My last post on the Netflix series produced by Zac Efron and Darin Olien seems like the perfect segue to this post on Plastic Free July.
It’s that time of the year again where we drive our collective efforts to draw attention to why single use plastics is detrimental to the health of our planet, to our communities and what some cool people and companies are doing to help turn this around. What lessons can we each of us take from these sustainability champions and what small changes can we make each day to nurse our planet back to good health.
The Plastic Free movement was started in Australia in 2011 by the Plastic Free Foundation Ltd with an ambitious goal to rid the planet of plastic waste. From humble beginnings this movement 10 years on has gone global and many have jumped on board to do their bit to refuse single use plastics and if they do acquire plastic then to reuse it so that we reduce its presence and impact on the environment.
Can one month of focus on the adverse effect of single use plastic make a difference, I hear you ask? The answer I guess lies in the alternative of not having any attention drawn to this issue that affects all of us – that’s right – its the something is better than nothing approach and the wins although small count for something.
The one month long challenge thrown us may actually get us thinking and changing habits and behaviors enough to continue past the end of July and the ideal outcome is that eventually plastic free becomes our daily norm when we as consumers make purchasing decisions with plastic free in mind.
If the reported 300 + million people who jumped on board to participate in plastic free July continues to grow, this powerful army of environmental warriors may just be able to reduce plastic exponentially and prevent the damage it is currently doing to our waterways, to our marine life and oceans and emitting harmful methane and ethylene which contribute to global warming. It is worth also remembering that the production of plastic products as well as the recycling of these products requires the use of fossil fuel which is unsustainable. Plastics pollute our air, water, food and therefore us. This is a wicked problem and one where we all need to be on board or else we are relegating this planet to a grim future and to our generations to inheriting a unwell communities in a very diseased world.
Anti-plastic Ninjas
I call them Ninjas because of their warrior spirit to do the right thing by our planet, our communities, and our future generations. These Ninjas are tireless in their efforts. Lets shine a light on the the efforts of these individuals and eco driven businesses.
Individuals
onegreenplanet.org named 7 individuals who are committed to mastering the art of plastic free living. They are:
1) Erin Rhoads also called the The Rogue Ginger which is the name of her blog where she documents her plastic free journey. https://www.therogueginger.com/
2) Lindsay Miles – Lindsay is author of ‘That’s a Wrap: Practical Tips, Tricks and Inspiration for Living Plastic-Free’ and she also has a blog https://treadingmyownpath.com that has advice on living reducing waste and living plastic free and with minimalism.
3) Beth Terry – author of ‘Plastic Free’ and author of https://myplasticfreelife.com/
Beth describes herself as an activist, author and public speaker and her blog has become a comprehensive resource on plastic free living.
4) Mary Kat also known as the Plastic Free Chef.
Her blog is https://theplasticfreechef.com
5) Taina Uitto
6) Lauren Singer is a blogger who aims for zero waste. Her blog is https://www.trashisfortossers.com
7) Jack Johnson founder of the ‘All at Once’ social action network
Instagrammers doing their bit that is attention worthy are:
Emily Ehlers – ecowiththem_
Vicky and David from Reusable Nation
Some Eco friendly businesses that deserve our patronage are:
Seed and sprout – https://seedsprout.com.au/
Eco green spirit – https://www.ecogreenspirit.com/
Growth inspired – https://growthinspired.com.au/
In our hands – https://www.inourhands.com.au
What can each of do at home, in our communities and at work to reduce single use plastic?
Just like Rome wasn’t built in a day, so too will plastics not be irradicated overnight. Instead this Herculean task will require small, consistent and incremental steps on all our part to make plastic redundant.
We can use res usable shopping bags and produce bags- it is better if these were made from natural materials.
We can use reusable bottles to carry our water in – no more bottled water in single use plastic bottles.
We can refuse to buy our coffee in single use plastic cups – instead take our own refillable coffee cups.
Use stainless steel and glass takeaway containers for food.
Use bamboo and stainless steel straws & cutlery.
Use bamboo toothbrushes, reusable make up remover pads & non plastic cotton buds.
Some great resources I have come across as I continue to learn more in order to play my part in nursing my community and planet Earth back to health are:
1) Treehugger.com
2) Australianethical.com.au
April’s Musingz 
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