Mural’s message: don’t mess with our coast

NOOSA Council is sending a clear message to the community about littering and illegal dumping of rubbish with a striking mural painted on the wall of the weighbridge at the Eumundi Resource Recover Centre.
The council recently commissioned the mural and hopes the artwork will encourage people to think more about where plastic rubbish ends up if it’s not recycled or disposed of thoughtfully.
The mural, entitled “What lies Under”, is a digital artwork created by Indonesian-based artist Ferdi Rizkiyanto, who has generously made the image available for use by not-for-profit organisations.
The artwork depicts a small child lifting up the ocean and finding a pile of plastic rubbish underneath.
The council’s waste co-ordinator Ian Florence said he hoped the mural evoked thought about littering.
“We live on the coast in a beautiful location with a high environmental value. We want people to think about the potential harm that can be caused by littering and dumping,” he said.
“About eight million tons of plastic enters the world’s oceans each year. Rubbish accumulates in ocean garbage patches. We don’t want to contribute to that. Every time someone leaves a water bottle or plastic bag in the environment, there is a likelihood it will find its way into our waterways.”
Mr Florence said plastic does not readily break down in the environment and some types of plastic instead deteriorate into micro-particles of plastic which have been shown to bio-accumulate in the tissue of marine life.
“If the micro-particles end up in fish, and we eat the fish, we also have the potential to suffer ill effects,” he said.
The council is urging residents to put recyclable plastics (recycle numbers 1-6) into their recycle bins.
Hard plastics, like Tupperware and plastic furniture, can now be dropped at the Eumundi Road Resource Recovery Centre for free.
Plastic bags are not currently recycled by the council and must either be dropped back at participating supermarkets or put into the general waste bin, but the council hopes residents will use re-usueable carry bags for shopping.
Mr Florence said he hoped the mural would help encourage people to dispose of their plastic rubbish thoughtfully.
“It makes a great entry statement for the Eumundi Road landfill centre, reinforcing the council’s messaging about waste recycling and minimisation,” he said.
“Research has shown there is a correlation between public art and behaviour change. We’ve had some great feedback from the community already.”
For more information about what can be recycled in Noosa, please visit the council’s website www.noosa.qld.gov.au/recycling-waste-services or phone the council on 5329 6500.