THE STORY OF PLASTIC is a 90-minute film that takes a sweeping look at the man-made crisis of plastic pollution and the worldwide effect it has on the health of our planet and the people who inhabit it. The film illustrates the ongoing catastrophe and features interviews with experts and activists on the front lines of the fight. With engaging original animation, archival industry footage beginning in the 1930s, and first-person accounts of the unfolding emergency, the film distills a complex problem that is increasingly affecting the planet’s and its residents’ well-being.

THE STORY OF PLASTIC is presented by The Story of Stuff Project, a nonprofit dedicated to changing the way that we make, use, and throw away Stuff so that it is more sustainable, healthy, and fair.

On Wednesday night our audience (of around 35) rugged up, prepared snacks and settled in under the stars for a screening of this informative and moving documentary.

Audience members rugged up and settled in for a screening in NQCC's backyard

Afterwards, our Q&A session featured three very knowledgeable locals who work to help businesses replace single-use plastics, educate the community about best recycling practices and coordinate beach clean-ups and rubbish audits, respectively.

Our guests were:

• Diana Condylas - Coordinator of Plastic Free Townsville;
• Ashlee Stockwell - Townsville City Council's Waste and Recycling Educator; and
• Craig Turner - Project Officer with Tangaroa Blue.

Diana, Ashlee, Craig and Crystal observed social distancing throughout a very informative Q&A discussion.

If you missed the Q&A discussion, you can head to our Facebook page to check out the video we posted (unfortunately the sound is a bit low, so we recommend playing through some powerful speakers if possible).

We were encouraged to liberate ourselves from personal guilt around our plastic consumption, and instead start minimising our reliance on plastic one step at a time. We were given helpful hints to work out what can go in our kerbside recycling (and what can't) and were given a range of tangible ways that we can start tackling the problem.

So, what next?

THE STORY OF PLASTIC is, as Craig put it, quite overwhelming. But our three guests encouraged us to liberate ourselves from guilt and instead take positive action one step at a time.

Below are a few tips about how you can support the work of our guest speakers and their organisations.

How to support Plastic Free Townsville:

• Mention them to cafes when you buy takeaway food or coffee, and ask the owners if they've joined yet - you can direct them to their website for all the information they'll need
• Follow them on Facebook and Instagram for updates and information, and to help celebrate the local businesses who have signed on to do their bit
• For more local information, contact Diana Condylas: [email protected] 

How you can get involved with Tangaroa Blue:

• Join a clean-up or waste audit! You can find a calendar of events here (the next local event is on Wednesday 5 August)
• Follow them on Facebook for upcoming events (but be sure to register for events via email)
• For local information, contact Craig Turner: [email protected]

How you can learn more about Local Recycling:

• Visit Townsville City Council's informative recycling webpage
• Download their comprehensive guide to recycling around the home and garden and help educate your household and neighbours about good recycling practices
• Take one of their nifty, COVID-safe virtual Sustainability Tours 

Thank you to...

• Everyone who braved the cold to came along and support this free community event!
• Our knowledgeable and inspiring guest speakers (Diana, Ashlee and Craig) who provided clear and comprehensive answers to even the curliest of questions!
• The dedicated team of volunteers who helped set up the event and ensured the night ran smoothly (Cam Leitch, Tash Henderson and Chris Pam)!
• The Story of Stuff Project - the not-for-profit that made this film available free of charge to educate communities about the staggering impacts of plastic production and waste!

Our volunteers at work