Organic Insights Magazine - Spring 2023

Organic Insights / Spring 2023 / 9

South Australia Plastic Free! South Australia continues to lead the nation in the phase-out of single use plastic. The State’s Single-use and Other Plastic Products (Waste Avoidance) Act 2020 represents the first legislation of its kind in Australia. Under the Act, the Government is implementing a phased plan of banning common single use plastic items – with time frames supporting a switchover to recyclable and compostable alternatives, and the development of sustainable alternatives. Already, the State has seen bans on single-use plastic straws, cutlery and stirrers, expanded polystyrene cups, bowls, plates, clamshell containers, and oxo-degradable plastic products. Further bans on the use of plastic will be implemented throughout 2023 to 2025. This will include a variety of plastic items, such as stemmed cotton buds, single-use bowls and plates, pizza savers, produce bags, single-use beverage containers, EPS trays used for meat, fruit and other food items, confetti, bread tags, fruit stickers, and soy sauce fish containers. Say goodbye to plastic! replacethewaste.sa.gov.au

“More generally, [in combating greenwashing] we use our socials to talk to customers and educate about what we are actually achieving.” “Building trust for customers is huge for us and ensuring that products we carry do not mislead or deceive customers is of high importance.” House of Health Collective has implemented an efficient waste diversion program and enjoys solar energy use at its Central Markets stall, as part of a wider City of Adelaide initiative and is also looking into further opportunities for the Norwood location. The retailer has been at the forefront of plastic reduction for many years and has been recognised by the South Australian Government as a ‘Plastic Free Champion’ for its commitment to sustainable packaging options. Along with supplying a huge range of plastic free bulk wholefoods, “we’ve introduced compostable bags, glass containers, and compostable pre-pack options that allow us to pack down bulk items in an environmentally friendly way,” says Chester. “Bulk food options not only allow us to tread more lightly on the planet, but also provide a more accessible product to the customer, allowing them to purchase only what they need, at a reasonable price.” Customers are also encouraged to bring their own reusable containers. “For us, getting the industry, our suppliers to catch up is an issue…as a cog in a system of other cogs, you can only influence so much,” says Chester. “We can’t control what comes in, but we do look to influence suppliers to reduce their own plastic use. We had one supplier [for example] initially supplying 1kg bags of coffee, who is now supplying 10kg pails with a swap system. Organic produce suppliers like Ngeringa and Bio-Park provide produce in returnable crates,” he says. “There are some relics in the industry, however… but they are coming around, there is a new generation, it’s really about time and education.” NASAA was fortunate to attend the launch of the Norwood store back in March, which was opened by the Hon Andrea Michaels MP, Minister for Small and Family Business. Further Information

Lucrezia Carmelos / Unsplash

houseofhealthcollective.com.au/ facebook.com/houseofhealth1