Ocean Grove Plastic Bag SRP
Source Reduction Plan (SRP) Overview
Name of SRP
Partners Delivering the SRP
Acknowledgement of partners/organisations that helped implement the SRP and their key responsibilities.
(Local Council, other local government agencies, other community groups).
- Ocean Grove Coastcare group
- Tangaroa Blue Foundation
- Barwon South West Waste and Resource Recovery Group
- Barwon Coast Committee of Management
- City of Greater Geelong
- Bellarine Catchment Network and Ocean Grove Rotary
- Sustainability Victoria’s Litter Innovation Fund
Location
Name the type of location; beach, school, CBD, industrial area and the town/city the SPR was implemented.
(For example, Woolworths carpark, Castletown, Townsville)
Victoria
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Overall Goals & Background
Targeted Debris/Litter Item
Name of item or group of items being targeted in this SRP (For example, water bottles or recreational fishing gear)
Single-use plastic bags
Why is the SRP needed?
The Ocean Grove Coastcare group drove this local source reduction plan to reduce single-use plastic bag litter entering the marine environment at Ocean Grove. Once plastic bags are in the ocean they can cause significant harm to marine life.
Logistics
General Timeline
How long did it take?
Include audits, installation/distribution of materials, SRP completion & reporting.
Several events/activations in 2017
The aim is to create an education and awareness campaign to reduce plastic bag use in the community.
Measuring Success
How did you measure the success of the
SRP?
Some examples include:
– How did you measure/show the reduction of litter, through data collection?
– How many assets were created and distributed?
– Targeted audience (what type of audience were reached and how many people? How was this measured?)
– How did you measure community engagement?
Several tactics were harnessed to reduce this local problem item, including:
- A clean-up on Earth Day (22 April 2017)
- A community screening of the movie Mission Blue was shown as a community education tool about the issue of plastics and marine debris, as well as to promote Plastic Free July. Carolyn Luder of Tangaroa Blue Foundation presented on Plastic Free July and opportunities to participate.
- Create posters for businesses, encouraging alternatives to single-use plastic bags.
Data Collection & Reporting
What methodology did you use to collect
the data?
How was the data recorded and shared?
(For example, audits, survey frequency, AMDI Database) Include evidence of the methodology used relevant to your type of location. Monitoring Methodology – Tangaroa Blue
Evidence from the clean-up was inputted into the AMDI Database and used throughout the project to showcase the issue in a local context.
Results and Reflections
Positive Outcomes
What was the outcome of your SMART goal?
– Was there a reduction in targeted debris/ litter?
– What assets were created/how many were distributed?
– Did you reach your targeted audience and how was the community engaged?
Include website links and social media platforms
- 90 single-use plastic bags were recovered from Ocean Grove Main Beach, including shopping bags and dog poo bags.
- Approximately 50 people attended the event, and attendees made pledges to give up common plastic items for the month.
Funding
What did the SRP cost?
– Cash fundings for asset creation and implementation
– What In-kind funding support did you receive from partners/organisations?
This Source Reduction Plan workshop was funded through Sustainability Victoria’s Litter Innovation Fund.
Challenges & Improvements
What challenges did you face during the SRP?
– How were these addressed and adapted to?
What could be improved if this SRP was to be replicated?
Future Opportunities
What were some additional positive outcomes?
Is your SRP still in action?
(For example, have any partners/organisations, Local Council, agencies, or community groups continued to implement your SRP?)
Include website links & social media
The Ocean Grove and Coastcare group continued to promote the reduction of single-use bags in their area.
