The Western Australian Government released its Plan for Plastics yesterday. The plan sets out the government's plastics reduction plans for the 2020-26 period. More immediate plans include the phase-out of identified single use plastics and other SUPs in the medium term (see below). A key identified initiative is a Plastic Free Places program to be introduced in 2021.

In this Queensland election: Which party has the best policies on Plastics and Waste?

Already operating in most states, Tasmania is planning to implement a Container Refund Scheme (CRS) - so it can choose the best type of CRS. We've learnt some lessons from the recent schemes in Queensland and New South Wales, particularly for the needs of urban and regional areas, refund point convenience, cost and charities.

With South Australia, the first state to ban key single-use plastic items such as straws, cutlery and beverage stirrers - it’s now urgent other states also move on this plastic pollution, the Boomerang Alliance of 52 groups said today.

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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Already operating in most states, Victoria is the last to take a Container Refund Scheme (CRS) on board, but that puts it in the position of being able to choose the best type of CRS. We've learnt some lessons from the recent schemes in Queensland and New South Wales, particularly for the needs of urban and regional areas, refund point convenience, cost and charities.

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

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