Plastic Free July | Two weeks to Go!
Donβt run away from problems, run them over - Collective Leigh
Drop Single Use Plastic
With less than two weeks to go, Plastic Free July is rapidly approaching. Do I feel organised noβ¦ and thatβs coming from somebody who bases their life around low wasteβ¦ but thatβs ok! Itβs ok to feel scared or even a little bit intimidated. The idea of living for a whole month without single use plastic can be daunting thatβs for sure. Itβs 2019 and pretty much our whole lives revolve around the use of plastic. Scary hey!?!
This will be my second year in a row doing Plastic Free July. Not because I use a lot of plastic, but simply because I feel like itβs always good to test your self. Change doesn't happen if it doesnβt challenge you. Iβm not perfect, and on the rare occasion I will buy something in a plastic bottle or I will forget to be organised and end up taking a Tupperware box home from work (obviously Iβll reuse it).
Change doesn't happen if it doesnβt challenge you
The Plan of Action
Tip #1 - When it comes to avoiding plastic is to be super organised and plan ahead. Make sure you know what your plan for the day is. Be ready with your straw, bag, keep cup, moon cup, bamboo cutlery, have it all ready to go (just in case of a plastic emergency).
Tip #2 - Be willing to change. When I did plastic free July last year I had just moved from Byron Bay, Australia to Auckland, New Zealand. I was finding it so much harder to find plastic free alternatives. It wasnβt until I decided to do a little bit of exploring and found an amazing little Asian supermarket on my way to work that it got a little easier. I had to go out of my way to get to the Asian supermarket, but that was ok because all my fruit and veg wasnβt covered in plastic
Tip #3 - Meal Prep. Having two other jobs, Ethically So. is currently my side hustle. This means Iβm super busy ALL the time. Which is why for me its super important to have my meals planned and ready to go. Not only for my health (I will pig out on chocolate if my food isnβt ready ASAP), but also so that I avoid getting take aways or ready meals. This is literally a win-win situation
Change One Challenge
Change One Challenge is simple. Itβs an amazing way to keep your self accountable when it comes to making ethical changes. You start by choosing one thing to change in the month of July, that allows you to reduce, reuse or recycle. Make a pledge on the Change One website. By making a pledge you are setting yourself a goal, that you will stick to thanks to the help of joining a community of change-makers. You can make a pledge as an individual, family or business.
Through making a pledge you will not only get access to hundreds of tools and an abundance of information, but you will also gain access to discount codes from over 20 amazing sustainable companies based in New Zealand.
Check it out here so you donβt miss out!
Baby Steps | Plastic Free July
Whatever you are doing to make a difference it counts. Please remind yourself not to feel guilty! This is something I struggle with, I always feel like I could be doing more. Sometimes you have to remember that the fact you are doing anything is amazing.
Ethically So. focuses on supporting amazing Low Waste New Zealand brands. Please check out our collection page. We have lots of amazing products that could really make a difference to your lives and that of the planets.
