Imagine a world without plastic waste.
Do you think you could go a whole month without using single-use plastic or maybe even no plastic at all?
The Plastic Free July campaign raises awareness of our growing plastic waste problem and supports behaviour change by helping people to avoid single-use (disposable) plastic.
The Plastic Free July Foundation started in 2011 by the WMRC Earth Carers in Perth.
The Foundation’s mission is to build a global movement that dramatically reduces plastic use and improves recycling and their vision is a world without plastic waste.
If you want to make a change and ‘Choose To Refuse’ single-use plastic during July click here to register now.
Video Description: ‘The challenge is quite simple. Attempt to consume no single-use plastic during July.’
I found so many helpful things on the Plastic Free July Website:
- Take the ‘Pesky Plastic‘ Quiz to help you track down where your plastics come from.
- You could host an event during July to raise awareness with others.
- Get your school, farmers market, local cafe/store or other organisations involved.
- Get some ideas from inspiring stories and detailed case studies.
- Resources for ‘Living Plastic Free‘.
- Downloadable Action Picker.
- Posters & Flyers.
Go Plastic Free: Find your Strength
See the Article on Learning Fundamentals Website.
Can you live plastic free for 31 days?
See the Article on Cleanaway Website. Download the PDF File.
Reduce Plastic at Work & at Home
See the Article on Flora & Fauna Website.
Download At Work PDF File or At Home PDF File.
Adelaide Hills Farmers Market:
The Adelaide Hills Farmers Market in Mount Barker, which my husband and I go to almost every Saturday, has a target to be completely plastic-free by 2020. They have recently undergone a waste audit, and will be participating the Plastic Free July.
In May the Adelaide Hills Farmers Market had a Waste Audit. This is taken from theor newletter:
What exactly is a Waste Audit?
A waste audit is a methodically thought out process which can be used to determine the amount and types of waste that are generated by your organization. Information from these audits can help you and your organisation to determine how you can reduce the amount of waste that your organisation generates.
So how did we go?
The AHFM has three rubbish bins- a compostable, a recyclable and hard waste bin. The first step was to empty each bin and sort it out into the 3 waste categories. This step identifies consumer behaviour regarding waste.The next step after sorting the 3 bins was to identify the overall percentage of waste from each category, this bit is interesting!
Our results.
Bin # 1 hard waste/landfill
The hard waste bin was the most utilised bin, however after sorting the waste only 3% of the total waste was actually landfill waste.
Bin # 2 Compostable The compostable/green waste bin was the least utilised bin. Although after the total audit of waste, 90% was actually compostable. That means a very large amount of waste generated at the market was compostable, however consumers are putting this waste in either the hard waste bin or the recyclable bin.
Bin #3 Recycling Only 7% of the total waste was recyclable, however again this bin was full of compostable and hard waste.
What does this tell us? Its good news! 97% of the waste generated at the market on the 12th of May was compostable or recyclable waste…However the results indicate there is definitely some confusion around what is recyclable and what is compostable waste. This is good news for us as we now know where we need to focus our attention to support our customers to make better choices.
The next step …The next step on our mission to be plastic free by 2020 is to conduct a plastics audit of our current stallholders. This information will enable us to identify the big plastic users and resource some alternative solutions.
Meanwhile you can help.
The AHFM info tent now has Jute carry bags as well as Keep Cups in medium and large for purchase. We will also be making our very own produce bags – therefore you can make a conscious choice to swap the plastic for a more sustainable choice.
YouTube Videos:
Video Description: ‘Cleanaway: There is a second life for plastics but it only counts if we recycle again and again. Like us on Facebook‘
Video Description: ‘Living without single-use and disposable plastic is easier than you might think! Our girl Steph has filmed her own plastic-free day to inspire you. Plastic Free July may have come to an end, but we’re moving on to plastic-free forever! Who’s with us?’
Useful Articles:
- Plastic Free July: Action Picker
- SBS- Plastic Free July How To
- 1 Million Women- Plastic Free July
- BBC- Plastics Watch
- National Geographic: You Can Help Turn the Tide on Plastic
- Onya: The Lifehacker’s Guide to Living with Less Plastic
- Learning Fundamentals: Go Plastic Free: Find your Strength
- Cleanaway: Can you live plastic free for 31 days?
Meg's Sustainable Blog 
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