Simple swaps for Plastic Free July

THE Tweed Shire Council team is making plastic-free pledges and encouraging the community to make small changes that can have a big impact.

The council’s Sustainability and Environment education officer, Jane Moad, said it was the perfect time to try one small change to reduce single-use plastics in our daily lives.

“Plastic Free July is an opportunity to start some new habits and see how easy it can be to make better choices for the environment – all you need is a plan to get started,” Moad said.

“Small changes add up. In Australia, 1.8 billion coffee cups end up in landfills each year.

“If we could just bring our own reusable coffee cup every time, we can make a big dent in avoiding waste and emissions from those cups.”

What began as a small challenge in Western Australia in 2011 has evolved into a global movement, with over 174 million people participating across 190 countries.

While Australians reduced their plastic waste by 46 million kilograms last year alone, the national statistics remain sobering.

On average, Australians use 70 billion pieces of soft plastic and consume one million tonnes of single-use plastic annually.

For residents wondering where to start, the council suggests beginning with small steps and forming good habits to support reducing plastic use.

Reusable coffee cups and water bottles, loose (unpackaged) produce, reusable shopping bags, paper-wrapped meat and fish, and reusable or paper straws are just some of the simple changes individuals can make.

Buying cleaning, bathroom and laundry products in bulk also saves on significant packaging and costs.

“The Tweed is one of the most biodiverse regions in Australia,” Moad said.

“We all love to enjoy our beaches, rivers and waterways and the animals that live in them.

“Reducing plastic pollution is one way that we can protect and enjoy our local environment.”

For information, resources and tips, visit plasticfreejuly.org