We are proud to announce that we will be moving towards the elimination of single-use plastics in council-run facilities, beginning with Yarra’s leisure centres.

In the first phase of the plan, council-operated leisure centres at Richmond and Collingwood, as well as the Fitzroy Pool and Burnley Golf Course, will no longer provide plastic water bottles or straws. Instead, new water fountains will be installed and people will be encouraged to bring their own reusable bottles. The changes are expected to be implemented by the end of this year. 

Other council-run facilities are anticipated to phase out single-use plastic by 2022.

Yarra Council voted unanimously to back the plan at its council meeting on 2 July 2019.

Yarra Mayor, Cr Danae Bosler said going plastic-free is an important step in the council’s long term ambition to become a zero waste city. 

“Single-use plastics have a terrible impact on our environment, particularly our waterways, and our community expects us to take real action on this issue.

“We’re a big supporter of the Plastic Free July campaign, so it’s critical that as a council we walk the talk on eliminating single-use plastics. We know many of our residents and businesses are also taking steps to go plastic-free.

“We’re proud to be joining with our community to kick the single-use plastic habit,” Cr Bosler said.

According to Sustainability Victoria, Australians use 4 billion single-use plastic bags each year. Of these, approximately 150 million end up in our oceans and waterways, contributing to an estimated 8 million tonnes of plastic dumped into the ocean every year. Similarly, Australians use around 1 billion takeaway hot drink cups every year, with the vast majority ending up in landfill.  

Check out Yarra’s Zero Waste Map to see local businesses that are also going plastic-free.

Yarra’s 3-phase plan for going single-use plastic free in council-run facilities:

Phase 1 – to be completed by December 2019:

Remove single-use plastics from Yarra’s leisure facilities (Richmond Recreation Centre, Fitzroy Pool, Collingwood Leisure Centre and Burnley Golf Course), and install new water fountains at each centre. This will be accompanied by an education campaign to encourage people to bring their own reusable bottle. 

Phase 2 - January – September 2020:

Develop a plan for removing single-use plastics from all Yarra Council venues

Phase 3 – October 2020

Begin implementing the plan to remove single-use plastics from Yarra Council venues.