ONE action is better than nothing, according to Environment House co-ordinator Rachael Roberts.
The non-profit organisation in Bayswater is holding several workshops and recycling initiatives, starting with a plastic-free long table lunch on July 1, throughout Plastic Free July.
It has been providing services including recycling dental goods, cosmetics and stationary, collecting and recycling 90kg of coffee grounds from the Bayswater town centre each week, composting and planting, for more than 15 years. Ms Roberts said there was an “explosion” of interest from people about reducing plastic waste.
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READ NOW“The purpose of Environment House is just conversations rather than sales,” she said.
“We normally say to them, if they are going to buy one thing, a good place to start is with the produce bags. A big focus for us is not making life more difficult for people but in fact making it more convenient and cheaper.”
Ms Roberts urged businesses to reduce plastic use, such as not immediately giving out plastic straws to customers.
“If you use something once and it lasts in the environment for thousands of years, that is actually not very smart. We can be smarter about the way we produce packaging,” she said.
TIPS FOR REDUCING PLASTIC
- Swap plastic toothbrushes and hairbrushes for bamboo ones.
- Bring plastic dental goods, cosmetics and stationary to the house for recycling.
- Borrow and return Boomerang Bags.
- Use washable produce bags.
- Swap cling wrap, foil and baking paper for Agreena wrap (re-useable and recyclable eco wrap).
- Bring your own bamboo straw instead of using plastic straws.
- Use your own jars and containers to refill cleaning products.
- Use menstrual cups and leak proof underwear.
For information, visit http://www.envirohouse.org.au/.