Welcome to the Australian Local Food System Policy Database. This is a collection of policies from New South Wales (NSW) and Victorian local governments that relate to healthy, sustainable, and equitable food systems.
For further information about using the database and how it was created see How to use the database. You can search the database by using the fields below. Domain refers to eight broad categories under which various topics are situated. The domains and topics are based on a framework of recommendations for local government action on creating a healthy, sustainable, and equitable food system (also located on the ‘How to use the database’ page linked above).
To cite the database: Reeve B, Carrad A, Rose N, Charlton K & Aguirre-Bielschowsky I (2021) Australian Local Food System Policy Database. Available at: https://law-food-systems.sydney.edu.au/policy-database (access date).
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Hold Ctrl to select multiple terms. Using ‘any words’ functions as an “OR” search. Using ‘all words’ functions as and “AND” search.
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| Document title | Relevant text in the policy | Domain | Topic | State | Local Government name | Council type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single Use Plastics | Policy Statement Council to take a leadership role in the elimination of Single Use Plastics, advocating for legislative change, and influencing and enabling responsible consumption practices. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Northern Beaches | Metropolitan |
| SINGLE USE PLASTICS MANAGEMENT POLICY | Play a key role in educating and guiding their event audience on plastic wise practices, including promoting re-usable bags and water bottles | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | NSW | Wollongong | Regional |
| SINGLE USE PLASTICS MANAGEMENT POLICY | Avoid all unnecessary plastic packaging and plastic single use plates and cutlery | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Wollongong | Regional |
| SINGLE USE PLASTICS MANAGEMENT POLICY | Play a key role in educating and guiding their event audience on plastic wise practices, including promoting re-usable bags and water bottles | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Wollongong | Regional |
| SINGLE USE PLASTICS MANAGEMENT POLICY | Refrain from the distribution of straws | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Wollongong | Regional |
| SINGLE USE PLASTICS MANAGEMENT POLICY | The main objectives of this policy are to ensure that– 1 All Council run events on Council land and public spaces adhere to a Single Use Plastic Policy 2 Event organisers must prohibit the sale and/or distribution of single use plastic products and single use such as sachets, polystyrene, plastic bags, plastic straws and/or balloons | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Wollongong | Regional |
| Single Use Plastics Policy | 1 Policy Statement Woollahra Municipal Council is committed to eliminating the use of single use plastics. It is our policy that local festivals and events that Council runs be free of single use plastics except where there is no viable alternative. 2 Application This Policy will apply to all events run by Council. This Policy does not apply to communityrun events, however guidelines for reducing single use plastics will be provided with hiring agreements and event management documents. 3 Definitions Single use plastic is defined as any disposable plastic material that is used once and discarded. This includes plastics that can be recycled. Single use plastic items include: plastic packaging e.g. take-away food containers, plastic bags, plastic wrap disposable coffee cups plastic water, soft-drink & juice bottles plastic cups, plates & cutlery plastic straws and stirrers balloons | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Woollahra | Metropolitan |
| Single Use Plastics Policy | 6 Single Use Plastics Council acknowledges that single use plastics are a major environmental issue, with pollution caused by plastics being a serious threat to both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Single use plastics comprise a significant portion of the waste stream and are a large contributor to litter. Council is committed to eliminating single use plastics. On 12 March 2018 Council adopted a Notice of Motion regarding single use plastics. THAT Council: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Notes the public forum presentation at the Council meeting of 26 February 2018, made by Climate Action Eastern Suburbs on the impacts of single-use plastics and marine pollution. Notes progress in the United Kingdom towards reducing single-use plastics, in particular the advocacy of Her Majesty the Queen, His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales and Sir David Attenborough. Adopts as Council policy that all local festivals and events that Council sponsors, endorses and/or participates in, be free of single-use plastic. Request staff to prepare guidelines for event organisers around what constitutes single use plastic items, including but not limited to plastic drink bottles, glasses, cutlery and plastic bags. Request staff to investigate and implement at all appropriate Council assets and properties a receptacle or depot, for the collection of single use plastic and investigates means by which this plastic can be forwarded to those companies or organisations who recycle it. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Woollahra | Metropolitan |
| Single Use Plastics Policy | 7 Alternatives to Single Use Plastics There are many alternatives to single use plastic items. In the first instance, single use plastic items should be avoided (for example plastic straws, balloons). Where this is not possible, a reusable product should be provided or patrons encouraged to bring their own reusable item (for example coffee cup, water bottle). If that is not an option, a biodegradable or recyclable option should be chosen with care to avoid using other non-recyclable products, including polystyrene, waxed products and foil lined products. Plastic Item Plastic take-away food container Bamboo tray, cardboard box Plastic bag Plastic wrap Alternative Option Paper bag, no bag Paper wrap, foil wrap Plastic bottle Plastic cup Plastic plate Plastic cutlery Plastic straws Plastic stirrer Plastic lined coffee cup Glass, other re-usable bottle Paper cup Paper or bamboo plate, serviette Bamboo cutlery No straw, paper straw, pasta straw, metal straw Wooden stirrer Crockery or other reusable coffee cup | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Woollahra | Metropolitan |
| Single Use Plastics Policy | An area where Council can have an influence over the amount of single use plastic waste generated is event management. Council coordinates, delivers and supports many events. To reduce single use plastics, Council staff will provide guidelines to event organisers, covering both internal and external events. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Woollahra | Metropolitan |
| SINGLE USE PLASTICS POLICY | 5.4 Council staff are responsible for complying with this Policy and take all reasonable steps to avoid using single use plastic products. 5.5 Council staff responsible for event management and/or venue hire are responsible for: a) updating relevant event management and venue hire documentation. b) promoting that events are single use plastic free and encouraging attendees to bring their own reusable materials. c) monitoring compliance with the requirements of this Policy by Council run and third-party events as well as by venue hirers in accordance with Council’s existing monitoring practices. 5.6 Council’s Property Assets Manager is responsible for: a) ensuring, where feasible, Council facilities and hireable Council venues have adequate dishwashing facilities and enough reusable crockery, glasses, mugs, cutlery and other relevant supplies to accommodate venue capacity, and/or the requirements of the bulk of the venue hirers. b) ensuring that all new commercial leases contain clauses which discourage non-compliance with this Policy. c) notifying Council’s existing commercial tenants to request compliance with this Policy, with support from the Better Business Partnership. d) ensuring Council’s Commercial Property Agents monitor compliance with the requirements of this Policy by commercial tenants. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | North Sydney | Metropolitan |
| SINGLE USE PLASTICS POLICY | North Sydney Council is committed to taking all feasible and reasonable viable steps to phasing out single-use plastics for its operations, events, venues and Council owned properties. Single use items will be replaced with reusable alternatives where feasible. Where single use items cannot be avoided, and reusable alternatives are not feasible, compostable alternatives should be used | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | North Sydney | Metropolitan |
| SINGLE USE PLASTICS POLICY | PROVISIONS 4.1 Council commits to making arrangements with suppliers, caterers, stall holders, tenants and venue hirers to use reusable or compostable alternatives to single use plastic. 4.2 Where a supplier, caterer, stall holder, tenant or venue hirer cannot guarantee that single use plastics are avoided or replaced with reusable or compostable alternatives, the Council will, where practicable, opt for alternative suppliers, caterers, stall holders, tenants or venue hirers. 4.3 The avoidance of single use plastics will be stipulated in all relevant tender and contract conditions and event, venue hire and lease documentation. 4.4 A six-month transitional period will apply from date of adoption of this Policy to allow viable solutions to be applied and alternatives to be sourced. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | North Sydney | Metropolitan |
| SINGLE USE PLASTICS POLICY | RESPONSIBILITY/ACCOUNTABILITY 5.1 Council’s Senior Sustainability Programs Coordinator is responsible for: a) notifying Council staff of this Policy; and b) providing support to Council staff to assist them in implementing this Policy. 5.2 Council’s Corporate Contracts Manager is responsible for ensuring that all new tenders and contracts contain clauses which avoid the use and supply of single use plastics. 5.3 Council’s Procurement Manager is responsible for establishing a system to monitor non-compliant purchase orders. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | North Sydney | Metropolitan |
| Single-Use Plastic Free Events Policy | Event organisers must play a key role in educating and guiding their event staff and audience on single-use plastic free practices. This includes considering whether single-use plastic items are needed in the first instance, providing useful information, and promoting reusable alternatives. | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | Victoria | Darebin | Metropolitan |
| Single-Use Plastic Free Events Policy | Event organisers must play a key role in educating and guiding their event staff and audience on single-use plastic free practices. This includes considering whether single-use plastic items are needed in the first instance, providing useful information, and promoting reusable alternatives. Sporting clubs, food and other vendors at festivals and others participating in Council events on/in Council land/buildings are permitted to provide, sell or distribute single-use bottled water and disposable cups. However, they must promote and consider using and supplying/selling reusable options (eg: providing jugs and reusable glasses for patrons’ water use, promote/sell/supply refillable drinking bottles or reusable cups etc); provide a discount to those choosing reusable cups (eg: bringing their own); and display promotional materials on reusable options. Council officers will support and assist organisations or individuals organising an event to comply with this policy, however, if there is poor adherence to this policy, officers may recommend that these events not be supported or approved by Council in the future. Events on Council managed land will need to commit to comply with the policy before any Council sponsorship for that event is approved. | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | Victoria | Darebin | Metropolitan |
| Single-Use Plastic Free Events Policy | Sporting clubs, food and other vendors at festivals and others participating in Council events on/in Council land/buildings are permitted to provide, sell or distribute single-use bottled water and disposable cups. However, they must promote and consider using and supplying/selling reusable options (eg: providing jugs and reusable glasses for patrons’ water use, promote/sell/supply refillable drinking bottles or reusable cups etc); provide a discount to those choosing reusable cups (eg: bringing their own); and display promotional materials on reusable options. Council officers will support and assist organisations or individuals organising an event to comply with this policy, however, if there is poor adherence to this policy, officers may recommend that these events not be supported or approved by Council in the future. Events on Council managed land will need to commit to comply with the policy before any Council sponsorship for that event is approved. | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | Victoria | Darebin | Metropolitan |
| Single-Use Plastic Free Events Policy | Sporting clubs, food and other vendors at festivals and others participating in Council events on/in Council land/buildings are permitted to provide, sell or distribute single-use bottled water and disposable cups. However, they must promote and consider using and supplying/selling reusable options (eg: providing jugs and reusable glasses for patrons’ water use, promote/sell/supply refillable drinking bottles or reusable cups etc); provide a discount to those choosing reusable cups (eg: bringing their own); and display promotional materials on reusable options. | Health and Wellbeing | Access to safe drinking water | Victoria | Darebin | Metropolitan |
| Single-Use Plastic Free Events Policy | Bottled water is not to be provided, sold or distributed by Council. Alternative, free access to water must be provided; | Health and Wellbeing | Access to safe drinking water | Victoria | Darebin | Metropolitan |
| Single-Use Plastic Free Events Policy | 5. Policy Organisations or individuals planning, organising, running and/or approving Council events or events conducted at Council sites must ensure the following event requirements are met: Single-use plastic bags are not to be used, sold or distributed for transportation or promotional purposes; Single-use plastic plates, bowls, cups, straws, cutlery and take away food containers are not to be used, sold or distributed; Bottled water is not to be provided, sold or distributed by Council. Alternative, free access to water must be provided; Single-use disposable cups and lids are not to be used, sold or distributed by Council; All avoidable plastic packaging, including cling wrap, plastic bags or similar must not be used in the purchase, sale, distribution and transport of food or goods; | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Darebin | Metropolitan |
| Single-Use Plastic Free Events Policy | 6. Exemptions Exemptions to this policy may be made for health and safety reasons or where there is no other practical alternative product or distribution method available. All exemptions require prior, written General Manager approval. The exemption process, including keeping of exemption records, will be established by Environment and Community Outcomes following adoption of this policy. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Darebin | Metropolitan |
| Single-Use Plastic Free Events Policy | Darebin City Council’s Single-use Plastic Free Events policy has been developed in response to a resolution passed by Council on June 5th, 2017 which requires: Officers [to] develop a policy and action plan, with the aim of eliminating the use of single-use plastic bags, all plastic glasses, straws, cutlery, food boxes and coffee cups at Council events. In addition, the policy and action plan should be actioned by 31 December 2017. The policy should consider the elimination of single use items used at all Council run events, including but not limited to organised or formal sports and recreational events, markets conducted on Council land, buildings and or roads managed by Council. In addition, Officers develop and implement a policy to ensure stallholder guidelines reflect the changes above. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Darebin | Metropolitan |
| Single-Use Plastic Free Events Policy | Event organisers must play a key role in educating and guiding their event staff and audience on single-use plastic free practices. This includes considering whether single-use plastic items are needed in the first instance, providing useful information, and promoting reusable alternatives. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Darebin | Metropolitan |
| Single-Use Plastic Free Events Policy | Sporting clubs, food and other vendors at festivals and others participating in Council events on/in Council land/buildings are permitted to provide, sell or distribute single-use bottled water and disposable cups. However, they must promote and consider using and supplying/selling reusable options (eg: providing jugs and reusable glasses for patrons’ water use, promote/sell/supply refillable drinking bottles or reusable cups etc); provide a discount to those choosing reusable cups (eg: bringing their own); and display promotional materials on reusable options. Council officers will support and assist organisations or individuals organising an event to comply with this policy, however, if there is poor adherence to this policy, officers may recommend that these events not be supported or approved by Council in the future. Events on Council managed land will need to commit to comply with the policy before any Council sponsorship for that event is approved. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Darebin | Metropolitan |
| Single-Use Plastic Free Events Policy | The purpose of this policy is to set out Council’s commitment to eliminate single-use plastic at events run by Council and events held on Council land, in Council buildings, Council venues or on roads managed by Council. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Darebin | Metropolitan |
| Single-Use Plastic Free Events Policy | 6. Exemptions Exemptions to this policy may be made for health and safety reasons or where there is no other practical alternative product or distribution method available. All exemptions require prior, written General Manager approval. The exemption process, including keeping of exemption records, will be established by Environment and Community Outcomes following adoption of this policy. | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | Victoria | Darebin | Metropolitan |
| Single-use Plastic Policy | • To facilitate a reduction in single-use plastics by the Ku-ring-gai community, event organisers and businesses through the delivery of single-use plastic reduction information campaigns and programs | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | NSW | Ku-ring-gai | Metropolitan |
| Single-use Plastic Policy | Event organisers must play a key role in educating and guiding their event staff and audience on single-use plastic free practices. This includes considering whether single-use plastic items are required in the first instance, providing useful information and promoting reusable alternatives. | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | NSW | Ku-ring-gai | Metropolitan |
| Single-use Plastic Policy | Free access to alternative water sources at major events, such as water fountains or water refill stations, must be provided. | Health and Wellbeing | Access to safe drinking water | NSW | Ku-ring-gai | Metropolitan |
| Single-use Plastic Policy | Council will work collaboratively with sports and leisure facilities, namely, the Ku-ring-gai Fitness and Aquatic Centre (KFAC); the North Turramurra Golf Course and Recreation Area; and the Gordon Golf Course to implement the requirements of this Policy. These requirements may become mandatory conditions of future lease agreements. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Ku-ring-gai | Metropolitan |