July 2022
In this edition we highlight the NSW ban on lightweight plastic bags and herald more single-use plastics bans to come. We introduce our new CEO Tony Chappel who starts in August and celebrate our commitment to our First Custodians. We provide tips on safe use of pesticides and managing odours in wet conditions and bring more news on flood clean-up, regulatory action and some more great waste watch initiatives including The Bin Chicken and Plastic-free July.
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Message from the Acting CEO
Welcome to the July edition of EPA Connect. News highlights include the banning of lightweight plastic bags in NSW and more bans of single use, problematic plastics to come in November, our commitment to continually improve our customer service and stakeholder connection, and the appointment of our new CEO Tony Chappel.
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Lets Stop it and Swap it NSW!
Your reusable bags should be getting lots of love this month with lightweight plastic bags now a thing of the past in NSW. We also bring news of our other key waste management initiatives.
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Acknowledging NSW's First Custodians
Recent events in recognition of our First Peoples included National Reconciliation Week (early June) and NAIDOC* starting on 3 July. The EPA is proud to now have our own formal statement of commitment to Aboriginal People of NSW.
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Tips for tackling odours ahead of rainy days
The Bureau of Meteorology has confirmed NSW endured the wettest autumn in over 30 years, and the fourth-warmest nights since records began. We know that these conditions can end up more ‘on the nose’ than usual for some operations and facilities – and the communities around them.
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Connecting community on Warringah Freeway upgrade air quality
A new air quality monitoring project on the Lower North Shore will provide the community with local air quality information.
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Warning out to use pesticides safely
We're reminding the community about the safe baiting of mice and pesticide runoff in horticultural farms.
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Using sonar and recycling to clean up flood debris
The EPA has moved into the next phase of this year's flooding clean-up to protect boaties and other water users. We’re using sonar technology and recycling of debris to aid the effort.
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Recent regulatory action
We take regulatory action to protect our environment by different means including prosecutions and enforceable undertakings. We also welcome comments and discussion about regulatory decisions we have made
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Waste Watch
We are inspired by many innovative and often community-driven initiatives to win the war on waste. A family enterprise The Bin Chicken wins an award, the EPA's new food saving campaign for school lunchtimes is launched and charities urge responsible donations.