - they FAILED.

UPDATE - 24 FEB 2022

Media Release: TAS Container Refunds Bill - more delay?

UPDATE - 7 FEB 2022

While we ran a successful campaign to stop the ALP/Coke push to have an inquiry into the Container Refund Bill and derail the scheme - the law has still to pass the Upper House (coming up in March 2022). The risk of Coke inspired amendments being put up by the ALP in the first quarter of 2022, remains. Please keep the pressure up on the ALP and message the Leader of the Opposition Rebecca White and the Shadow Minister for Environment Sarah Lovell, to let the Bill pass without amendment.

UPDATE - 26 NOV 2021

We are pleased to report that our efforts and your support have prevented Coca Cola from derailing Tasmania's Container Refund Scheme.

Read the Container Refund Bill - Boomerang Alliance Presentation to Tasmanian Legislative Council

Late last week the Parliament's Upper House rejected an ALP proposal to undertake an inquiry and open the door to the big bottler's alternative model, which would have negatively impacted efforts to reduce litter and increase recycling.

The majority of the LegCo members supported the proven ''split responsibility'' model we have advocated and which the government adopted. Debate on the Bill still needs to be completed and we will watching closely for any further efforts to weaken the scheme by amendments inspired by Coke and Lion.

We'll keep you in touch with our campaign. Tasmania's bottle and can refunds are almost there!

The Tasmanian ALP is working with Coca Cola to defer and derail the Container Refund (CRS) law just introduced into Parliament.

After so many studies, inquiries, petitions and community actions, Tasmania needs to start its CRS (called the ''split responsibility'' model). Yet the ALP want another inquiry via the state’s Upper House and a reassessment of the Coca Cola alternative (called TasRecycle) which has been rejected in Tasmania, Victoria, ACT and NSW, after extensive investigation into how best to maximise recycling and reduce litter and plastic pollution.

We can't let Coke win. We need your urgent support to tell the ALP to join with the community, not Coke. Below is a letter you can send to the Leader of the Opposition and the Shadow Minister for Environment.

Please act today!

Further information:

Regulatory Impact Statement into 2021 Container Refund law

A dangerous waste of time

LGAT Statement (04/02/21)

Government Statement (29/10/21)

SEND A MESSAGE TO THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION & SHADOW MINISTER FOR ENVIRONMENT

You can edit the email subject and add/amend the message. Your email will be sent directly to the Leader of the Opposition Rebecca White and the Shadow Minister for Environment Sarah Lovell.
Rianti Bieler published Wise Up to SUPs in Single-Use Plastics 2021-10-27 12:44:22 +1100
Wise Up to SUPs
There are things we can all do to reduce our use of Single-Use Plastics (those Bad SUPs) - by simply refusing the items many of us can live without eg plastic straws and sauce sachets or remembering to BYO and choosing to re-use (bags, cups, straws, cutlery etc). Beyond our own actions we can also help bring about change in the community by giving positive feedback to businesses, organisations and individuals who are making an effort and encouraging those who aren't there yet to make the change.

As always you can also send a message to our Environment Ministers, State and Federal to tell them why you care about single-use plastics and the plastic waste and pollution they contribute to. Use email, social media and even request an appointment.

Persistence pays of and you really do make a difference! If you would like to take action with others consider volunteering with us.

TAKE ACTION

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, ACT and WA have earned congratulations for getting the ball rolling on SUP phase outs and need to keep up the momentum. NSW finally has released it's Plastic Action Plan and we await legislation. But VIC, TAS, 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
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Rianti Bieler published At last! NSW moves on plastic ban in Latest News 2021-10-22 09:21:53 +1100

At last! NSW moves on plastic ban

NSW is now starting to catch up with other states with legislation introduced into Parliament this week to ban a range of single use plastic items and it's a welcome move.
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Rianti Bieler published At last! NSW moves on plastic ban in Plastic Pollution 2021-10-22 09:01:54 +1100

At last! NSW moves on plastic ban
Rianti Bieler published Big W flouts QLD Plastic Ban in Plastic Pollution 2021-10-05 12:02:44 +1100

Big W flouts QLD Plastic Ban
Rianti Bieler published Marine Plastic Treaty in Campaigns 2021-10-05 10:47:09 +1100
We need an effective Marine Plastic Treaty
UPDATE: 3 MARCH 2022

The 174 nations including Australia get a big tick for agreeing to develop a global plastic pollution treaty. The resolution coming out of negotiations in Nairobi has now established the framework of a binding treaty, that will address the full lifecycle of plastic including production and design as well as waste and pollution. This is a set-back for the fossil fuel sector who wanted to limit agreements to waste and litter issues, but who will no doubt continue their lobbying.

Fulfillment of the intention to finalise a treaty by 2024 can’t come soon enough. In the interim, jurisdictions like those in Australia should continue to enact strong plastic use and waste reduction laws. An effective treaty is predicted to reduce plastic pollution by 80% by 2040; and virgin plastic use by 55%* - but it is essential nations curb these drivers even faster. Australia is well placed to do this to protect our oceans and health.

Including production and design in the treaty was crucial. Without this, some could ignore their obligations and affected countries would be condemned to perpetually cleaning up plastic pollution, whilst manufacturers could avoid responsibility for the products they produce.

The Boomerang Alliance acknowledges the positive role the Commonwealth has played in supporting this week’s treaty developments.

What we also now need is action that includes providing funding for clean ups in Northern Australia and, through foreign aid assist countries in our region to both clean up and then recycle plastics, often washed ashore from elsewhere.

We look forward to seeing allocations in the upcoming budget and in the election commitments of the political parties at the next Federal election across a range of measures to combat plastic pollution.

* https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/speech/leap-forward-environmental-action

2021

With an estimated 11 million tonnes of plastic waste entering our oceans every year – global, national and local action is vital to stop this. The Boomerang Alliance is working at all three levels and now we have joined the push for a marine plastic treaty.

Australia, with its vast ocean estate and place in the Indo-Pacific must play an active role.

The good news is that the Australian Government has announced support for a global treaty and is now consulting key groups about its contents. We need an effective and binding contract and Australia should be a leader in the negotiations and strengthen the voice of Pacific nations. We should aim for zero plastic pollution.

The Australian position will be finalised over November-January, with the UN meeting in February, 2022.

We are asking for your help by contacting PM Scott Morrison and Environment Minister, Sussan Ley through their online contact forms.

You can use the following points and easy links to contact the government:
- Thank you for supporting a global treaty on marine plastic pollution.
- We need a treaty with ambitious targets to stop plastic pollution that also provides investment and support for countries without adequate waste prevention and recycling; and is enforceable.
- I hope that the Australian Government can lead by convincing other nations to join and support an effective treaty that will quickly bring plastic pollution under control.
Rianti Bieler published Boag gets it wrong on Container Deposit Scheme in Latest News 2021-09-20 13:48:54 +1000

Boag gets it wrong on Container Deposit Scheme

Claims by James Boag's Brewery that the scheme selected for Tasmania’s container deposit scheme (CDS) on drink containers will lead to higher than necessary prices claimed in the Advocate (16/9/21) are completely wrong.
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Rianti Bieler published Boag gets it wrong on Container Deposit Scheme in Plastic Pollution 2021-09-20 10:05:31 +1000

Boag gets it wrong on Container Deposit Scheme
Rianti Bieler published Contact Us 2021-09-02 14:47:10 +1000

Contact Us

Tell us what you think about our work.
Any questions or comments? We'll get back to you as soon as possible.

The Boomerang Alliance

PO Box K61
Haymarket, NSW 1240

Tel: (02) 9280 2130

[email protected]

Media Enquiries

If you are interested in arranging interviews with Boomerang Alliance spokesperson, please email [email protected]
Rianti Bieler published The Great Plastic Rescue in Latest News 2021-09-01 10:24:04 +1000

The Great Plastic Rescue

A solution for Excess Plastics Packaging in Queensland after 1 September 2021

Queensland ban starts today! From 1 September 2021 these plastic items cannot be supplied by shops and cafes or at public events In Queensland.

Read more
Rianti Bieler published SUPtember Calendar 2021-09-01 10:06:24 +1000

SUPtember Calendar

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Start off the month by completing a quick SUP survey about your current habits with Single-Use Plastics. Try and remember to do the SUP Survey again at the end of the month - the link is on 30 SUPtember :) Also get set up for SUPtember by ordering your Good SUP, Bad SUP postcards.

Celebrate Queensland's new SUP ban starting today!

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Pledge to say no to plastic shopping bags, take your re-usables. Make sure you have your re-usable bags in your car boot or in your carry bag. And check out Tim Minchin in all his glory shouting "Take Your Canvas Bag to the Supermarket!!"

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Clean Up Australia is calling on all Australians to Step Up and make a pledge towards reducing their waste contribution. There are so many ways to Step Up! And together we can all be part of the solution. Share your Step Up action by taking a selfie, sharing it and tagging @CleanUpAustralia #StepUptoCleanUp

Step Up to Clean Up on YouTube

If you live north of the Tropic of Capricorn, step up and register for The Great Northern Clean Up. It has been an annual event in September since 2009, giving communities north of the Tropic of Capricorn the flexibility to participate in clean up events in the cooler months, after the peak tourist period and prior to the cyclone season.

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SUPport your local bag share group - do you have a Boomerang Bag group near you? Check out the Boomerang Bag shop to support this awesome Australian community group. Short on bags? Order one from Boomerang Bags.

Featured local bag share group: Lane Cove Sustainability Action Group Bag Share Program

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Paddle NSW is organising paddle-based clean ups at various location across NSW. For more information visit their website or email [email protected]

For those of you who don't live near a planned clean up paddle, you can Take3 For the Sea - Take 3 pieces of rubbish with you when you leave the beach, waterway or anywhere and you have made a difference!

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ReefClean is a project coordinated by Tangaroa Blue Foundation and funded through the Australian Government’s Reef Trust focused on the removal and prevention of marine debris across the Great Barrier Reef. ReefClean connects community members, indigenous rangers, schools, government agencies, local businesses and organisations in addressing one of biggest threats to our oceans. There are many events throughout September so sign up on!

For those of you who don't live near the Great Barrier Reef, have a read how plastics have become a growing threat to coral reefs.

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Straw no more! Pledge to say no to plastic straws - take a re-usable straw if you need one.

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Find local suppliers of re-usable and paper straws, don't be tricked by oxo-degradable plastic straws!* Here's one example of a paper straw supplier.

*Oxo-degradable is a conventional plastic mixed with an additive in order to imitate biodegradation. Oxo-degradable plastics quickly fragment into smaller and smaller pieces, called microplastics, but don’t break down at the molecular or polymer level like biodegradable and compostable plastics. The resulting microplastics are left in the environment indefinitely until they eventually fully break down.

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Do you live in or near Manly, NSW? Join us on the 1st and 3rd Saturday’s of the month at 9am (or 10am in winter), for a free community cleanup at Manly Cove. We provide bags and gloves for those who wish to cleanup on the beach, and encourage you to bring swimmers and goggles for a cleanup beneath the surface. Floating debris can be collected by SUP or kayak and our friends at Manly Kayak Centre will happily hire you one. Come dressed for the method of cleanup you prefer! Email [email protected] to register.

For those of you who don't live in the area, do a Take3 For the Sea - Take 3 pieces of rubbish with you when you leave the beach, waterway or anywhere and you have made a difference.

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Pick up any SUP litter today and send a photo to your local state MP and Environment Minister, ie. via email or tag them on Facebook and Twitter. Check our July Newsletter to see which SUPs your state is banning and when. Thank them for taking action and tell them where you found the bad SUP and why it is so important to phase out SUPs in your state ASAP.

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What YOU can do to be exSTRAWdinary! Ask for no straw - Most drinks can be drunk without a straw these days. Plus, it's a great way to start a conversation with your bartender about the impact of plastic straws! BYO reusable straw - You can carry a metal, bamboo or glass straw with you for those occasions when you really want a straw. Chat to venues - As a customer, you have more power than you think. Let your favourite bar or cafe know you'd love for them to stop using plastic straws. You can even visit them with a few Plastic Free Resources to help them get started.

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Talk to your local soccer/netball/footy club about any SUPs they are using. Can you help them find alternatives? (Refer to your research on Tuesday :)

Follow the example of great local sports clubs like Brunswick junior Football Club.

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Beach Patrol has created a phone app to record the collection of the top 24 SUP items for any group or individual to use called Litter Stopper. Free to download from Apple AppStore and Google Play Store. The person entering the data gets sent a copy of the data as well to a central server. Instructions are on the front page of the app.

You can see the results of all the collections on the Litter Stopper website with some interesting basic analysis on the View summary page. Download the data from the website too if you wish to use it.

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Pledge to say no to takeaway plastic foodware, eg. trays, cutlery and especially polystyrene. Plan ahead and take your own container and cutlery if you are eating out and use the Good SUP, Bad SUP cards.

Give local businesses a Good SUP, Bad SUP card to thank or encourage them to switch from bad SUPs to re-usable or compostable alternatives.

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Ask your local school to try alternatives to any of the single use plastic items that they use in the canteen or office. Check out the Ocean Friendly Business program run by the Surfrider Foundation - can your local school canteen meet the challenge?

Get some good ideas to help your school canteen go plastic free from Plastic Free July.

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Find local suppliers of paper, sugarcane, and other compostable alternatives to plastic foodware items. So Shire have a good page of suppliers to check out. Find out if your Council or a local company offers a Food Organics, Garden Organics (FOGO) service, that accepts certified compostable items with the food scraps.

Extra challenge: Find out about what the Australian Home Composting Standard and Industrial Composting Standards mean.

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Pick up any SUP litter today and send a photo to your local state MP and Environment Minister, ie. via email or tag them on Facebook and Twitter. Check our July Newsletter to see which SUPs your state is banning and when. Thank them for taking action and tell them where you found the bad SUP and why it is so important to phase out SUPs in your state ASAP.

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Visit your local cafe/restaurant and talk to them about SUPs - If they are bad-SUP-free give them a big thank you! If they are still using bad SUPs encourage them to make the switch to reusables or compostable items. Give them a Good SUP, Bad SUP card - either a Gratitude card or a Be the Change card, available from Boomerang Alliance Online Shop.

Also check our Boomerang Alliance Plastic Free Places program for some guides on how to be a Plastic Free Business.

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Be inspired by Clean Up the World stories.

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Find out about the great national citizen science program AUSMAP. "It’s hard to solve a problem you can’t see. So we’re putting microplastic pollution on the map!"

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Pledge to say no to single use beverage cups and bottled water and take your own reusable cup and bottle. Be inspired by the story of Bundanoon in NSW, the world's first bottled water free town in 2009! Also find out how the Bottled Water Free Town idea came about.

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If you haven't got a reusable cup, it's time to get one! A lot of local businesses and councils are selling or even giving away re-usable cups. Or dust off the one in your cupboard and remember to take it when you are out and about. Be assured that washing a re-usable cup is safe. Learn about the "contactless pour" if your local coffee shop is concerned. Find out about Covid-safe coffees.

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Check out if there is a plastic free group active near you and if there isn't one yet consider getting one started. Small groups of people can make a big difference. Together you can encourage your local council to take action and sign up to Plastic Free Places, or start with a trial. Be inspired by groups like SO SHIRE/Plastic Free Sutherland in the Sutherland Shire of NSW (where the Prime Minister lives!) and Seaside Scavenge who are running creative events around the country.

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Pick up any littered coffee cups, lids or other cup rubbish today and send a photo to your local state MP and Environment Minister, ie. via email or tag them on Facebook and Twitter. Check our July Newsletter to see which SUPs your state is banning and when. Thank them for taking action and tell them where you found the bad SUP and why it is so important to phase out SUPs in your state ASAP.

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Have you cashed in your eligible bottles and cans for 10c REFUNDS? Find your nearest collection point, Return and Earn Reverse Vending Machine or automated depot where can take large number of bottles/cans. If you're in Victoria or Tasmania, write to your State Environment Minister Lily D'Ambrosio (VIC) and Roger Jaensch (TAS) and encourage them to get a wriggle on. They are committed to bringing in a Container Refund System so thank them and tell them why you think it is important. We want a system that maximises recycling, reduces litter and helps charities raise money. Find the link to their contact details on every Friday on the calendar.

Read about the Cash for Container journey.

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The Clean Up Australia PLOG-A-THON is the perfect way to get out in your local area. Socially responsible, physically distant exercise that leads to a cleaner environment and community - what's not to love?

The PLOG-A-THON is a great way to burn off energy, get the whole family involved – and raise funds for Clean Up Australia. All participants will pay a $20 registration fee and receive a plogging kit containing gloves, hand sanitiser and bags. As with traditional walk-a-thons and other fun runs, you can register as an individual or join a virtual team, setting targets for fundraising, distance covered and litter collection.

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World Rivers Day is a celebration of the world’s waterways, every year on the 4th Sunday in September. It highlights the many values of our rivers, strives to increase public awareness, and encourages the improved stewardship of all rivers around the world. Rivers in virtually every country face an array of threats, and only through our active involvement can we ensure their health in the years ahead.

Be inspired by groups who care for their local river, like the Mudcrabs, the Mullets with the Cooks River and around the world.

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Pledge to get out and enjoy and look after our waterways by spreading the word about the importance of not using bad SUPs. We totally encourage you to try good SUPs (Stand-Up Paddleboards if you can) - there are heaps of small businesses giving lessons, hiring SUPs and community groups you can join to get out on the water. Check out where you can paddle in your state or territory and visit their respective websites: Paddle NSW, Paddle VIC, Paddle QLD, Paddle SA, Paddle TAS and Paddle Australia.

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Write to your local paper (snail mail, email or on social media) and your State Environment Minister to tell them what you have done during SUPtember. Send a copy to [email protected] so we can include stories and photos in our Boomerang Alliance newsletter.

Join with other SUPporters of the Boomerang Alliance in regular actions, letter-writing and consider being a financial supporter if you are able. Maybe you are a Plastic Free Champion? or Zero Waste Hero? Keep up to date with us by signing up to our newsletter.

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Last survey - whether or not you completed the SUP Survey at the start of the month, please complete our quick SUP survey about your current habits with Single-Use Plastics. Have you made any or many changes during the month?

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're a busy person, just do what you can, every small action matters!

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Rianti Bieler published SUPtember 2021-09-01 00:15:28 +1000
SUPtember
As part of the Boomerang Alliance Zero Plastic Pollution Campaign, we are celebrating SUPTEMBER again! 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'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, ACT and WA have earned congratulations for getting the ball rolling on SUP phase outs and need to keep up the momentum. NSW finally has released it's Plastic Action Plan and we await legislation. But VIC, TAS, 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
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Rianti Bieler published QLD Plastic Ban Tour 2021 in Latest News 2021-07-29 13:00:25 +1000

Qld Plastic Ban Tour 2021

Information sessions for community groups who use disposable single-use packaging to learn how to comply with the QLD Plastic Ban.
Read more
Rianti Bieler published Balloon Release Ban Petition in Plastic Pollution 2021-07-29 10:23:33 +1000
DANGEROUS BALLOON LITTER SHOULD BE STOPPED ACROSS AUSTRALIA
What goes up must come down! Let’s stop the release of helium balloons that are harming or killing marine animals and birds.

While a few states are taking some steps to act - we need the Australian continent and oceans to be fully protected.

The Boomerang Alliance has prepared an action plan* calling for:
- laws to prevent the release of helium balloons
- governments ensuring compliance with those laws
- restricting the sale of balloon helium at the retail level to registered balloon industry suppliers
- requiring professional event managers to educate attendees, stop any releases and ensure correct balloon disposal.
By signing onto the letter below to your Environment Minister – we can convince all state and territory governments to stop this pollution.
Please support our call for a nationwide ban on helium balloon releases.

*Check out Boomerang Alliance's action plan
Rianti Bieler published Recycle Right Victoria: Say YES to a Clean CDS in Past Campaigns 2021-07-26 14:52:00 +1000
Recycle Right Victoria: Say YES to a Clean CDS
UPDATE: 14 April 2021

GREAT NEWS: Victoria announces ‘Split Responsibility Model’ Container Deposit Scheme

We did it!!!

We are thrilled to inform you that the Victorian government has today confirmed their choice of a “split responsibility” Container Deposit Scheme.

They’ve listened to the community and rejected the disinformation campaign by the big bottlers, Coke and Lion and their lobby group VicRecyle.

Our research into the various types of schemes here in Australia and overseas shows that the chosen ‘’split responsibility’’ model (Coordinator and Network Operators) is best practise.

It sets up the right allocation of responsibilities so that the system can grow, be accountable, accessible and deliver multiple benefits for decades. It’s based on the NSW approach where there has been very significant involvement of charities and small businesses; billions of drink containers returned; and very accessible refund points.

We’ve been campaigning for Australia to be entirely covered by container deposit schemes and today’s announcement fully achieves this. In fact Australia is the first continent on the planet to do this. There will be remarkable environmental, employment, recycling and charity benefits.

Today’s announcement is the result of an incredible community effort with 117 organisations signing our open letter and over 51 000 Victorians signing our petition in support of a split responsibly model.

A big thank you - this would not have happened without your ongoing support!

#RecycleRightVictoria #StopBigBeverage #SayYesCDS

For years our community campaigned for a 10c container deposit scheme (CDS) to clean up Victoria’s parks, streets, waterways and ocean, and finally the Victorian government has confirmed it will be introduced by 2023.

Now, Victoria has a chance to make a real difference to the environment, recycling and jobs with the future CDS — if the right decision about how the scheme will operate is made. The government is due to decide who will control the CDS, and the four-week consultation period with the public is open until 30 November 2020.

Say yes to a clean CDS

The choice is clear.

Coke and XXXX Gold and Powerade want a CDS in VIC as a "community (producer responsibility) model" which means fewer refund points and depots and less opening hours so they can minimise the number of returns and their cost of having to pay 10c to customers and handling fees to recyclers.

What we want the VIC Government to do is the "split responsibility model" with a sole focus on recycling that prevents big drink company control, to ensure maximum convenience to achieve the biggest number of beverage containers returned and refunds back to consumers, communities and charities.

The Victorian government says it prefers a split responsibility model but we know the makers of Coke, XXX and Powerade are fighting for their alternative, less effective model and have big pockets to fund their campaign.

These companies are some of the world’s biggest plastic polluters, and they campaigned relentlessly against the introduction of a CDS in Victoria. They are campaigning to profit from a scheme they never wanted.

Check out a comparison between the two models exposing the misinformation being propagated by Coke and friends.

As the last mainland state to implement a CDS, Victoria has a chance to learn from the mistakes and successes of the other states.

We need to recycle right Victoria. Join us in saying yes to a clean CDS.

You can do three things to help - sign the petition to stop big beverage controlling the CDS, endorse our open letter (if you're an organisation or community groups) AND send a message to key MPs.

WHAT IS CDS?

The CDS will allow Victorians to swap empty cans and bottles for a 10c refund per container. This kind of recycling initiative is already in place in all other mainland states in Australia. We have reviewed the schemes in Queensland, Western Australia and New South Wales to assess their effectiveness.

Container deposit schemes also provide much-needed fundraising opportunities for thousands of community groups, sporting clubs and charities, through the collection and returning of containers, management of collection points or donation partner opportunities.

For more information on how a CDS works read our fact sheet below.

NEWS

Exposing Coke's misinformation

InsideWaste Article - 30 Nov 2020

Media Release - 12 Nov 2020

Media Release - 2 Nov 2020

Download the Fact Sheet

10 key attributes to the best CDS practice
Boomerang Alliance is actively campaigning for Zero Plastic Pollution.

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

Policies for Action

Plastic Free Places

Cut the Wrap

Cash for Containers

Reusable Containers

We would not have been able to do all these works without your support. Please consider making a donation so we can continue our fight against plastic pollution.

Rianti Bieler

Web Designer

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