Councillors will consider a new “plasticwise policy” at Tuesday night’s meeting, which outlines how both they and staff would cut out plastics and encourages others to do the same.

Under the plan, it would be mandatory for all official Indigo Council business to be free from plastics.

While the draft plan still has to be considered by councillors and go out for a 30-day public consultation period, the council included $3000 in its 2018-19 budget to support the transition.

The money would be used to buy a set of outdoor reusable catering items, beeswax food wraps, reusable catering containers and possibly a mobile composting system if suppliers switch from plastic to compostable containers.

In her report, the council’s environment and sustainability coordinator Jill Croome said the plasticwise policy could influence others to follow Indigo’s lead.

“The impacts of single use plastics on the global and local environment are a growing concern to our community,” she said.

“Committees, clubs and businesses across the shire will be encouraged to voluntarily participate, but compliance will not be mandatory outside of council’s operations and council managed events.

“It is not expected that suppliers and caterers will be able to fully comply with the policy immediately. It is important however that the policy is considered whenever purchasing occurs and effort is made to reduce plastic wherever practicable.”

The next challenge will be getting suppliers on board.

“Food vendors and caterers may not be receptive to being asked to supply council with catering in reusable or compostable containers, partly due to this being a change from business as usual and partly because of perceived health risks or increased costs,” Ms Croome said.

“Similarly, suppliers of office consumables will be requested to change the way they normally package items, which will be an impost initially.”

She said there was a repetitional risk to the council if the plasticise policy was adopted, then not followed.

Councillors will consider the plan at Tuesday’s meeting at the council chambers in Beechworth from 6.30pm.