Ocean Grove Plastic Bag SRP

Source Reduction Plan (SRP) Overview

Name of SRP

Partners Delivering the SRP

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

Victoria

Photo 1

Evidence of the issue

Photo 2

Evidence of SRP resources

Photo 3

Evidence of positive outcomes

Overall Goals & Background

Targeted Debris

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

Timeline and Project Goals

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

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

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

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

This Source Reduction Plan workshop was funded through Sustainability Victoria’s Litter Innovation Fund.

Challenges & Improvements

N/A

Future Opportunities

The Ocean Grove and Coastcare group continued to promote the reduction of single-use bags in their area.