Plastic Free July 2023

 

Plastic Free July: small steps make a big impact!

Plastic Free July® is recognised globally as an annual month of global change, where individuals, businesses and governments come together to take action to reduce plastic waste. By sharing ideas, positive actions and stories of change, Plastic Free July helps people and organisations choose to refuse single-use plastic every day.

Every small step we take to avoid single-use plastic can make a big difference towards: 

• Protecting the ocean  
• Reducing consumption and production and avoiding landfill waste  
• Reducing human health impacts  
• Connecting communities and driving systemic change

As a Council Member, Ballina Shire Council is actively involved in supporting our community to choose to refuse single-use plastics. For example:

• Collaborating with Richmond Tweed Regional Libraries to offer reusable party kits for loan to the community
• Supporting reusable coffee cups in the community with Huskee Swap
• Prohibiting the use or supply of helium balloons at events on public land and at council owned facilities
• Supporting schools to implement campaigns to reduce single use plastics
• Running various workshops or events throughout the year

Together, we can all do our part to help end plastic waste and alleviate the recycling crisis, reduce landfill waste, and mitigate the effects of climate change.

The Plastic Free July challenge provides resources and ideas to help millions of participants around the world to reduce single-use plastic waste every day at home, work, school, and in the community. 

It can be as easy as picking one single-use plastic item to avoid or swap for a reusable alternative. 

Many people choose to avoid the Top 4 single-use plastics:

• Take-away coffee cups
• Plastic shopping bags
• Plastic straws
• Water bottles 

Get started with this Action Picker to browse some popular ideas and make your pledge!

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How to get involved (for free!) in six easy steps

1. Register for the challenge. Participants receive weekly tips to help them to keep motivated, and enjoy stories from others around the world who are reducing plastic in their lives
2. Take the Pesky Plastics Quiz to find some popular ideas to reduce plastic waste
3. Download some posters and put them up at your workplace, school or local businesses  
4. Get some free Plastic Free July resources for your school
5. Read inspiring stories of what others do
6. Register for an event or workshop, either online or in person (see below)

The Plastic Free July website is a great place to get inspiration and support, and to share your tips, ideas and experiences.

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Activities

 

Online Event: Sustainable Living 

Thursday 6 July 2023 7.30pm AEST

Steps to a plastic-free home with Lottie Dalziel from Banish. Lottie will showcase innovative plastic-free swaps that can be made in each room of the home. Perfect for beginners and people looking for practical tips on how to improve the sustainability of their own home.

Register for this online Zoom Event.

 

 

 

 

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Children and youth beeswax wrap workshop

To help reduce plastic waste and keep your food fresher longer, our popular beeswax wrap workshops are on again! Beeswax wraps are a sustainable, reusable, mouldable and antimicrobial alternative to clingfilm that smell amazing. They’re a convenient zero-waste option for food storage made by infusing cotton with food-grade beeswax and make a fun and simple DIY activity.

These free workshops are hosted in collaboration with North East Waste and Richmond Tweed Regional Libraries. To book your spot, please phone the relevant library directly.

• Lennox Head Library - 6 July, 10 - 11am. Bookings: Ph 6687 6398 or email lennox@rtrl.nsw.gov.au
• Alstonville Library - 6 July, 2 - 3pm. Bookings: Ph 6628 5527 or email alstonville@rtrl.nsw.gov.au
• Ballina Library - 13 July, 10 - 11am. Bookings: Ph 6686 2831 or email ballina@rtrl.nsw.gov.au

 

 

 

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Reusable kids party kits for loan

Council has collaborated with Richmond Tweed Regional libraries and Wardell CORE to offer reusable kids party kits for loan!

Not only are the kits durable and reusable, but the tableware is also made from 100% recycled plastic to keep our precious resources circulating. Each kit has a set of 12 bowls, cups, plates and utensils, drink jug and tablecloth.

The kits are available at the following locations:

• Alstonville library – 1 kit
• Ballina library – 1 kit
• Lennox Head library – 1 kit
• Wardell CORE – 2 kits

The purpose of the kits is to provide all members of the community with a fun, cost effective and clutter free option to reduce single use and role model sustainable practices to their family and friends.