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Reducing plastic waste

Below are some of the many initiatives, partnerships, events, businesses, and community actions helping us all work towards a plastic-free future.

As the custodians of 17km of foreshore, we have an obligation to take leadership on protecting our marine environments from the damage caused by plastic waste.

It is estimated that 828 million pieces of litter reach Port Phillip Bay each year, and 74% of this litter is micro-plastics formed from the breakdown of plastic waste.

We recognise the problems caused by plastic pollution here in Bayside and around the world.

Plastic items do not break down completely and can have devastating effects on wildlife including marine birds and mammals, shellfish, and fish. Plastic packaging and materials also contain plastic resin pellets and chemicals that are known to be hazardous to human health and wildlife.

Image of plastic waste floating in the ocean, image of micro-plastics, image of deceased marine bird fill with plastic

 

We all play a role in promoting the health and well-being of our Bayside community by working towards eliminating single-use plastic items from our lifestyle and encouraging the use of reusable alternatives.

We have committed to removing the use of single-use plastic and balloons at our events, and have included this in our Event Guidelines for Community Events.

Simple swaps

Breaking up with single-use plastic doesn’t have to be painful. Here are some simple swaps that can make all the difference in the fight against single-use plastic pollution:

  • Get a reusable coffee cup. If you’ve already got one and forget it, take some ‘me time’ and sit down to enjoy your coffee.
  • Get yourself a refillable drink bottle. Plastic drink bottles are among the most commonly found plastic waste items.
  • Join the growing community who #choosetorefuse plastic straws.
  • Place a set of reusable shopping bags near the front door and in the boot of the car. You can also get reusable fruit and veggie bags.
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Refillable Water Station Locations

We have recently installed water bottle re-filling stations with our bicycle repair stations along the Bay Trail, reducing the need for single-use plastic water bottles.

We also install drinking fountains when facilities, streetscapes and major walking and cycling routes are upgraded. 

Coastal Clean-ups in Bayside

Friends of Bayside Roads operates under the umbrella of the Friends of Bayside Environment Network (BEFN), working to remove litter from our city. Our volunteers patrol each side of about two kilometres of roadside once or twice a week. Follow the links to get involved.

‘Take 3 for the Sea’

You don’t need to be part of a group to do your bit for the environment. Next time you’re at the beach (or anywhere in Bayside!) try ‘taking 3 for the sea’ by picking up three pieces of rubbish when you leave.  

For more information on how to get involved visit: https://www.take3.org/

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You can also snap a ‘before’ and 'after’ shot of your clean up and #TrashTag your efforts.

Responsible Cafés

Contrary to popular belief, takeaway coffee cups are rarely recycled or composted due to inadequate industrial composting facilities and the difficulty of getting the cups and lids there. Most takeaway coffee cups end up in landfill or worse, polluting our marine environments.

There are several cafés in Bayside who offer discounts to customers using re-usable cups, and who also minimise single-use plastic products. To date, there are sixteen ‘Responsible Cafés’ locally in Bayside.

You can support your local Responsible Café and help eliminate single-use plastics by using your re-usable takeaway cup.

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Boomerang Bags

Boomerang Bags is a community-led movement tackling plastic pollution at its source. Volunteers get together to make re-usable ‘boomerang bags’ using recycled materials, providing a fun, unique, and sustainable alternative to plastic shopping bags. The bags are then sold or given away to friends, family, colleagues, and bag-less strangers as a plastic alternative that can be used and reused, or passed on to others in need.

Boomerang Bags Bayside host monthly sewing bees at Black Rock House (34 Ebden St, Black Rock 3193) on the second Sunday of every month, 12pm - 4pm.

To find out more visit http://boomerangbags.org/ or email boomerangbagsbayside@gmail.com

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Plastic Free July: Choose to Refuse

The Plastic Free July campaign raises awareness of our growing global plastic waste problem and supports behaviour change by helping people to #choosetorefuse and avoid single-use plastic.

Whether you're an individual or you'd like to take Plastic Free July to your school, business or organisation, the first step is to register for the Plastic Free July challenge.

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Email us at brighter@bayside.vic.gov.au