Another South Australian business has officially been certified as 'plastic free' under the Marshall Liberal Government's plan to ban single-use plastics with legislation to be introduced in the coming months.
House of Health Collective in the Adelaide Central Market is a bulk wholefood and organic products store with an adjoining café which has replaced their single-use plastics like bags, lids, cutlery, straws and takeaway containers with reusable or compostable items.
Minister for Environment and Water David Speirs said House of Health Collective are the second business in South Australia to be awarded 'Plastic Free Champion' status.
"This is another milestone for the Marshall Liberal Government's plan to ban single-use plastics in South Australia," said Minister Speirs.
"I congratulate House of Health Collective for being the first business at the Adelaide Central Market to be certified 'plastic free' and look forward to others joining them soon.
"In December we celebrated Brick+Mortar Creative in Norwood as the first business in South Australia to go single-use plastic free and the response to that has been amazing.
"Ever since we announced our 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 in these areas have been working towards going plastic free with help from Boomerang Alliance's Plastic Free SA program.
"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 and the Marshall Liberal Government has been working towards ever since.
"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.
"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," said co-owner Ivan Oulianoff.
"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," said co- owner Chester Frank.
"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 congratulated the House of Health Collective for becoming the first Plastic Free Champion at the Adelaide Central Market under the Green Industries Plastic Free Precinct Pilot Program.
"We have heard loud and clear that the community values sustainable change and now expects businesses to operate in a sustainable way," said Ms Verschoor.
"I congratulate Ivan and Chester from House of Health Collective for their leadership and their ongoing sustainable efforts. Shifting away from single-use plastics and using alternatives like reusable or compostable serve-ware is a significant step in removing problematic waste from our environment.
"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."
Member for Adelaide Rachel Sanderson said the feedback from local businesses and residents regarding a ban on single-use plastics had been very positive.
"The Marshall Liberal Government has an ambitious plan to become the first state in Australia to ban single-use plastics. To have the Adelaide Central Market on board is a fantastic endorsement," said Minister Sanderson.
"The overwhelming response from local residents and businesses is that they want to see action on reducing single-use plastics, I congratulate House of Health Collective for leading the way."
