Question 1

What businesses are able to join?

Accepted Answer

We accept a variety of retailers of food service items such as cafes, restaurants, bars, juice bars, bakeries, mobile vendors, etc. under the program. We can only accept those in areas where we have  active programs.
 
This is because we specialise in the following single-use plastic items - straws, water bottles, coffee cups & lids, takeaway containers, food ware (cutlery, cups, bowls etc.) and plastic bags. These items are problematic, often found in the litter stream, and have available alternatives to their use. 
 
We don't accept general retailers under the program who are not using any takeaway food packaging.

Question 2

How do I sign my businesses up as a member?

Accepted Answer

A business can join any one of our Plastic Free Places communities- if located in one - or if not, our service can be accessed via an online consultation process (for a fee).

Click here to find a community or access us as an individual business.
 
If neither of these options suit you, we have plenty of free resources and guides on our website.

Question 3

What is the commitment?

Accepted Answer

When you click on the join link and fill in your details, it simply means that you are open to your local Plastic Free Places team member making a time to meet with you and talk about what you currently do, understand your needs and concerns, and make suggestions towards steps that can be taken towards going plastic-free.

You do not have to commit to eliminating all your plastic to become a member. You determine what changes you make and when you implement them.  How much and what you want to reduce or eliminate is totally up to you! Even if you just want some tips, we can help.
 
We aren’t pushy, but we know our stuff - and that takes the pressure off you having to figure it out while still running your business. We will never pressure you to do more, instead we will support you and celebrate what you have achieved along with you.

Question 4

How much will it cost me?

Accepted Answer

In communities we work in, our service costs you nothing as we are already funded.

If you are not located in a community - then there is a small fee to cover our costs of paying staff. Being a not-for-profit we are reliant on government funding, so in its absence the small fee will enable this service to extend out of funded locations.

Question 5

Why should I get involved?

Accepted Answer

1. There are lots of benefits for you directly (see our next question!)

2. Being part of the solution: 8 billion tonnes of waste is generated every year. Movements to reduce the waste we generate at the source are happening all around the world for this reason.

2. There are lots of plastic-free solutions available, and more innovations happening all the time.

3. Specifically in Queensland, customers formed part of the 94% of 19,000 people who put in a submission to ban single-use plastics in the state. They want you to be part of that change - in fact, many people are choosing businesses to support based on whether they accept reusables, or use compostable packaging. This trend is happening across Australia, with the mindset changing to support businesses whose operational ethos aligns with an individuals own values surrounding waste and sustainability.

4. By accessing a Plastic Free Places community in your local area or via our online service, we are making it easier than ever to address the issue of single-use plastics in your business. We meet with you to understand what you are currently using and what your needs are, and we offer you solutions to save you the work of figuring it out yourself.

5. There are single-use plastic bans implemented or coming soon in the majority of states. Joining our program helps you to prepare for these bans and ensures compliance is met.

Question 6

What are the benefits for my business?

Accepted Answer

Independent personalised advice by Australia's leading sustainable packaging experts
We can help you be plastic ban ready - we are experts in bans that are already in most states (with more bans to come)
Time saving: saving your business hours of research
Grow your customer base: build your reputation as a leading sustainable business
Reduce costs: save on packaging costs and waste bills
Free samples: enabling you to try products before you switch
Direct swaps of some of your single-use plastic items with sustainable alternatives, at no cost
Free member promotion

Question 7

What happens after I join?

Accepted Answer

Once you join, we'll make a time to come sit down with you, check out your current products, find alternatives and solutions that work for you, and identify where you can get them. In most cases, you'll be able to stick with your current supplier. 
 
We'll bring catalogues and samples so you can see and try out alternatives. We can help you with signage, staff training and give you easy solutions to reduce costs. And we're on hand to assist you through the entire process.

If you are outside of one of our PFP communities, we can do this process remotely via Zoom.

Question 8

Do you have ongoing support once we become members?

Accepted Answer

Yes! If you join one of our community programs, we are here to support you, inform you of better options if they come up, and answer any questions you may have.

Question 9

What plastic items will you help me eliminate?

Accepted Answer

We can help you eliminate a range of takeaway plastic items in six general categories:

water bottles
coffee cups/ lids
straws
food ware (cutlery, cups, lids etc.)
takeaway containers 
plastic bags
 
These items are commonly found in the litter and waste streams, and pose significant risks in the environment. They also have readily available solutions.
 
All these items form the basis of our Plastic Free Champion system and give members specific targets to work towards.

However, we can assist you with other plastics as well, including back-of-house items (like milk bottles, coffee bags, bin liners, gloves, cling wrap BOH containers, and cloths).

Question 10

Do I have to give discounts to customers for BYO?

Accepted Answer

No! Some businesses like to offer a discount but many don’t, and that’s ok. We may mention it as one of your options, among other things that other establishments are doing, but will support you whatever you choose to do. We are finding many businesses are successfully implementing a surcharge on single use items rather than adding a discount for reusables, which is both great for behavioural change and ensuring your bottom line isn’t affected.

Question 11

How do I become a completely plastic-free business?

Accepted Answer

That depends on the changes you are willing to make within your business practices. Currently, it’s almost impossible to use no plastics at all within a business, however our program focuses on six key single-use plastic items that are among the top ten most littered.
 
Start by eliminating those six items and we can then look deeper into the next steps to take to eliminate more plastics, as well as looking at the management of your waste and recycling.
 
There are a lot of guides on our websites to help you, and of course you can register for an online consult if you'd like to talk to us.

Question 12

If I don’t want to switch away from all the plastics I use, is there any point in joining?

Accepted Answer

Yes! We meet you where you are in your plastic-free journey and work with you up to where you are comfortable. Businesses usually find that they can easily make more changes than they realised at the start. We won’t push. We are always available once you join, and offer advice and support when you want it.

Question 13

How long does it take to become plastic free? Do we have to change everything at once?

Accepted Answer

Some businesses like to jump straight into changing everything they can, and find that it’s easier to do that way.

Some business take their time and use up current stock before transitioning, and they can take 3 - 6 months.

Under our program, there is no set time to make changes. After your initial induction to your local Plastic Free community, we will make recommendations and help you achieve them. It is entirely up to you whether and what changes you make..

Every business has different needs and circumstances, we will work with you at your pace.  Each step is an improvement and makes a difference. We celebrate every change you make!

Question 14

What other things can we do in our business that will complement going plastic free?

Accepted Answer

Take a look at the waste you produce and how you dispose of it. Think about what happens at the end of life of an item in your business. A first step might be to separate waste into recyclable, food waste and landfill. Find someone to take the food waste - many restaurants have staff members, gardening organisations or farmers take their food scraps to compost them. Ensure staff are on board with all waste-free initiatives. In Queensland there is the state government-funded EcoBiz program that will look at your waste, water and energy - and help you with solutions. Options similar to this could also be available in your state, it's always worth reaching out to your local council to find out.