By Tate Papworth
The Sunshine Business Association may think straws suck, but its sustainability program does anything but.
The push to rid the business district of single use plastic straws has landed the association and the Friends of Kororoit Creek a nomination for the Sustainable Cities Litter Prevention Award 2019.
But Sunshine Business Association president Carson Luk said it was only one step in a broader strategy.
“The Straws Suck campaign is but step one of a broader plastic-free Sunshine campaign,” he said.
“Other stages will be, single use plastic bags and single use take away containers.”
The campaign was launched in 2018 and aimed to change the way businesses operated to reduce litter.
Single use plastic straws were phased out and replaced with paper straws in more than 80 cafes and restaurants throughout the precinct.
The campaign also involved installing anti-litter bin wraps on more than 100 rubbish bins.
Mr Luk said the campaign has so far been a success.
“We’ve been pleasantly surprised with the support from major stakeholders including the traders, the Brimbank council, Friends of Kororoit Creek, Enactus, the local schools, and the community.”
