Plastic Free Elsternwick is a trial version of our program which was initiated upon request by Glen Eira City Council in Melbourne.
The 6-month project worked with selected retailers in a defined area (Elsternwick) within the Glen Eira LGA. The goal was to to assist local businesses to transition away from single-use plastics, obtain measurable results, and help Council better understand how they can continue to best support local businesses to transition in the future.
To learn more and see participating businesses, visit Glen Eira City Council.
Profile
Name: Plastic Free Elsternwick
Community: Elsternwick (Glen Eira, Melbourne)
Funding Body: Glen Eira City Council.
Project Dates: October 2019 - April 2020.
Project Model: 6-month trial program, operating with 18 participating businesses on Glen Huntly Road.
Impact
Find out more in our End of trial Report. Our impact (as at Mar 31, 2020) was...
*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
Worked with 18 retailers, comprising 10 food retailers (cafe/restaurant), 6 general retailers, a butcher and a grocer.
Five businesses have eliminated plastic straws, 2 eliminated plastic cutlery, 3 eliminated plastic coffee cups & lids, 3 eliminated cups & lids, and 4 eliminated plastic takeaway containers and lids.
One businesses started composting their food and packaging waste, and 3 businesses are using 'swap & go' reusable network 'Returnr.'
Most businesses are displaying educational signage about the trial and signage to encourage their customers to reduce plastic use.
Participants eliminated 25,446 pieces of single-use plastic during the trial (not including plastic bags due to the Victorian bag ban coming onto effect). This is only the start of the plastic savings the program will see over time.
Testimonials
We are so grateful to have been a part of this incredible opportunity that has guided us in a positive direction towards sustainability and embracing all the resources that are available to make this goal a reality. Thank you everyone at the plastic free trial, we couldn’t have done it without you and your tremendous support!
GEORGIA, OWNER - WISHBONE CAFE, ELSTERNWICK
In October 2019, we engaged Boomerang Alliance to deliver a plastic-free program to a number of our local businesses to help them reduce their use of single-use plastics like coffee cups, straws, cutlery and takeaway containers. We were very pleased with the delivery and outcome of the program, with 16 out of the 18 businesses eliminating more than 25,000 pieces of single use plastics. Boomerang Alliance are very knowledgeable on reusable and compostable alternatives to single-use plastics and supported not only us, but our local businesses throughout the program.
GLEN EIRA CITY COUNCIL
