Impact
Our impact as at August 1, 2023:
*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).
Profile
Name: WA Plastic Free
Community: Perth, WA
Project Initiated: November 2019
On-ground operations: March 4, 2019 - August 31, 2019 (trial) and from October 2021 (full program).
Project Model: Initial trial open to food retailers, markets and events in Bassendean and Bayswater. Full program open to all food retailers in Perth Metro & selected regional locations.
Co-ordinator: Bree Jennings & Rachel Watts
Website: www.waplasticfree.org
Social Media: @waplasticfree
Funding Bodies: WA Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER), WA Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA).
Key successes (trial program)
Engaged with the WA Food Truck Association and are working towards their members joining the program as a requirement of membership with the association.
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Created a list of plastic free food vendors for all events in Perth to access.
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Signed up most food retail businesses in in initial area of operation (Town of Bassendean) and approached City of Bayswater and City of Swan to expand the program into adjoining areas.
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Worked with the Old Perth Road Markets to transition their food vendors, implement plastic-free policies and create composting solutions.
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‘Thank you so much for your time and support in changing the Old Perth Rd markets in Bassendean to a plastic free event. It's not an easy task to change such a big event the way you have especially given we have so many stakeholders involved. Many of the stallholders have come to me with such wonderful feedback on how you have supported them in their change to becoming plastic free. Looking back at all of the stalls we have and items they sell, you have drastically reduced the plastic usage. The community have really appreciated the change too! We have been so fortunate to have you support and guide us in this process. Not only have you changed the Old Perth Rd markets to a plastic free event, it has pushed the Council to make all Council events plastic free now too’. OLD PERTH ROAD MARKETS, BASSENDEAN
