Litter Free Rivers

The problem
The solution
What you can do
Resources

Reduce single use plastic and help save Platypus

Freshwater habitats like lakes, rivers and wetlands provide water for people and wildlife. Yet too much plastic is polluting the system - used on land, carried into waterways, trapped in rivers and eventually transported to the ocean. Choosing to Reuse helps keep plastics out of waterways and protects animals like the Platypus.

Reduce single use plastic and help save Platypus

The problem

Single-use plastic

Many animals ingest plastic after mistaking it for food, or become entangled in it.

Threats to wildlife

All freshwater species are experiencing serious threats to their survival caused by pollution and changes to habitats.

83%

Populations of freshwater species have declined by 83% from 1970 to 2018. (WWF)

9%

Globally, only 9% of plastic is recycled.

8

million tonnes of plastic waste leaks into the world’s oceans and rivers every year.

700

Plastic pollution adversely impacts over 700 species.

80%

of plastic entering the ocean flows in from rivers.

Single-use plastic

Many animals ingest plastic after mistaking it for food, or become entangled in it.

Threats to wildlife

All freshwater species are experiencing serious threats to their survival caused by pollution and changes to habitats.

83%

Populations of freshwater species have declined by 83% from 1970 to 2018. (WWF)

9%

Globally, only 9% of plastic is recycled.

8

million tonnes of plastic waste leaks into the world’s oceans and rivers every year.

700

Plastic pollution adversely impacts over 700 species.

80%

of plastic entering the ocean flows in from rivers.

Wildlife affected

It's not just Platypus that are affected by plastic pollution, many other freshwater species are impacted, too.

The solution

Choose to Reuse!

Plastic pollution solutions

Make the swap from single-use to reusable:

Coffee cup

Make sure you take your reusable coffee cup whenever you buy drinks at a cafe.

Lunchboxes

Choose reusable containers and lunch boxes over cling wrap and individually wrapped items.

Spray bottles

Choose to buy cleaning pods or tablets and refillable products to reduce plastic waste.

Beeswax wraps

Try using beeswax wraps instead of cling wrap.

Produce bags

Instead of grabbing a plastic produce bag, bring your own net bag along to the grocery store or put the loose fruit and vegetables straight into your basket.

What you can do

You can help save Platypus. Choose to Reuse!

Track your plastic use

Use our calculator to track the impact you can have from making a few small changes.

Nude food

Make a “nude food” day a week where there is no plastic packaging brought in with your lunchbox. Think fruit, home made cakes and slices, sandwiches in a container rather than cling wrap.

Be litter free

Pick up litter around you - wherever you are! Remember, you can also recycle with the Return and Earn program and get 10c back for each item you recycle. We've got a collection station at the entrance of Taronga Zoo Sydney!