By Julia Morris, Forest & Bird Intern
Single-use plastic is very harmful to our environment. Plastics never break down, meaning they become permanent pollution. Much of this pollution ends up in waterways and oceans, hurting the wildlife that lives there.
You can help protect the environment by joining the Plastic Free movement. Plastic Free July is a special month to raise awareness about the movement, and the issues that come from using single use or throwaway plastic.
More than a million people, from 130 countries, have decided to accept the challenge. If you want to join them, choose non-plastic alternatives wherever you can. Reuse plastics. For example, you might refill a water bottle instead of throwing it away. Make sure to recycle your plastics too.
Are you ready to start making a difference? Click here to register and accept the challenge.
Activity
Reusable shopping bags are a great way to reduce the use of harmful plastic. Don’t want to buy one? You can make your own out of an old shirt. All you have to do is the following:
- Cut the sleeves off of the shirt
- Cut the neckline area of the shirt
- Decide how deep you want the bag to be, and trace a line across
- Cut fringe at the bottom of the shirt
- Tie the fringe into knots
For more detailed directions on how to make your own reusable bag, click the image below: