Grant helps sports clubs, community groups reduce waste

single-use plastic ban

Mornington Peninsula Shire is helping sports clubs and community groups phase out a reliance on plastics with a single-use plastic grant.

Grants range from $1000-$5000 and can go towards purchasing reusable bottles, crockery, a dishwasher or other reusable items that will save money in the long run and create less waste.

Applications close 10 June, or when funds run out.

Money must be used for activities aligned with the council’s Single-use Plastics Policy. To be eligible the organisation must be based at a public building, space or facility.

Mayor Councillor Anthony Marsh said change starts with the council.

“Often, we opt for single-use plastics out of habit, even though we know how bad they are. We are changing that. As an organisation, we are phasing out the use of single-use plastics in our offices, halls, sporting clubs, events and on shire-managed land.

“And now we’re helping community groups phase out their use of plastics with our innovative single-use plastic grant.”

In August 2020 the council adopted the Single-use Plastic Policy in support of its ambition to have zero waste to landfill by 2030.

Among items the policy bans are plastic bags, polystyrene, straws, stirrers, cutlery, coffee cups, bottled water containers, takeaway containers, ballons, glitter, cling wrap and individually wrapped items.

The policy applies to all shire business staff, leases and contracts, shire sponsored activities and individuals, groups or organisations planning to use council-owned or managed sites.

For more information, visit: www.mornpen.vic.gov.au/grants

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