Plastic Free July marks 10 years in Whanganui

Published on 01 July 2026

This July marks ten years since Sustainable Whanganui began championing Plastic Free July in Whanganui, encouraging residents to rethink unnecessary plastic use and explore practical ways to reduce waste. 

To mark the milestone, Sustainable Whanganui is inviting the community to a free public talk on Wednesday 1 July at 5.30pm in the Pioneer Room at the Whanganui War Memorial Centre. 

Presented by Whanganui District Council Waste Services Manager Morgan Harrison, the talk will explore how plastic became one of the defining environmental challenges of our time, the opportunities and limitations of recycling, and practical ways individuals and communities can reduce waste and make better use of resources. 

Harrison said Plastic Free July isn't about eliminating plastic from our lives overnight. 

"It's about taking a step back and thinking about the products we use every day and making simple changes that reduce unnecessary plastic waste. 

"Some things are really easy wins – for example, we've recently seen plastic confetti littering some of our local reserves. Small pieces of plastic like this can be almost impossible to clean up once they're released into the environment – so choosing not to scatter plastic in our parks is a pretty simple place to start! 

"Beyond really obvious stuff like that, there are plenty of everyday choices that can make a real difference – whether that's choosing products with less packaging, carrying a reusable coffee cup, repairing something instead of replacing it, or buying second-hand. 

"Small changes might not seem like much on their own, but when lots of people make them, they can have a big impact." 

Harrison said the event would also provide an opportunity to discuss the future of waste in Whanganui. 

"We're currently developing the district's next Waste Management and Minimisation Plan, so this is a particularly good time for people to get involved in the conversation. 

"The choices we make as a community will help shape how we manage waste in the future, and we'd love to hear people's ideas and perspectives."