Push to cut use of plastics advances

TASMANIAN councils will be urged to follow in the footsteps of Kingborough Council and ban all single-use plastics including balloons and straws from any council-run events.

The measure was part of a suite of environmental motions passed at the Local Government Association of Tasmania conference yesterday — including calling on the State Government to implement legislation to phase out single-use plastics across Tasmanian retailers.

Hobart City Council Alderman Eva Ruzicka presented a motion that the association lobby all councils to adopt the use of reusable and compostable items for use in councilsponsored events.

“I realise for smaller councils this may be difficult but larger councils, through LGAT, may be able to assist in procurement,” she said.

Kingborough Council this year adopted its waste wise events policy and banned single-use plastics including takeaway food containers, plastic cutlery, polystyrene cups and balloons from its events. Instead of using balloons, the council suggested patrons and stallholders use tissue paper pompoms or painted rocks.

Kingborough Mayor Steve Wass spoke in favour of Hobart’s motion.

“This has proved very successful in our community,” he said.

“We need to show the way ahead for our community and this is one way we can do it.”

The motion for the association to lobby the State Government to introduce legislation to ban the provision of petroleum-based single-use take-away food packaging was watered down to read “phase out” instead.

“I think all councils in Tasmania are aware that there is a growing move and awareness of the problem of petroleumbased plastics,” Ald Ruzicka told delegates.

A motion to address the rising costs of recycling as a result of China restricting the volume of recycled products entering that nation also passed.

Councils will also lobby the State Government to start a container deposit scheme.