Try something new for Plastic Free July

Say goodbye to cling film, shampoo bottles, straws and other single use plastics this month and play your part in Plastic Free July.

Waipā District Council is encouraging all residents to join in the global movement so together we can swap out single-use plastic items for more sustainable options.

Waste minimisation officer, Sally Fraser said focusing on one or two things during Plastic Free July is a great place to start.

“Remembering your reusable produce bags, bringing your own container for takeaway food or using shampoo and soap bars instead of plastic bottles are all easy ways we can help contribute to the plastic free goal. We use plastic every day, some of it for a long time which is great, like a lunchbox, some of it for a shorter time, like a plastic bag to put our apples in, and that’s where we need to be making changes.

“Recycling is terrific but if we can reuse the plastic we do buy or avoid it altogether, that’s even better”, she added.

Council’s waste minimisation team will be giving away samples of plastic-free alternatives to everyday products at pop-up stands throughout the month of July in Pirongia, Cambridge and Te Awamutu.

“We’ll have shampoo and soap bars, beeswax wraps, bamboo toothbrushes and reusable produce bags available for people to take home and try for July. We’ll also be sharing ideas and answering any questions people may have about items they would like to find a plastic free alternative to,” Fraser said.

Dates and locations for Waipā District Council’s pop up stands:

• Pirongia Market – Sunday 27 June, 9am-2pm
• Te Awamutu Library – 3 July, 10am-2pm
• Cambridge Trash & Treasure – Sunday 11 July, 8am-1pm
• Cambridge Farmers Market – 17 July, 8am-12pm
• Pak n Save Foyer – 22 July, 10am,-2pm

Learn more about the Plastic Free July movement here!