Stallholder environmental requirements for Council events

Why does Council encourage waste minimisation at events?

Inner West Council is actively working to reduce waste by minimising litter and plastic entering waterways at events.

Reducing the amount of waste generated at events plays an important role in achieving this goal.  

Thank you for supporting this effort by carefully choosing the materials you use in your stall. 

Who does this apply to?

These requirements apply to all stallholders whether they are providing food, activities, information or other services. 

What do stallholders need to do?

Step 1: Comply with NSW laws 

Plastic single-use packaging and utensils such as plates, cups and cutlery have a huge impact on the environment, specifically waterways and wildlife. This is why the NSW government introduced bans, which are enforced under the Plastic Reduction and Circular Economy Act 2021.

The below items are banned in NSW and must not be provided to attendees by event stallholders because they:

• Are non-recyclable
• Contribute to waste and litter
• Can pollute waterways and harm wildlife

The following additional items are banned under Inner West Council Guidelines:  

Step 2: Reduce packaging and other waste

Single-use packaging and utensils such as plates, cups and cutlery have a big impact on resource use and the environment.  

Council encourages you to try the following to minimise single-use items, unnecessary packaging and associated waste:

• Having utensils and paper straws available as optional to customers rather than giving them out as a default
• Serving food with serviettes rather than plates, and using skewers or toothpicks instead of cutlery (if appropriate)  
• Serving condiments from bulk containers, rather than separately packaged single serves (sauces, sugars, salt and pepper etc.)
• Provide reusable utensils, cups, plates or containers for customers to borrow and return
• Support and encourage customers who bring their own reusable items 

Step 3: Recycling at events

Patron recycling is available at Inner West Council events. The following items can be recycled in the yellow lid recycling bins:

• Aluminium cans
• Plastic bottles and containers  
• Milk and juice cartons
• Newspaper, cardboard and paper
• All plastic takeaway containers (no food scraps)
• Glass bottles

Note: stallholders should begin to phase-out the use of certain types of compostable packaging, including PLA and Bamboo as they cannot be recycled in our current waste management system at events and are not accepted in food recycling systems either. 

Stormwater pollution

As a stallholder, you are responsible for managing your waste and preventing environmental pollution.

This includes, but is not limited to, proper containment and disposal of oils, waste, packaging, promotional materials, and other materials that have the potential to become litter or pollutants.

All stallholders must therefore follow these requirements:

• Use a container to prevent food, fats and oils from landing and seeping into the soil- If a spill occurs, use paper towels and dispose of them in a general waste bin.
• Use a container to collect and properly dispose of oils at an approved facility such as a Community Recycling Centre.
• Do not pour or dispose of any detergents, food/ drinks, oil, fat or waste into a stormwater drain or onto land or water.
• Pick up blown-away materials and litter immediately around your stall
• Remove any waste, decorations, cable ties, etc., around your stall, and properly dispose of the material before, during or after the event to prevent being blown or washed away.  

Under the New South Wales Protection of the Environment Operations Act, any substance that enters or has the potential to cause water pollution can be subject to fines and cleanup notices.

These range from:

1. On-the-spot fines of $160 small, littered items
2. $15, 000 for individuals, to $30, 000 for corporations
3. and potentially higher cleanup and court costs.