The direction has been set for the reduction of use of single-use plastics by the Tweed Shire Council since 2017 when it wrote to the NSW premier and environment minister about single-use plastic bags. This was then followed by a ban on the release of balloons on land council manages in 2022. The most recent action is to develop a draft policy on single-use plastic and materials on council-managed land and at council events.
‘The NOM (notice of motion) involves preparing a draft policy on single-use plastic and materials similar to Byron Shire’s recently adopted one,’ explained Grees councillor, Dr Noala Firth.
‘Byron’s policy bans single-use products for all council-run activities and in six months’ time the ban will apply to all activities held on council land including leases and sponsored events. Single-use items include plates, food containers, cutlery, bottled water, drink-ware (including coffee cups and lids), masks (excluding P2, P3), individually wrapped food items such as soy sauce, tea bags, coffee pods and chocolates.’
There has been an increase by 1kg in the use of single-use plastics per person globally since 2019. The NSW EPA notes that NSW alone generates 800,000 tonnes of plastic waste each year and only 12 per cent of it is recycled.
‘In Tweed we have a zero waste strategy, commitment to a circular economy and the added responsibility of World Heritage environment. Our Zero Waste Policy has a key guiding principle to lead by example and embed a local circular economy. But we don’t have a Single Use Plastics and Materials Policy or restriction on single-use items in the way that Byron now has. This needs to change,’ said Cr Firth.
‘Plastic and other single-use products waste precious resources, litter our bushland, our rivers and our seas and cause immense and often cruel damage to our already endangered wildlife. A circular economy involves us valuing our resources and designing for reuse, repair and recycle. We need a unified regional approach on the issue. This new single-use policy would help us do that right here in the Tweed while moving towards a regional approach on the issue.’
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