MORNINGTON Peninsula hospitality venues are being urged to be plastic free in support of a litter and waste-free summer.
The Boomerang Alliance program Plastic Free Mornington Peninsula is inviting food businesses and events to commit to lowering their carbon footprint while reducing packaging costs over the next six to 12 months.
Mornington Peninsula facilitator Birte Moliere said much of the waste in the hospitality sector could be avoided by using alternatives and going plastic free.
“Through our One.Change Campaign, people are being encouraged to start with one simple step – reusable takeaways. In particular, making the switch to reusable cups, water bottles and bags,” Moliere said.
According to the alliance, more than 15,000 single-use cups are thrown out across the peninsula each day.
“Single-use coffee cups – even the certified compostable ones – are only used once before they end up as litter or are destined for landfill,” Moliere said.
“Despite all sorts of claims, they are almost never recycled. Single-use plastic is bad news for a business’s bottom line, our beaches and bays and people’s health due to plastics leaching toxins.”
According to the latest United Nations report Turning off the Tap 2023, global plastic pollution needs to be slashed by 80 per cent by 2040.
National campaign manager Toby Hutcheon said refillable bottles, bulk dispensers, deposit return systems and packaging take-back could reduce that pollution by at least 30 per cent.
Boomerang Alliance is calling on the federal, state and territory governments to act by:
- Setting a 30 per cent national target for reusable packaging to be achieved by 2030.
- Introducing national standards for reusable, compostable and recyclable packaging.
- Banning disposable food ware for customers dining-in at cafes and fast-food outlets.
- Requiring all coffee shops selling disposable cups to offer or sell reusable cups.
- Introducing a levy on all disposable cups and containers sold to customers.
- Including reusable bottles as eligible for a refund under state container refund schemes.
The Boomerang Alliance comprises 55 national, state and local organisations that share the goal of giving communities power and influence to reduce waste.
First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 29 August 2023
