Cumberland City Council flags its sustainable initiative during Plastic Free July

Cumberland City Council has highlighted the success of its creative community-driven initiative ‘Banner to Bags Campaign’ which involves converting waste into opportunity.

To mark Plastic Free July 2025 and as part of Council’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and community engagement, the campaign has given over 1,050 kilograms of retired street flag banners a second life, roughly equivalent to the weight of a small car or compact SUV.  

Instead of disposing outdated or surplus materials in landfill, Council redirected them to local community groups, schools, and organisations who repurposed the materials into reusable bags, community artworks, and other practical items.

School holiday art and craft programs transformed old banners into colourful kites, students at local schools created library tote bags, community gardens created custom-made enviro bags and aprons, and local organisations incorporated the materials into various projects and community programs.

Cumberland City Council is committed to environmental sustainability, actively reducing waste and promoting circular practices. By partnering with local community groups, Council is empowering residents to creatively reuse materials, strengthening community ties and fostering collaboration.

Cumberland Mayor Ola Hamed believes initiatives like this highlight the powerful role creativity plays in driving meaningful environmental change and noted “it’s the collective effort of our community that truly drives change. By giving discarded materials a second life, we are not only reducing waste but also inspiring a culture of resourcefulness within our community.

“Every reused banner, repurposed item, and effort to reduce waste helps create a ripple effect that inspires others to take action. Sustainability is a shared responsibility, and by working together, we can continue to enhance a culture of recycling, and create a cleaner, greener environment for the future of Cumberland.”

Plastic Free July highlights the power of small, everyday actions in reducing waste and protecting the environment, whether it’s reusing materials or avoiding single-use plastics. In the spirit of this global movement, and to celebrate the start of the school holidays, Council will also be hosting a free, family-friendly film screening of Happy Feet at the Granville Centre on Saturday 5th July, from 10am to 1pm. The event will feature interactive stalls and hands-on activities designed to educate and inspire families to embrace plastic-free living, reinforcing the shared responsibility the community has in building a more sustainable future.

For more information about the campaign, visit Cumberland City Council’s website at www.cumberland.nsw.gov.au/bags-banners-project. 

For more information about Council’s Plastic Free July 2025 event, visit www.cumberland.nsw.gov.au/plastic-free-july 

Image. Credit: Cumberland City Council