Council partner: Leamington Vege Fresh store manager Mandeep Singh wants to see plastic bag use decrease. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Cambridge supermarkets, fruit and vegetable shops, butcheries and schools are teaming up with Waipā District Council to encourage residents to reduce their single use plastic during Plastic Free July.
Waste minimisation officer Sally Fraser said businesses have been eager to come on board to try and reduce plastic bag use in Waipā. The thin plastic produce bags are commonly only used once before being thrown out.
“Our local supermarkets and fruit and vegetable shops will be encouraging shoppers to swap out their plastic produce bags for reusable produce bags. Each store has 100 reusable produce bags to giveaway to customers,” Fraser said.
“Plastic Free July is a great way to get people thinking about their everyday habits and single use plastic. It’s awesome to have the support of local businesses to promote some easy solutions, like reusable items.”
Leamington Vege Fresh store manager Mandeep Singh has noticed the dependence on plastic has been increasing in daily life.
“Reducing our use of single use produce plastic bags is an easy way to get our plastic addiction under control,” he said.
Singh said he noticed his older aged customers were very supportive of getting rid of plastic bags and encouraged him to participate in the initiative.
Council is running a poster competition for Waipā primary school students. Students have been invited to create posters on how to look after the planet and be plastic free. Three winners will win a zero waste prize pack. Teachers can contact council for entry forms.
Council is also running pop up stalls with free plastic free product samples like a shampoo bar to “try for July”.
Cambridge market goers will see the pop up stall at the Trash and Treasure Market tomorrow (Sunday).
