University of Newcastle: NSW EPA partnership to curb single use plastics

The University is part of a diverse group of organisations in the partnership, who are designing and implementing solutions to support sustainability and the single use plastic bans in NSW.

Representatives from the University attended a cross-sector event in Sydney today hosted by the NSW Minister for Environment James Griffin to exchange ideas and drive meaningful momentum in the transition away from plastics.

Ranked top five in the world for partnering for a sustainable future1, the University of Newcastle is deeply committed to its sustainability goals and has already implemented initiatives such as the transformation of soft plastics recycled by staff and students into outdoor benches on campus.

Thanks to funding awarded from EPA as part of the partnership, the University will develop a cookbook with recipes using ingredients with plastic-free packaging to educate and inspire action in the community.

From 1 June, lightweight single-use plastic bags were banned in NSW. From November, the NSW Government is banning additional single-use items, including plastic straws, stirrers, cutlery, plates, bowls and cotton buds, expanded polystyrene food ware and cups, and rinse-off personal care products containing plastic microbeads.