THE Mount Gambier community would welcome the foreshadowed State Government’s ban on single use plastic cutlery and straws, according to a senior City Council officer.
The ban will see an Australian-first phase out of plastic straws, drink stirrers and cutlery across the state and is expected to be legislated next year.
Mount Gambier City Council environment sustainability office Aaron Izzard expects the community to welcome the change with open arms.
“The community will adapt I believe because there is a growing awareness of the impact this plastic is having on our environment,” Mr Izzard said.
“It is a great idea of the government because when we participate in Clean Up Australia Day we do see a lot of plastic straws, take away containers as well as cutlery.”
Mr Izzard said the ban was expected to reduce the amount of plastics taken to the Caroline Landfill, which is currently being expanded.
The landfill is estimated to receive around 250,000 tonnes of rubbish per year, with each ‘cell’ holding around 500,000 tonnes.
“I believe around 5pc of each and every kerbside landfill bin will hold single-use plastic,” Mr Izzard said.
“The ban will reduce the amount of rubbish going to landfill because a lot of the products the government are looking at banning cannot be recycled through kerbside bins.”
Biodegradable cutlery and straws could be placed in ratepayers’ green waste bins according to Mr Izzard.
“This will allow the products to then be turned into compost and will be cycled back into the community through potting mix and other products,” Mr Izzard said.
“This is so long as the products are solely made from a plant-based material.”
Calling on community members to use their green waste bins at home, Mr Izzard said there was still too many food scraps and garden waste heading to the landfill.
“When I bring people out here I remind them about the smell,” he said.
“This smell would not be here if the food scraps and garden waste was put in the organics bin.
“There are a few businesses around town that are on board and City Council is in the initial stages of planning a trial run to assist them in reducing their green waste even more.
“Yet we still see a lot of coffee takeaway cups which I think has generated a bit of confusion as some councils recycle them and others do not.”
Mr Izzard said the waste site receives a large amount of packaging and plastic bags alongside drink containers, bottles and other plastic containers.
“I tell people when they do come here they can make a difference,” he said.
“It may just be a can or a bottle but if you add that up per person, each day for every week of the year it creates a lot of waste.”
Council’s ultimate aim for the Caroline Landfill is to “reduce it to almost nothing” according to Mr Izzard, with the local government body always investigating alternatives.
“We are always looking for alternatives such as the polystyrene machine that was installed at the Waste Transfer Station recently,” he said.
“Yet long-term we need to look at how we can make a difference to bringing more
here to Mount Gambier.
“Council is also looking into hosting plastic free events to do our part in reducing landfill.”
Mr Izzard said the region’s general attitude towards landfill and recycling was positive, yet is not something the community think about day to day.
“The social awareness around plastics is gaining more and more traction each day,” he said.
“And this ban on single use plastic straws and cutlery will only increase the awareness.
“You do not get very many people who do not care very much as many people do care but just do not think about it too much with the out of sight out of mind mentality.”
