What would Plastic Free July have been without a good Twitterchat to get the camaraderie flowing? On 19 July, the Two Oceans Aquarium, along with co-hosts Moving Sushi, Cathi Trevor and Rethink the Bag, led a #ChooseToRefuse discussion on Twitter to determine why we want to stop using single-use plastics, and how we’re going to do it.
Here’s some of the great feedback we received – thank you to each and every participant who took the time to add their voice!
Question 1: What single-use plastic item did you #ChooseToRefuse in July?
Buying fresh produce where I can ( too much is prepackaged in SUP!! )#ChooseToRefuse #PlasticsFreeJuly https://t.co/cfwUg0xXjP
— Cathi Trevor (@cathi_trevor) July 19, 2017
A1: Straws!Can't handle the image of a turtle in pain from a silly straw that can be avoided #ChoosetoRefuse @2OceansAquarium @moving_sushi
— Kirtanya Lutch (@kirtanya_lutch) July 19, 2017
A1: We went straight for the naughty everyday plastic culprits; straws,anything packed with food stuffs (hard) , bags #ChoosetoRefuse
— Moving Sushi (@moving_sushi) July 19, 2017
A1: We banned single-use plastic bags 6 years ago, & this month on-site restaurant @VistaMarinaCPT switched to compostables #choosetorefuse pic.twitter.com/68ck98Smme
— Two Oceans Aquarium (@2OceansAquarium) July 19, 2017
Plastic straws be gone!! And I sent a list of alternatives to many of my hospitality sector clients. #ChoosetoRefuse
— Lisa Scriven (@levelletourism) July 19, 2017
A1: We chose to give up single-use plastic bags and replace them with reusable ones permanently. #choosetorefuse @sparwc @TrolleyBagsZA
— Rethink the Bag (@rethinkthebag) July 19, 2017
A1: We avoided using plastic bags in our @WWFSouthAfrica Mandela Day outreach donations. @2OceansAquarium @moving_sushi #ChoosetoRefuse
— SASSI (@WWFSASSI) July 19, 2017
A1: I used shopping bags instead of using the plastic shopping bags @2OceansAquarium #ChoosetoRefuse
— Babalwa Matutu (@matutubabalwa) July 19, 2017
Q1: Straws, for one. They just #suck #downwithstraws @AllyMacDee #ChooseToRefuse #PlasticFreeJuly
— Kate Rau (@gr8thek8) July 19, 2017
Ditched drinking straws, shopping bags, take-away coffee cups & plastic water. Have a kit to live without. #choosetorefuse pic.twitter.com/NNm3BsazQ2
— Responsible CapeTown (@respCPT) July 19, 2017
Bigly achievement. Replaced annoying thing veggie bags from shops with bags I had that oranges came in #ChooseToRefuse pic.twitter.com/yxjAA26qkh
— Responsible CapeTown (@respCPT) July 19, 2017
A1: I already #ChooseToRefuse water bottles & straws so I started an Ecobrick with non-recyclable packaging. So much comes into the kitchen! pic.twitter.com/OPUU5s8Ukm
— Ingrid Sinclair (@ingridsinclair) July 19, 2017
Q1: And "disposable" coffee cups too. They are just not ok. #ChooseToRefuse #PlasticFreeJuly
— Kate Rau (@gr8thek8) July 19, 2017
Most coffee shops will be happy to put your flat white into a reusable mug you bring yourself #CoffeeCultyre #ChooseToRefuse https://t.co/YfqTWfD1DK
— Two Oceans Aquarium (@2OceansAquarium) July 19, 2017
Try out Stream Straws - made right here in Cape Town from borosilicate glass. #ChooseToRefuse pic.twitter.com/pZpOoHOd7r
— Rethink the Bag (@rethinkthebag) July 19, 2017
We buy in bulk & then decant into smaller bottles. Fewer single-use items. #ChooseToRefuse pic.twitter.com/ftgKdbCes4
— Responsible CapeTown (@respCPT) July 19, 2017
Plastic bags at PnP, those thrust on you for every bar of soap & bottle of shampoo, why do we need triple plastic packaging? #ChooseToRefuse
— Gizelle Steeg (@gsteeg) July 19, 2017
Resuable pads and eco-conscious sanitary ware are the future! #ChooseToRefuse https://t.co/XxZdpTib4b
— Flow Communications (@FlowComms) July 19, 2017
Q2: What motivated you to #ChooseToRefuse single-use plastics during Plastic Free July?
A2: I think when you see the numbers, like 300 millions of plastic are produce each year, half of which is single use ���� #ChoosetoRefuse
— Moving Sushi (@moving_sushi) July 19, 2017
Don't even get me started on #Woolies nuts. 4 pistachios in a bag. 12 packs of 4 pistachios in small bags. A bag of bags! #ChoosetoRefuse
— Kate Rau (@gr8thek8) July 19, 2017
A2: Plastic pollution is a threat to human and non-human life. Here is why we #ChooseToRefuse @plasticfreejuly: https://t.co/D1O8aUmcK8 pic.twitter.com/w7HI9pKVRy
— Two Oceans Aquarium (@2OceansAquarium) July 19, 2017
A2: Our plastic is not just poisoning the planet, it's moving up the food chain and will soon be affecting our health. #choosetorefuse pic.twitter.com/B1lXaiNxeP
— Rethink the Bag (@rethinkthebag) July 19, 2017
A2: I work in the marine program and most importantly..it's the right thing to do.@2OceansAquarium #choosetorefuse
— Babalwa Matutu (@matutubabalwa) July 19, 2017
A2: 8 million tons of plastic are dumped into the ocean each year. If that doesn't scare you to #ChoosetoRefuse and so easy to change that
— Moving Sushi (@moving_sushi) July 19, 2017
By implementing it in our daily lives, we can see how it can be done all year round. #ChooseToRefuse https://t.co/l2oGUotsFB
— Flow Communications (@FlowComms) July 19, 2017
A2: Marine pollution is a huge threat to biodiversity. We believe consumers can make ocean friendly choices #ChooseToRefuse @2OceansAquarium
— SASSI (@WWFSASSI) July 19, 2017
When I read stats that by 2020 scientists reckon there will be more plastic than fish in the sea! #PlasticsFreeJuly #ChooseToRefuse https://t.co/f7qoJDRNpS
— Cathi Trevor (@cathi_trevor) July 19, 2017
A2: For me, plastic is symbolic of many social & eco problems: bad waste management, fossil fuel addiction, consumerism. #ChooseToRefuse
— Ingrid Sinclair (@ingridsinclair) July 19, 2017
A2: Initially I saw it as a challenge, like how much plastic could I avoid. Then it became a lifestyle beyond just the month #ChoosetoRefuse
— Kate Rau (@gr8thek8) July 19, 2017
Also some studies that are intimating that we might be eating more plastic than we think when we consume certain fish. #ChooseToRefuse
— Moving Sushi (@moving_sushi) July 19, 2017
Q2: I care! As a WWF ocean champ - my actions need to reflect my values. @2OceansAquarium @moving_sushi #ChooseToRefuse
— Kirtanya Lutch (@kirtanya_lutch) July 19, 2017
#ChooseToRefuse https://t.co/tBpZjGtGrL
— May Palesa (@Palesa_May) July 19, 2017
Q3: What’s the hardest part about giving up single-use plastic for Plastic Free July?
Q3: Convenience at expense of our environment is a habit. Small effort is needed to avoid massive impacts @2OceansAquarium #ChooseToRefuse
— Kirtanya Lutch (@kirtanya_lutch) July 19, 2017
A3: everything is made of plastic!! Really, the problem is not enough or no choice between plastic and non #ChooseToRefuse #consumerpower https://t.co/54Qd124wLJ
— Rita Adele Steyn (@ritasteyn) July 19, 2017
Avoiding straws has been difficult. I forget to ask them not to give me one.
— Gizelle Steeg (@gsteeg) July 19, 2017
Once its in your glass it never gets used again#ChooseToRefuse https://t.co/fqJ6hl6mW8
A3: The hardest part is rewiring my shopping habits. It is a commitment. And staying healthy, not just plastic-free #choosetorefuse
— Kate Rau (@gr8thek8) July 19, 2017
A3: The hardest part is convincing others to support your lifestyle changes, i.e. family/friends. Takes some convincing@ #choosetorefuse pic.twitter.com/4fB7gs2Plt
— Rethink the Bag (@rethinkthebag) July 19, 2017
A3: Realizing how much we are dependent on plastic and it's products!@2OceansAquarium #choosetorefuse
— Babalwa Matutu (@matutubabalwa) July 19, 2017
A3: The hardest was the sheer amount of single use plastic out there.It's like the matrix.Once you notice it you can't unsee #ChooseToRefuse
— Moving Sushi (@moving_sushi) July 19, 2017
Getting others in the household to share your passion for ditching plastic is a challenge. #ChooseToRefuse https://t.co/k7ujPE4xj8
— Responsible CapeTown (@respCPT) July 19, 2017
Q3: Consumers may be unaware of plastic alternatives. There may also be issues with cost and access. @2OceansAquarium #ChooseToRefuse
— SASSI (@WWFSASSI) July 19, 2017
A3: Mainstream retailers & brand owners leave us with very few choices when we want to #ChooseToRefuse. Food is over-packaged! pic.twitter.com/4EgMGmEI5B
— Ingrid Sinclair (@ingridsinclair) July 19, 2017
Q4: What have you learnt you can easily #ChooseToRefuse & live without so far?
A4: We all use reusable bottles, & never buy bottled water; it's an easy thing to #ChooseToRefuse. Cape Town's tap water is great! pic.twitter.com/7B5O1PUUCX
— Two Oceans Aquarium (@2OceansAquarium) July 19, 2017
A4: I never buy bottled water, but have also extended this to other drinks like juices - still a #plastic bottle #ChooseToRefuse #GlassOnly https://t.co/ZfCfWyZsfs
— Rita Adele Steyn (@ritasteyn) July 19, 2017
A4: I can live without the shopping bags, straws and weird little individual wrapped things. Byeeee. #ChoosetoRefuse
— Moving Sushi (@moving_sushi) July 19, 2017
Plastic bags at shops (I carry a fabric one in my bag), Polystyrene food packaging, disposable cups & straws.#ChooseToRefuse https://t.co/L8mj2YBUqB
— Gizelle Steeg (@gsteeg) July 19, 2017
A4: Easiest by far is quitting drinking straws. Turns out our lips fit around the edge of a glass, bottle or can just fine! #choosetorefuse pic.twitter.com/MGlU8sH14T
— Rethink the Bag (@rethinkthebag) July 19, 2017
Thinking about plastics has also got me to be a lot more DIY with products in my life , kind of fun challenge #ChoosetoRefuse
— Moving Sushi (@moving_sushi) July 19, 2017
Q5: Will you commit to #ChooseToRefuse beyond Plastic Free July?
@2OceansAquarium Always!#ChooseToRefuse https://t.co/TgqX4F8Chj
— Gizelle Steeg (@gsteeg) July 19, 2017
It's definitely opened up our eyes to alternatives and making better choices. We're in! #ChooseToRefuse https://t.co/eqTPPmEH6r
— Flow Communications (@FlowComms) July 19, 2017
Q5: yaaaas! #choosetorefuse
— Kate Rau (@gr8thek8) July 19, 2017
A5: Every day, even if it's in a small way. Eliminating this plastic life #ChoosetoRefuse
— Moving Sushi (@moving_sushi) July 19, 2017
A5: We #ChooseToRefuse until we die. Single-use plastic is not going away without consistent, persistent demand for alternatives.
— Rethink the Bag (@rethinkthebag) July 19, 2017
A5: Of course!We will be creating awareness & positive action against marine pollution. #ChooseToRefuse single-use plastics @2OceansAquarium
— SASSI (@WWFSASSI) July 19, 2017
So committed!!��✨#ChooseToRefuse #plasticsFreeJuly ✨�� https://t.co/hXq91wQnsd
— Cathi Trevor (@cathi_trevor) July 19, 2017
A5: here's committing to a lifestyle of reducing and refusing single use plastic #ChoosetoRefuse @2OceansAquarium @moving_sushi pic.twitter.com/skHrEnXmFs
— Kirtanya Lutch (@kirtanya_lutch) July 19, 2017
