East coast NSW councils encourage residents to take the Plastic Free July pledge

THOUSANDS of Australians are being encouraged to make one simple change this month by taking the Plastic Free July pledge.

Councils along the east coast of New South Wales are supporting the global campaign, encouraging residents to refuse just one unnecessary plastic item during July and help reduce plastic waste in their communities.

The Plastic Free July pledge invites individuals, families, schools, workplaces and community groups to choose one plastic item to avoid, whether it is single-use coffee cups, plastic shopping bags, drink bottles or heavily packaged produce.

A Port Macquarie-Hasting Council spokesperson said on Facebook, “This week, more than 100 pledges were made at our Plastic Free July pop-ups across Port Macquarie and Wauchope.

“Each pledge starts with one simple swap, and when more people get involved, those small changes can create a powerful local impact.

“You don’t need to change everything overnight. Choose one swap that fits into your everyday routine and can become a lasting habit beyond July.

“Plastic Free July is about progress, not perfection. Every small change helps reduce plastic waste.”

More than 4,400 people have already signed the Plastic Free July pledge, demonstrating how small individual actions can contribute to reducing plastic pollution.

While many people focus on items such as shopping bags and takeaway containers, campaign organisers are also drawing attention to less obvious plastics, including cigarette filters, which are made from cellulose acetate, a form of plastic that can persist in the environment for years.

Discarded cigarette butts remain one of the most commonly littered items worldwide, breaking down into microplastics and releasing harmful chemicals into waterways and natural environments.

Plastic Free July organisers say every item refused helps reduce waste and encourages longer-term changes in consumer habits.

The campaign aims to show that choosing to refuse just one plastic item each day can collectively make a significant difference towards a cleaner environment and a plastic-free future.