Northern Rivers businesses encouraged to go single use plastic free this July

According to a national report 200 Olympic swimming pools worth of single use plastic is going into landfill every single year. Here’s how to do your part to stop the waste.

A report has revealed the shocking amount of single use plastic that ends up in landfill each year. ​

More than 95 small and large brands have joined the challenge to go plastic-free this July, including businesses in the Northern Rivers.

This Plastic Free July, ambitious Aussie start up Zero Co was calling on workplaces across the country to join their mission to end single-use plastic (SUP).

The Work Waste Challenge has quickly gained momentum with big names like ANZ, Australia Post and LinkedIn kicking things off, alongside Aussie favourites Gumtree, Arnotts and Koala who have also jumped on board.

Right now, there are almost 2.5 million businesses in Australia buying and throwing away SUP bottles like communal hand wash and dishwashing liquid every week.

Single use plastic generic image.

Even with the correct office recycling system, the National Waste Report 2020 shows that a shocking 85 per cent of plastic put into recycling bins actually ends up in landfill.

That‘s 200 Olympic swimming pools worth of single-use plastic going to landfill every single year.

Zero Co, who produce Aussie-made, zero-waste personal care and home cleaning products, has asked all businesses, large and small, to make a pledge to take action against SUP at their workplace and encourage employees to go SUP free at home too.

Founder Mike Smith hoped to shine a light on the impact businesses can have on the plastic problem in Australia and believed the Work Waste Challenge was a great opportunity to rally employees to tackle this issue.

Zero Co founder Mike Smith is encouraging businesses to go plastic free this July.

“The idea is simple, businesses make a plastic-free pledge on our website, we share a staff discount code and set them up with an office starter pack (if they need one) with things like hand wash, multipurpose cleaner and dishwashing liquid,” he said.

“Their business will be placed on our leaderboard to show how many SUP bottles they’re diverting from landfill and how many of their staff sign up to join our mission throughout the month.”

Gumtree spokeswoman Eleni Gavalas was among the first to make a pledge on behalf of the business.

“We‘re really excited to have pledged our support and to have joined the Work Waste Challenge,” Mrs Gavalas said.

“For over 14 years, we have helped Aussies trade on Gumtree and embrace sustainable living by giving many items the chance of a new life.

“Our pledge to support Zero Co marks a step further in our ongoing commitment to encourage Australians to share more and waste less.”

The challenge also helps fund local ocean cleans.

Beach clean up.

“This is the kind of immediate action we need from businesses around Australia,” Mr Smith said.

“If we can get workplaces involved in tackling the plastic problem, it sets a great example for employees to take similar action in their homes too”.

With over 90 businesses already on board, Zero Co hopes to inspire 1,000 Aussie brands to join their SUP free mission before the end of Plastic Free July.