World Environment Day and Beating Plastic Pollution

World Environment Day is a yearly event focused on awareness of environment around the globe. Since 1974, it’s addressed the most significant threats to our environment and established a platform for greater awareness.

This year’s theme addresses one of the subtler threats to our existence: plastic pollution.

We've produced more plastic in the last ten years than we did in the last century. And it's not slowing down.

Fast Facts

  • Over 8 billion kilograms of plastic flows into oceans from coastal regions every year. If left on a beach, a plastic bottle will last for more than 450 years.
  • 40% of global plastic produced is packaging used once then discarded. Australia recycles just 37% of all plastic bottles, meaning more than seven billion are littered or landfilled each year.
  • Plastic bag refuse kills tens of thousands of birds, whales, seals and turtles every year.
  • Plastic bags are used for an average of 12 minutes, but a single plastic bag can last up to 1000 years.
  • Less than a fifth of all plastic is recycled globally. Only 3% of plastic bags used in Australia are recycled.

Plastic is everywhere. It's in the computers and mobiles we use. It packages the food we eat. Our blankets and pillows contain it. And that's just our everyday items.

Yet what happens to the plastic, and how it affects us, is not often a daily concern. We’re more readily aware of the dangers of using electronics around water, for example, or eating expired meat. The threat there is direct and real, or at least agonisingly tangible.

What we might not see is the millions of tiny bits of nano-plastics that end up in the fish and seafood that we eat.

Or the plastic washed into the pristine waterways and beautiful coastlines that we so happily enjoy across Australia.

Or the 80 plastic bags that found their way into the body of a pilot whale found off the southern coast of Thailand.

So what can we do?

How can we possibly keep up with this accelerated rate of plastic production? And what will it mean for our children and the world we live in? Throwing away garbage is second nature, after all. We just know that someone, somewhere is getting rid of it.

Plastic objects are made from fossil fuels – which are limited and non-renewable. There are an increasing amount of supermarkets, businesses and councils banning plastic bags, plastic straws and single-use plastic bottles. This is a huge step in the right direction for decreasing single-use, disposable plastics and teaching our future generations to be more mindful of their excessive waste.

But there are simple, cost-effective changes we can make immediately.

  • Ditch the disposable. Beverage containers and takeaway food packages make up the vast bulk of our waste.

     By using reusable bottles and containers in your family, you're acknowledging that you can have an impact.


  • Have simple, environmentally friendly options in your car or bag.

    Cloth/textile/green bags are not only better for the environment, they're also a lot sturdier and easier for you to carry. 


  • Get to the farmers’ markets or bulk food store.

    Enjoy produce straight from the ground. Most of it tastes better, it's grown without excessive pesticides and insecticides, and it doesn't come in plastic bags!


  • Get involved and clean up our beautiful country.

    There's no shortage of ways to get involved and help keep our ecosystems clean and healthy.

    Clean Up Australia Day, Keep Australia Beautiful, Plastic Bag Free NSW and other community initiatives are but a few ways you can lend a hand.


  • Buy a KeepCup for your morning coffees.

    Every cup less means a cup kept off our coasts, out of our waterways and away from our precious wildlife.


  • Keep yourself accountable. Know what to recycle.

    Don't throw away your old mobiles and electronics. These can all be recycled.

    Learn more about what you can recycle here.

Committing to a greener future - one appliance at a time

At Appliances Online, we're aware of our responsibility to commit to a greener future. We understand the importance of environmentally sustainable business practices and acknowledge the impact some of the products we sell have on the environment. 

It's why we offer free removal of old disconnected appliances!

Old appliances we pick up as part of our free delivery service are recycled with help from national steel recycling companies. We also compact all polystyrene, plastic and cardboard packaging into cubes for easier recycling, using modern equipment located at our DCs.