Dear Plastic Bag, There's something I need to talk to you about....

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Dear Plastic Bag,

There’s something I need to talk to you about and it’s been coming for some time. We can’t go on seeing each other and please don’t take this personally. It’s me, not you. I’ve changed.

I know you’ve always meant well. Ready to be helpful, carrying my shopping from supermarket to car, from car to kitchen but really, you’re spending so much time doing nothing; just sitting around, shoved away somewhere and hanging around for 1,000+ years, long after I’ve passed on and everyone I know and love has gone. Plus, you’re hurting our oceans, our marine life, our farm animals, our world. I know you don’t mean to, but this relationship is not healthy for either of us.

There’s only one way to break it to you and that’s straight up. I’ve started seeing someone else. It’s ‘re-usable shopping bag’. I know, it’s going to hurt but re-usable shopping bag is just so inspiring. Always there, by my side. So light, compact and available in pretty colors and patterns. I can carry re-usable shopping bag in my bag, backpack and car, and always have them near me and when I need them most. Plus re-usable shopping bag doesn’t hurt the oceans or the world I love so much.

And another thing, re-usable shopping bag and I are getting to know each other so well. Like just the other day, when I was out shopping. I thought I had bought everything I needed and then I noticed there was a little gap at the bottom, and re-usable shopping bag was right!  I had forgotten my Pana Chocolate. Phew, that was close!

So Plastic Bag please know, that while some people may continue to use you mindlessly and carelessly there is a wave of us growing by the day who care about our oceans and world and who are willing to say No More! There is a better way and the day to start, is today!

Yours Sincerely

Someone Who Cares

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Well, I think you get the gist but seriously, it is time we think about how much plastic we’re using and how we can reduce our plastic pollution. We've been hearing words like reduce your plastic, war on waste, plastic pollution, zero waste and #banthebag in the media a lot over the last few weeks and rightly so.

Scientists predict that by 2050 there will be more plastic in our oceans than fish so it’s time for us to give plastic the flick. To help make this easier for you and in celebration of World Oceans Day here are five ideas on how you can help save our marine life and wildlife, plus you’ll feel amazing by removing harmful toxins from your life.

1. Use your own shopping bag

Australians use somewhere between four to six billion plastic bags each year. That’s potentially over 15 million bags every single day or 11 thousand bags every minute! So in reality, by the time you finish reading this, that’s another 50,000 bags put into our environment.

Unfortunately, most of these plastic bags aren’t recycled and worse, end up where they shouldn’t - in our oceans and on our farmlands, killing 100,000 birds, marine life and farm animals. There are great re-usable shopping bags available including our favourite brand Onya, which uses recycled PET water bottles to make their waste saving heroes.

2. Say “NO” to plastic water bottles

Plastic water bottles are said to be the largest contributor to waste so a change in the amount of plastic water bottles you use, is going to make a big difference. 

Plus you may be getting more in your plastic bottle of water than you bargained for, like harmful endocrine-disrupting chemicals, such as bisphenol-A (BPA) which these plastics often leach, especially when exposed to warm temperature.

By using re-fillable drinking bottles, you’ll be looking after your own health, the health of our environment and saving some cash. You can High 5 me later!

 

3. Bring your own mug or cup to your favourite cafe

Disposable coffee cups might look like paper and look like you can recycle them, but in reality you can’t. These disposable coffee cups are lined with plastic which doesn’t break down.

It is estimated that Australians use a billion takeaway coffee cups a year, the majority not recycled, and as the second largest contributor to waste after plastic bottles, making a change here, will count. There are awesome brands around like Keep Cup and Fressko which we hope to bring you at Wholesome Hub very soon!

 

4. Use re-useable produce bags

Instead of using single use plastic bags when buying your fruit and vegetables, switch to re-usable produce bags. I started using the Onya re-usable produce bags a little while ago and absolutely love them!

The produce bags are made from a mesh fabric which I pop straight into the fridge when I get home and are super light and easy to use.

5. Say good-bye to plastic wrap

There are some great alternatives to using plastic wrap. Think glass containers, re-usable wraps such as Bee Wrappy or something like Onya’s Lunch Wrap which are also super handy.

Sometimes, a challenge like reducing environmental damage can seem bigger than Ben Hur and we question our own ability to make a difference. Please believe in the power of you and your ability to make a change as every little step we take makes a big difference. What you do, matters!

Have you broken up with plastic? I’d love to hear your favourite ways of reducing your use of plastic and looking after our beautiful planet so please share.