Benalla Council to phase out single-use plastics

Single-use plastic is widely used in the manufacture of things, such as shopping bags, straws and shrink wrap.

It cannot be recycled, and invariably ends up in landfill.

Benalla Rural City Mayor Danny Claridge said it was important for council to take a leadership role in the issue.

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“It’s a good opportunity for us to look at encouraging people to stop using single-use plastic and look at things like reusable straws and stirrers for example,” Cr Claridge said.

“What we are looking at is banning single-use plastics at council events, but it's also a ban inside council, too.

“So council offices and council staff who work there will be obliges to abide by this.

“(If passed) there will be no plastic spoons or single-use cups, and we'll encourage staff to bring a water bottle to refill, for example.”

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When running events council will not only look to reduce its single-use plastic use - but will encourage vendors to do the same.

“If there's outside vendors we will encourage them to avoid using things like plastic cutlery and balloons,” Cr Claridge said.

“And we are looking at installing more water fountains around town for people to refill their water bottles.”

Single-use plastic products are common in Australia, and across the developed world.

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They are often used to create products including:

● shopping or promotional bags;

● straws;

● take-away cups and food containers;

● water bottles;

● product packaging (often for delivery);

● shrink wrap; and

● balloons.

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“There are lots of singe-use plastics people might not even know cannot be recycled,” Cr Claridge said.

“And there are single-use items that are recyclable they can be replaced with.

“For example you can buy straws that are made of bamboo or paper rather than single-use plastic.”

The policy will go before council at its May 19 meeting.

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In the meantime council is seeking community feedback on the proposal.

“Before we adopt any new policy we always put it out for community engagement no mater what it is,” Cr Claridge said.

“It’s a chance for the community to have a look at how the policy is written and to have a say on if it is adopted or not.

“If there are any submissions we will listen to them, and if not it will go to a vote to be adopted at the council meeting Wednesday, May 19.”

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