The main point of the challenge is to raise individual awareness and change your consumption behaviour.
- Nick King
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Nick King from the Environmentally Concerned Citizens of Orange is taking part in the My Challenge Choices list as part of Plastic Free July.
"From personal experience, we have to actually stop and think about how plastic is a part of our lives," he said.
"The main point of the challenge is to raise individual awareness and change your consumption behaviour."
There are 18 suggestions on the checklist of what to avoid and ways on how consumers can avoid it.
This includes avoiding bottled products, pre-packed meat or fish, takeaway products and littering.
"There are plenty of alternative products that people can use to reduce single use plastic consumption but people need to have the will to do it," he said.
"Supermarkets still offer plastic bags for fruit and vegetables but that doesn't mean you have to use it.
"When I go to the shops, I ask myself 'is there plastic involved?', 'do I need to buy it?' 'is there an alternative product?' and it helps shapes my behaviour and awareness about what to buy."
The checklist provides ways to avoid plastic consumption including to remember your reusable shopping bags, opt for refills, bulk store products or make your own alternatives and to support vendors offering compostable items.
He said that when he goes to the shops, he will often buy foods that are in season.
"We have an expectation that people can have food all year round," Mr King said.
"Often you will be able to buy alternative products that don't have plastic in them.
"By following the checklist, this challenge will make make people think about their behaviour and awareness about what they can do without or compromise their ideals."
Mr King also said ECCO has been involved with Plastic Free July since its inception 10 years ago.
"Over the years, we have had a stall at the Orange Farmers Market with information about how people can get involved and reduce their plastic consumption," he said.
"We had a really good response at the markets last weekend and sold a huge amount of alternative bags to store fresh fruits and vegetables.
"I have noticed people are using less and less plastic products at the markets because I think people are making a conscious effort and is good to see."
Mr King added people should also be informed about the recycling process involved with plastic products.
"We have an efficient recycling service in Orange that processes what can be recycled and what goes into landfill," he said.
He also said that businesses, organisations and governments should support the initiative.
"We are all in this together and there is a lot of pressure put on the individual to make better choices about consumption," he said," he said.
"There should be stricter regulation towards products and the community and businesses needs to work together to the reduce plastic waste.
"NSW still hasn't banned single-use plastics like SA and the ACT." To take part in the challenge, head to: www.plasticfreejuly.org/
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