Focus on Living Sustainably and Remembering Plastic-Free Month

In 2011, the movement to rid the planet of plastic waste began a yearly initiative inspired by the work of Plastic Free Foundation founder Rebecca Prince-Ruiz and local government officials from Western Australia.

What is now known as “Plastic Free July” came into existence and is one of the world’s most effective campaigns supporting environmental projects. From a small grassroots organisation to a month-long annual event, Plastic Free July has participation from millions of people worldwide. Each year participation grows, and many commit to reducing plastic pollution far beyond July.

Plastic-Free Month: A Journey Towards Sustainable Living

The term sustainable living is frequently tossed into conversations about the environment. However, many people could not define the concept. Sustainable living is choosing to live in such a way that the environment is unharmed by your presence. By learning how to manage your needs in such a way, you are helping ensure that future generations can do the same.

Plastic-Free Month is a way to remind ourselves that our choices and actions do matter to the earth. And while choosing to discard one plastic water bottle carelessly seems as if it would not make a difference, it is more than a single bottle. Your choices turn into actions which turn into habits that become lifestyles.

The way to change lifestyles that abound with waste is to start with small choices and improve from there. That is why sustainability is a destination. You take another step in the right direction whenever you choose plastic-free.

Tips and Strategies for a Successful Plastic-Free Month Challenge

There are numerous ways to have a successful Plastic-Free Month. It starts with getting everyone’s attention explaining the concept, and moving forward. There are several ways to reduce single-use plastics in your life without taking extraordinary steps to do this.

• Look through your trash and recycle bins. It may be an eye-opening experience when you see how many single-use drink cups are in your waste bin or the number of boxes that once held convenience products, and you may want to try a new way of doing things.
• Bring your own___. Do you need your Java to get going at work? Are you thirsty after a long walk? Is your stomach grumbling loudly two hours into the workday? You can solve each of these situations by bringing your own. Whether it is coffee brewed at home, water in a stainless steel bottle, or a bamboo bento box with tasty snacks, these steps are not difficult and can help make an impact.
• Make your own___, A majority of the food and treats we crave can be made at home to skip the single-use plastic packaging. The same is true for cleaning products and toiletries.
  Recycle correctly by educating yourself on how to recycle specific things. Also, learn what cannot be recycled.
• Share what you have discovered about recycling, single-use plastics, and other environmental threats.

Why Plastic-Free Month Matters

There is no shortage of grim news predictions for the future of planet Earth. This can leave people frustrated because they do not know where to start to help. Plastic-Free Month gives a single-minded focus to a massive problem. If someone tells you, “Go help stop the environmental crisis on the planet.” You likely have no concrete direction to go. However, if someone says, “Try to live without plastics during July and spread the word.” You know the direction to move and what you are trying to accomplish.

The Role of Businesses in Plastic-Free Month: Encouraging Sustainable Practices

In an ideal world, altruistic companies would move away from single-use packaging. However, in our far-from-ideal world, corporations conduct business as usual unless there is a reason to do otherwise. Consumers have the power to encourage sustainable practices with their spending decisions. It is easier than ever to get the attention of businesses and let your voice be heard.

For businesses taking part in Plastic-Free Month, lead by example and take this opportunity to highlight your efforts and show clients how they can reduce single-use plastics.

Discovering Alternatives: Exploring Sustainable Materials and Packaging

As consumer awareness regarding single-use plastics and other environmentally harmful products and practices grows, more effort is going into creating and using sustainable materials and packaging. Events like Plastic-Free July provide the incentive for manufacturers and consumers to help reduce or eliminate single-use plastics.

A few examples of sustainable packaging include:

• Bioplastics for packaging food products
• Cardboard made from recycled materials
• Biodegradable packing peanuts
• Compostable packaging for mailings
• Glass packaging

Reducing Single-Use Plastic: Practical Steps for Everyday Life

When you look at the massive plastic waste problem, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. After all, almost every piece of plastic created is still here with us on Earth. However, if you break the problem down into smaller pieces, you can find ways to incorporate ways to reduce single-use plastics in your life.

• Buy reusable products such as ceramic travel mugs or steel water bottles to reduce dependence on throw-away cups and bottles.
• Shop at local farm markets; you will find the freshest products with minimal plastic packaging. You are also supporting small businesses in your area.
• Plant a garden but don’t stop with your yard. Gather interested neighbours to pull your resources and create a community garden.
• Upcycle things you have at home to save money and reduce the use of plastics.
• Tell everyone you can about the changes you are making regarding single-use plastic and encourage them to try making one change. When they see that life without single-use plastics is doable, they may try more ways to avoid single-use.

Here at Forest Rise, we never stop trying to decrease our impact on the environment. We take pride in our status as an eco-accredited South West accommodation. We do not take our designation as a certified ecotourism destination lightly, and we encourage our guests to help us keep the Margaret River Region a haven for flora and fauna that share our land. Our dazzling beaches also need your help to maintain the cleanliness of the intense turquoise water and pillow-soft sand beaches.

All of us must respect the region’s beauty and help preserve it for many generations to come.