Plastic Free July Tips

The theme in 2025 was "small steps, big difference" so here are some small steps we do at home you can try to make a BIG difference to your lives. 

READ FULL PRESS ARTICLE: https://www.thepress.co.nz/home-property/360722355/eco-entrepreneur-emma-saunders-walks-talk-her-own-home



1. Use what you already have.
No need to race out and buy the latest and greatest 'plastic free' items.  Understand that using what you already have is better than throwing it away. There is energy, cost and resources that went into making what you own so use it until you donate or recycle.

2. Focus on changing one habit.
The good news is you can start small. Don't get overwhelmed, and as you settle into one new habit you will feel that making another change is totally achievable and doesn't require much more effort. I suggest you start by looking inside your bins as an easy place to spot the low hanging fruit / easy swaps for your home. Is your bin full of coffee cups? Drink bottles? Plastic packaging? One stand out brand? What is one repeat purchase that you could stop making today and try a different way? Whether it's plastic free packaging or no packaging or find yourself a reusable bottle or coffee cup. Shop at local stores and look for fill-your-own options can be a good place to start.

3. Refuse convenience.
Make yourself a rule. Personally, I am not allowed a coffee if I don't have my reusable coffee cup with me, or have the time to sit and drink from their own cups. This works so well for me as it helps me remember my cup or learn to take time to enjoy supporting local cafe's.

"For me, saying goodbye to plastic bags REALLY happened when I stopped saying 'it's okay this one time'. I started doing hilarious things like carrying six avocados in my handbag or wrapping all my shopping up in my gym towel."

Alexx Stuart

 

4. Switch to reusable options instead of your weekly go-to single use purchases.  There are lots of options now that improve on the single use then bin it days. Think Paper Towels now switched to Swedish Dishcloths, produce bags can now be any drawstring, small bag or any jar you have. Switch serviettes to napkins, tissues to handkerchiefs. Bring your own containers to local stores to buy meat, cheeses or bulk items. Many small local stores are eager for business and likely to support your low waste goals. 

5. Ignore those that say 'one straw doesn't make a difference'.  
Stay in your lane, and find your people who also care and are doing small swaps. There are resources everywhere you turn to that confirm our small decisions collectively can help. It's a great example to your own families and the next generation coming through. 'Be a Tidy Kiwi' always sits in the back of my mind.  Composting at home is one of the biggest differences to your carbon footprint you can make & many more options are available for those who don't have any garden space of their own. Check your local councils latest updates for compost collection, drop-off options or see if a lovely neighbour could take your scraps. 

What would you add to this list? 
Please tell me your goals for 2026 Plastic Free July. Help out by commenting or sharing this message to help reach more people. Let's inspire others!!

 

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Eco reusables you'll love to use everyday:

Guest Towels #83 DUO SET - Tulip Quilt

Guest Towels #83 DUO SET - Tulip Quilt

Guest Towels #83 DUO SET - Tulip Quilt

$57.00 NZD
$57.00 NZD
HANK-ies

HANK-ies

All designs are back in stock. Enjoy x HANK is our reinvention...

HANK-ies

Handkerchiefs, bags, cloths + bold design collabs.

About The Green Collective:

The Green Collective: Sustainable products designed in Nelson, NZ since 2014

Every product we sell gets used in our house. Every single day. But I was so bored of beige, boring reusables.

That’s where it started. Back in 2014, we couldn’t find eco products that were actually built for real family life. Tough enough to survive three boys, a cat called Kiki and our five chickens (Maudie, Bertha, Honey, Sheila and Mabel). 10+ years ago everything eco was beige. Think back to stainless steel drink bottles and the original totes. All were plain to signify that they were in fact ‘eco’. We discovered certified eco inks and processes that allowed colour to be added safely so we could create art on our sustainable designed products.

The rules were simple: we had to want to use the products ourselves, and they had to handle our months of testing and trials.

Our Impact:

Since 2014, The Green Collective has:

Kept 174 tonnes of waste from ending up in landfill!

Taken over 9 million single-use plastic bags out of circulation. That’s nine million plastic bags that didn’t end up in oceans or blowing down our streets. Mind blown.

Cut down on more than 143,000 plastic sponges - meaning no more microplastics sneaking down your sink. (Your dishes, and the fish, say thank you.)

Saved 17.7 million single-use tissues from being used once and tossed. Who knew tissues could add up like that?

The impact of these achievements is significant. They demonstrate that small actions can lead to substantial change over time. Every plastic bag that is kept out of circulation contributes to a healthier environment. It’s a reminder that conscious choices matter.