Changing Habits with Plastic Free Noosa
Georgia Beard discovers how Plastic Free Noosa empowers earth-conscious change for an interconnected community of government initiatives, business owners, locals and visitors.
Across Noosa’s native forest trails, beach boardwalks and streetside cafés, you might’ve noticed consumer habits changing in the hands of locals.
We’re carrying Keep Cups and ceramic mugs instead of takeaway coffee cups and drinking from bottles of aluminium and stainless steel instead of plastic.
We’re encountering water refill stations, waste stations and container collectors on every corner.
Transformation is happening behind the counter too! Local business owners have turned into waste warriors, rethinking their energy and water consumption to offset their carbon footprint and benefit the environment as well as the bottom line.
This waste-conscious action sweeping through our community is the product of visionary thinking and smart planning years in the making.
In 2017, Boomerang Alliance named Noosa the first pilot community in Australia for Communities Taking Control, empowering locals to eliminate single-use plastics and replace them with earth-friendly alternatives.
Plastic Free Noosa emerged in response to this calling, developed from a partnership between Noosa Council and Tourism Noosa.
Tourism Sustainability Manager Juanita Terry-Bloomfield said this plastic-elimination program has become a leading example of what can be achieved when a community works together towards a single goal.
“The program has been empowering other communities to follow along the way and has now been successfully replicated through the Plastic Free Places program in other tourism towns across Australia,” she said.
“Plastic Free Noosa is currently working with more than 172 businesses and event organisers who are on the journey to become Plastic Free Champions and together, we have already eliminated over 17.8 million single-use plastic items since the commencement of the program.”
From community clean-ups and sustainable business operations to the individual choices made by local consumers, Plastic Free Noosa has proven we all have a role to play in reducing plastic pollution.
Sometimes, we need a little encouragement! After the Queensland Government successfully banned single-use plastic straws, stirrers, cutlery, bowls, plates and expanded polystyrene containers from businesses in 2021, more single-use items have joined the mix.
Since 1 September 2023, businesses can no longer supply plastic shopping bags, expanded polystyrene loose-fill packaging, cotton buds with plastic stems and plastic microbeads in body and beauty products.
When communities struggle to overcome waste challenges, Plastic Free Noosa steps in. They’ve partnered with three initiatives to provide businesses, locals and visitors with resources and tools that are flexible and easy to use.
ASPIRE
ASPIRE turns unwanted waste into resource, bringing together businesses
to exchange or sell valuable discarded materials from organic waste to e-waste to metals and chemicals.
Developed by CSIRO and Data61, this online circular economy marketplace creates new supply chains, reduces waste disposal costs, diverts waste from landfill and lowers CO2 emissions – best of all, it’s free to join for companies with under 100 employees! Simply register at
www.noosa.qld.gov.au/aspire-1
RECYCLE MATE
Ever find yourself at a waste station unsure whether your rubbish belongs in the red, yellow or green? The Recycle Mate app helps you identify the best local disposal options for your waste with a comprehensive directory of over 4,000 items identified by community feedback.
Just take a photo or enter the name of your item and the platform will tailor recycling advice to your location, from which bin to use to better recycling options nearby! Download the app from your preferred app store.
EXPRESS RECYCLING: CONTAINERS FOR CHANGE
Owners Dion and Josie Lawrence established Noosa’s Containers for Change facility in 2019, helping to process over 10 million plastic bottles with their team and business partners.
Located at 26 Action Street, Noosaville, the container refund point offers 10 cents back on bottles and cans as well as this year’s addition of wine and spirit bottles!
Alongside these impactful initiatives, Plastic Free Noosa collaborates with local businesses to promote action in the community. Ok Boocha is one success story among many in reducing single-use plastic.
Their locally handcrafted, slow-brewed Kombucha and sparkling and still water comes in infinitely recyclable aluminium cans, healthy for both consumers and the environment!
Plastic Free Noosa also works with event organisers to meet the Tourism Noosa Sustainable Event Criteria.
“This critical part of the sustainable events program means sponsored events in Noosa monitor, evaluate, take sustainable action measures and benchmark annually to make sure they are achieving sustainable outcomes for the natural environment, the local community and visitors,” Juanita said.
“In response to the single-use plastic bans, we have also expanded the Plastic Free Noosa Member Criteria and are pleased to announce the program is continuing to work towards the elimination of single-use plastic water bottles, takeaway coffee cups and lids, plus encourages members to work towards zero waste operations.”
For recognition as Plastic Free Champions, members must meet five of the organisation’s seven criteria items:
1. Eliminate single-use plastic bottles
2. Eliminate single-use coffee cups & lids
3. Recycle waste and redeem credit with Containers for Change
4. Accept reusable foodware and drinkware
5. Source wholesale products in plastic free or sustainable packaging
6. Compost organics
7. Use and provide refillable amenities.
All-embracing, uplifting and tireless in their efforts, Plastic Free Noosa is the foundation beneath a growing network of low-impact businesses and consumers.
Here at IN Noosa Magazine, we run a Plastic Free office from our waste management practices to using Pottery for the Planet Keep Cups for coffee runs; canister teas from Noosa’s own Tea Shop and we use our own glass containers for takeaway lunches and leftovers. We actively support and encourage Plastic Free Noosa businesses and our magazines are printed on eco-stock, delivered in cardboard boxes and never wrapped in plastic! It’s quite easy to be Plastic Free.
Now our natural landscapes are growing over the harmful footprints we’ve left behind – an outcome each one of us can achieve in any community.
All it takes is a change of habit.
JUANITA’S TOP TIPS FOR A PLASTIC-FREE LIFE!
1. BE PREPARED
Keep reusable carry bags in your car or handbag!
2. BYO CUPS
Take your reusable coffee cup for your daily caffeine fix and your water bottle to fill up in-store or around town!
3. SHOP WITH THE CHAMPIONS
Look for participating Plastic Free Champions and support businesses rejecting single-use plastic packaging and introducing earth-friendly ideas to their operations.
4. RECYCLE AT HOME
If there’s no recycling bin available when you’re out and about, take your waste home to your own bin!
5. THINK BEFORE BUYING
Always consider the packaging before you buy. If there’s no plastic-free alternative, ask yourself whether you really need it!
