Zero Waste Victoria presents the Zero Waste Festival online - a festival of hope, action and regeneration!

Our Zero Waste Festival vision is to connect a community of changemakers who are inspired, passionate and empowered about a waste-free future. We generate inclusive conversations to inspire zero-waste actions.

Zero Waste Victoria present a screening of “The Story of Plastic” by the crew from “The Story of Stuff”, followed by an expert panel empowering action and solutions against plastic pollution.

Joining us will be Fam Charko (Marine biologist, EcoCentre), Heidi Tait (Tangaroa Blue Foundation), Rebecca Prinz-Ruiz (Plastic Free July/Plastic Free Foundation) and Dale Martin (Plastic Bag Free Victoria). The panel will be hosted by passionate educator Anthony Hill (Plastic Pollution Solution).

Motivated to take action? Stay for the workshop with Heidi Tait from Tangaroa Blue Foundation as she shows us how to use the Australian Marine Debris Initiative data collection app to contribute to the national marine debris/litter database. Don’t just pick up litter, find out how easy it is to contribute to the collective database so we can stop it at the source!

Day screening

1:00pm The Story of Plastic Film

2:45pm The Panel + Q&A (live)

3:45pm The Workshop (live)

Evening screening

6:00pm The Story of Plastic Film + links to pre-recorded panel and workshop

THE FILM

The Story of Plastic takes a sweeping look at the man-made crisis of plastic pollution and the worldwide effect it has on the health of our planet and the people who inhabit it. Spanning three continents, the film illustrates the ongoing catastrophe: fields full of garbage, veritable mountains of trash, rivers and seas clogged with waste, and skies choked with the poisonous emissions from plastic production and processing. With engaging original animation, archival industry footage beginning in the 1930s, and first-person accounts of the unfolding emergency, the film distils a complex problem that is increasingly affecting the planet’s and its residents’ well-being. The Story of Plastic serves as a tool to foster connection, spark dialogue and create action.

THE PANEL

Four Zero Waste pioneers and environmental changemakers unite in conversation to share their collective genius on real solutions to the plastic crisis. You’ll hear how these intrepid individuals on the front-lines of plastic pollution use their unique, community based and data driven action to stop waste from the source, and how you can join the movement.

MEET THE PANELISTS

HOST: Anthony Hill, Plastic Pollution Solution

Growing up in the Australian beachside town of Coffs Harbour, Anthony has fond childhood memories of surfing, sailing, and snorkeling with friends and family. As an adult, Anthony treasures his moments in the “salty blue” both above and below the surface confessing a deep connection, fascination and respect for the ocean. Whilst living in Norway, Anthony discovered plastic floating in the seemingly pristine fjords in 2010, and upon learning about the global problem of plastic pollution, he gathered some mates, formed a clean-up group, and began holding events and raising awareness about the impacts of plastic pollution on our environment. In 2013, Anthony attended a seminar and workshop in Norway held by Dr. Marcus Eriksen of The 5 Gyres Institute (USA), who has been researching and documenting ocean plastic pollution for nearly two decades. Marcus emphasised that EDUCATION was paramount in our efforts to address this global issue and that we need to find creative ways to bring about a deep understanding of the causes, impacts and solutions to plastic pollution at the population level. In 2014, Anthony returned to his homeland and Plastic Pollution Solutions was founded ultimately aiming to create a shift in culture around single-use plastic and waste.

Fam Charko, EcoCentre

Fam is a marine biologist (MSc) with specialisations in ecology, nature conservation and marine plastic pollution. Fam helps people connect to nature through science, storytelling and immersive experiences into their local environment. She leads several marine research projects for the Port Phillip EcoCentre, helping volunteers become skilled citizen scientists and contributing to a growing body of research on the health of Melbourne's big rivers and Port Phillip Bay. She is a passionate science communicator and uses science literacy to empower local communities in change-making.

Heidi Tait, Tangaroa Blue Foundation

In 2004 Heidi co-founded the Tangaroa Blue Foundation (TBF) and the Australian Marine Debris Initiative (AMDI) as a way of not only removing the ever-increasing loads of rubbish in our oceans, but more importantly finding ways that prevented marine debris from being released in the first place. Her mantra is “if all we do is clean-up, that’s all we’ll ever do”.

Rebecca Prince-Ruiz, Plastic Free Foundation

Rebecca is a change-maker and sustainability professional who has explored the plastic waste problem around the world. Rebecca believes it’s critical to stop the problem at the source and that we can all take small daily steps to reduce plastic waste which adds up to a collective impact and influence systemic change.

Rebecca is the founder of Plastic Free July and Plastic Free Foundation with a mission to build a global movement that dramatically reduces plastic use and improves recycling. Plastic Free July is celebrating 10 years of awareness and impact!

Dale Martin, Plastic Bag Free Victoria

Dale is a passionate environmental advocate. Co-Founding Plastic Bag Free Victoria which brought together over 40 individual plastic bag free, community and environmental groups in a bid to work together to make Victoria plastic bag free. The collective effort saw the team collect 11,600 physical signature petition and 150,000 online signature petition to bring the issue to parliament to finally create the plastic bag ban in Victoria. Dale is also a Councillor creating change in the City of Moreland.

THE WORKSHOP

Heidi Tait from Tangaroa Blue Foundation shows us how to use the Australian Marine Debris Initiative data collection app to contribute to the national marine debris/litter database. Don’t just pick up litter, find out how easy it is to contribute to the collective database so we can stop it at the source!

AMPLIFY OUR IMPACT
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