Plastic Free July is a global movement where individuals and businesses actively participate in reducing and reusing single-use plastics for the entire month. Every year, millions of participants from over 170 countries take the pledge to avoid single-use plastics and promote sustainable living, significantly reducing plastic waste worldwide.
The campaign aims to raise awareness of the environmental impact of plastic and inspire individuals, communities, and businesses to adopt more sustainable practices.
Hannah Thain, the facilitator of Plastic Free July Aotearoa 2024, is based in Tauranga and is the driving force behind the campaign in New Zealand. focus had the opportunity to interview Hannah.
What inspired you to become involved with Plastic Free July?
I started taking part in the challenge as a university student in 2016. After learning so much about the ocean, I wanted to make changes in my own life to reduce my environmental impact. This campaign helped me get started on my journey, and it’s exciting to see new people joining in and making a difference each year.
Now, I work on Plastic Free July with the support of ecostore, sharing the campaign’s important message with Aotearoa and connecting people with resources, events, and content to help them on their journey.
How did your backpacking adventure shape your views on plastic pollution and environmental conservation?
Studying marine biology made me obsessed with wanting to rid the ocean of plastic, but I hadn’t yet experienced the reality of this pollution. During a backpacking adventure overseas, I witnessed first-hand how much our actions impact the environment and wildlife. The sheer volume of waste littering beaches, rivers, and streets was shocking. This experience opened my eyes to the global scale of plastic pollution and turned what was a distant problem into an urgent issue requiring immediate action.
It encouraged me to think about my own life and start my journey towards a more sustainable lifestyle. This motivated me to share my experiences with others because while one person can make a difference, community action is needed for greater awareness and change.
Can you share some of your personal challenges and successes in reducing plastic use?
When I first committed to reducing my plastic use, one of the biggest challenges was breaking ingrained habits, like automatically accepting plastic straws at restaurants or plastic bags (before the ban). It also took a conscious effort to remember my reusable produce bags, water bottle, and containers for takeaways.
Finding plastic-free alternatives for items like cereal, pasta, rice, and household cleaning products was initially tricky, but I quickly learned about my local wholefoods refill store, where I can take my containers and buy only what I need.
I’m not perfect, and plastic still occasionally finds its way into my home, especially where I haven’t yet found alternatives for medical or safety reasons. It’s important not to get caught up in this and instead acknowledge all the other positive changes from living this way.
Can you share some surprising facts about plastic waste and its impact on the environment that you’ve learned through your work?
Certainly! One startling fact is that about 8 million tons of plastic waste enters the oceans every year, equivalent to dumping a garbage truck full of plastic into the sea every minute. Marine life often mistakes these plastics for food, leading to ingestion, entanglement, injury, or death.
Another fact is that there is no ‘away’ for plastics. Most problematic plastics can take up to 1,000 years to decompose, breaking up into microplastics found in the most remote and pristine environments on earth, such as the deep ocean floor and arctic ice. Microplastics are also an issue for human health, with scientists finding them in tap water and human breast milk.
What are some easy, everyday swaps people can make to reduce their plastic use?
Focus on avoiding the more problematic single-use plastics first. Bring your reusable produce and shopping bags, a reusable water bottle instead of buying bottled water, and a keep cup for takeaway coffee or hot drinks.
You could also switch from plastic wrap to beeswax wraps or silicone-based products for food storage, choose bar soap instead of plastic bottles, or look for cardboard-packaged products at the supermarket. Consider visiting an ecostore refill station with your existing bottles for body wash or dish liquid.
How can individuals stay motivated and not get disheartened when trying to go plastic-free?
Switching to a plastic-free lifestyle can be challenging, and going completely ‘plastic-free’ isn’t easy in our current system. Remember, it’s about progress, not perfection. Stay inspired by educating yourself through documentaries, blogs, social media accounts dedicated to sustainable living, and community networks. Find a local support network that offers encouragement, workshops, and events.
How can people in Tauranga get involved in Plastic Free July?
Look for local events and workshops to participate in. Connect with the local environment hub ‘Envirohub Bay of Plenty’ and check out events held by Tauranga City Council. Nationally, support local businesses by shopping plastic-free at farmers’ markets and refill stores, using your own containers and bags. Prepare a zero-waste kit with a keep cup, water bottle, reusable cutlery, and produce bags to take with you on trips.
Another way to get involved is to pick up any litter you see at your local beach or rivers.
How do you address the misconception that one person’s efforts won’t make a difference?
I could talk forever on this topic; it’s more positive than most people believe. The ‘ripple effect’ is powerful. When one person makes a change for the better, they often inspire their friends, family, and community members, amplifying the impact of one person’s actions. Every effort counts in the fight against plastic pollution, and while it can feel like one person might not make a difference, individual actions collectively add up on a global scale.
What organisations or partners are involved that you would like to mention?
We’re fortunate to have the support of ecostore, which has been at the forefront of sustainability for the last 30 years. Ecostore offers different options for consumers, from plastic-free products like their Hair Care bars to initiatives like their Refill Stations and Plastic Return Programme, allowing consumers to reuse or recycle plastic bottles.
What’s one piece of advice you would give to someone just starting their plastic-free journey?
Start small and set a realistic goal that fits well with your current lifestyle. Begin with achievable swaps, like getting a reusable water bottle and a keep cup for takeaway coffee, which alone can significantly reduce single-use plastic. From there, expand your efforts to other areas of your life. Celebrate your wins! Every small step positively impacts the environment.