Choose to Reuse - Make a small change for big impact this Plastic Free July

In anticipation of the arrival of humpback whales to our shores there’s never been a better time to swap out single-use plastics than in July.

There have been some big changes this year and keeping Covid-safe has meant that some single-use items, such as take-away coffee cups and plastic food containers, have increased. But don’t fear - there is still so much we can do to make an impact!

Upload your kit

This Plastic Free July, we’ve put together a brilliant package of virtual events, online activities and resources to help keep you inspired, informed and plastic-free throughout the month, and beyond.

‘Get Your Kit On’ - Create your own plastic-free kit that helps reduce single-use. Show us what’s in your kit for the chance to win a family whale watching experience on our very own, Sunshine Coast.
Virtual Events - Check out these brilliant online events and presentations covering everything from DIY beeswax wraps and cutlery keepers, to becoming a plastic-free master tea blender.
Resources – Find out all you need to know about modern cloth nappies with an online presentation and a range of other great articles to keep you inspired.
Fact Sheets – Read the latest on BYO coffee cups as we strive to remain Covid-safe.
Beach Clean Ups – Join the efforts of some of our favourite clean beach ambassadors.

#BYOSunshineCoast invites everyone to take up the challenge to ditch single-use and bring plastic-free items instead. To help inspire you, we’ve rounded up a simple guide to creating your own plastic-free kit to help minimise everyday waste.

Breakdown of waste found in Sunshine Coast Waterways over a 12 month period

Work

Don’t go anywhere without your BYO cutlery wrap, water bottle, bag and coffee cup (even if you can’t use it at all cafés due to Covid, they still come in handy in the workplace). Zero-waste lunch is ON!

Shopping

BYO reusable produce and shopping bags - get a set and keep them wherever you will remember them – add them to your shopping list or add a reminder to your phone. Clean, refillable containers or jars for bulk food purchases. Choose to refuse pre-packaged meat, fish and deli products, particularly those sold on polystyrene trays.

Picnic

Pop together the perfect package of reusable; tumblers, straws, plates, cutlery and condiment containers. When packing lunch consider buying fresh, local and plastic free.

On the Go

Collapsable or reusable tumblers in the glovebox, BYO shopping bags, water bottles and cutlery wrap. Also, check with your local cafe or restaurant if you can bring your own container for take away food.

Kitchen

Avoid cling wrap by storing and packing food in reusable containers. You can also purchase reusable silicone bowl toppers to cover food in bowls, pots and pans, or even get crafty with an upside down plate, reusable cloth cover or wax wrap. Choose to refuse plastic bin liners and line the bin with a few sheets of newspaper, use compostable bin liner bags or use a ‘naked bin’ and simply wash it out as needed.

Bathroom

Make friends with a bamboo toothbrush, trial a shampoo or body bar, buy plastic free cotton tips or get a metal safety razor with recyclable blades. Also, consider alternatives to single-use makeup wipes and sanitary items.

Show us your plastic free kit to WIN* a family whale watching experience

Win a family whale watching experience of a lifetime by sharing your unique plastic free kit. Arrange your kit in the format shown in our 'inspo' section below, take a snap with your phone and upload to win! We’ve also got a swag of zero-plastic kits to give away to ten runner’s up. Don’t forget to share a snap of your kit on social media and tag #BYOSunshineCoast.

The Prize

Family pass (x2 adults, x2 children (4-14 years old) on Whale One, departing from the Wharf Mooloolaba (season runs June through to October, 2020). Ten runner's up will receive a 'Go-for-Zero' plastic-free, reusable kit.

Ten runner's up will receive a 'Go-for-Zero' plastic-free, reusable kit.

Plastic free kit inspo

Don't know where to start? Here are a few of our very own plastic free kits to help inspire you. Take a simple snap of your kit and upload to win. Don't forget to share on social and tag #BYOSunshineCoast.

Upload your kit to enter

TERMS AND CONDITIONS: *To be eligible to win a prize you need to be a resident or property owner within the Sunshine Coast Council local government area. However, we welcome all contributors. The competition will close at midnight on 28 July, 2020 with the winner announced via email on 29 July, 2020. All eligible entries will be included in the draw. We encourage responsible sharing and will not post any content that is not in keeping with the program values. Any images that include people, must only be included with the appropriate permissions.

Participate in upcoming event

Here are some great opportunities to participate in during Plastic Free July on the Sunshine Coast: