Townsville businesses can-ing the fight against plastic

Townsville leads the charge as one of the strongest recycling communities in Queensland with more than 173,000 pieces of plastic removed from the environment.

Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon was in Townsville today praising the recycling efforts of Townsville locals and businesses in reducing plastic pollution and finding sustainable alternatives to replace commonly available single-use plastic items.

“We know Townsville is environmentally focused with 25 business members so far answering the call to join the Plastic Free Places program,” Minister Scanlon said.

“Boomerang Alliance’s Plastic Free Places program rolled out in Townsville in February 2020 supporting our efforts to reduce the amount of harmful plastic that ends up in our local waterways and on our pristine beaches.”

Boomerang Alliance is a national peak not-for-profit organisation, formed with the aim of a zero-waste society - to give local communities power in their struggle to stem the massive waste of discarded resources polluting our environment.

Minister Scanlon encouraged more local businesses and other organisations to jump on board.

“Those interested in joining this great program will have access to a coordinator to help them work towards eliminating their single-use plastic items,” she said.

“They can then start replacing them with identified reusable or compostable alternatives. Participation in the program does not incur any joining or membership costs.

“The program offers rewards and those who significantly reduce their plastic use become Plastic Free Champions.

“There are resources to help, including information on sourcing alternative products, material and certificates to display to customers.

Townsville locals are also enthusiastic participants in Queensland’s container refund scheme.

Since the scheme started on November 1, 2018, a staggering 141,849,254 containers have been taken to refund points in Townsville, returning more than $14 million in refunds to individuals, charities, schools and not-for-profits organisations.

This commitment to recycling gives Townsville the biggest collection volume outside Brisbane.

ENDS

Media contact:                     

Minister Scanlon: Sue Lappeman 0418 792 406

DES Media Unit on (07) 3339 5831 or media@des.qld.gov.au