Go plastic free in July for planet

The stall has been booked and the eager beavers of plastic bag-free Whanganui will be giving away cloth bags made from fabric diverted from landfill at the river traders market every Saturday next month as part of plastic-free July.

They have been doing this for a few years now but there is still more to do and they’re hoping July will be the most plastic-free yet. The aim is to have a calendar full of plasticfree living events. Already we can expect wide ranging workshops from composting to creating winter wonderland snow globes at sustainable Whanganui/WRRC, art competitions/ auction, nature talks, green drinks, essay competitions, plastic packaging unwrap, planting days on the dunes, plus a beach and river cleanup.

The Coast Guard will lead the way, offering two trips on their rescue vessel for participants in the activities. The more activities you take part in, the more chance to get on that boat.

This is also a good opportunity to acknowledge those already doing a great job, however big or small. If you would like to nominate an individual, group or business that is doing their bit, however humble, to change their way of being on the planet, let us know and they can be included in the awards.

So if you or anyone you know would like to sponsor a day, give a talk, have a skill you could share, deliver a lecture or workshop, give an award, offer a spot prize — we would really like to offer an electric bike or two! — have a venue or have another idea for this July, please let us know.

We would love to hear from you at opengate@xtra.co.nz

We need to know by Wednesday, June the 13 at the latest. Sooner is preferable.

This could be the best plastic free July ever!

Since starting this the EU Commission has finally recognised we can’t recycle our way out of plastic pollution and is banning throwaway straws, cutlery and plates.

So what would you like to tackle next?