The coronavirus contagion affected countless things in 2020, including the ecosystem to the surprise of many.
Now, the people behind the nation’s largest community-based environmental event, Clean Up Australia Day, are encouraging Hunter residents to help them protect and conserve the planet in March.
Chairman Pip Kiernan believes every individual can make a huge difference in 2021, given the impact COVID-19 has had on our surroundings over the past 12 months.
“The pandemic has changed the way we live; and with new safety measures came an increase in waste,” she said.
“Restaurants were only doing takeaway meals, retail outlets had a surge in online orders, and cafes weren’t using customers’ personal reusable cups – not to mention the disposable masks we’re seeing littered across our parks, beaches, and waterways.”
New research supports Pip’s reasoning, and also shows Australians want to commit to more sustainable practices as they move forward.
“Thirty-four per cent of Australian households self-identified as producing more packaging waste during lockdown periods in 2020 compared to previous years,” she explained.
“And, over half of them said they are now concerned about product packaging waste than they were in 2019.”
To help communities become more environmentally friendly, Pip and the team launched Step Up To Clean Up last year.
The campaign saw passionate Aussies make a pledge to become further sustainable, while sharing their journey online and across social media.
“Some people are committing to only buying second-hand clothes this year, others will recycle their soft plastics at the supermarket, some parents have committed to waste-free lunches for their kids,” Pip said.
“Being environmentally friendly is all about building good habits – and we don’t need a few people doing sustainability perfectly, we need lots of people doing their small part.”
With COVID-19 restrictions still in place across the nation, this year’s Clean Up Australia Day will be done a little differently.
Groups are limited to 5-10 people and, being outdoors, volunteers can socially distance safely.
Bigger sites will have multiple smaller groups covering the area.
All participants will receive a free clean up kit with gloves and bags, after signing in via a contactless QR code.
Locals who can’t make the Sunday 7 March event are still urged to get involved, and can organise their own clean up via the website any time.
Other 2021 Clean Up Australia initiatives include the Great Northern Clean Up and Clean Up Our Patch Tasmania, as well as the new Buy Recycled online resource launched this year to help businesses find more sustainable alternatives to unnecessary packaging.
“The waste we’re creating will outlive us,” Pip said.
“But, so too can the legacy we leave for our children and the planet.”
Registration for the 31st annual Clean Up Australia Day is now open.
Go to the organisation’s website for more information.
