Hi Landcarer’s

Do you think you could make it through Plastic Free July?

What a challenge! There are now so many products that are produced that are totally moving away from plastic, whether it be in packaging or in the product itself. I believe it is because consumers are more conscious of what they are purchasing and are shopping smarter.

Plastic Free July has been operating for the past ten years. It was started by Rebecca Prince-Ruiz (the founder of the Plastic Free Foundation) and a small team in local government in Western Australia.

Millions of people across the globe take part every year, with many committing to reducing plastic pollution far beyond the month of July, with the movement becoming one of the most influential environmental campaigns in the world.

Whether or not you have taken it on fully for a month, or, it at least makes you think about what you are purchasing and forming some new habits, it is worth at least looking at some of the suggestions to get you thinking about this reliance on plastic that we have formed as a society.

It can sometimes be confusing working out what can be reused, recycled or composted, but the Plastic Free July movement are encouraging us to think about plastic before we make a purchase. It is great if a product can be recycled, but are there other options to purchasing something in plastic in the first place?

I know…sometimes there just may seem to be no other option, but usually the freshest, most local option of purchasing food from a farmer’s market or more directly from a supplier or local butcher are the best option on so many levels. Buying local, fresher and with less packaging can take a bit more thought and preparation, but like any new thing, you can quickly form new habits.

Some of this week’s suggestions from Plastic Free July:

• switching to a bigger quantity that uses less plastic overall can reduce plastic. One big yoghurt tub is less plastic than lots of small plastic tubs, and a big packet of potato chips uses less plastic than lots of mini packets.
• switch from a product packaged in plastic to a product packaged in glass. Look for glass jars of jam, mayonnaise or peanut butter.

For further information on this article and links to Plastic Free July, please go to www.centralwestlachlanlandcare.org, twitter, facebook or Instagram @cwllandcare