Our Future to Choose – what single use plastic will you refuse or swap out this July?

We are passionate about reducing our use of single use plastics everyday, but in July we to amplify these efforts as part of the global support for the Plastic Free July organisation and movement.

Here on the Sunshine Coast, there are a rafter of increased activations that happen across our community to help raise awareness of the issues of single use plastics, how to avoid them in our daily lives, and to support efforts to clean up plastic waste that has been lost to our environment.

Taking positive action to reduce our personal impact is how we aspire to live in the Sunshine Coast Biosphere.

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

We encourage Sunshine Coast residents to take up the challenge and commit to making one or more change today, this month or any day – to refuse or swap out single use plastics for a more sustainable option.

Simple swaps like taking your own water bottle or coffee cup, refilling reusable containers with bulk foods, avoiding over packaged goods and embracing reusable produce bags for your fruit and veg can really make a difference.

Here are a few activities for you could consider:

• Organise a Plastic Free Morning Tea at your workplace or playgroup
• Take the Pesky Plastics Quiz
• Learn how to Make your own beeswax wraps with this informative Living Smart video or register for a workshop at your local library
• Join the action through the Sunshine Coast Council Beach clean up program
• Learn all there is to know about how to Get Plogging or start a Plog a Thon!
• Register with millions of other people to take the Plastic Free July Challenge

Other relevant local events during July:

• Holistic Living Expo – July 2 + 3
  Come listen to Ellie from Go for Zero explore Plastic Free and Toxin free living OR bring the kids for crafty plastic turtles with local artist Yanni.
• Plastic Free Sea Festival run by Visionary Ocean Warriors - Saturday 2 July 8-11am
• Aura Environment Day – July 17 Come and chat to the Responsible Pets team about ’Leaving only Pawprints’, grab a tree, listen to some tunes and find out more about Living in the Biosphere.
• Plastic Free July beach Clean Up and National Tree Day planting – Saturday 23 July 8-11am – North Shore

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Whether you’re heading to work, on the go, doing the shopping or eating out, there are plenty of plastic-free or zero waste options to embrace…

WORK

Don’t go anywhere without your BYO cutlery wrap, water bottle, bag and coffee cup. 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

Collapsible 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.