This year Macedon Ranges Shire Council and over 1,300 primary and secondary school students will work to eliminate single-use plastic from their workplaces and schools.
Council and local schools will be joining Plastic Oceans Australasia (POA) Engagement for Plastic-Free Innovation Change (EPIC) Business Program and Education program. EPIC provides step-by-step instructions to collect data on plastic-use and phase out single-use plastic by applying behaviour change.
The POA team will deliver workshops, provide survey documentation to measure the amount of plastic used as well as a database with supply alternatives including environment and cost assessments.
Each person in Australia uses approximately 130kgs of plastic per year, with the equivalent of one truck load of rubbish ending up in the ocean every minute.
POA Executive Director Ricki Hersburgh said, "Now more than ever we truly need to be responsible to change our habits to reduce single-use plastics from our workplaces, homes and communities. POA is delighted to support Macedon Ranges Shire residents and Council staff on their journey to achieving this in 2021 and beyond."
"If councils and communities are serious about reducing the impact of plastic on our waterways and marine environments, then they need to start looking at how much plastic they use and begin to find alternatives," Ms. Hersburgh said. "The EPIC program and Education Program provides step-by-step instructions and actions to be able to make a real difference."
The Education Program equips primary and high school students with the knowledge and skills to drive public awareness about the global plastic problem. Schools included in the program are Hesket Primary School, St Mary's Primary School Lancefield, Tylden Primary School and Braemar College.
"These schools will soon be starting their plastic free education program through the support of the Macedon Ranges Shire Council, who at the same time will begin their own EPIC program" said Macedon Ranges Shire Council Director Assets and Operations, Shane Walden.
"We are delighted that over 1,300 local students will be leading the charge to eliminate single-use plastics over the next 12 months," said Mr Walden.
POA is an environmental non-for-profit organisation that works throughout Australasia. Its mission is to change the way we deal with plastic waste by challenging society's perception that this indestructible substance can be treated as 'disposable'.
