Parenta July 2020 Magazine

Plastic Free July
In the children’s film, “WALL-E”, the waste pollution on planet earth grows so bad
that it forces all the humans to evacuate on a spaceship, leaving behind robots to clear up
the mess, periodically sending back probes to see if the planet has recovered enough to
support life again. Whilst this is a charming children’s story on one level, on another, it
could be viewed as a dystopian view of humanity’s future – a doomed, everlasting existence
floating round space because we couldn’t solve our planet’s pollution problems!
Perhaps we should all see it as a warning and put all our efforts into finding
a practical solution before it genuinely is, too late.
Their website hosts a free
downloadable poster for getting
started called, “My challenge choices”
which gives suggestions on how to
begin. Whether it’s using beeswax
covers instead of plastic cling wrap,
or shopping at the deli counter
instead of always opting for the
pre-packed bacon, the website is full
of great ideas and resources.
Over the last few years, nurseries and
their clients have become more and
more aware of the impact that plastic
pollution has on the environment, as
well as the large contribution that the
early years sector makes to this, with
its use of disposable nappies, plastic
cutlery/straws/plates and plastic toys
and games. We’ve run several articles
in the magazine over the last few
years to promote alternatives, and
you too can join in the crusade and
get on board now with Plastic Free
July.
Here are a few ideas from
the website to get you
started:
As an individual
1. Refill water bottles
2. Buy and use a reusable drinks
cup for your take-away drinks
3. Look at alternatives to disposable
tampons and pads for plastic-free
periods
In your setting:
1. Set up a water refilling station
and advise the parents
2. Buy refills for everyday supplies
rather than new bottles - things
such as hand soap, washing-up
liquid and cleaning products
3. Buy food supplies in bulk and
decant into reusable containers
rather than buy pre-packaged
food
4. Reduce or eliminate your use of
balloons and glitter
5. Use alternatives to plastic straws
such as paper or reusable ones
6. Organise a park or beach cleanup
(following social distancing
rules of course)
7. Link up with other nurseries
or groups who want to reduce
plastic waste too, to see if you
can make savings together (once
we are fully out of lockdown, of
course!)
8. Hold an awareness event or
encourage the parents to get
involved in Plastic Free July too
by using your influence and your
social media connections
9. Challenge your staff to join you in
your commitment
10. Campaign in your local area by
writing to your MP or local council
for better recycling facilities,
policies and practices to reduce
waste
There are many useful resources on
the Plastic Free July website which you
can find and download here. These
include posters, informative videos,
promotional products and social
media assets to help you promote the
event. Even if your setting is not fully
back from lockdown, this is a great
time to begin planning for your future,
which should include reducing your
setting’s impact on the environment.
Remember that 12.7 million tonnes
of plastic end up in the ocean each
year, and we absolutely have a
duty to protect the environment for
the benefit of future generations.
What will be the point if we spend
all our time raising a generation of
responsible, well-rounded and caring
individuals and then let them inherit a
waste mountain? Surely they, and we,
deserve better? Which means taking
action NOW.
We’d love to hear your ideas for
reducing your plastic consumption –
email us at marketing@parenta.com
to let us know what you’re doing and
the impact you’re having
For more information, see:
https://www.plasticfreejuly.org/
4. Switch to reusable nappies
5. Exchange liquid soap for bars
of soap to reduce packaging, or
choose brands that will refill old,
cleaned-out bottles
The Covid-19 pandemic may be
waning, but it has revealed some
unexpected benefits for our planet
as air pollution levels dropped during
lockdown and nature seemed to
breathe easy for a short while as we
humans ceased our non-essential
activities. So, there is hope, and we at
Parenta believe there is also the will
– and as the old adage says, “where
there’s a will, there’s a way!”
Plastic Free July is one initiative which
aims to get everyone around the
globe doing their bit, however small.
It’s not so much about pressuring
governments or making grand
gestures (although no one would
disapprove of that), it’s more about
getting a ground swell of support for
small changes that have a big impact.
What is Plastic Free July?
Plastic Free July is a global movement
started by the Western Metropolitan
Regional Council in Australia in 2011
as a way to reduce waste. They
started by replacing disposable coffee
cups and moved on from there. So
far, their ideas has inspired over a
quarter of a million people in over 177
countries to make a difference and
reduce their reliance on single-use
plastic.
Often, we as consumers feel that we
are presented with a fait accompli
regarding plastics, as food comes
ready-packaged, alternatives seem
costly, or we simply cannot see
another option. But the organisers
of Plastic Free July use the tagline
“choose to refuse” in an attempt to
educate us and show us that we
really do have the ability to redress
the balance in our shopping choices
and everyday decisions. They
recommend everyone starts small –
by choosing one thing such as plastic
water bottles, single-use coffee cups,
or plastic cutlery, and go from there.
6. Seek out plastic-free alternatives
to toothbrushes and toothpaste
such as bamboo ones or refills
7. Visit the deli counter and only buy
the amount you need, wrapped in
biodegradable packaging
8. Always take reusable bags with
you when you shop
9. Refuse single-use plastic straws
or bring you own reusable
alternative
10. Avoid teabags that use plastic
– you’ll be surprised how many
there are
24 July 2020 | parenta.com
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