How members are cutting plastic use to protect the planet
How a Brownie unit is pledging to help the planet and reduce single-use plastics
Last month was Plastic Free July, a global movement encouraging people to reduce their plastic use through July and beyond.
It’s all about cutting back on single-use plastics to help protect our planet. To mark this year's Plastic Free July, we asked you for your top tips on how you reduce plastic at home or in your units. You shared some great ideas, such as swapping your plastic toothbrush for a bamboo one.
We spoke to Chocolate Owl, Pippa, from the 4th South Wallington Brownies to hear how her unit is helping the environment in fun and creative ways. Ever wondered what a dolphin made of bottle tops looks like? The 4th South Wallington Brownies have the answer!
Using plastic waste for sustainable crafting
Pippa told us that the unit recently took on the unfantastic plastic UMA (unit meeting activity)- and they loved it! The girls split into small groups and chatted all about plastic bags: how often they reuse them and the benefits of Bags for Life. They also chatted about alternatives like paper or metal straws and reusable water bottles. Some of the Brownies have taken on the zero waste badge to challenge themselves on how much they throw in the bin or down the drain.
Bottle tops aren’t going straight in the bin in this unit. Pippa shared: 'Last week we collected bottle tops to do bottle top creations on the floor. We made sea creatures such as turtles and dolphins out of the bottle tops.'
Making a pledge to cut plastic waste
Of course, there’s a Girlguiding twist. Each Brownie has made their own pledge to reduce plastic. These include:
- Using fewer plastic bottles by bringing their own reusable water bottle.
- Always remembering not to litter.
- Buying refills of liquid soap or shampoo to refill bottles, instead of buying new ones.
- Reusing old plastic items for craft projects instead of binning them.
- Bringing a reusable bag when shopping.
- Swapping plastic plates and glasses for reusable ones.
- Wearing fleeces made from recycled plastic.
The environment is a big part of everything the unit does. Pippa says: 'a few years ago, we collected plastic bottles and lined up all the plastic from one side of the room to the other to see how many we had, which was a fun activity!'
That's not all! The unit is planning to explore the Brownie Eco award in the autumn. The Eco award can be done across all sections and is part of our wider environmental plan to become more environmentally sustainable. Along with campaigns such as #PlasticPromise, the Eco award gives the 4th South Wallington Brownies and other units across the UK the chance to become more sustainable.
What can you do to help reduce plastic use?
If you love all things green, why not get involved with our Eco award?
You can also check out our fun activities to help girls learn about the environment to find awards and badges that will get girls thinking about how they can make a positive difference.
Whatever eco ideas you decide to explore, remember to have fun doing it. Let’s keep making a difference, one bottle top at a time.
