Plastic Free July is an international initiative developed by a Perth council to raise awareness of the amount of plastic in our lives. The challenge is to refuse single-use plastic during July.
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Some of you may think it is too difficult to stop using plastic. It is. Plastic is ubiquitous and it is made to last a very long time.
It is packaged around our food. Some would even say it has started to become a part of our food. It is in our make-up and personal hygiene products. It is in our clothing.
However, if we put in a little thought and effort we all can reduce our usage of plastic. I have been concerned about the impact of plastics on the environment for years.
This concern was heightened on a recent trip to Sri Lanka where I was totally disheartened by the rubbish on the beaches, in the ocean and on the streets. Waste reduction is a global responsibility.
Some ideas to aid in this challenge would be to:
- take your own shopping bag or pack your shopping in a box
- either reuse or refuse produce bags
- purchase products packaged in cardboard, paper or glass
- avoid cling wrap – use a plate, clean shower cap or fabric covers over your leftovers/bowls
- opt for refills and bulk purchases
- ask for meat to be wrapped in paper or take your own container to the butchers
- BYO coffee cup and support cafes that reduce the price of a takeaway coffee if you BYO
- refuse plastic straws
- say ‘NO’ to bottled water
- line your rubbish bin with newspaper
- pick up the plastic litter
- ask yourself if you really need that new piece of clothing - consider clothes swaps with friends or an op shop purchase
Continue the challenge if travelling:
- take your own reusable coffee cup and water bottle
- purify the local tap water with tablets or a UV water purifier
- take your own snacks, earphones, and reusable cutlery
Think- Reduce, Reuse, Refuse, Rethink, Repair.
If we are all a little wiser with our purchases and consumption habits, a cleaner and healthier environment will follow.
For more ideas and to accept the challenge go to www.plasticfreejuly.org
Choose to Refuse.
