Say ‘nup’ to plastic

Next week is the first week of July, the month dedicated to reducing the amount of plastic we use in our daily lives.

Plastic Free July® is a global movement encouraging millions of people be part of the solution to plastic pollution – so we can have cleaner streets, oceans, healthy native and marine animals and beautiful communities. Will you be part of Plastic Free July by choosing to refuse single-use plastics?

Previous campaigns have had a positive outcome, with plastic straws no longer acceptable, and a distinct reduction in the use of plastic shopping bags. Nevertheless, we still have a long way to go.

If your family decides to take up the challenge, the plasticfreejuly.org website has tips to get you through the month, and maybe even kick that plastic habit for good, such as, buying in bulk wherever possible and taking your own bags if you want to separate fresh goods at the market.

Other ways you can reduce plastic in your home include:

- Avoid pre-packaged food. Buy fruit and vegetables loose, where possible, and choose to buy meat products from the butcher rather than in plastic-wrapped foam holders from the supermarket.

- Take a reusable water bottle on the go and refuse single-use plastic bottles. It's healthier and a lot cheaper, especially if you have a family of four or more.

- In the laundry, swap to refillable washing liquid, or buy washing powder in bulk. Choosing natural fibres such as wool, silk, hemp or linen will help reduce plastic waste.

It is also easy to reduce plastic in the garden. Here are some ways:

- instead of buying seedlings in plastic punnets and pots, plant your own seeds in egg cartons. When the seedling is ready to be planted out, separate its section and bury directly into the soil to break down and 'feed' the growing plant;

- if you buy plants in plastic pots, save the pots for re-use or pass them on to another avid gardener (if you don't know one, take them to the local markets and offer them to a plant seller there);

- choose metal and wooden (or second-hand) tools and gear over plastic ones, which are quite likely to break or wear out in a few months.