Ban The Bottle

Ban The Bottle – three life-changing words.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve been feeling totally overwhelmed lately by the size of the environmental challenges we have before us, both within Australia and the rest of the world. There are so many things that need to change that it’s hard to know where to start. I found myself so consumed with where I should start that I ended up doing very little in the scheme of things, with the challenge just seeming too great.

Rather than remaining curled up in the foetal position in the corner of a dark room, I decided to break it down into smaller, bite-sized pieces and choose one positive change that I could make right now, and forever, to make a real difference . I chose disposable plastic water bottles.

Every year (according to choice.com.au) approximately 5 billion disposable plastic, aluminium and glass bottles are discarded into land fill. 5 BILLION! This seems absolutely crazy given the fact that almost everyone in Australia has access to fresh, clean drinking water. What are we doing?

While I am lucky enough to be able to collect fresh water from a spring near my home in Daylesford, I am still guilty of buying cheap 1 litre bottles of mineral water each week, not to mention the apple juice containers, and the large 2L milk bottles from the supermarket. Is this really necessary? Well, no.

In the last two weeks I have made a commitment to no longer purchase any disposable plastic water bottles. Full Stop.

While this might sound like a small gesture made by just one person, it would be a HUGE change to the environment if made by many. This is why I am also investigating the process of starting a “Ban The Bottle” Campaign for my local town, Daylesford, that’s known Australia-wide for its beautiful fresh water and mineral water springs. It seems like the obvious step!

So while I am just one little person committed to this change, I am also asking you to commit to this change as well, as together we can make a significant difference to the Australian environment, as well as our own health and well-being!

Are you with me?

Jodie

Daylesford Fresh Water Spring