Green Drinks with Plastic Free Townsville

Around 20 locals gathered for our final Green Drinks of the year to hear from Diana Condylas of Plastic Free Townsville (Boomerang Alliance). It was an evening filled with important updates, practical ideas, and great conversation about how we can all help create a low-waste future - at home, in our workplaces, and across the community.

Plastic-Free Progress

Diana shared updates from the Boomerang Alliance, which was recently accredited to the UN Environment Programme in recognition of its global leadership in plastic reduction. The Alliance has declared 2025 the “Year of Reuse,” championing reusable systems across events, tourism, education, and hospitality.

Their advocacy is driving national change - including a call for a 30% national target for reusable packaging by 2030, bans on disposable foodware for dine-in customers, and a levy on single-use cups and containers.

Fast facts that hit home:

Australians are the second-highest per-capita plastic waste generators globally.
Australia's Plastic use contributes over 16 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions each year.
We use more than 1.8 billion single-use coffee cups annually!
Locally, the Plastic Free Places program has already helped eliminate over 38 million single-use items across 2,500 venues - including 485 “Plastic Free Champions.”

Local Highlights

Closer to home, Diana spotlighted inspiring local initiatives showing reuse in action:

Zero Waste Magnetic Island has released its Waste Strategy and Report, setting an example for circular waste management.
EcoTrilogy has successfully provided reusable cups, bowls, plates, and bins for large local events like NAFA and JunkFest — proving that reuse at events is both practical and enjoyable.
While other states offer grants for sustainable event practices (like commercial dishwashers or reusable cup systems), Queensland still has work to do. Diana encouraged us to keep pushing for leadership and consistency - from council events to our local coffee shops - especially in a city accredited as an EcoTourism Destination.

How You Can Help

Diana reminded us that every conversation helps shift the norm. You can:
Encourage local cafés, food stalls, and event organisers to join Plastic Free NQ.
Ask for a real or reusable cup when dining in - and gently model the change you want to see.
Bring reusables to events and shops (containers, cups, cutlery).
Mention Plastic Free NQ in community meetings or event planning groups - planting small seeds of change over time.
Model reuse proudly - every visible action helps normalise it!

Reducing Waste at Home

Diana also shared a treasure chest of home sustainability tips inspired by Vivienne Westwood’s mantra: “Buy less, choose well, make it last.”

Some crowd favourites included:

Cut up old cotton clothes to make reusable cleaning cloths.
Mix up your own natural cleaner with vinegar, water, and essential oils.
Compost food scraps through MakeSoil or a local compost network — never in landfill!
Use bars (soap, shampoo, dishwashing, laundry) or refillable products to cut packaging.
Borrow, swap, or share tools and appliances with neighbours.
Reuse jars and containers instead of buying new ones.
Freeze leftovers or turn scraps into sauces or broths.
Drop blister packs at Chemist Warehouse (Pharmacycle) and recycle 10c containers through refund schemes.

Connection and Action Continue

Although this was our final Green Drinks for 2025, the year’s not over yet! There are still plenty of ways to connect, volunteer, and support local conservation and climate action with NQCC!