Local policies

What you can do

Review local policies to reduce plastic waste from government, business and community.

How you can do it

Most local governments start their Plastic Free July journey by engaging the community in activities such as a plastic free morning tea, running practical workshops and showing how events can be plastic free.

Once reducing plastic waste has become part of what your community does, it makes it easier to discuss with the key decision makers which policies could be amended to assist local governments to go plastic free.

One easy win for most local governments is making amendments to internal procurement policies to require sourcing of goods and catering with less single-use plastic packaging. This demonstrates that the local government is walking the talk, and show how easy it can be to go plastic free.

Taking the next steps

After introducing the idea to your community and introducing better practices within the local government, you can begin to engage the community to make changes to other policies.

Many local governments have banned smoking in public places and the release of helium balloons for ceremonial purposes. These two items commonly impact wildlife and are significant sources of litter.

Another impactful policy change is around events. Increasingly vendors and event organisers are required to avoid single-use plastics such as disposable cups, plates and cutlery. Our events cards include ideas for reducing plastic waste.

The impact

• Local policies  reflect community values that support reducing waste, caring for the environment and doing the right thing. They can be useful for bringing people together on common goals.
• Local governments and municipalities often have the power to regulate on issues that meet the aspirations of the broader community.