Turn the tide on plastic

Community members sorting through plastics collected on theIn May 2019, Council endorsed a Single Use Plastics and Balloons Policy, along with a unique guideline which provides detailed information to assist in making the switch away from single use plastics. The policy provides controls that minimise the adverse impacts of these disposable materials on the environment, and particularly marine wildlife.

​The policy requires that single use plastic items be substituted with compostable or reusable alternatives and applies to all City operations, traders operating with a permit issued by the City and events held in public places, where approval is required by the City. Compliance with the policy is required as a condition of approval for all new trading permits.

​Implementation of this policy is an important part of our ongoing commitment to a sustainable environment and will ensure the City continues to be a place "where the coast comes to life".

WA Plastics Ban

As part of Western Australia's Plan for Plasticsopens in a new windowopens in a new window, the State Government is helping reduce plastic pollution by phasing out a number of single-use plastic items. The State ban applies to the sale, supply and distribution of single-use plastic items and will be completed in two stages. The first stage of the plan will be conducted in two parts, with bans enforced from 1 July 2022. Stage 1 and enforcement dates are listed below.

Banned as of 1 July 2022:

  • all plastic shopping bags with handles
  • disposable plastic utensils - straws, stirrers and cutlery
  • disposable plastic foodware without lids - plates, bowls and food containers
  • expanded polystyrene food containers and trays and
  • balloon releases.

Banned as of 1 October 2022:

  • disposable plastic cups for cold drinks.

Stage 2 of the WA Plan for Plastics comes into effect on 27 February 2023, with a number of single-use plastic items to be phased out between September 2023 and July 2025. The Stage 2 regulations will include:

Banned as of 1 September 2023:

  • cotton buds with plastic stems
  • microbeads
  • expanded polystyrene packaging (loose)
  • expanded polystyrene cups and trays for raw meat and seafood and
  • degradable plastics.

Banned as of 1 March 2024:

  • coffee cups and all disposable plastic cup lids and
  • trays for takeaway food not covered in Stage 1 ban.

Banned as of 1 September 2024:

  • produce bags
  • lids for bowls, trays, plates and takeaway food containers.

Banned as of 1 July 2025:

  • expanded polystyrene packaging (moulded).

If you have any questions about the ban, community organisations and members of the public can get in contact with Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) at plastic-action@dwer.wa.gov.au or call (08) 6364 7000. You can register for updates on the second phase of the WA Plastics Banopens in a new windowopens in a new window.

Green Award

a shovel turning compostAre you a part of a community group or school that proudly runs zero waste events? Maybe you’re a local business owner offering a reusable cup scheme in your café? Or perhaps you’re an individual who has started a shared composting station for your street to help your neighbours on their waste reduction journey. 

There a many ways individuals and groups can reduce their impact on our environment and we want to hear about your waste reduction project.

For this first time, we are introducing a Green Award to recognise local action on the elimination of waste and improved sustainable practices.

Submissions will be judged on the following three criteria:

  • Impact - Provide a description of how the project has resulted in waste elimination in the community.
  • Purpose - Provide a description of how the project originated and the reasons why it was established.
  • Innovation - Provide a description of how the project seeks to improve on existing initiatives/policy.

Before submitting an application, please ensure you've read through the Green Award Terms and Conditions on the eligibility and processes. 

In 2024, the City awarded Mother Teresa Catholic College as our Green Award winner for their MTCC Sustainable Education Program. Find out more below. 

Our 2024/2025 round applications will be open again mid-2025. 

2024 winner

Mother Teresa Catholic College - Schools Category

Mother Teresa Catholic College (MTCC) Sustainable Education Program

Since 2016, MTCC has continued to evolve its Sustainability Education Program, embarking on a variety of waste elimination initiatives to reduce waste ending up in landfill. This has not only created positive outcomes for the college and environment, but has pulled the community together on a joint goal for a better future. Examples of initiatives included as part of the program include:

  • Sustainability Centre

Vegetable and herb gardens (a number using wicking beds to save water), chicken coops, worm farms and more are located in the college's Sustainably Centre. A Green Team (years 3-5) support waste reduction initiatives and keep the centre running, tending to the gardens, worms and chickens, and recycling materials.

  • Year 6 Sustainability Leaders

Year 6 Environmental Leaders communicate waste reduction goals and focuses at school assembly.

  • Recycling

MTCC has over nine different streams of materials being recycled, not limited to: ‘Containers for Change’, ‘Give Write’ for unused stationery, ‘Bottle Top Hill’ for plastic bottle lids, ‘Close the Loop’ for printer cartridges and ‘Battery World’ for batteries.

  • Student-led Market Stalls

S​tudents sell worm tea, fresh produce, beeswax lunch wraps, herb pots and captured from the Sustainability Centre at their market stalls. Students also have started book swap events.

  • Waste diverted from landfill

Over seven years, an estimated 10,000 kilograms of material has been saved from landfill from the cumulative actions undertaken by students.

 

As an accredited WasteSorted School, access to State Government funding has also assisted in efforts undertaken by students at MTCC. If you're involved with a local school and not already participating you can find out more from the Waste Authorityopens in a new windowopens in a new window.

Congratulations again to the students and teacher involved in the program and the ongoing efforts showcasing your positive impact on community and the environment.

  • Green Award 2024 - Schools Winner - Mother Teresa Catholic College
  • Green Award 2024 - Year 6 Sustainability Leaders - Mother Teresa Catholic College
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Plastic Free Living

During July, the City focuses on promotion of elimination of plastic waste within the community through plastic free living. Thank you to everyone who attend our related plastic free workshops across our libraries during the month.

Party Hire Kit

Looking for ways to reduce your single-use plastic usage? Our Toy Library now has a Party Hire Kit, which includes tables, chairs and utensils. To find out more and see loan availability visit the Toy Library websiteopens in a new windowopens in a new window.

Party hire kit with children's tables, chairs, plates and cutlery.

Workshops hosted at our libraries throughout the year on plastic free living topics, can be found via our What's On Calendar.

Upcoming workshopsopens in a new windowopens in a new window

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