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Plastic Free July is a global movement that encourages millions of people around the world to help combat plastic pollution by refusing single-use plastics.
We produce 400 million tonnes of plastic waste globally every year, according to the United Nations Environment Programme.
The worst part? Nearly half of that is single-use plastic and a staggering 91% of the world’s plastic still isn’t recycled. Instead, it ends up in landfill, being burnt, littering our streets or polluting our oceans.
Watch: Millions of People Around the World Join Plastic Free July
Use a refillable water bottle. According to Earthday.org, there are 20,000 plastic bottles used every second. That's more than a million bottles every minute being added to landfills around the world.
Grab a reusable tote. Every year, we use five trillion plastic bags. That’s 160,000 a second. We can do better than that.
Read more: Road-test: ‘I tried M&S period pants and they really work’
Swap traditional pads and tampons for reusable alternatives. Sanitary products are the fifth most common item found on Europe’s beaches. In fact, the Women’s Environmental Network estimates that there are around nine plastic applicators and 23 sanitary pads for every kilometre of a beach in the UK.
Try a toothpaste tablet. If you haven’t already heard of toothpaste tablets, welcome! They’re just as effective as regular toothpaste – you just need to chew them and add a wet toothbrush.
Ditch disposable razors. Safety razors are much more environmentally friendly than cartridge or disposable models. Their handles are often made of metals that last a lifetime and the double-edged blades they use are made solely from sharpened metals.
Don’t forget your coffee cup. Just one takeaway drink per day creates over 10kg of waste each year. If you haven’t already, now’s the time to invest in a reusable coffee cup.
Swap cling film for wax wraps. Beeswax wraps are flexible and self-sealing and let your food breathe. Even better, they’re also reusable and completely biodegradable.
Choose solids over liquids. Solid products like shampoo bars and bar soap last approximately two-five times longer than their liquid equivalents. Plus, they’re so much easier to travel with.
Use a bamboo toothbrush. Bamboo is a natural plant and fully biodegradable. It’s also one of the fastest growing plants on the planet, so we don’t need to worry about running out any time soon.
Make sure your floss is plastic-free. Traditional dental floss can be a sneaky source of plastic waste, and on top of that, is usually packaged in a hard plastic container. Instead, opt for biodegradable floss that can be composted.
Read more: How to shop sustainably
Switch to refillables. There are some products we simply can’t cut out of our lives. Everyday items like hand wash, cleaning products, shampoo and conditioner are a few examples of essential products that are usually packaged in plastic containers and then thrown away after a single use. Switch to refillable products instead.
Bring your own cutlery. Summer weather means it’s officially picnic season. Avoid using single-use cutlery and instead, bring your own.
Check your bathroom loo. On top of the paper waste, most store-bought toilet paper is wrapped in unnecessary amounts of plastic packaging. If you buy it in bulk packages, it's sometimes wrapped in plastic twice. There are sustainable alternatives for that.
Skip straws. If you don’t need a straw, ask your server not to give you one when you place your order at the bar. And if you really love them, invest in reusable ones made from bamboo or stainless steel.
Cut down on sponges and paper towels. It’s not just the liquids you’re using to clean with that are a problem – chances are that your cleaning cupboard is home to at least one plastic-fibre cloth, scouring pad or scrubbing brush.
Read more: Earth Day 2022: 7 ways to reduce your carbon 'foodprint' to save the planet
Grab a dryer ball. Dryer balls are a great alternative to single-use dryer sheets in a tumble dryer, as they last for multiple uses and are free from nasty chemicals and synthetics. Usually made from tightly compressed wool, they reduce drying time and help prevent laundry from clumping together by tumbling between layers and separating fabric.
Say no to cotton buds. It’s estimated that in the UK alone we use 1.8 million cotton buds every year. Not only are cotton crops one of the thirstiest crops to grow, but most of the cotton swabs have a plastic stem. Instead, use a reusable bamboo and silicone bud as they negate the need for either plastic or cotton – and they’re great for make-up application, too.
Buy loose fruit and veg. Does fruit and vegetable packaging really serve any purpose? Instead of buying pre-packaged goods, check out your local farmers market for loose produce (and don’t forget your reusable bag).
Try reusable nappies. This one’s not for everyone, but if you want to limit your waste and reduce the plastic you use, then you could try switching from single-use nappies to reusable.
Shop: Bambino Mio Reusable Nappy Set | £75 (Was £83.99) from JoJo Maman Bebe
Drink loose tea. It might surprise you to learn that most tea bags – especially the fancy 'silken' ones – are made from plastic. And for those of us who drink a daily cuppa (or more) – that adds up. One of the best ways to avoid your tea being steeped with a side of microplastics is to simply sip loose leaf tea.
Filipinos who are looking forward to some travel after COVID ruined their vacation plans can start working out their trips as the government released the list of holidays for 2023. Check them out.
THE Department of Education in Central Visayas (DepEd 7) has clarified that only selected schools in the region have implemented a shifting schedule of face-to-face classes for the School Year (SY) 2022-2023.DepEd 7 Director Salustiano Jimenez told SunStar Cebu that this is being done to address the lack of classrooms in some schools in the region.Jimenez issued the clarification following the complaints of some parents that their children enrolled in public elementary schools would have to atte
A PASSENGER vessel, M/V Asia Philippines, caught fire around 5:50 p.m. Friday, August 26, 2022, one nautical mile off Batangas anchorage area, said the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).Initial investigation revealed that the vessel had 48 passengers and 34 crew members onboard when the fire broke out. It was also carrying 16 rolling cargoes.A total of 73 individuals were rescued as of 7:30 p.m., said the PCG.One of the rescued individuals was brought to the nearest hospital for medical attention due
THE Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO) assured the public Thursday, August 25, 2022, that the city is safe, stressing that there are no kidnapping incidents in Mandaue.Lieutenant Colonel Franco Rudolf Oriol, MCPO deputy director for operations and spokesperson, made the announcement following reports of children being kidnapped along the streets in different areas in the country allegedly by people on board a "white van."Reports on alleged kidnapping went viral on the social media, creating fear
ACTING Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia aims to prioritize the improvement of water outflows as a way to achieve the administration’s vision of making the city the next Singapore.Vice Mayor Garcia, who is acting mayor while Mayor Michael Rama is in Canada on official business, said the role of the Waterfront Development Commission (WDC) is to remove any structures obstructing the flow of water going to the city’s coastline.This plan would also help clear the way for the waterfront to feature
THE Cebu City Licensing Office can only process 400 transactions daily, down from 1,200.This was confirmed by Joel Maloloy-on, head of the Land Transportation (LTO)-Cebu City District Office, on Thursday, August 25, 2022.He attributed this to the lack of manpower and the problem with their new IT system.Maloloy-on said the drop started when the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation Management System replaced the agency’s hardware, software and data component requirement
A WOMAN who claimed to have experienced a kidnapping attempt in Carcar City has apologized to local police after admitting that the incident was a hoax.Kylie Mae Aledo, who earlier posted her experience on social media, has approached the Carcar City Police Station and apologized to police personnel over what she posted.Aledo also posted an apology on her Facebook page.In her earlier post, Aledo claimed that unidentified persons aboard a white car attempted to kidnap her but the plot was alleged
THE Department of Education in Central Visayas (DepEd 7) has clarified that only selected schools in the region have been implementing a shifting schedule of face-to-face classes for school year 2022-2023.DepEd 7 Director Salustiano Jimenez told SunStar Cebu that this is how they address the lack of classrooms in some schools in the region.Jimenez made the clarification following some complaints of parents that their children enrolled in public elementary schools would have to attend classes as
A SUSPECTED gunrunner and gun-for-hire who is reportedly also a robber who operates in Metro Cebu and its neighboring towns was arrested during Oplan Pagtugis on Wednesday afternoon, August 24, 2022.The operation was conducted by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) City Field Unit, the Regional Intelligence Unit 7 and the City Mobile Force Company of the Cebu City Police Office.The suspect was identified as Christian Gareth Cometa Oyales, alias Atoy.The 27-year-old was found at
A new study has found that half of the income of Filipinos is spent on three items. Find out where Filipinos open their wallets on.
A widely shared image purports to show a banner warning about "gay hypnosis" on screen during Fox News host Tucker Carlson's primetime television show. But the photo is doctored; the US cable news channel told AFP the chyron is fake, and the Twitter account that created the image said the post was intended as satire."Straight men turning homo after 'gay hypnosis,'" says the text in the lower third in a photo of what appears to be a broadcast of "Tucker Carlson Tonight," one of the most-watched c
THE Cebu City Licensing Office can process only 400 transactions daily, down from 1,200.This was confirmed by a reliable source from the Land Transportation (LTO)-Cebu City District Office on Thursday, August 25, 2022.The source, who asked not to be named, attributed this to the lack of manpower and the problem with their new Information Technology (IT) system.He said the drop started when the Department of Transportation (DOTr) replaced with the new IT system in April this year the agency’s har
The Sherilin-Unisol Mandaue Plastic Men turned their game up in the second half to dispose of the San Fernando Buffalos, 83-72, and earn a spot in the Visayas finals of the Pilipinas Super League 21-Under on Thursday night at the Cebu City Sports Institute.Sherilin found themselves in trouble late in the third canto as they suddenly trailed, 54-60, with 1:14 to go after leading for most of the match. However, Christopher Isabelo, Anthony Cabatingan, and Rey James Enriquez connived in a 7-0 windu
Thousands of Facebook users have shared a map of historic heat records across the United States, suggesting it is evidence against human-driven global warming since many of the records date to the 1930s or earlier. The claim lacks context; the map shows individual records up to 2019, but broader temperature data show a warming trend since the 19th century, in line with a consensus among world scientists."Only two states have had a record temperature in the last 20 years," claims a Facebook post
THE Badian Municipal Government has ordered a developer to stop the construction of beach cottages in Barangay Lambug.Mayor Carmencita Lumain issued the cease-and-desist order (CDO) against Benjamin Martilino Chan on Aug. 19, 2022, based on the recommendations of Municipal Engineer Vicente Jojie Nillas."Our records show that no building permit has been issued by the Municipality of Badian, Cebu regarding your said construction. Hence, the same is illegal,” the order stated.The mayor gave Chan 10
Progressive lawmakers emphasize that there is no service, honor, and justice in violently harassing child rights advocates and later lying about it. Here's what happened.
THE Badian Municipal Government has ordered a developer to stop the construction of beach cottages in Barangay Lambug.Mayor Carmencita Lumain issued the cease-and-desist order (CDO) against Benjamin Martilino Chan on Aug. 19, 2022, based on the recommendations of Municipal Engineer Vicente Jojie Nillas."Our records show that no building permit has been issued by the Municipality of Badian, Cebu regarding your said construction. Hence, the same is illegal,” the order stated.The mayor gave Chan 10
THE Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) has created a special unit that will be tasked to solve the problem involving reports on kidnapping incidents in the city that turned out to be a hoax.Police Lieutenant Colonel Maria Theresa Macatangay, public information officer of CCPO, said the new special police unit, called the Cebu City Committee on Missing and Found Person, will be tasked to locate those responsible in posting fake kidnapping messages on social media, including those who were declared mi
Not even the presence of NBA star Jordan Clarkson could stop the Gilas Pilipinas’ current losing skid as they fell to Lebanon, 85-81, in the 2023 FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers at Nouhad Nawfal Sports Complex in Zouk Mikael on early Friday morning.Clarkson, an NBA Sixth Man of the Year award-winner who plays for the Utah Jazz, had 27 points, seven assists, and six rebounds, but it all went for naught behind the endgame onslaught of Lebanon’s star guard Wael Arakji, who scored the Cedars’ last s
POLICE vowed to monitor the strict implementation of minimum public health standards, particularly the wearing of face mask, starting Friday, August 26, until Sunday, August 28, during the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo.Police Lieutenant Colonel Wilbert Parilla, deputy city director for administration, said they expect a number of people trooping to venues where the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo activities will be held.The Pasigarbo sa Sugbo Festival Queen will be held on Friday, August 26, while the Festival of Festi