With less than a month until South Australia's single-use plastic ban kicks in, school students across the state are being invited to take part in an art exhibition to further promote the ban in a creative and innovative way.
The school art exhibition is inspired by the Adelaide Festival's Australian premier of The Plastic Bag Store, a unique installation from Brooklyn-based artist and filmmaker Robin Frohardt created from hundreds of upcycled plastic bags and plastic rubbish.
Minister for Environment and Water David Speirs said the countdown to the state's nation-leading legislation on single-use plastics has started.
"From March 1 2021 single-use straws, stirrers and cutlery will be will be prohibited from sale, supply or distribution in South Australia," Minister Speirs said.
"Partnering with the Adelaide Festival, the Marshall Liberal Government has sponsored The Plastic Bag Store to highlight the upcoming ban on single-use plastic products.
"Many teachers and students are passionate about protecting the environment and understand that too often the way plastics are produced, used and discarded results in wasted resources, causing pollution, litter and harm to wildlife, including marine life.
"To encourage fresh and positive thinking about how we can take action on single-use plastic products, schools are invited to submit artworks created in response to the exhibition theme: What can we do about single-use plastics.
"Students – early years, primary and secondary – are asked to channel their thoughts into a creative call for action by designing a poster, creating a media advertisement, or making a sculpture from banned single-use plastic items.
"Our single-use plastic ban is another example of South Australia leading the nation when it comes to environmental policy.
"Our legislation has been developed with the help of our Single-Use Plastics Taskforce which has representation from 15 different organisations, including people living with a disability.
"Through this taskforce we've developed an approach that balances the benefit to the environment while minimising impact for businesses and recognising the needs of people who rely on single-use plastic straws to safely consume beverages and food.
Registrations of interest to participate in the exhibition must be submitted by teachers to Green Industries SA by 12 February 2021.
Further information including the exhibition guidelines and registration form is at www.replacethewaste.sa.gov.au
The art exhibition and The Plastic Bag Store will be located at Rundle Place in Rundle Mall, from February 23 – March 15 2021.
