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Proudly plastic free

Learn more about Proudly Plastic Free, a whole-of-community plan to reduce the use of single-use plastic packaging in Yarra.

Plastics pollute our streets, waterways, harm marine life and contribute to climate change.

In 2017-18, the Federal Government's Australian Plastics Recycling Survey found that Australia's national plastic recycling rate was just 9%. This means the remaining 91% was either land filled burned or littered.

To help play our part in reducing the reliance on plastics, we have introduced Proudly Plastic Free, a whole-of-community plan to reduce the use of single-use plastic packaging in Yarra.

We started by trialling the program with food businesses in North Fitzroy Village and successfully reduced their plastic packaging use by 1,750 items per week!

If your business would like to go Proudly Plastic Free, we'll help you switch from single use to reusable packaging products.

We've done all the research for you and have plenty of resources and information to help you every step of the way. Please see information below or contact us.

Frequently asked questions

To be part of the Proudly Plastic Free Business community you need to remove at least three out of these five plastic items:

  • takeaway containers
  • cups
  • coffee cups and lids
  • water bottles
  • single serve condiment sachets/containers (sauces etc)

Then follow these steps:

  1. Complete our Proudly Plastic Free survey to assess what you’re doing to reduce single-use plastics. You can also email us at info@yarracity.vic.gov.au to request a hardcopy version from our Waste Education Support Officer.
  2. We will contact you to discuss what other actions you can take to decrease your waste and meet the program requirements.
  3. Implement the actions that make most sense for your business.
  4. Celebrate your successes with the local community! Use the hashtag #ProudlyPlasticFree to share what’s working for your business and your customers on social media.
  • free promotion from Yarra City Council – we’ll add your business to our online Zero Waste Map and share the efforts and successes of our best participants
  • decrease your packaging costs over time as more customers bring their own containers
  • attract new customers who want to support your commitment to making a difference
  • reduce your carbon footprint and your contribution to landfill
  • help keep our streets, parks and rivers free from litter

Please check our Zero Waste Map. It shows businesses who promote waste reduction through their products, services or business practices.

In July 2019, we announced our commitment to phasing out single-use plastics at each of our leisure centres, including plastic bottles and straws.

Other Yarra City Council facilities will follow as we work with suppliers to source plastic free product alternatives and eliminate single-use plastics from our meetings, events and leisure centres and venues.

Yes, from 1 February 2023 problematic single-use plastics have been banned from sale or supply in Victoria.

The ban applies to single-use:

  • plastic drinking straws
  • plastic cutlery
  • plastic plates
  • plastic drink stirrers
  • plastic cotton bud sticks
  • food service items and drink containers made from expanded polystyrene

The ban includes all the above items whether they are made from conventional, degradable, or compostable plastics.

Here are some useful resources to help reduce your waste footprint by reducing, reusing and recycling plastic, clothing and food waste: