profile
Name: Make the Switch (operating under Plastic Free Byron brand).
Community: Byron Shire, NSW.
Project Initiated: April 2018.
On-ground commencement: July 2018.
Project Model: Whole of community, open to all food retailers in Byron Shire, plus selected markets & events.
Co-ordinator: Coral Latella (Year 1), Clare Sullivan (Year 2).
Website: plasticfreebyron.com/maketheswitch
Social Media: @plasticfreebyron.
Project Partners: Byron Shire Council, Plastic Free Byron, Clean Coast Collective, Bay FM, The Echo News, Santos Organics, TAP.
Funding Bodies: Byron Shire Council, under a NSW EPA Waste Less, Recycle More initiative funded from the Waste Levy.
impact
In its first 9 months, Make the Switch eliminated over 250,000 single-use plastic items. Find out more in our 2018/19 Report.
Note that there was a gap in on-ground work from April 1-Aug 15, 2019 due to funding constraints.
Our current impact (as at Mar 31, 2020) is...
*Plastic Free Champions are members that have eliminated all of our key plastic items (straws, coffee cups & lids, takeaway containers & lids, food ware (cutlery, plates, cups etc), water bottles & bags).
key successes
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Transitioned the majority of Byron Community Market food vendors to plastic free.
Byron Community Market, Byron Artisan Market and Mullumbimby Agricultural Show developed Plastic-Free Policies and detailed action plans, and improved waste management processes - including introducing composting streams and managing bin signage and collection.
Implemented a water refill network to enable locals and visitors to find places to refill their water bottles.
Implemented a trial with Byron Council to provide businesses with affordable reusable water bottles to on-sell for a profit as a viable alternative to selling single-use water bottles.
Created new linkages between major manufacturers and local suppliers to better accommodate product needs in the Byron area.
Worked with local supplier Greenpack to provide product discounts to members.
Increased resources for local events, including better signage, and worked to improve access for local events to to reusable systems.