Leading companies joined forces with the City of Sydney to pledge a dramatic reduction in single-use plastics across their businesses.
Industry leaders from the hospitality, accommodation, events, and property sectors have come together with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, to sign up to the Sydney Single-use Pledge.
More than 30 organisations have so far taken the pledge, including the Sydney Opera House, Atlassian, Fox Studios and Star Entertainment Group.
The commitment means there will be fewer plastic bottles, straws, throwaway cups, and food utensils at a growing number of Sydney hotels, entertainment venues, markets, festivals, major events, and outdoor spaces.
The Lord Mayor said the pledge shows Sydney businesses are determined to reduce the devastating effect single-use plastics are having on the environment.
“Acting together, we can reduce our impact on the environment and show the world that Sydney businesses are leading the way to a zero waste future,” the Lord Mayor said.
“Studies show that up to 1 million plastic drinks bottles are purchased globally every minute, but less than 50 per cent are collected for recycling.
“Plastic straws can last up to 600 years and many end up in our beautiful harbour and waterways. It is shameful that by 2050 there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish.
“While recycling plays an important role in managing our waste, we need to refocus on reduction and avoidance.
“The City has set bold targets to reach zero waste by 2030. We must reduce the amount of waste we produce, recycle as much as possible, and treat what’s left over in the most sustainable way.
“I congratulate the businesses who have signed up to this pledge, and I urge others to get on board and commit to phasing out single-use plastic because it’s better for business and better for the environment.”
Businesses from the City of Sydney-led groups Sustainable Destination Partnership, Better Buildings Partnership, and CitySwitch have committed to reducing single-use items in their businesses and buildings. So far 32 organisations have signed the pledge, with more expected to join.
Under the new environmental pledge, businesses commit to implementing at least four actions that will reduce reliance on single-use plastic items.
The City of Sydney has taken a platinum pledge, committing to phasing out seven single-use items in its buildings, at its venues and events within the local government area. The City will eliminate or reduce the use of the following items:
- bottled water
- plastic straws
- plastic serve ware, including expanded polystyrene
- plastic utensils
- promotional flyers
- plastic single-use sampling or giveaways
- single-use cups
The City has developed guidelines to help everyone using its venues and outdoor space find sustainable alternatives to single-use items and ensure that where waste is generated, recycling is maximised: cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/Guidelines-for-single-use-items
The pledge form is available online: betterbuildingspartnership.com.au/sydney-businesses-are-eliminating-single-use/
