Every little effort you make to reduce your use of plastics, no matter how small it may seem, contributes to solving the plastic pollution problem.
Sure, the big supermarket chains and retail stores can make changes that will have a big impact. But if we all work together, our little changes can go a long way. It’s not just in the actual reduction of your plastic usage, but perhaps more importantly in helping to inspire changes around you by adding momentum to the movement.
A simple action can be a very powerful motivator. If your colleague, your friend, your loved one, or even the person standing behind you in the queue sees you take out your reusable bag or water bottle, or hears you say “Bags Not” to a single-use plastic bag, they will make a mental note and it will take them one step closer to adopting those actions. The more these actions are seen and noted, the more people adopt them and the more they become the norm.
That’s what “Bags Not” is trying to achieve. We want all Kiwis to become aware of the plastic pollution problem and do their little bit to help solve it. It’s something we have all played a part in creating. Now it’s time we all played a part in ending it.
Remember, every avalanche starts with a single snowflake.
So do what you can, do your utmost to change the way you use plastics starting with plastic bags. Take the “Bags Not” 7-Day Challenge and then see how you go from there. Think of it as your gateway to living a less wasteful lifestyle.
To those of you who are further along your journey of change, keep doing what you’re doing, you never know how many people you have influenced by your actions. If you have a particular use for single-use plastics and you can’t find an environmentally-friendly solution, ask around. Talk to your friends and colleagues, or ask around your community. Do some research online. I can guarantee that you’re not the only one with the same problem. And hey, you never know, it may even be a business opportunity!
Ghandi said “Be the change you wish to see in the world”. It’s a sentiment that rings true. Remember, plastic doesn’t go away, it all goes somewhere. The best thing is to not use it in the first place.
Come on New Zealand, we’ve got this!
Nick Morrison
Director
Go Well Consulting
