Plastics Free July in Southbank

Plastic waste continues to be a growing problem in Australia and globally, with adverse impacts on the environment and our health.

Plastics Free July is a global event designed to improve our knowledge of the impacts of plastic waste and ways we can reduce this.

A report by the Clean Up Australia organisation in 2022 paints a very concerning situation in Australia. More than a million volunteers collected rubbish and waste in areas including our streets and waterways – 63 per cent of the waste collected was plastic waste, and this was up 17 per cent from the previous year.

The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water estimated that in 2022, Australia generated around 2.99 million tonnes of plastic waste, which equates to about 114 kg per person. Eighty-four per cent of this plastic waste ended up in landfills with only a small amount recovered or recycled.

Hopes that recovery and recycling of plastic waste would substantially reduce what goes into landfill have not been fulfilled in Australia. In part this is because the recycling of plastic is expensive and potentially hazardous depending on the technology used.

The other reality is that there has been a significant growth in plastics production and use. For example, the range of new packaging types, especially single-use plastics and the use of plastic in synthetic fabrics is such that it is estimated that synthetic fibres made from plastic make up 60 per cent of all clothing.

Consideration needs to be given by all of us as to how to cut down on plastics usage by reducing, reusing, repurposing and recycling. A great first step is to cut out buying and using single use plastic products such as plastic cups, plastic shopping bags and takeaway plastic containers.

Options are available in Southbank and nearby suburbs for us to take refillable glass bottles and jars when we shop for milk or dry goods such as flour, beans or rice or shampoo and soaps. Purchasing less synthetic clothing and washing synthetics less often will reduce the amount of microplastics entering the ocean.

One fun activity with your family and friends is to make a pledge to refuse one plastic item for the month of July. The Plastic Free July Organisation has set up a web page with lots of ideas about what you might want to refuse and where you can make your pledge plasticfreejuly.org.

If you enjoy some hands-on activity in the garden join us Saturday between 10am and noon every second weekend for a little gardening (no previous experience required) and discussion. We are located in the community garden in front of the Boyd Community Hub. The next July meet-up date is July 19.

About the group

Southbank Sustainability Group is a solutions-focussed community group of Southbank residents working to bring positive change in sustainability practices. Reach us at [email protected] or facebook or Instagram. 

If you are interested in getting involved join us at a Saturday meet-up or email us. •