Plastics Get The Punt

Single-use plastics will soon be removed from Whitsunday businesses thanks to a state government scheme that has already been rolled out to 600 regional businesses and it is heading here next.

So far, the free program has helped cafes and restaurants in regional Queensland eliminate more than 8.2 million pieces of single-use plastics.

Currently, single-use plastics account for more than 75 per cent of rubbish removed from Australian beaches.

The government-funded Plastic Free Project is coordinated by the Boomerang Alliance Campaign and Manager Toby Hutcheon says that over the past few years, the project has established good relationships with regional businesses.

“We provide helpful advice on packaging and show them how they can eliminate problem plastics from use,” he explains.

“There will be a focus on reusable food ware and BYO coffee cups.

“Hotels and cafes can play a big part in helping Queenslanders make the switch away from disposable packaging.”

Fast Facts:

• Half of all plastic produced is designed to be used only once

• At least 8 million tonnes of plastics leak into the ocean each year

• Turtles have a 20% chance of dying if they ingest just one piece of plastic

• More than 85% of contamination in the Great Barrier Reef is from microfibres

Alocal bank branch has joined the “Smile Month” effort to fundraise for Clown Doctors – a national program which provides highly trained, professional “medical clowns” to help lift the spirits of sick kids by through laughter and joy.

Cannonvale Commonwealth Bank is supporting the Clown Doctors program which makes more than 230,000 visits each year to children in 22 hospitals across Australia.

The local team join branches across the country in April as they rally together to raise much needed funds via a variety of fundraising events.

In 2022, 67 Clown Doctors across Australia delivered doses of fun and laughter to over 230,000 kids, families and hospital staff.

Commonwealth Bank Branch Manager Lisa McAliece said the cause was one her branch was always more than happy to support.

Nathan Barker, Head of Community Investment at CommBank, said the Clown Doctors is something the bank’s staff are very passionate about.

“We’re thrilled to be gifting smiles of all shapes and sizes again in 2023 as we continue our 20-plus-year history of supporting the Clown Doctors and the work they do to help sick kids,” he said.

“Our fundraising for The Humour Foundation is something we love doing as a team and we encourage our communities to get behind the incredible work the Clown Doctors do for kids in need.”

In-branch donations are available until Friday 28 April, with all fundraising efforts up to the value of $100,000 to be matched by the CommBank Staff Foundation, meaning the impact of the community’s generosity will be doubled.

Donations to the Clown Doctors can be made at any Commonwealth Bank branch throughout April or online, at: smilemonth.raisely.com

NO HIGHRISE FOR AIRLIE BEACH FORESHORE