Second South Australian business goes plastic free

Another South Australian business, House of Health Collective in the Adelaide Central Market, has officially been certified as ‘plastic free’ under the South Australian Government’s plan to ban single-use plastics with legislation to be introduced in the coming months. This certification follows that received by Brick+Mortar Creative in Norwood - the first business in South Australia to go single-use plastic free.

House of Health Collective, a bulk wholefood and organic products store with an adjoining café, has gone plastic free following the South Australian Government’s announcement last year of the first single-use plastic free precincts including The Parade (Norwood), Jetty Road Brighton Traders, Adelaide Central Market and Surf Life Saving South Australia clubs.

Businesses such as House of Health Collective have been working towards going plastic free with help from Boomerang Alliance’s Plastic Free SA program. They have since replaced their single-use plastics like bags, lids, cutlery, straws and takeaway containers with reusable or compostable items.

South Australian Minister for Environment and Water David Speirs advised “consultation for our draft Bill proposing to ban single-use plastic items like straws, cutlery, beverage stirrers, polystyrene cups and polystyrene bowls closed last week, and I anticipate being able to introduce this into Parliament in the coming months.

“South Australians have told us unambiguously that they wanted urgent action on the issue of single-use plastics in our environment.

“We’ve moved quickly to respond to community concern, and developed an approach that balances benefit for the environment while minimising impact for businesses and not discriminating against people living with a disability who might find themselves reliant on certain single-use plastics.”

House of Health Collective co-owners Ivan Oulianoff and Chester Frank said they were proud to be the first business in the Adelaide Central Market and CBD to achieve ‘Plastic Free Champion’ status.

Oulianoff  noted “we pride ourselves on being a sustainable and environmentally-friendly business and we couldn’t wait to be part of the program to and going single-use plastic free just made sense” with Frank adding “we support any sustainability initiative, in particular to reduce packaging and cut down on plastic use, and we’re thrilled to be the first site in the Adelaide Central Market and the city to achieve ‘Plastic Free Champion’ status.

“Our business for the past 30 years has been championing sustainability, and this is why we have been pushing our agenda for so long and are humbled by the recognition under this program, it is great that this soon will be legislated so that the community can benefit from these simple changes that make a big impact.”

Lord Mayor of Adelaide Sandy Verschoor advised “The City of Adelaide is pleased to be working with Green Industries SA and Boomerang Alliance to support city businesses in phasing out single-use plastics through the Single Use Plastic Free Pilot Program at the Adelaide Central Market and the Central Market Arcade.

“It’s a much-loved attraction visited by around nine million people a year, and this further strengthens South Australia’s reputation as a clean, green place to visit and a global leader in sustainability.”