A free program that has helped cafes and restaurants in regional Queensland eliminate more than 8.2 million pieces of single-use plastics will now expand to the south-east corner as well as hotels and tourism venues.
Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon joined the Boomerang Alliance to announce the rollout of Plastic Free Places to hospitality sites in Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich, the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Moreton Bay and the Redlands and accommodation providers in the regions the program is in place.
The program run in partnership by the government and the alliance helps businesses phase out single-use plastics, which currently account for more than 75 per cent of rubbish removed from Australian beaches.
It does this by helping businesses engage environmentally-friendly suppliers, providing on-the-ground support, data collection and breaking down barriers that business owners might face.
With more than 600 regional Queensland businesses successfully taking part in the program, Scanlon also announced the program would expand this year to the Wide Bay and Mackay/Isaac/Whitsunday regions.
“More than 600 Queensland businesses across Noosa, Central Queensland, Townsville and the Far North have proven that eliminating single-use plastics can be done,” said Scanlon.
“Some businesses might already have measures in place, some might not. This free program is about helping business owners either get started or take it to the next level.
Additionally, the $1.6 million Plastic Free Places program will also reach out to hotel and tourism providers to help them come up with ways to get rid off single-use plastics in their venues, including shampoo and conditioner bottles.
It builds on the government’s five-year roadmap to phase out a number of single-use plastics across the state, recent bans on single-use plastic straws and bags as well as its $1.1 billion Recycling and Jobs Fund to drive recycling and remanufacturing in the sunshine state.
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