Local organisation Positive Change For Marine Life (PCFML) are inviting the Byron Bay community to join a global movement to go plastic-bag-free, starting today (November 16).
PCFML’s Erika Delemarre says, ‘Single-use plastic bags are responsible for unsightly litter on Byron Bay’s streets, footpaths and beaches. With the assistance of wind and rain, the community’s litter can easily end up polluting the fragile underwater ecosystem of the Cape Byron Marine Park, just offshore.’
Delemarre says despite other countries introducing bans or levies on plastic bags, NSW lags behind. ‘It is our hope that the residents of Byron Bay will embrace the pledge to go plastic-bag-free and become leaders in sustainability at the state and national level.’
Environmental group Boomerang Alliance is supporting the effort, says Delemarre, and several community events will be held this week to share ideas for plastic-free approaches and business strategies with other concerned groups.
Byron residents interested in pledging their support for a shire free of plastic-bag pollution can do so via www.pcfml.org.au.
Locals and visitors are also invited to join their fortnightly beach clean-ups; the next will take place at Main Beach this Sunday at 8.30am.
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