Plastic Free – it’s a Buzz in Raglan and the Waikato

Media Release: Waikato Environment Centre, 25 June 2016

July is nearly here, and Waikato people are warming up to take on the Plastic Free July challenge. The challenge – to avoid the use of single use plastic for the month of July – has really taken off in the Waikato. A number of people are putting up their hands to spearhead the movement in their local communities.

Rawinia Kingi is making a difference in Whaingaroa, championing the challenge in her home town. “People visiting Raglan often stop in for a coffee. I’m a real fan of the reusable coffee cup – I know it can get tricky to remember to take it with you, but it’s worth the effort. We throw away too many coffee cups into the landfill – we can do better”.

“For me, it’s about protecting the planet and making the best use of our precious resources” says Tania Ashman, Plastic Free July Ambassador for Hamilton.

“I bake my own bread, buy in bulk and grow a lot of my own food. This helps me avoid the use of plastic. I don’t tend to shop at the supermarket very much, but when I do I take a reusable bag.”

Tania is joined by Camilla Carty-Melis, who through her work with the Sustainable Business Network is very aware of some of the local possibilities of reducing the use of single use plastic in business.

“Convex Plastics is an awesome company that has the capacity to provide biodegradable bags for the local supermarkets, but they have had very little uptake on their product. We have the technologies to make the difference and we need to embrace these.”

In Te Kuiti, Vicky Smith, is an advocate for the challenge. “What inspired me was we were putting out so much rubbish for collection. So I started sorting things, and was also teaching my whanau what to do with particular items. The amount of plastic around is shocking.”

Cambridge is getting into the action too, with Mainstream Green’s founder, Nicola Turner, taking the lead. “Everyday three lunchboxes leave our house, and in July it is my mission for these to have no plastic in them! Goodbye cling film, farewell food packaging, hello plastic free” says Nicola.

Nicola is joined by Silvana Erenchun-Perez who was the Cambridge Plastic Free July Ambassador in 2015. “I’m keen to take on the challenge again this year. I learnt a lot last year and have some tricks up my sleeve now, like taking my own container for my takeaway sushi lunch. It’s a fun challenge that gets you thinking and creates change.”

People are invited to a Plastic Free Potluck Tea, Tuesday 28th of June, 5.30-7.30pm at the Waikato Environment Centre. Guest speakers include Paul Murray from Xtreme Zero waste and Nicola Turner from Mainstream Green.

More information about the Plastic Free July Challenge can be found at www.plasticfreejuly.org