Adelaide Zoo and sister site Monarto Safari Park have been named Plastic-Free Champions by Deputy Premier Susan Close, Minister for Climate, Environment & Water.
Both Zoos SA sites were named Plastic Free Champions after eliminating key plastic items including straws, non-certified compostable coffee cups and lids, takeaway containers, food ware, cutlery, plates, cups and bags.
“Being recongised for our efforts to eliminate plastic from our sites is very rewarding and encouraging. We’ve enjoyed working closely with Plastic Free SA and Green Industries SA to champion this cause,” said Dr Phil Ainsley, Director of Adelaide Zoo.
“As a conservation charity we are in a position to lead the way in caring for our environment and sharing that message. It’s vital that we all work together to protect species from the effects of litter on land and in waterways.
“Together we must eliminate single use plastics and instead opt for reusable, recyclable and certified compostable items.
“When you visit our sites you can either bring your own reusable cup, buy a one of our retail shops or, purchase a coffee at the café which are sold in certified compostable cups. Excitingly, you can now dispose of your cups in our specifically designed coffee cup compost bins at the zoo!
“We’re not stopping here though. There’s always more we can do, and we’re constantly evolving in this space,” finished Phil.
Globally 95% of all plastic packaging is used once and then wasted, often as litter. In its 2014 Marine Debris report in Australia, the CSIRO stated that, ‘two thirds of the marine debris found along our coastline is plastic, most from local sources.’ Australia throws away 2.7million coffee cups every day.
As well as naming Zoos SA sites as Plastic Free Champions, Susan Close was on site at Adelaide Zoo to announce Green Industry’s next steps in their efforts to phase out single-use plastic products. The next step will see plastic-stemmed cotton buds, plastic bowls and plates and pizza savers phased out entirely by September 2023.
