Northern Beaches Council has launched a new campaign designed to encourage and support local businesses to reduce their usage of single plastics.

Council’s ‘Swap for Good’ program provides various support measures for local businesses including one-on-one guidance, sustainable procurement guides, online networking hubs and webinars as well as a list of suppliers of sustainable materials.

Mayor Michael Regan urged businesses to embrace the movement away from single-use plastic bags, bottles, straws and coffee cups and lids and use sustainable alternatives instead.

“With everyone doing their bit, we can collectively make a huge difference to the volume of plastics polluting our waterways and oceans and adding to landfill.

“There’s no time like the present to get started,” he said.

“Swap for Good fosters a network of businesses who support each other to share their experiences and stories on the journey. 

“It’s a great time for businesses to join in making the swap to sustainable practices.”

To help businesses tackle single-use plastics reduction, Council has organised an expo to be held on 1 July at the Harbord Diggers. The expo will showcase sustainable packaging suppliers to local businesses as well as providing network opportunities with other like-minded companies which are phasing out single-use plastics. 

To raise awareness about excessive plastics use, local artist Angela van Boxtel has produced a giant water drop sculpture, made from plastic water bottles. The sculpture will be on display at Café Racer in Mona Vale until World Ocean Day on 8 June.  

According to statistics from ABC’s War on Waste program, Australians buy one billion plastic water bottles every year but only 20% are recycled.

Businesses can sign up to the Swap for Good program on Council’s website.

Media Enquiries: media@northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au 9942 2678