Take the Plastic Free July Challenge
Last modified on 01 July 2022
Willoughby City Council is urging the local community to take action to reduce plastic waste in their daily home and work lives by joining the Plastic Free July challenge.
Willoughby City Mayor Tanya Taylor pledged to lead by example and find environmentally friendly alternatives to everyday household plastics.
“My personal challenge for Plastic Free July is to ‘choose to refuse’ single-use coffee cups, water bottles, plastic shopping bags and straws in favour of reusable, sustainable alternatives.
“Single-use plastics have a devastating impact on our environment, wildlife and health. Anything we can do to reduce plastic waste in our homes and daily lives will make a difference.”
As part of Council’s commitment to reduce plastic waste, upcoming community events will be plastic free, including the Symphony in the Park concert on 10 July and Fauna Fair in late August.
Plastic Free July is an Australian-born initiative that has grown into worldwide campaign aimed at creating a world free of plastic. Sadly, single-use plastic items and packaging account for 60 per cent of all litter in NSW. Momentum is gathering around the impacts of single-use plastic as individuals, businesses and government take action. On 1 June, a ban on lightweight single-use plastic bags came into effect in NSW, with further single-use plastic items to be banned from 1 November.
Last year, an estimated 140 million people took part in Plastic Free July worldwide. On average, participants reduced their household waste and recycling by 15kg per person.
Simple ways to reduce plastic waste include:
- Switch plastic water bottles for refillables
- Skip plastic straws – choose stainless steel straws or no straws
- Refuse plastic wraps – store leftovers in reusable containers
- Refuse plastic shopping bags – bring your own bag or use a box
- Refuse plastic cutlery
- Refuse plastic packaging - bring reusable container for takeaway
- Switch from bottled soft drinks to recyclable cans or make your own soda
- Switch from plastic clothes pegs to wooden or stainless steel pegs
- Choose to buy unpackaged fresh produce
- Switch from a plastic to sustainable bamboo toothbrush
Willoughby City residents are encouraged to be part of the solution by registering for the challenge at plasticfreejuly.org. There you can also take the pesky plastic survey and learn more about alternatives to single-use plastics.
Residents can attend a free webinar on Saturday 2 July at 11am, hosted by Dr Anita Vandyke, Author of A Zero Waste Family: In thirty days to learn some practical tips to avoid plastic by making the most of things you already have at home during Plastic Free July.
To learn more about Plastic Free July and register for the free webinar visit the Willoughby City Council website.
Photo caption: Willoughby City Council is encouraging residents to take up the Plastic Free July challenge.