They did not disappoint! Each team created conversation-starters using common disposable plastic items, unleashing their creativity to design items such as filtered watering cans, planters and a sweet stash holder, to decorations, fashionable wears and a desk organiser.

While working on their upcycled creations, they shared their thoughts on reducing plastic waste and building sustainable habits.

Creative solutions and sustainable suggestions:

• Team 1: Reduce or reuse is the key. Many detergent bottles now have a refill (concentrate option) rather than buying a replacement bottle. The concentrates can offer multiple fills for a lower cost and “depending on the brand” can be environmentally friendly too. One reusable bottle for multiple refills. If the bottle can only be used once for its original purpose, try finding a new use for it like we have in our filtered water solution and plant holder “now with drip irrigation”.
• Team 2: A lot of plastic is used in kids toys for packaging and one-time use products. With school holidays coming up, it’s an awesome time to use old materials to create something fun and engaging with the kids. We are often throwing away broken plastic toys. This is a reminder to think before we buy and invest in better quality for longevity.
• Team 3: This creation highlights the impact of plastic waste and fast fashion in landfill and our environment. By reusing and combining unconventional materials with fast fashion items, we can prolong the usage and interest of those materials instead of going to landfill. In July, by going through our wardrobes and finding clothes that are no longer of use either by fit, style or damage, we can repurpose, recreate and mend them to extend their life. Save the turtles!
• Team 4: A lot of waste can be generated from gift wrapping and crafting, and of course, single-use plastic bottles. This was our visual representation of the impact that single-use plastic bottles and non-sustainable gift wrapping practices can have on landfill and the environment, while also extending creativity and sensory learning with our children.
• Team 5: We tend to generate and collect heaps of broken products and plastic waste. This was our visual representation of the impact that single-use plastic bottles and many fast homewares can end up in landfill, and that sometimes could be turned into useful things, if we put our minds to it!
• Team 6: We generate a lot of single-use plastic waste from plastic bottles. While we can reuse, it shows the impact that single-use plastic bottles have on landfill and the environment.

Ideas on reducing dependency on plastic:

• Educate children about cheap plastic toys. This is a great activity to give a second life to these items but also help to educate the next generation.
• More mindful recycling and reading of labels. Also, cut out the use of snap-lock bags!
• I will also consciously buy refills when possible, to avoid or lessen the use of unwanted plastic packaging. Plus, they’re kinder to the back pocket too!

Thanks to the BRITA team for encouraging plastic free conversations and inspiring others to take part in the plastic pollution solution.

BRITA is a family-owned business that offers more sustainable drinking water solutions for everyday people. Their filtered reusable water systems are an easy and healthy option to choose to help reduce the 5.8 million single-use water bottles consumed in Australian homes every day. Since 2021, BRITA Australia has demonstrated their commitment to a healthier, more sustainable world by working with Plastic Free July as a Plastic Free Supporter. Through their support BRITA are part of the solution to plastic pollution through encouraging staff and consumers to reduce single-use plastics.

Are you a business or organisation looking to reduce plastic waste in the workplace? Many people take Plastic Free July into their workplaces to encourage colleagues to reduce plastic waste during July—and beyond. Starting friendly conversations, introducing workshops and activities, hosting a morning tea or encouraging others to take the plastic free pledge, are just a few ways people around the world take part in the plastic pollution solution.

Do you have a plastic free workplace story to share? Submit your story here.

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We know the majority of people are concerned about the plastic waste issue. Last year, even at the height of the global pandemic when use of single-use plastic seemed unavoidable, people’s concern for the environmental impacts of our waste grew.

Research conducted by the Plastic Free Foundation in September 2020 found that 92% of Australians supported action to reduce plastic waste, an increase from the previous year.

Despite this high level of concern, Australians currently generate 59kg of single-use plastic waste per year. So where is it being used? 

Recent research conducted by water filtration company, BRITA, showed that approximately 1 million Australian households primarily drink bottled water at home resulting in hundreds of millions of single-use plastic bottles being consumed and discarded every year. Other discarded items included plastic packaged food and beverage items as well as the disposable plastics used when out and about such as plastic straws, takeaway packaging and utensils.

This is where Plastic Free July comes in, it helps people to be part of the solution to plastic pollution by turning concern into action and through sharing plastic free solutions and resources.

As a nation we’ve already made a great start by changing habits such as remembering to take reusable shopping bags and using containers to store food in the fridge to avoid plastic wrap. However, it’s time for all of us to take the next steps such as avoiding plastic bottled water and other drinks, pre-packed produce and refusing plastic straws.

Choosing to refuse single-use bottled water by switching to filtered tap water using water filters like a BRITA jug (we have one in our office), and remembering a reusable drink bottle is a great way to make a difference and reduce plastic waste. Ideal for #WorldRefillDay.

Next month, millions will be taking the Plastic Free July challenge and choosing a small step or simple switch to make their plastic action count. Many find that by making changes and creating new habits to reduce their plastic waste not only helps our planet but saves money too.

According to BRITA’s research, 16 million Australians are concerned about plastic waste and we invite them to join over 300 million people taking action worldwide by choosing to refuse one or more single-use plastic items this July. Reducing plastic waste at home by switching to refillables, like a BRITA jug, and avoiding plastic packaging is a simple way to start.

BRITA Australia are contributing to the work of the not-for-profit Plastic Free Foundation to create a world without plastic waste as a Plastic Free July Challenge sponsor in 2021.

As a company BRITA has announced their Plastic Free July challenge goal – to prevent 50,000 single-use water bottles from being discarded by calling on Aussies to take a #FilterForGood pledge and give up using single-use plastic water bottles. We hope that Australians will rise to that challenge and discover a new way of enjoying water at home without the waste.

Together we can make a real difference.

1.https://www.minderoo.org/plastic-waste-makers-index/ 
2. Figure based on the 10.1514% of Australian household who mainly drink bottled water at home* against the total number of Australian households**
*BIS Oxford Economics. The Domestic Water Filters Market In Australia 2021.
**2016 Australian census https://quickstats.censusdata.abs.gov.au/census_services/getproduct/census/2016/quickstat/036
3. IPSOS and BRITA Market Intelligence Report Australia. Conducted in April 2021. Page 42. Figure calculated based on percentage of respondents against current Australian population^^Australian Bureau of Statistics. National, state and territory population. 30 September 2020 https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/population

The post Creating a world without plastic waste – making a difference starts at home appeared first on Plastic Free July.

Concern about plastic is at an all-time high with 92% of the population supporting policies and action to reduce plastic waste. Many companies are responding by investing in more sustainable supply chains, reducing plastic waste in the office or product packaging.  However, it is not just the customers that care about a company’s plastic footprint, it is also the employees. 

Plastic Free July has launched a new employee engagement toolkit as part of its business membership to support companies to make their plastic action count for employees, not just customers.

“By activating Plastic Free July in the workplace, companies empower everyone within their team to feel part of the solution” Rebecca Prince-Ruiz, founder, Plastic Free July.

We know plastic action does more than reduce tons of waste, it helps create a healthier planet and healthier people.

After 12 months of the COVID-19 pandemic disrupting the traditional workplace, company’s face an ongoing challenge to cultivate a sense of belonging and wellbeing amongst employees.

“Our research shows participants have a positive sense of wellbeing, which increases throughout their participation and they were more resilient during the COVID-19 pandemic” Colin Ashton-Graham, behavioural economist.

To find out more about joining the business membership and how Plastic Free July helps employee engagement see our Information Kit.

What does the Business Membership include?

The membership provides a comprehensive toolkit to initiate a Plastic Free July campaign internally. This includes a guide on how to ‘make a pledge’, ready-to-use posters and social posts and ideas for virtual or face to face activities.

The membership utilises Plastic Free July’s established and effective behaviour change principles and was developed in collaboration with global communications agency WE Communications and HR and culture specialists Mwah.

Companies as diverse as global business advisors KPMG, lawyers Herbert Smith Freehills, leading social researchers IPSOS and global software corporation SAP have become Plastic Free July Business Members. 

Pricing is based on a tiered structure.

“We did Plastic Free July with our staff. It took our single-use plastic journey deeper and really brought to life our mission around the office. Best of all, it’s fun, easy to implement and will have a net positive on your employee experience.” Abigail Forsyth, co-founder of KeepCup.

We invite you to inspire your staff and engage stakeholders by joining our Plastic Free July membership today.

Plastic Free July is a registered charity. All proceeds go to helping people find plastic free solutions to create a world without plastic waste.

The post Taking your employees with you on your sustainability journey appeared first on Plastic Free July.