Aslan Shand
Byron Shire is taking plastic free to a new level with the launch of www.plasticfreebyron.com, which encourages local food and beverage and fashion businesses to reduce their plastic waste through community recognition and encouragement.
The online directory lists businesses who have gone 100 per cent plastic free while also encouraging others to follow.
Food and beverage outlets are rated on their use of plastic bags, cutlery, stars, cups, bottles and takeaway containers while the fashion directory looks at plastic bags.
Santos Organics is a founding organisation of www.plasticfreebyron.com and communications manager Paul Crebar said businesses can get a gold, silver or bronze rating depending on how plastic free they have managed to go.
‘Visitors and locals alike are encouraged to check out the directory and support local businesses that have gone plastic free while sending encouraging messages to the ones who still have a way to go.
‘For plastic free July, we are encouraging businesses to take 31 actions in 31 days to reduce plastic,’ said Paul.
‘The community can also add businesses to the directory that they think are doing a good job or need some encouragement to get recognition for their plastic-free achievements.
‘The community can send messages of encouragement to the businesses listed in the directories through a link to the businesses’ social media platforms.
‘It is a way to celebrate and congratulate businesses who are reducing their plastic use,’ said Crebar.
Santos funding
Meanwhile, Santos Organics has announced five local organisations that are the recipients of $40,000 in grant funding as part of their ongoing grants program.
Crebar says the funding will improve the Northern Rivers Young Farmers Alliance website, build new infrastructure at Byron Bay Herb Nursery, and assist the Byron Bay Reforestation Project.
Funds will also go towards supporting the Repower Byron Shire project, driven by the collaborative effort of Zero Emissions Byron, COREM and Enova Energy.
Further to these projects, Crebar says local charity and social project Comfort for Kids will be funded for a two-part program to support 200 vulnerable northern rivers children with sleep support, and an online course for the parents and carers to better understand the health benefits of high-quality sleep.
For more information about these projects, visit santosorganics.com.au.
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