As the world marks World Environment Day today – Thursday, 5 June – Alpine Shire Council is joining millions globally in a shared mission to protect and restore the planet.
As the world marks World Environment Day today – Thursday, 5 June – Alpine Shire Council is joining millions globally in a shared mission to protect and restore the planet.
This year’s theme, 'Beat Plastic Pollution', highlights the urgent need for collective action to reduce plastic waste and transition to a circular economy.
Alpine Shire Mayor, Cr Sarah Nicholas, is calling on all residents to take part in the movement.
“World Environment Day is a powerful reminder that every small action counts,” Cr Nicholas said.
“Whether it’s saying no to single-use plastics or joining our local recycling initiatives, we all have a role to play in creating a cleaner, greener future.”
Plastic pollution remains one of the most pressing environmental challenges:
- Global plastic production doubled between 2000 and 2019.
- Of the 9.2 billion tonnes of plastic produced since the 1950s, seven billion tonnes have ended up in landfills or the environment.
- Half of all plastic is designed for single-use – including bottles, bags, and disposable containers.
- Plastic production is energy-intensive and heavily reliant on fossil fuels.
To help community members rethink their plastic use, Council is encouraging simple, impactful changes:
- Shop smart: Bring reusable bags and choose unpackaged produce.
- Ditch disposables: Carry your own water bottle, coffee cup, and utensils.
- Switch packaging: Use beeswax wraps or silicone bags instead of plastic clingwrap.
- Recycle right: Know what goes in your yellow bin and sign up to Halve Waste's Soft Plastics Recycling Pilot Program
“We’re proud to have been part of HalveWaste's soft plastics recycling program since August last year, and have had over 1,000 households registered," Cr Nicholas said.
"The program makes it easier than ever to recycle soft plastics responsibly and dispose of them in the signature orange bags via your household recycling bin.
“I encourage everyone to sign up and be part of the solution.”
Community members can register for the soft plastics recycling program by visiting our Customer Service Centre in Bright, libraries in Bright, Mount Beauty and Myrtleford or Visitor Information Centres in Bright, Mount Beauty, and Myrtleford, scanning the QR code and picking up a pack of orange bags.
To learn more about World Environment Day and how you can get involved, visit World Environment Day.