Simple plastic habits that will change our world

Every piece of plastic we choose to refuse today has an impact lasting forever.

With Plastic Free July now underway challenging people across the world to use less plastic, it’s the perfect time to tweak our day-to-day habits to stop the streams of plastic heading to our landfills and into our environment.

Together, a real difference is within reach: Plastic Free July estimates across the past five years its challenge participants have avoided 1.4 billion kilograms of plastic waste.

That’s 1.4 billion kilograms less in the ground, in our oceans, on our beaches and parks, posing a threat to wildlife and breaking down into microplastic pollution.

That impact was possible through simple new habits like:

• Choosing supermarket produce not wrapped in plastic
• Using soap bars instead of liquid body wash
• Choosing clothing with natural fibres.

You can choose the new habits that work for you, big or small, when you sign up for the Plastic Free July challenge online.

More waste-reducing inspiration

Check out the Living Smart website for creative inspiration and how-to guides that reduce waste, lighten your environmental footprint and save you money.

From mending clothes to keeping your food garden thriving, environmentally friendly home building to composting styles you’ve never heard of, Living Smart is your hub for sustainable living.

Living Smart is delivered through Sunshine Coast Council’s Living Smart Program.

Ten Little Pieces on your next family outing

Another simple habit comes from local community group Ten Little Pieces, which inspires people to collect ten pieces of litter anytime, anywhere, and especially getting kids involved in the joy of looking after our environment.

Ten Little Pieces was nominated for the Healthy Planet Award at this year’s Sunshine Coast Biosphere Community Awards and has previously taken out the 2020 Sunshine Coast Council Australia Day Award for Environment and Sustainability.

Take the guesswork out of recycling

Never know what the numbers in that little recycling triangle mean, or wondered how to dispose of your used batteries?

With the RecycleMate app, you can point your phone camera at an item and get the answer in the palm of your hand.

It will also tell you batteries cannot go in any household bin – they start fires when compacted in the back of rubbish trucks.

Instead, keep your batteries in a jar and take them with you to a free drop-off point at your local supermarket or other location listed in the RecycleMate app or on Council’s website.

Search “RecycleMate” on the Apple app store or on Google Play, or visit Council’s Recycle Right webpage.

Take the Love Food Hate Waste Challenge

We can save time and money and reduce greenhouse gases released from landfill by reducing food waste at home.

According to estimates, each year Australian households spend $2000 to $2500 on groceries that go to waste.

Council’s Love Food Hate Waste three-week challenge from July 15 equips you with all the resources, waste-busting recipes and tips to keep good food on the table and out of the bin.