Greens councillor Sarah Ndiaye will seek fellow councillors’ support at this Thursday’s meeting to support a voluntary ban of single-use plastic bags and packaging in the Byron Shire during Plastic Free July 2018.
She says, ‘Single-use plastic has become one of the biggest environmental problems we face and I’m hoping my notice of motion (NoM) will get support, not just on the floor of Council, but in the wider community.’
‘Unfortunately we don’t have the power to ban plastic bags and takeaway containers at a council level, so it will take a concerted effort from residents, visitors and business to have a substantial impact.’
She says a voluntary single-use plastic bag and packaging ban ‘would involve Council creating a program to educate and assist local businesses and the community in reducing the use of disposable plastic items, hosting events to raise awareness and promoting alternative reduction or recyclable options.’
‘We can also support the positive steps already taking place in the community, identify funding opportunities, provide better facilities for recycling and water stations and explore any legal options we have.’
Council’s Thursday meeting starts at 9am and is held at the Mullum chambers.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
