How's your Plastic Free July going?

Whether you've already swapped a few habits or you're just getting started, remember that every small change makes a difference.

Plastic Free July isn't about being perfect. It's about becoming more aware of the choices we make each day and creating a little less waste than yesterday.

One of the easiest places to reduce waste is when you're out and about. A forgotten coffee cup, an unexpected takeaway lunch or a quick trip to the shops can quickly add up to disposable cups, bags, bottles and cutlery.

With a little preparation, avoiding single-use plastic is easier than you might think.

DIY your own Out & About Kit

Keep a simple low-waste kit in your car, handbag, work bag or pram so you're always prepared.

My essentials include:

• Reusable coffee cup
• Water bottle
• Reusable shopping bags
• Produce bags
• Reusable cutlery
• Container or glass jar for takeaway or leftovers

Optional extras include a cloth napkin, reusable straw, insulated mug and snack containers for little ones.

It takes just a few minutes to put together but can save hundreds of disposable items every year.

A Few Eye-Opening Plastic Facts

• Australians use around 1 billion disposable coffee cups every year, with most ending up in landfill because they're lined with plastic.
• Around 373 million plastic water bottles are purchased every year, most used only once.
• More than 900 million heavyweight plastic shopping bags are still supplied in Australia each year. While lightweight plastic bags were phased out, many retailers replaced them with thicker plastic bags intended to be reused multiple times. Unfortunately, many are still only used a handful of times before ending up in landfill. Carrying a reusable cloth bag is still the most sustainable option, as it can replace hundreds of plastic bags over its lifetime.
• Australians still use billions of single-use plastic utensils every year, many for just a few minutes before they're thrown away.

Don't Be Fooled by "Eco" Packaging

Not all products labelled "eco", "green", "biodegradable" or "plant-based" are as sustainable as they seem. Many still require commercial composting facilities, can't be recycled through your household recycling, or are made from mixed materials that are difficult to process and they can still cause harm to marine life when entering the ocean.

The most sustainable option is often the simplest one: choose something reusable that you'll use again and again.

Soft Plastic Recycling

Soft plastics can once again be recycled in many areas 

ReSmart offers convenient collections for soft plastics and other tricky household items that can't go in your kerbside recycling bin. You can learn more or book a collection via their website and they will collect it straight from your door which is especially handy if you have mobility or transportation issues.

Woolworths has also expanded its soft plastics recycling program to more than 700 participating stores. Simply make sure your soft plastics are clean, dry and scrunched before dropping them into a participating collection bin.

If you're unsure whether an item can be recycled, or you're looking for the nearest drop-off location, Recycling Near You is an excellent resource. It provides up-to-date information on what can and can't be recycled, along with local recycling options.

Simple Swaps That Make a Difference

• If you're enjoying your coffee at the café, skip the takeaway cup altogether. Drink it in a real mug and give yourself an extra 15 minutes to slow down and enjoy the ritual.
• Carry a reusable water bottle.
• Keep reusable shopping bags in every car or bag so you're never caught out.
• Bring your own container for takeaway or leftovers, food waste saving bonus here too!
• Buy snacks in bulk and portion them into smaller reusable containers for easy grab-and-go serves, perfect for little snack monsters.
• Borrow, repair or buy second-hand before buying new.

Choose one swap this week, then another next week. Small habits really do add up.

Need a Little Inspiration?

If you're looking for a few practical ideas, these short reels might help get you started.

What's in My Out & About Low-Waste Kit?

Every Swap Counts

Plastic Free July isn't about guilt or perfection. It's about progress.

Every reusable coffee cup, every cloth shopping bag, every container and every "No thanks" to unnecessary plastic is a step towards creating less waste.

Imagine if each of us made just one small swap this month. Together, we'd keep millions of single-use items out of landfill and our oceans.

What's one swap you'll make this week?

I'd love to hear your favourite low-waste tip. Share it in the comments or tag @wanderlightly on Instagram so we can inspire each other along the way.

Yours in nourishment,

Sarah
xx