At June’s talk our speaker, Dr Helen Lewis, showed what could be achieved by a small group of dedicated, like-minded locals.
Circular Plastics Illawarra is a network of interested people formed in January 2023 concerned by the growing problem of plastic pollution and waste. It has since grown to a group of 140 people, including citizens, Wollongong academics, local councils, state government representatives, social enterprises and private sector consultants.
Their vision is to eliminate unnecessary plastics and to ensure that all plastic products and packaging is reused or recycled. They are committed to connecting and fostering collaboration and identifying local solutions, educating people, hospitals and businesses to use less, recycle and buy recycled products.
Australia generated 3.2 million tonnes of plastic in 2023/24 and this is increasing. Plastic production and use generates emissions equivalent to 5.7 million cars on the road each year. Recycling is not enough alone to reduce carbon emissions; only 14% is recycled
What can we do? Consume more carefully, reduce use of plastic packaging, buy from bulk stores, reuse, check recycling options, pick up litter when out and about, etc. To assist you in recycling/disposing of items, Helen suggested the app RecycleMate (covers the whole country).
You can find out more about this active group or join them on their website, FaceBook page or Instagram.
You can view Helen’s presentation here.
Promo
Dr Helen Lewis is the convenor of Circular Plastics Illawarra, a community network created in early 2023 to address the lack of recycling options for soft plastics in the region. The group has expanded its focus to include other problematic plastics. This presentation will cover their vision, current and future projects, and successes including the re-establishment of soft plastics collections. It will also include a call to action: how we can all help to reduce and recycle plastics.
Helen is an Adjunct Professor with the Institute for Sustainable Futures at UTS. She has published widely on product stewardship and sustainable packaging, including the book “Product stewardship in action: the business case for lifecycle thinking”.
This meeting will be held in the Oatley Uniting Church Hall at 7.30pm and on-line by ZOOM. The ZOOM link is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3742141020?omn=86110187560 or open ZOOM & enter meeting ID: 374 214 1020.