The Shire of Collie council has voted to recognise the environmental impact that single use plastics have on the environment and are committed to reducing the amount of single use plastics within all shire owned buildings at Tuesday night’s meeting.
The motion, which recognised the environmental impact that single use plastics have on the environment and committing to reduce the amount of single use plastics within the shire was voted 10 all, but no policy was implemented.
The motion was brought forward by Councillor Leonie Scoffern who raised the issue about implementing the ban now to reduce the overall waste and not waiting again in 12 months time to take action.
She also had a motion to ban plastics at shire run events, however this was amended to investigate banning all single use plastics at events organised or sponsored by the shire.
Single use plastics are things like plastic plates, cutlery, water bottles, coffee cups, straws and bags.
Cr Scoffern said at the meeting the shire could lead by example and educate the entire community on responsible plastic use and reducing plastic which would bring them on board about the issue.
She said the ban wasn’t going to be implemented as a local law but it would encourage people to do the right thing.
The reason for the investigation was raised among councillors about what alternatives could be used instead of plastic, as glass didn’t seem like a safe enough option, especially at public events.
Cr Jodie Hanns said there were quite a few questions that needed answering.
Shire of Collie president Sarah Stanley said the shire needed to undertake the investigation to consider the options and whether it’s the right decision to make.
Cr Scoffern said our rivers and oceans were suffering from plastic pollution and because we do live in a river catchment area that everyone has experienced litter and plastic along our rivers and lakes.
More than 268,940 tonnes of litter is estimated to be floating in the earth’s oceans, according to independent charity Australian Marine Conservation Society.
The marine society also states that 80 percent of the litter in our waters is plastic, which is generated from land.
Cr Scoffern said if they didn’t get onto the problem soon that it would cause a bigger issue for their waterways in the future.
A report of the findings will be brought back to council at a later date.
The motion for the shire to adopt the ban within shire buildings was voted 10 all and the amended motion to investigate banning plastics at events organised by the shire was passed seven to three.
