She says that we use plastic every day, some of it for a long time which is great, like a lunchbox, some of it for a shorter time, like a plastic bag to put our apples in. "And that's where we need to be making changes. Recycling is terrific but if we can reuse the plastic we do buy or avoid it altogether, that's even better."
The council's waste minimisation team will be giving away samples of plastic-free alternatives to everyday products at pop-up stands throughout July in Pirongia, Cambridge and Te Awamutu.
"We'll have shampoo and soap bars, beeswax wraps, bamboo toothbrushes and reusable produce bags available for people to take home and try for July. We'll also be sharing ideas and answering any questions people may have about items they would like to find a plastic-free alternative to," Fraser says.
You can find Waipā District Council's pop-up stand at Te Awamutu Library on July 3, from 10am to 2pm or at Cambridge Trash & Treasure on Sunday, July 11 from 8am to 1pm. The pop-up stand will also be at Cambridge Farmers Market on July 17 from 8am to 12 noon and in the Pak'nSave Foyer on July 22 from 10am to 2pm.
To learn more about the Plastic Free July movement click here.
