Make a better choice this July

Choose to refuse single-use plastic and take part in Plastic Free July this year.

Plastic Free July is a global movement which helps millions of people to be part of the solution to plastic pollution.

The Plastic Free July challenge provides resources and ideas to help you reduce single use plastic waste every day at home, work, school and even at your local cafe.

In April, Wodonga Council adopted a single-use plastic policy at the council meeting.

The policy encouraged staff and the community to be more sustainable and to reduce their impact on our natural resources.

Single use plastics are described as plastic items used only once before being discarded, almost always to landfill. These items include plastic bags, straws, coffee stirrers, soda and water bottles and most food packaging.

Wodonga Council Sustainability Co-ordinator Robyn Nicholas said by changing just one thing, people could make a huge difference to the amount of plastic in landfill.

"Changing to single use plastic free living may be seem a challenging journey but we can all make a difference through small steps that make a big impact," she said.

"Start by refusing plastic, take your reusable bags when shopping and choose items not wrapped in plastic. 

"Start with some of the easier wins and once you have mastered these you can build from here."

Ms Nicholas highlighted some of the many ways the community can embrace being plastic free.

Avoid as much plastic packaging as you can Choose loose products or use a reusable bag Remember your reusable shopping bags or a cardboard box Shop at the deli counter or butcher for paper-wrapped cuts or BYO reusable container Refuse plastic straws. BYO resuable straws. Use a keep cup when possible Support vendors offering compostable alternatives such as bamboo or card Fill a reusable bottle Use a reusable lunchbox to store food or use beeswax wraps

You can join the challenge and take the pledge at www.plasticfreejuly.org/take-the-challenge/