Single-use plastics

The first stage of the project focused on improving Councils own practices. Using the findings from the report and action plan to phase out single-use plastics across Council facilities, services and events.

The development of a comprehensive policy to support the elimination of single-use plastic at Council facilities, services and events would demonstrate leadership and clearly communicate Council’s commitment to waste reduction and resource recovery. 

Using the lessons learned from the first stage of this project to inform Stage 2, which would see the single use plastic policy extend to all users of Council owned or managed land and facilities as well as Council sponsored events, events held on Council land and buildings.

Stage 2 also involved the development and implementation of a communication and education campaign that encourages the broader residential and business community in the shire to reduce the use of single use items.

The timeline of the project has seen significant delays due to the ongoing challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The competition will launch on 27 January 2023 and close Friday 6 April. 

 Enter the competition to have your artwork displayed at the Discovery Centre at Hanging Rock Reserve. 

 Create an artwork using any materials you like, but the art piece must include some plastic. It can be upcycled, recycled or plastic collected as litter from your school, house and surroundings to creatively raise awareness and show the impacts that single-use plastics have on the environment. 

 Some examples of single-use plastics:

• snack wrappers
• coffee cups
• straws
• cotton buds
• polystyrene
• Bread bag tags and more. 

 Artwork can be, but not limited to: 

•  wall art
• collage
• assemblage.

Maximum sizing for the artwork: 60cm wide x 60cm tall x 4cm deep.

Provide a brief description of the artwork and how it relates to the impact of single-use plastic. One entry per student.

Entries must be received by Council by close of business on Friday 6 April 2023 via post, or delivered to a Customer Service Centre. Post entries to: PO Box 151, Kyneton VIC 3444.

Each submission must be clearly labelled on the back with the students name and school/early learning centre.

Three different categories to enter

Save our waterways – Early learning category

Plastic can be found in rivers, lakes and creeks where they eventually end up in the ocean, where is does not belong. Sea life and wildlife often mistake plastic for food which isn’t good for them or for the planet. Create a piece of artwork to help spread the word and save our waterways from plastic.

Pesky Plastics! - Primary School Category

When you throw away plastic, where does it go? The trouble with plastics is they never go away! Lots of single-use plastics are lightweight, so they blow away easily and turn into litter. Let’s work together to create some art to help reduce the amount of plastic we use to keep places like Hanging Rock Reserve and our planet free from single-use plastic litter.

Plastic fantastic! - Secondary school category

It’s fantastic in so many ways – strong, convenient, lightweight, durable and cheap to produce. It’s not fantastic for the same reasons when it reaches the environment, plus it lasts forever. Globally the use of plastic has increased, so has plastic litter and pollution. Each and every one of us has a part to play – we can reduce our plastic use and consumption, reuse and recycle responsibly to have a positive impact. It’s time to get creative and share the message on the impacts that single-use plastics have on the environment. 

Winners will be shortlisted by a panel of the Resource Recovery and Hanging Rock Reserve Teams.

Finalists will be judged by a panel of Councillors during the months of April and May 2023.

• One winner from each category will have their artwork featured in the art exhibit at Hanging Rock Reserve Discovery Centre. 
• One winner from each category will win a worm farm or compost bin (made from recycled plastic) to take home.
• The early learning centre or school from which the winners are from, will win a delivery of organic compost for their gardens. 
•  Each entrant will have the chance to have their artwork displayed as part of the art exhibition. 

For more information on the competition, email Waste Education Officer, Krystina Simpson at Resource_Recovery_Admin@mrsc.vic.gov.au or call (03) 5422 0333.

It is illegal to release balloons in to the environment in Victoria. It is littering and can harm wildlife. Learn more about the ban on releasing balloons by visiting the Victorian Government website.

On 1 November 2019 the ban on lightweight plastic bags (plastic shopping bags with handles and 35 microns or less in thickness) came into effect and in legislation. Learn more about the ban by visiting the Vic Bag Ban website.

From 1 February 2023, problematic single-use plastics will be banned from sale or supply in Victoria.

Banned items are single-use plastic:

• drinking straws
• cutlery including knives, forks, spoons, chopsticks, sporks, splades, food picks and sporks
• plates
• drink stirrers and sticks
• cotton bud sticks
• expanded polystyrene food service items and drink containers. This includes expanded polystyrene plates, cups, bowls, clam shells and any cover or lid that is also made from expanded polystyrene.

Learn more about the ban by visiting the Victorian Government website.