Plastic Free July Challenge

Make Small Changes Today and Help Stop Climate Change

In South Africa many know the month of July as Nelson Mandela month with its focus on giving back and helping others centered around 18 July when Mandela was born. In other countries, the month of July is also significant because of an annual international challenge started 10 years ago to reduce plastic waste. This challenge is known as "Plastic Free July". The idea behind the challenge is to create awareness around plastic waste and to encourage the reduction of plastic pollution. The focus of this movement is to inspire people to make daily changes in the way things are done.

Consider joining the "Plastic Free July" challenge. All that is required is to sign up and to be prepared to start making small steps to decrease plastic waste.

Some tips on where and how to get started include the following ideas:

• Look at the waste and recycling generated by the household and/or business. Consider what products can be replaced to begin creating less waste and if necessary start to look for alternatives.
• Keep reusable shopping bags handy for instance in the car or handbag so there is no need to buy plastic bags.
• Consider reusable alternatives to disposable products for example switch to reusable instead of disposable razors.
• Ditch cling wrap and use other options such as keeping leftovers in reusable containers and using alternative covers such as a plate to cover food in the fridge.
• Party decorations - avoid balloons and rather make, borrow or buy reusable party decorations.
• Consider using plastic-free toothbrushes.
• Discuss the "Plastic Free July" initiative with others to get as many people involved as possible.

Avoid single-use plastics

The amount of plastic that gets thrown away is mind boggling and this is all single-use plastic. As many people are now doing online shopping and everything comes in some kind of plastic wrapping, it is easy to get discouraged, however this challenge just requires small steps in the right direction.

This is the tenth year of the "Plastic Free July" challenge and now is a good time to sign up. Do not be afraid of signing up. All that is required is to join, to think what changes can be made to reduce plastic waste and a regular email will be received to provide inspiration and encouragement.

"This planet is our one and only home. We have no other choice - we must care for it."