Friday Five: Ways to join the Plastic Free July challenge

We’re halfway through Plastic Free July now, but there’s still time to join the 326 million participants world-wide and challenge yourself to swap out one, some or all single use plastic items.

A photo of a big pile of milk bottles at a recycling plant.

We’ve put together a list of fun and easy ways you can get involved. For more information about Plastic Free July, head to our website.

1. Reduce and reuse with RefillNZ

RefillNZ is a New Zealand initiative that aims to reduce single use plastic bottles by making it super easy to find free tap water in cafes, venues, drinking fountains and other participating businesses.

Next time you head out the door, grab your reusable drink bottle and check the RefillNZ website or app for a handy map of free, refill stations – all over the country!

A photograph of a collection of items on a table including a whicker basket, a red tartan scarf, a black waterbottle, a yellow reusable cup, a green tupperware container, a $50 Tip Shop voucher, a material food bag and a bamboo cutlery set.

2. Turn trash into treasure with the Tip Shop

The Tip Shop at the Southern Landfill is an awesome place to stock up on reusable containers, jars and cups to help you on your zero-waste journey – and they do awesome work diverting waste from the landfill.

We have an exciting giveaway running on our Facebook page where you could be in to win a Plastic Free July prize pack, and a $50 Tip Shop voucher!

All you have to do is go to the post and tell us in the comments what you're doing this July to minimise your waste. Entries close 10am Friday 23 July.

3. Get crafty with your reusables

Things like reusable cups don’t have to cost the earth. You can make a simple and cheap keep cup out of an old glass jar - peanut butter ones work great.

If you are a fan of a flat white or other hot drinks, wrap a bit of fabric, some rubber bands, cardboard, flax or string around it to protect your hands. Get creative!

A photograph of five differently sized glass jars containing different grains and cereals.

4. Challenge yourself to a zero-waste food shop

One of the biggest challenges people face when reducing their waste is grocery shopping. To take some of the work out of it for you, the Rubbish Trip have created regional zero waste shopping guides for centres across Aotearoa!

Whether you’re looking for a place to get milk without the plastic bottle, bread without the bag, meat without the tray or just household staples and cleaning products – they’ve got it all mapped out.

Visit their website and get started on your shopping list today.

5. Learn from the experts at a local event

Speaking of the Rubbish Trip - they’re coming to Wellington!

Join them at the Central Park Apartments in Brooklyn on Saturday 31 July for their free 90-minute workshop, Living without a Rubbish Bin: the world of zero waste.

We’re proud to support this event and everyone is welcome, whether you’re a resident of the Central Park Apartments or not.

Find out more on the Facebook event.

Want to find other ways to get involved this Plastic Free July?

Join 326 million participants world-wide and take the challenge on the Plastic Free July website as an individual or group.
Visit the Wasteminz website and play the plastic free whare game to go in the draw to win exciting prizes.
For more information about reducing your waste, visit our website.

Watch out each Friday for a fun list of five great activities to do, places to explore, or things to discover in our awesome city.