We know avoiding plastic is important for wildlife, our environment and our health. This is why Sustainable Futures is encouraging all of the IGS community to make a conscious effort to reduce plastic from their lives.
Did you know?
Plastic has been in the news a lot lately. Whether it’s the recent State of the Environment report, Northern Australia beaches covered in plastic or the UN declaring an ‘ocean emergency’. Plastic is a huge problem and we need to do something about it!
Australia’s recycling is far from perfect and although the government has a plan to address the problem, the best way for us to manage our waste is by reducing it.
So what can you do?
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Educate yourself – Learn about the impacts of plastic. This article, including the links, are a good place to start.
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Pledge – Complete this short survey and make your Plastic Free pledge for the duration of Term 3.
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Share – Talk to others about what you’ve learnt and how you’re making a difference and encourage them to join you.
Going completely plastic free might seem a bit challenging, but start small and make it fun! Consider the following tips to get you started:
Decline plastic bags
One of the easiest and most obvious places to start, plastic bags are becoming less common but are still out there. Remember to bring your favourite reusable shopping bags whenever you head out shopping. Resist the temptation to settle for heavy-duty plastic bags which also eventually end up in landfill.
Bounce on bottled drinks
Single use plastic bottles can be recycled in crafty ways BUT are almost entirely avoidable. Bring a reusable water bottle, or opt for more sustainably packaged options when buying beverages to go.
Keep your cup
Coffee drinkers, keep an eye out for local cafes with discounts for BYO mugs and Keep Cups. Covid has made things more complicated but some cafes will accept BYO cups for ‘contactless’ coffee and other drinks.
Cut the plastic cutlery, lids and straws
Another easy one, particularly as these items are being outlawed in different cities and states. If you need a straw ask for paper or bamboo and if you’re having food delivered always remember to request no plastic cutlery!
Bring your lunch box
Lunchboxes aren’t just for school kids, they’re a great way to limit waste from meal packaging. Get creative with cloth bags and wax food wraps to minimize reliance on plastic cling wraps or aluminum foil.
For more resources visit plasticfreejuly.org
See what some of our students had to say below
Harriet said “Plastic Free Term 3 is an invitation for everyone to reduce their environmental impact in simple but meaningful ways. I encourage all of you to make the small changes in your lives to reduce plastic use – your small changes will have a big impact.”
Madeleine said “Plastic Free Term 3 is an initiative that everyone should do to help the environment and get into better personal habits surrounding our own waste. It is also a chance for one to try something new. I personally am going to start making my own 2-minute-noodles using plain flour and water instead of using the packaged 2-minute-noodles that create a huge amount of waste.”
Amy said “Plastic pollution is so horrendous. I think that we use plastic excessively. We often have the mentality that individually we can’t make a difference, however if everyone thinks this way, change will never happen. I am doing my part by bringing my lunch from home, not only is it cheaper and healthier, but I can make sure that I’m using less plastic packaging as well.”
Oliver said “Plastic in our oceans is horrible. It’s difficult to prevent on a global scale and it impacts marine life. I support Plastic Free Term 3 because it’s one way we can contribute to improving our environment. I am doing my part by not buying plastic bottles and using a reusable one and in the event I use a plastic bottle I recycle it accordingly. I prevent the amount I litter and am always looking to pick up other rubbish, putting them in the correct bins, and doing my part for Plastic Free Term 3.”
Callum said “I believe our use of plastic is a huge problem. They impact our environment, natural habitats and ecosystems. Many marine species die of plastic in their stomachs. I’m going to look for plastic free alternatives this term and bring food from home to avoid plastic packaging.”
Hunter said “I used to love eating salmon until I found out that half of all farmed salmon had microplastic in their tissue. I want to reduce the amount of plastic entering our oceans by avoiding plastics and recycling when I can’t avoid it.”