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Business supports anti-litter competition

 

Bremen Patisserie in Umina is the latest business to support the Peninsula News anti-litter competition.

Proprietor Ron Bruns said he was very happy to donate a cake as one of the competition prizes.

The anti-litter competition has been organised to encourage community involvement in reducing litter on the Peninsula.

Entrants can submit original photos, drawings, poems, paintings, slogans, cartoons and ideas under the two themes of "Doing your bit" and "It's your Peninsula".

People can also participate by donating prizes.

Competition organiser Shirley Hotchkiss said she was particularly keen for young people to enter the competition.

"Young people have approached me on the street and in the bush when I've been cleaning up rubbish, and are keen to share their ideas about how to stop people littering," she said.

"Young people can often see things that adults have lost sight of, and so this is a good chance for them to influence adults by sharing their ideas more widely."

Shirley has sent an official invitation to all the Peninsula schools to encourage their students to submit entries.

"Because this competition has two themes and welcomes different types of entries, everyone can join in."

Ms Hotchkiss said that although proper disposal of litter by residents was key, businesses also played a major role.

She said that this type of community initiative was a perfect opportunity for local businesses to become involved in strategies to reduce litter.

"In some areas, companies are required to have comprehensive waste management practices that reduce packaging and control the types of packaging allowed before they can establish their business there" she said.

"Companies need to take responsibility for the litter that originates in their business, not just reap the profits.

"This includes plastic bags as well as packaging," she said.

"In some countries, a levy imposed on plastic carry bags has cut their use by 90 per cent."

Ms Hotchkiss has also been involved in Cleanup Australia Day as a volunteer and site co-ordinator.

She said that this annual event highlighted the need for companies to use packaging that is recyclable, instead of polystyrene for example.

"Some organisations too have installed worm farms to reduce the amount of garbage going to landfill."

Ms Hotchkiss congratulated the local businesses that had donated prizes in this competition.

"It's encouraging that people who run small businesses here are keen to show leadership in preserving our environment."

Entries should be submitted to PO Box 532, Woy Woy, by 5pm on Tuesday, November 19.

For more information, contact Peninsula News on 4342 2070.

Press release, October 30