What do we do with plastics?
What can you do with plastic?
That’s the question Katikati residents are asking as the mountain of disposed plastic wraps, bottles and packaging mounts up.
For some, the sight of discarded plastic on Katikati streets had forced locals to look for new ways to reuse plastic rather than waste it.
Helena Duggan said away forward was to re-imagine plastic waste and use it in other ways to stop it cluttering waterways, city streets and landfills.
“There is growing concern and frustration that plastic is being discarded. It doesn’t break down and will remain in the environment for decades. It’s not just about recycling, we have to think about reusing plastic in other ways,” Mrs Duggan said.
Mrs Duggan and other Katikati locals Lucy Osborne, Madelon Pyle and Marie Freeman filled a shopping trolley with one-use plastic packaging to make a point.
“All the plastic in our trolley has to go somewhere and we are looking at a growing problem as China no longer takesNew Zealand’s plasticwaste. Weare going to have to think ofways to recycle, re-imagine and reuse,” Mrs Duggan said.
Mrs Duggan is advocating that major supermarkets create dedicated, plastic-free spaces areas on their shop floors.
“We are at a tipping point now where consumers are recognising something has to change in the way products are packaged, marketed, displayed and sold. We believe people will welcome dedicated plastic-free spaces in their shops and it could gain momentum here in Katikati.”
Mrs Duggan was pudhing for Katikati to become a trial area for introducing plastic-free supermarket spaces.
“We are small enough to trial this in our town, but big enough for the results to set amarket example for the rest of the Bay of Plenty/ Coromandel.”
Mrs Duggan believed if green spaces were introduced by supermarkets it would signal to food producers therewas a new emerging market of plastic-conscious buyers, keen to buy plastic free.
“Plastic isn’t fantastic, it’s local pollution waiting to happen.”