Carleton University takes on the Plastic Free July Challenge!
Plastic Free July is a movement that challenges people to reduce using single-use plastics and to encourage sustainable habits every day. Plastic Free July is a personal challenge that is part of a global effort to reduce our overall plastic consumption, creating cleaner campuses, streets, oceans and communities.
Did you know?
“In 2016, approximately 86% of Canada’s plastic waste ended up in landfills, only 9% was recycled, 4% was burned for energy, and 1% was discharged to the environment as litter. Plastic litter harms and kills wildlife, and microplastics are inadvertently consumed by people through seafood, drinking water, and sea salt.”¹
It’s time to turn the tide on the use of plastic.
How to get started…
Choose to reduce or refuse single-use plastics in July (and beyond!). Switch out plastic items by finding sustainable alternatives that can become new habits forever. With everyone making one small change, we can create a collective impact in reducing our carbon footprint.
You are encouraged to embrace the 5 Rs of Zero Waste: Refuse / Reduce / Reuse / Recycle / Rot –and in that order–to reduce the plastic waste you generate.
Keep track of your plastic footprint.
While the challenge overall is to go plastic-free, we may end up having to use some type of single-use product. To keep track of your plastic footprint, place your single-use plastic waste in a “Plastic Tracker” Jar.
The idea of this challenge is to try to reduce your waste as much as possible. Your goal is to fit all your single-use plastic waste into a 1L jar (reuse a pasta jar!) This challenge gives us a visual snapshot of how much plastic consumption we typically produce in a given month.
Take the Plastic Free July pledge here.
Let’s make an impact. Join the challenge.
Let us know how you did! Share your stories and photos of how you or your home is avoiding the use of single-use plastic. Show us your plastic swaps and other waste-free ideas by tagging us on social media using #CUPlasticFreeJuly and tag @SustainabilityCarleton on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook to be featured.
Curious to learn more?
- Plastic Free July for more information on the plastic-free movement and resources.
- Greenpeace’s Key Facts about Plastic Pollution
- Sustainability Carleton’s resources
Monday, June 29, 2020 in General, News, Sustainability Tip
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