Single use plastics to be phased out at Council-supported events

Published on 21 March 2019

The City of Launceston will implement a policy framework to phase out single use plastics at Council-supported events by the year 2022.

The motion from Councillor Andrea Dawkins was supported unanimously at today's Council meeting.

Launceston Mayor Albert van Zetten said the advent of compostable food packaging, including cups and cutlery, had already seen a move away from single use plastics at some Northern Tasmanian events.

"This year's Festivale was a prime example of the Council working with event organisers to take a new approach to waste, with the event forgoing single use plastics in favour of compostable alternatives," Mayor van Zetten said.

"It was an excellent demonstration, it was well-supported by patrons, and a fantastic outcome for our environment.

"Events like Party In The Paddock, A Festival Called Panama, and the Launceston Harvest Market are all doing great work in this area, but there are a lot of other events where there's scope to work collaboratively with event organisers to take a more environmentally sustainable approach.

"Compostable waste can be processed within our existing FOGO systems, meaning Launceston is well placed to implement initiatives aimed at decreasing our reliance on single use plastics.

"This motion will result in the council developing a pathway for event organisers so they can make the move sustainably away from single use plastics by 2022, and it means we will also examine what we do at our own Council facilities when it comes to single-use plastics.

"It means event organisers who wish to seek Council support will need to demonstrate that they won't rely on single use plastics.

"We think the target of 2022 is achievable, will give an appropriate amount of time for event organisers to adapt, and will lead to improved environmental outcomes in Northern Tasmania."