Small changes, big impact: Join the Plastic Free July challenge

Far North communities are invited to be part of Plastic Free July – a global movement encouraging people to reduce single-use plastics through simple, everyday choices.

Whether it's using your own coffee cup, saying no to plastic bags, packing a waste-free lunch or choosing products with less packaging; every small change helps protect our beautiful whenua, waterways and coastlines.

We all need to play our part in fighting plastic pollution. More than 400 million tonnes of plastic are globally produced every year, yet less than 10 per cent is recycled. That is why Plastic Free July isn't about being perfect. It's about choosing one thing you can do differently and building a habit that lasts well beyond July.

The campaign also aligns with and supports Far North District Council's Solid Waste Strategy 2025-2050 and Waste Management and Minimisation Plan 2025-2031. Together, these plans set the direction for reducing waste, increasing resource recovery and building a more circular economy where resources are valued for longer and less ends up in landfill. Community education and encouraging everyday behaviour-change are key parts of achieving this long-term vision.

“Reducing waste isn't something the council can achieve on its own,” says Hilary Sumpter, Group Manager – Delivery and Operations. “Our Solid Waste Strategy and Waste Management and Minimisation Plan set the direction, but real progress comes from the choices we all make every day. Plastic Free July is a reminder that positive change starts with simple everyday choices.”

By making small changes at home, at work or on the go, our hāpori (community) can help reduce waste, protect the environment and create healthier places for future generations.

Need somewhere to start? Pick just one single-use plastic item to give up this month. Swap a takeaway coffee cup for a reusable one, choose loose fruit and vegetables over packaged ones, or take a reusable container with you when you grab lunch at your favourite sushi place. Every swap matters.

You can find more ideas and resources on Plastic Free July website.

Together, we can be mindful about waste, protect what makes the Far North special, and prove that small actions, taken collectively, create lasting change.

What's your Plastic Free July swap? We'd love to hear it!