Single-use Items and Packaging
Phasing out single-use items – plastic or otherwise – is an important step to help reduce waste and protect our environment. Our community and Council recognise the problems being caused by single-use items, packaging and plastic locally and globally.
We have reviewed the Plastic Wise Policy, and created the draft Single-use Items and Packaging Policy. The scope has been expanded:
- to include all Council sites (not just events and markets),
- to increase the items to be phased out, and
- to align the policy with current State Government legislation.
This Policy also aligns with Council's Circular Economy Action Plan 2024-2027 priority areas of avoiding waste, maximising reuse and creating systems change.
We want to feedback on the draft policy from any individuals, groups and clubs who use Council facilities or attend events on Council land.
Take the draft Single-use Items and Packaging Policy survey
Register for the online community information sessions
Background
Single-use items and packaging threaten our natural environment. These items take up valuable landfill space, pose harm to wildlife, pollute the environment, and contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.
Our Plastic Wise Events and Markets Policy was introduced in 2016, and following an extensive review with community and market stakeholders, was updated in October 2018, and again in November 2021. We were proud to win the Keep Victoria Beautiful – Sustainable Cities award in the Community-Government Partnerships category in 2018. We are happy to see any other councils, land managers and community groups use our policy as a guide for their own.
Resources:
Local community action on plastics and waste
Community groups
Community groups have been vital in leading action to reduce the use and impacts of single use plastics in the shire. In 2004 Anglesea became one of the first townships in Australia to eliminate single use plastic bags at the checkout, followed by Aireys Inlet. A number of active groups currently support businesses and their communities to shift away from single use plastics, including:
- Plastic Wise Torquay (formerly Plastic Bag Free Torquay)
- Plastic Wise Winchelsea
- Lorne Goes Plastic Free
- Repair Café Surf Coast.
Find out more on our Get Involved page.
Businesses
Businesses are avoiding plastic packaging, developing sustainable products, participating in litter clean ups, offering discounts to customers who bring their own coffee cups, and accepting customers' clean containers for takeaway foods. You may see stickers on shop windows or signs in car parks to help you remember to use your own reusable bag.
Locals and visitors
Everyone is encouraged to do their bit by remembering to use reusable shopping bags, containers, drink bottles and coffee cups, and actively avoiding unnecessary plastic packaging.
BYO H2O
Remember to carry your reusable drink bottle when you're out and about in the Surf Coast Shire. Download the Choose Tap app to help find public drinking taps and fountains all around Victoria.
Plastic Free July
Plastic Free July is a global movement that helps millions of people be part of the solution to plastic pollution – so we can have cleaner streets, oceans, and beautiful communities. Challenge yourself and others to get involved!
Seal the Loop
Seal the Loop aims to prevent fishing line and other waste from causing harm to wildlife by providing brightly coloured bins in prime fishing locations. Coastcare Victoria and other community groups take responsibility for managing the bins in partnership with local land managers, including Surf Coast Shire Council and the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority. Find out where bins are situated and how to get involved by visiting Seal the Loop.
More information