WASHINGTON DC —  As world leaders gather at the first UN Ocean Conference that will get underway on June 5, World Environment Day, Ocean Conservancy is releasing data from more than half a million International Coastal Cleanup volunteers who removed 18,399,900lbs of trash from beaches, coasts and waterways in 112 countries last September, in the world's largest volunteer effort on behalf of the ocean.

"We are grateful for the volunteers around the world who literally moved mountains of trash from entering our ocean," said Allison Schutes , senior manager of Ocean Conservancy's Trash Free Seas Program.

"Together, we walked over 14,490 miles of beaches, coasts and waterways  — enough to walk around the moon twice. This is no small feat and we are grateful for every person who showed up and every piece of trash they picked. It makes a difference in our efforts to stem the tide of ocean trash."

The report  released today identifies a piano among the other more unusual items found. Small, ubiquitous items like cigarette butts, plastic beverage bottles, food wrappers, plastic bottle caps and plastic straws remain the most commonly collected items — and remain among the most deadly to wildlife like seabirds, marine mammals and sea turtles.

The International Coastal Cleanup contributes to the world's most robust database on marine debris, which is built entirely on the individual action of the citizen scientists who meticulously log their finds. Last year, Ocean Conservancy debuted the Clean Swell mobile app to allow volunteers to more easily log trash that they collect.

"The International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) is perhaps the clearest expression of grassroots global action on behalf of our ocean, something Ocean Conservancy is proud to have led for over 30 years," said Janis Searles Jones ( @InVeritas_Jones ), CEO of Ocean Conservancy.

"But we recognize that cleanup efforts alone cannot tackle a crisis of this magnitude with an estimated 8 million tons of trash makes its way into our ocean every year, which is why we invite partnerships and collaborations across sectors."

The Cleanup is part of Ocean Conservancy's larger strategy for Trash Free Seas and is one of the many ways the organization is joining with others to help find answers and solutions to address existing ocean trash and eventually stop its flow into the ocean.

Ocean Conservancy also started the Trash Free Seas Alliance to coordinate across industry, government, NGOs and public interest organizations to identify ways to stop land-based trash from ever reaching the ocean.

Scientists have identified that by improving waste management and collection in the 20 countries where the mismatch between plastic consumption and mismanaged waste is greatest, we can reduce by 2025 the amount of plastic entering the ocean by more than 40 percent. 

"Ocean Conservancy is excited to see the solutions and commitments that emerge from the United Nations' Ocean Conference to tackle ocean trash," added Ms Jones. "We are ready to step up to the challenge of turning the tide on ocean trash together."

Ocean Conservancy acknowledges with thanks the support of The Coca-Cola Company for the International Coastal Cleanup over the past 19 years.

Last year, Coca-Cola activated a global employee engagement campaign to encourage participation in the Cleanup -- more than 7,000 Coca-Cola system associates volunteered along with their friends and families, cleaning more than 150,000lbs of trash.

As part of its commitment to address global climate change, Bank of America has supported the Cleanup since 2002, with thousands of employees participating in Cleanup events all around the world. Other national sponsors include National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Altria Group, Inc, Brunswick Public Foundation, Cox Enterprises, The Dow Chemical Company and the Martin Foundation. 

https://oceanconservancy.org/

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THE Institute of Public Accountants (IPA) has voiced its support for the proposed legislation to ensure payment within 30 days to small businesses.

“The IPA has long advocated for responsible timely payment to small businesses.  Too often, small business cash flow is held to ransom by the failure of big businesses to pay small business invoices in a timely manner,” said IPA chief executive officer, Andrew Conway.

The proposed legislation caters for instances where a contract is entered into between a business with $10 million or less annual turnover and a big business of $25 million or more turnover, or a government agency.

“The commercial world is still lagging behind Government agencies which are required to pay within 30 days or else interest must be paid.

“Healthy cash flow provides ongoing incentive to reinvest in their businesses; which extends the economic benefit of growth and the capacity to employ,” said Mr Conway.

publicaccountants.org.au

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THE Australian Retailers Association (ARA) is calling all retailers to put themselves forward to be recognised 2017 eftpos ARA Australian Retail Awards.

As Australia’s first and largest national retail awards program, the ARA Awards have celebrated Australia’s leading retailers for over 40 years. The 2017 program boasts a collection of awards representing the breadth of talent and achievement in the ever-changing retail landscape.

ARA Executive Director, Russell Zimmerman, eagerly anticipates the event held on August 3rd at The National Gallery of Victoria, and believes it will be the biggest and most popular event to date.

“Retailing is an exceptionally important sector for the Australian economy, and this event is a great platform for forward-thinking retailers to share their inspiring success stories and gain industry insights from esteemed guest speakers.

“Retail plays a vital role in the daily lives of all Australians and the ARA is proud to acknowledge the achievement and talent of the passionate retailers that are the heart and soul of the industry,” Mr Zimmerman said.

Major event sponsor, eftpos, is excited to support the ARA Awards for a fourth consecutive year. “Retail is a vital part of the Australian economy and it’s important that we recognise the industry’s ongoing contribution through these awards,” eftpos Managing Director, Bruce Mansfield said.

The ARA has this year reimagined the selection process and worked with distinguished industry experts to determine what constitutes the ‘best in retail’ in the evolving retail sector.

“The Awards span 12 categories reflecting the diversity of Australian retail – from independent owner-operators, to national brands, industry innovators, outstanding staff and exceptional store-fitouts.” Mr Zimmerman said.

“The coveted ‘2017 Retailer of the Year Award’ is by far the one of hardest to critique, with the extraordinary calibre of leading Australian retailers in the field. I’m glad I’m not on the judges’ panel, they have their work cut out.”

The ARA encourages all retailers to submit an entry or nominate an exceptional retail employee before June 23 at www.australianretailawards.com.au.

About the Australian Retailers Association:

Founded in 1903, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) is the retail industry’s peak representative body representing Australia’s $310 billion sector, which employs more than 1.2 million people. The ARA works to ensure retail success by informing, protecting, advocating, educating and saving money for its 7,500 independent and national retail members throughout Australia. For more information, visit www.retail.org.au or call 1300 368 041.

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THE Australian Retailers Association (ARA) said April’s modest retail trade growth of 3.08 percent year-on-year released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) brings some relief for food retailers whilst other parts of the sector continue to struggle.

ARA Executive Director Russell Zimmerman said although April’s growth figure is quite modest, the past few months have been difficult for the industry as they continue to face a challenging operating environment.

The industry continues to demonstrate real weakness in discretionary spend categories with Household Goods (0.67%), Hardware & Building (-0.95%) and Electrical Good Retailing (-0.33%) showing signs for concern.

“As the retail sector is experiencing economic transformation, we continue to see some parts of the industry struggling.” Mr Zimmerman said.

Despite this broader industry decline, the ARA have seen strong signs of growth for categories including Food retailing (4.29%), Liquor (7.31%) and Takeaway Food Services (6.16%). Cafés and Restaurants have also picked up since March, showing a 4.19% growth year-on-year due to family-based festivities over the Easter long weekend.

“With a number of public holidays in April, consumers enjoyed their time out at cafés and bars with friends and family, especially over the Easter period,” Mr Zimmerman said.

In regards to state categories, Victoria (4.19%), Queensland (4.05%) and South Australia (4.00%) take the lead with solid year-on-year growth figures. Australian Capital Territory (3.73%), Tasmania (2.76%) and New South Wales (2.60%) also showed moderate to good increases for the period. While Western Australia (-0.05%) and Northern Territory (0.61%) illustrate a less positive growth trend.

“There has been a significant change in consumer spending habits as the Government’s tax increases after the Budget have proved counterproductive to retail growth and consumers are holding onto their pockets tightly,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“It is clear the Australian retail industry is going through a structural change, and it will only become stronger once growth returns to the sector.

“We’re hoping to see a spike in discretionary spend when mid-year sales hit in June, and look forward to seeing the whole industry receive a strong trade in May.”

MONTHLY RETAIL GROWTH (March 2017– April 2017 seasonally adjusted) 

 
Household goods retailing (0.35%), Other retailing (0.56%), Food retailing (1.19%), Clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing (0.27%), Cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services (1.12%) and Department stores (2.47%).

Northern Territory (1.79%), South Australia (1.11%), Australian Capital Territory (0.91%), Victoria (1.02%), Tasmania (1.18%), Western Australia (0.43%), New South Wales (0.12%) and Queensland (2.41%).

Total sales (0.95%).  

YEAR-ON-YEAR RETAIL GROWTH (April 2016 – April 2017 seasonally adjusted)

Household goods retailing (0.67%), Cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services (5.01%), Food retailing (4.29%), Clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing (0.27%), Other retailing (3.67%) and Department stores (0.13%).

New South Wales (2.60%), South Australia (4.00%), Tasmania (2.76%), Victoria (4.19%), Australian Capital Territory (3.73%), Western Australia (-0.05%), Queensland (4.05%) and Northern Territory (0.61%).

Total sales (3.08%). 

About the Australian Retailers Association:

Founded in 1903, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) is the retail industry’s peak representative body representing Australia’s $310 billion sector, which employs more than 1.2 million people. The ARA works to ensure retail success by informing, protecting, advocating, educating and saving money for its 7,500 independent and national retail members throughout Australia. For more information, visit www.retail.org.au or call 1300 368 041.

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