Everyday Actions for a Plastic-Free Future
Plastic pollution harms wildlife, pollutes oceans and waterways, and can affect human health. Plastic can take hundreds of years to break down, and as it does, it creates microplastics that contaminate the environment. Reducing plastic pollution helps protect animals, keep communities clean, and create a healthier future for everyone.
Five simple ways you can reduce plastic pollution:
- Use reusable bags
Bring your own shopping bags instead of using single-use plastic bags. - Carry a reusable water bottle
Refill a durable bottle rather than buying bottled water. - Avoid single-use plastics
Choose reusable coffee cups, straws, cutlery, and food containers whenever possible. - Recycle correctly
Sort and dispose of your plastic waste correctly, visit Council’s Mixed Recycling Bins webpage to check your recycling knowledge. - Choose products with less packaging
Buy items in bulk or select products that use minimal or recyclable packaging.
These small everyday actions can significantly reduce the amount of plastic entering landfills, waterways, and the environment.
Organise a community litter collection
Help keep Merri-bek clean by organising a community litter collection. Council can collect the litter gathered at your event if you register in advance and complete the online Community Litter Collection form.
Community litter collections are volunteer events where residents clean up rubbish from public areas. To run an event, register with Merri Creek Management Committee (MCMC), this provides you with public liability insurance, a clean-up kit (including gloves, bags, high-vis vests and first aid supplies), and support with site selection, safety, training and litter data collection.
Before your event, let Council know where you’ll be collecting litter by completing the online form so arrangements can be made to pick up the collected waste.
If you’d prefer to join an existing group, several organisations in Merri-bek regularly run litter clean-ups, including Friends of Merri Creek, the Merri Creek Management Committee, The Plastic Runner and Clean Up Australia Day community groups. Explore other active community groups in Merri-bek.
Find out everything you need to know about organising a community litter collection on the Merri-bek Council website.
