East Gippsland Shire Council is encouraging everyone to ‘Step Up to Clean Up’ and make a difference to your community this Clean Up Australia Day – Sunday, March 5.

You can join an existing event or register your own clean up at a different site. It is best for events to be registered at least two weeks before Clean Up Australia Day so you can receive your Clean Up Kit in time.

Mayor Cr Mark Reeves said each year local community groups including Friends and Landcare groups, Scouts, sporting groups, schools, families and individuals organise clean up sites throughout the shire to combat litter.

“East Gippsland’s natural beauty is highly valued by residents and visitors. There are few things more frustrating that seeing our outdoor spaces disrespected by people littering in our parks, roadsides, waterways, beaches and forests,” Cr Reeves said.

“Council supports the efforts of volunteers by accepting the collected rubbish free at our waste sites. The waste needs to be in the branded bags provided by Clean Up Australia.  

“The day is the perfect opportunity for everyone to come together and make a positive impact on the local environment and think about how we can reduce our impact on the environment,” Cr Reeves said.

According to a 2021 Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment report, Australia now produces 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste each year, equating to 100 kg per person.

Of this, only 13% of plastic is recovered and 84% is sent to landfill.

More concerningly, around 130,000 tonnes of the plastic we consume leaks into the marine environment each year.

By 2025 it is predicted that 99% of seabirds worldwide will have ingested plastic.

“We need our whole community to step up to clean up and keep East Gippsland beautiful,” Cr Reeves said.

Organisers of registered Clean Up Australia Day events can take waste to their closest landfill or transfer station at no cost, but you will need to ensure you are using your official Clean Up Australia Day bags and your event has been registered.

Bags will be accepted from March 1–15. Council cannot collect the bags.

Businesses are encouraged to focus their action on Business Clean Up Day on Tuesday, February 28 with schools running their own Clean Up on Friday, March 3.

‍Visit the Clean Up website for details of how create or join an event.

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