We delivered our first plastic-free trial throughout the Glenhuntly Road shopping centre in Elsternwick, to help businesses eliminate or reduce their use of single-use plastics. Reducing our use of single-use plastics is an important way to live more sustainably and prevent ocean pollution.

The six-month trial involved working closely with 18 food and retail businesses in the shopping centre to replace single-use plastic items, such as water bottles, food ware (cutlery, cups, plates, bowls), straws, plastic lined coffee cups/lids, takeaway containers and plastic bags with re-usable alternatives. The trial coincided with the Victorian bag ban on 1 November 2019.

From October 2019 to April 2020, the participating Elsternwick businesses eliminated more than 25,000 pieces of single-use plastic in total throughout the trial. Most participants have eliminated at least one type of plastic item. Incredibly, four businesses have eliminated single-use plastic packaging entirely and three restaurants took part in Returnr, a swap-and-go reusable container and cup system.

The six-month trial has helped us understand how we can best support other businesses in Glen Eira to go plastic-free. We will build on this knowledge and deliver a Glen Eira wide plastic-free program to businesses throughout 2020–21.

For more information visit the Plastic-free Elsternwick page on our website.