By Abbey Cannan
Noosa is making progress towards a cleaner environment due to the commitment of local businesses making the switch from single-use plastics.
Plastic Free Noosa has been working with local cafes, restaurants, markets and events over the last year to eliminate single-use plastic packaging, replacing it with reusable or compostable alternatives. The program is now securing product discounts to help businesses make this switch.
Project Coordinator Chad Buxton said many local businesses have been thinking about switching for a while but don’t know where to start.
“The assistance we give really does make a difference. Not only can we provide advice and resources, we’ve also been working with suppliers to help make it easier for them.”
A leading national product producer and provider of composting services, Biopak, is jumping on board and offering all new program members a five per cent discount on their products for the first three months after joining.
BioPak CEO Gary Smith said the company is keen to see businesses signing up to this program and making changes towards more sustainable practices.
“BioPak are pleased to support this program, which we feel embodies our philosophy of a circular economy” he said.
Once a business has eliminated six key plastic items, they are crowned as a ‘Plastic Free Champion.’ The project now has forty-two Plastic Free Champions, who together have saved over 2.5 million pieces of plastic from being used since February 2018.
“We encourage everyone to really get on board and support these businesses,” Chad said.
“It really makes a difference to have the community behind them, knowing that their efforts are appreciated.
“Consumer power is something which really works.”
Businesses who sign up to Plastic Free Noosa at www.plasticfreenoosa.org/join can access the discount online or through a number of local distributors.
