Bondi residents were greeted with a powerful message this morning after a four-metre-high plastic ‘poop emoji’, representing the amount of waste (7.5 tonnes) that enters the world’s oceans every 30 seconds, was installed on Bondi Beach.
B-Corp-certified sustainable packaging company, Better Packaging Co., commissioned and strategically placed the striking sculpture* on Bondi Beach to coincide with World Environment Day (5 June).
The theme of this year's United Nations global program is #BeatPlasticPollution, with over 100 initiatives taking place worldwide.
Speaking to PKN at Bondi, co-founder and director Kate Bezar said Bondi was chosen for its iconic standing, to drive home a strong message around raising awareness of the scale of the problem.
A recent report from the UN Environment Program (UNEP) has found that global plastic pollution could be slashed by 80 per cent by 2040 via a series of practical and affordable changes, such as the increased reuse of plastics. The report estimates that this action alone could lead to a 30 per cent reduction in plastic pollution within the same timeframe.
Bezar said, “To support businesses make more sustainable choices that positively impact the planet and its people, Better Packaging Co. has introduced the new Pollastic [POLLAST!C] range, which is made from 80-100 per cent ocean bound plastic collected in the SE Asia region, reprocessed into poly mailers, garment bags, reusable carry bags, zip-lock bags and pallet wrap."
Bezar confirmed that more than 3,000 Australian businesses have signed on to switch to POLLAST!C packaging, which the company estimates will prevent the use of 100 million virgin plastic’ bags this year.
Rebecca Percasky, co-founder and CEO of Better Packaging Co., emphasised the urgency of the situation, saying: "While the poop is a provocative reminder of the plastic waste polluting our oceans, it is important to address the issue holistically.
"Australia's own recent soft plastic recycling challenges highlight the urgent need for comprehensive solutions, including improved waste management systems and increased recycling efforts. Our aim is not only to draw attention to the problem this World Environment Day, but also inspire positive change across the entire plastic waste lifecycle."
*Facts about the sculpture:
- A team of four sculptors worked for more than seven weeks on its construction.
- It was installed on Bondi Beach with a team of ten people, who rolled a ten-metre plastic coil, into the shape of a poo.
- The volume of the sculpture is approximately 14.5m cubed, and given that 1m cubed of baled plastic weighs 0.5kg, this is indicative of the 7.5 tonnes of plastic waste that enters the ocean every 30 seconds.
- Between eight and 12 million tonnes of plastic enters our ocean every year.
- Seventy per cent of that plastic enters via land, and 80 per cent of the total comes from Southeast Asia.
- The plastic in the sculpture came from Defy, Recycle Smart and Plasma Plastic. This is rescued post-consumer plastic waste. The entire structure has been built with sustainability in mind, and is constructed of rescued plastic waste, recycled fishing nets and recyclable tubing.
