Plastic Free Places hits 11 million pieces of Single Use Plastics Removed
Posted on May 3rd, 2022
In the five years since its inception, the Plastic Free Places (PFP) program, run by the Boomerang Alliance, has eliminated, or removed over 11 million single use takeaway plastic items from use. That includes plastic straws, cutlery, coffee cups, lids, water bottles and plastic containers.
Included in this is the Plastic Free CQ program, which has eliminated almost 200,000 pieces of single-use plastic items since launching in March 2021.
Interested food outlets are inducted into the PFP network and shown how to avoid, reuse or switch to non-plastic or certified compostable packaging (Aust Standards). There are over 800 food businesses now participating.
‘The program has been an astounding success and shows that given the right advice and support our local businesses can easily switch away from using problematic takeaway plastics.’ said Jo Stoyel, Program Coordinator, Plastic Free CQ.
‘It demonstrates that the bans being introduced on these plastic products throughout Australia are realistic and achievable, as long as the hospitality sector is given the opportunity to switch, and misleading information (greenwash) is not circulated’
The PFP program employs an expert coordinator in each location to directly work with cafes, other food outlets and public events to provide best practice advice on packaging and ensures that suppliers assist outlets by selling the preferred products.
Plastic Free Place locations
Data has been taken from 12 Plastic Free Places including Noosa, Cairns, Townsville, Rockhampton, and Livingstone (QLD) Byron Shire (NSW), Mt Martha, Elsternwick, Moreland (Vic), Adelaide (SA), Bassendean, Victoria Park (WA).
New programs have also recently been launched in Darwin (NT), Tasmania, Randwick, Bundanoon (NSW) and has expanded to include the entire state of WA.
Background Information about Plastic Free Places: www.plasticfreeplaces.org
For more information:
Jo Stoyel (Plastic Free CQ Coordinator): 0408 873 047
Amy Matheson (Communications Coordinator): +64 204938494 (currently in NZ)
Plastic Free CQ
Launched March 2021
58 member businesses
4 Plastic Free Champions (eliminated all target plastic items from their business)
195,285 pieces of single-use plastic eliminated to date
