Ballarat is embracing the motto ‘beating plastic pollution’ this World Environment Day, as communities around the world highlight the disastrous impact of plastic waste.
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World Environment Day, celebrated on Tuesday June 5, puts power in the hands of every day people to drive action that cares for the earth.
Ballarat Renewable Energy and Zero Emissions (BREAZE) president Ian Rossiter said many organisations and groups in Ballarat were working to influence positive change, but more individuals needed to take action to decrease demand for single use plastic products.
“Once the demand falls away there won't be a profit associated with continuing to produce single use plastic products,” he said.
I would love to see more individuals making small changes.
- Ian Rossiter, BREAZE president
“I would love to see individuals making some small changes with how they buy their goods, thinking about trying to buy locally, trying to buy products ethically produced and also those that have a minimum amount of packaging that goes to landfill or cannot be recycled.”
The World Environment Day beat plastic campaign highlights how easy it can be to refuse disposable plastic items like plastic cutlery, straws, bags, water bottles and containers, by swapping for reusable items.
What can you do to beat plastic pollution?
- Pressure food suppliers to use non-plastic packaging
- Bring your own shopping bags to the supermarket
- Refuse plastic cutlery and straws
- Pick up any plastic you see when you’re out walking
- Carry a refillable water bottle
- Tell your local officials that you support a ban on single use plastic bags
BREAZE ran a children’s writing competition for World Environment Day to send the message to Ballarat’s youth, asking primary school pupils to respond to the theme ‘what can I do to help the environment?’.
More than 80 grade five and six pupils entered the competition, generating a discussion between students, teachers and parents about the community’s need to take action to preserve Ballarat’s environment and safe climate.
The film Living the Change (2018) will screen at The Regent Cinemas on Tuesday evening to again reach a different audience with the World Environment Day message.
It shares stories of sustainable action in New Zealand communities from forest gardens to composting toilets, and offers ways to rethink our approach to living in Ballarat.
Mr Rossiter said Ballarat had the potential to be a leader in driving environmental action.
“Ballarat certainly has the potential to be a leader in the space of sustainability given our access to solar and wind power, bioenergy, local food and many innovative high tech products,” he said.
“Ballarat is very proud of its current quality of life. We need to look for ways of making sure that doesn't change in future years as we grow in population.”
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Rochelle Kirkham
Rochelle covers court and has a particular interest in social issues including homelessness, food security and family violence.
Rochelle covers court and has a particular interest in social issues including homelessness, food security and family violence.
