Australians use 130kg of plastic each year but only 12 per cent of it is recycled, according to the World Wildlife Fund.
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Because plastic doesn’t break down, it damages our environment, injures wildlife and takes up valuable space in up our landfills.
Kempsey Shire Council staff are taking the pledge to reduce their plastic use during July and Macleay Valley residents are encouraged to do the same.
Council’s Waste Strategy and Education Officer Gavin Hughes said Plastic Free July provided a great opportunity for people to band together to reduce their plastic consumption for one month.
“It’s not too late to join. Once you see how easy it is, you’ll be able to make the switch for good,” Mr Hughes said.
“Making a small change now can make an enormous difference to the planet in the long term.”
Kempsey locals are encouraged to try the Top 4 challenge:
- Stop buying plastic water bottles and refill a reusable bottle instead
- Cut out plastic shopping bags by using a canvas or cloth bag
- Refuse single-use straws, we don’t need them
- Take your own reusable coffee cups to the café
Plastic Free July has grown from a handful of participants in Western Australia in 2011, through to millions of participants across more than 150 countries worldwide today.
Mr Hughes said the recycling industry is under increasing pressure as countries like China are tightening their import restrictions and are only accepting high quality recyclables.
“That means it’s never been more important to recycle right. Recycling is great, but reusing, reducing and refusing is even better.”
Join Plastic Free July at www.plasticfreejuly.org
Read Council’s top waste wise tips at: www.kempsey.nsw.gov.au/recycleright