Let’s get started living plastic free

Published on 25 June 2018

The City of Hobart joins Rethink Waste Tasmania in encouraging everyone to take part in the Plastic Free July challenge and attempt to reduce their plastic consumption in July and beyond.

Reducing plastic waste is essential for protecting Tasmanian marine ecosystems, human health and the environment.

The City is committed to achieving zero waste to the landfill by 2030 through its Waste Management Strategy 2015-2030. The strategy includes over 90 actions aimed at reducing waste such as the introduction of green waste and food organic collection services, education, litter reduction, and support for events such as Plastic Free July.

Everyone can contribute to decreasing the amount of plastic used. Hobart residents can take the Plastic Free July challenge at Plastic Free July website or make a change in whatever way possible because if we each do a little, together we can achieve a lot.

Some steps to living without plastic

Say ‘no thanks’ to plastic shopping bags, single use water bottles, plastic straws, plastic food wrap and take away coffee cups and lids.
Bring your own reusable shopping bags or choose a box.
Refill your drink bottle.
Buy and store food in reusable or compostable containers.
Carry reusable utensils and glass, metal or paper drinking straws.
Have your ice cream hand-packed in your own container or treat yourself to an ice cream waffle cone.
Rethink your food storage – use cardboard, jars or glass containers.
Buy dry foods from bulk bins. If there are no bulk food stores in your area, buy non-perishable goods in large size packages to decrease the overall amount of plastic used.

For ideas on how to avoid or reduce plastic use, visit the Rethink Waste Tasmania website or Facebook page.

Recycling waste services

In addition to a fortnightly recycling collection, the City of Hobart provides several options for residents to dispose of their recyclable waste.

Items such as small electronics, toner cartridges, mobile phones and accessories, cosmetic containers, toothpaste tubes and brushes can be dropped off at the City of Hobart recycling unit on the corner of Davey and Elizabeth streets, between 8.15 am and 5.15 pm, Monday–Friday. Full list of items accepted is available on the Recycling Unit webpage.

McRobies Gully Waste Management Centre (The Tip) is open all week to take unwanted paint and paint containers, batteries, excess domestic recyclables, green waste, mobile phones, engine oil and fluorescent light globes and tubes. For more information visit the Tip webpage.

The Resource Work Cooperative Tip Shop accept a wide range of items for sale, reuse or recycling including household items, building materials, furniture, clothing, whitegoods, electronic waste and more. The Tip Shop also offers a free community pickup service. Visit the Other recycling and disposal options webpage to learn more.

Visit Recycling and rubbish webpage to find out more about the City of Hobart Waste Management Strategy 2015 - 2030 and for the full list of the recycling and rubbish services.

Following promotional materials are available for download - Recycling Fact Sheet(PDF, 437KB) , Towards Zero Waste to Landfill Reduce Plastics Flyer(PDF, 196KB) , Plastic Free July posters(PDF, 4MB).