PLASTIC is here forever.
That’s the message from Bunbury environmentalist Joan Jenkins who is encouraging Bunbury residents to take the challenge and get behind Plastic Free July.
Cutting down on takeaway coffee lids, plastic bags and even straws are just some of the suggestions Ms Jenkins has to help keep Bunbury clean and can stop thousands of tonnes of plastic filling landfill around the country.
“Bring your own bags to the shops,” she said.
“You can get lovely material bags which zip or fold into themselves and fit nicely in your bag.
“Replacing plastic water bottles with metal bottles which last for years is also a good way to cut back on plastic.”
Plastic Free July aims to raise awareness about the waste of single-use disposable plastic, encouraging Australians to sign up for a day, a week or the whole month.
Ms Jenkins said there would be events held throughout the month to raise awareness about becoming plastic free with the hope of American short film Bag It coming to Bunbury.
“On a walk around Big Swamp, we picked up 25 plastic bags alone,” she said.
“It just looks bad with the litter down the side of the road and plastic is designed to last forever.
“We only have one world and we should be preserving it for future generations to enjoy.”
You can sign up for Plastic Free July by visiting plasticfreejuly.org
The website is full of ideas for schools, businesses and councils who want to get involved.