Sustainability Corner
Plastic Free July at Ripponlea Primary
Our Student Sustainability Leaders have decided to continue the tradition and get the RPS community involved in Plastic Free July again this year.
What is Plastic Free July?
Plastic Free July is a global movement that helps millions of people be part of the solution to plastic pollution – so we can have cleaner streets, oceans, and beautiful communities.
When is it happening?
Monday 22nd July until Friday 2nd August.
What do we need to do to get involved?
We encourage our school community to bring in lunchboxes containing “nude food” which is food without plastic or packaging. This is actually something the school already promotes via their Healthy Eating policy and something we encourage everyone to continue when Plastic Free July officially ends.
How will it work?
It will be coordinated by the Student Leaders with a tally of plastic free lunches.
The Impact
- Students are often keen to make a difference and willing to make small changes if they can see the bigger purpose/feel part of a larger movement.
- A simple switch can have a huge multiplier effect.
- Schools are also often a great base for broader change.
- Many students and teachers start to adopt plastic free practices in their everyday lives outside of school, too.
Can you give me some tips on helping my children achieve a “nude food” lunchbox?
- Investing in a lunchbox with compartments (like a bento box) which helps avoid the need for wrapping and keeps food nicely separated.
- Fill with cut up fruit and/or vegetables and add a dollop of dip for extra taste.
- Bake snacks such as muffins, slices or protein balls at home instead of buying treats wrapped in plastic.
- Buy larger bags of popcorn, crackers or biscuits etc and put into reusable containers to reduce the overall plastic.
- Similarly jars of pickles, olives or larger blocks of cheese.
- Investing in reusable yoghurt pouches that can be filled then cleaned after each use.
What other ideas can you suggest that I can take into my everyday life to help make a difference?
- Buy a reusable water bottle.
- Bring a reusable coffee cup or have your coffee in if you forget.
- When buying loose produce use plastic free alternatives such as lightweight reusable produce bags.
- Bring your own reusable shopping bags.
- Refuse plastic straws and cutlery when you take away or buy your own reusables so you can BYO.
- Avoid using cleaning/home products packaged in single use plastic – bulk food stores stock refillable household cleaning products to assist with this. You also can incorporate things like Dishwasher Eco-Sheets & buy eco-friendly products etc.
- Reduce, Reuse and Recycle
- What small change will you commit to make an impact on reducing plastic this July…. 🙂
- Checkout Recycle Smart for more ideas
