Bruns gives single-use takeaway packaging the flick

Published on 05 April 2023

Brunswick Heads businesses are getting behind a new reusable collection scheme that aims to reduce the abundance of single use takeaway packaging found around town.

Council’s Bring it Back Bruns project, which is the first of its kind, is funded by the Environment Protection Authority (EPA).

“How it works is that Council supplies local businesses with reusable containers to offer their customers,” Council’s Resource Recovery Strategy and Engagement Officer, Sarah Child said.

“The customers use the containers and return them to a participating business or one of the nearby collection bins,” she said.

“We’ve partnered with My Green Plate who collect the used containers, wash them in an industrial machine and return them to participating businesses for future use.  So it’s a local circular solution we’re trialling and so far we’re getting lots of positive feedback.

“People really want to switch to reusable containers and stop throwing single use containers into landfill where they end up creating methane emissions,” Ms Child said.

The first two businesses to jump onboard the Bring it Back Bruns trial are Brunswick Heads Health Foods and Bernardi’s Gelato.

“These two fantastic businesses have shown leadership in waste reduction and I encourage everyone to get behind them, trial the reusable system and give us your feedback.

“The trial will run for three months and we’re starting it on weekends only, with the hope that the Brunswick Heads community embraces this new system and we can keep it going.

“From Council’s perspective, it’s about putting a system in place that makes it easy for people to choose to reuse and change behaviours for a more sustainable future,” Ms Child said.

This project is a NSW Environment Protection Authority, Waste Less Recycle More initiative funded from the waste levy.

Brunswick Heads businesses wanting to get involved in this great effort to cut single-use takeaway containers should get in touch with Sarah Child on [email protected]

For media enquiries contact the Media and Communications team on 02 6626 7320.