ECO Team News

2020 Single Use Plastic Free

From 2020 students and staff at Frankston High School are being asked to reduce the amount of litter they bring to school with them, particularly single-use plastics. What litter they do bring to school they are being asked to take back home with them and recycle.

A big ask? Too difficult? Unrealistic? Too sudden? An inconvenience?

Well consider that by 2050 there will be as much plastic in the world’s oceans as there are fish. Currently one garbage truck full of plastic enters the ocean every minute.

Consider that plastic production continues to increase globally, and shows very little sign of slowing down because of significant demand for the product.

And finally, consider that research from the University of Newcastle shows humans are consuming, on average, 5 grams of microplastic a week – equivalent to a credit card’s worth of plastic. This is 250 grams a year.

I think we can all agree that plastic is a useful product and has many positive applications. However, we also need to consider its negative consequences and need to use it far more responsibly for the future health of human beings and nature.

In embarking on this shift in Frankston High School’s culture we are hoping other schools will see our example and follow our lead, just as we follow the lead of other organisations who have also made such a shift – Melbourne Girls’ College is one such example.

It is obvious this culture shift relies on the cooperation of staff, students, parents and the greater school community. However, if any school can make the change Frankston High School can. If we consider the implications of not changing our habits, the path becomes crystal clear.

If you have any further questions about this initiative please feel free to contact the school’s sustainability coordinator, Mr Brendan McKinnon, at bmckinnon@fhs.vic.edu.au.