IN 2020, many of us have already adopted some steps towards plastic free living. We are “already refusing plastic shopping bags, avoiding pre-packed fruit and veg, picking up other people’s litter and avoiding buying bottled water.”
But it doesn’t stop there… The chemical structure of most plastics renders them resistant to many natural processes of degradation and as a result they are slow to degrade.
Put most simply, “Every bit of plastic ever made still exists and in the first 10 years of this century the world economy produced more plastic than the entire 1900’s!” from the PlasticFreeJuly.org
- Avoid landfill waste
- Protect the Ocean
- Reduce your Eco-Footprint
Take the Challenge and Refuse to Use Single-Use Plastic for July!
Visit Plastic Free July and register today!
There are countless reasons that there is only one obvious winner in the Stainless Steel Straws versus Plastic Straws battle.
YOU can join movements like The Last Plastic Straw or Straw Wars and be a part of the difference instead of remaining as part of the problem.
Many of us are learning and every single participant has a unique experience, so it is always good to see how other people share their Plastic Free July reflections.
Have you seen the movie Bag It? Sarah Prisbylla reviewed it as “A really good documentary. It was simple, but really informative, yet the narrator didn’t make you feel like you were a horrible person if you used plastic – more of pointing out how crazy it really is and providing some good alternatives.”
This is a CALL TO ACTION for Australian consumers to step back from the entitlement of “the customer is always right”and instead embrace the responsibility and “we can’t keep passing this off as convenience”
Please remember to leave a comment in this video with the hashtag #plasticfree and #zerowaste to help promote the cause and raise awareness.
At a certain point you will realise that, regardless of your own sense of importance or ego, it does not really matter much beyond the energy and simplicity of nature. And going without plastic is not as hard as you might expect. A polluted, plastic-congested ocean – where we eat fresh fish clogged with micro plastics – is no happy place. Stainless Steel Straws might be the first step for you.
From a great Australian Plastic Free July writer at http://www.wastefreeme.com/about/
Throwing something away as soon as you lose interest, it’s been upgraded, or it’s broken or no longer useful. How about garbage guilt? Throwing away those bits of food that are probably still good, but don’t look as fresh as the new stuff you just brought home. Into the bin it all goes! Meanwhile, you may have a momentary pang of, “Oh that’s a pity, I’ll try to plan better next time.”
I sure have. Many times. Sometimes I’ve bought lovely fresh food and between changed plans, forgetfulness or plain laziness, I’ve tossed a whole piece of meat or tray of veggies away because I kept on planning to use it and just never did. It’s the same as throwing money in the garbage.
The rubbish issue is created and perpetuated by individuals. So, individuals are who will fix the problem. That is why going waste-free became so important to this little household.
It’s a beautiful, heartfelt read and guaranteed to give you plenty of helpful tips and advice and help you get in the right headspace for the zero waste journey.
Also check out Sarah at Wanderlightly and her plastic free living solutions.
Do you have impact to reduce restaurant waste? You can join the “TakeOut Without” campaign to reduce restaurant waste by refusing unnecessary stuff, retaking your reusables and reconsidering your habits.
Eco with Em is a high energy and fun page from a passionate and committed eco-warrior sharing the journey – you’ll enjoy it!
You can also join the SurfRider Foundation and check out what volunteers and activists are doing in communities around Australia to keep our beaches clean.
Surfrider Foundation Australia is a registered not for profit sea-roots organisation dedicated to the protection of Australia’s waves and beaches through Conservation, Activism, Research and Education or C.A.R.E.
Zero Waste Australia
The Zero Waste International Alliance definition of zero waste is:
“Zero Waste is a goal that is ethical, economical, efficient and visionary, to guide people in changing their lifestyles and practices to emulate sustainable natural cycles, where all discarded materials are designed to become resources for others to use.”
“Zero Waste means designing and managing products and processes to systematically avoid and eliminate the volume and toxicity of waste and materials, conserve and recover all resources, and not burn or bury them.”
Living a Plastic Free Life Starts Now!
Let me introduce your to Lindsay Miles…
Let me tell you my story. In June 2012, I came across a challenge to refuse single-use plastic for a month (Plastic Free July). I signed up, but didn’t think much about it. I felt that I was pretty sustainable already. After all, I diligently recycled, took my own bags to the shops, bought eco-friendly washing up liquid… Surely that was enough?
Anyway, how much plastic could I really be using?
Lindsay’s Treading My Own Path Blog is filled with helpful and inspirational practical advice on how to embrace sustainability and a minimalist lifestyle.
Plastic Free July
Amanda in Waste Free Land writes about her daily experience with the environment and waste free living as well as building a tiny house. It’s very honest and accessible and best of all she is a vegetarian Kiwi! Well worth following and leaving a comment of encouragement!
There are some really talented bloggers out there, like Zero Waste Path an insightful writer who shares her experiences with zero waste across different countries and continents living the plastic free life.
For an insider’s experience visit Zero Waste Chef – who shares her journey to save the planet from single use plastic plastic through the lens of a professional in the kitchen.
Danielle is passionate about keeping things simple and shares her experience with everything recycled and Plastic Free in her blog Hippie in Disguise.
Quite possibly one of the most quirky and watchable #plasticfreejuly shares I’ve seen!
Plastic Free July 2020
