Earth Day 2019: Ditch the plastic and let your fruit and veg roll free in your supermarket trolley to save the planet

Monday, 22 April 2019

Single-use bags are just the tip of the plastic iceberg at supermarkets.

OPINION: Today marks the 49th annual Earth Day – the largest worldwide day of action to raise awareness of the environment.

The movement started in 1970 when millions of normal Americans took to the streets to march for change, and change came quickly – that year the US government introduced the first legislation to protect the environment in law.

Living in New Zealand, we are constantly reminded of the delicate relationship we have with the planet. We are surrounded by, and at the mercy of, the ocean.

Our native species are protected by law and when we get it right, we can see evidence of once-critically endangered birds now flourishing thanks to initiatives like the pest-free islands.

No plastic bag? No worries. Just pop your produce into your trolley as is.

* Everything you need to know about NZ's plastic bag ban

* Predators cleared from another NZ island**

But with Earth Day upon us, it's important to realise we can't rely on the experts or governments to save the planet – it's simply not enough.

Liberate your produce from plastic and let it roll free in your trolley.

I am no environmental specialist, scientist, or crazy activist – but I am a mother, and I can see and feel the danger we and our children are in if we don't take drastic, and sometimes uncomfortable, action.

I was not always this environmentally aware, but since having my incredible little humans, I have found myself on a self-driven journey to save the planet. Having my kids made me see air pollution, chemicals, plastic waste and water quality in a completely new light, and like many mums trying their best, I now have a deep-rooted, burning desire to make a difference by educating my own children (and screaming my opinions from the rooftops, hoping just one person might listen!).

It's been a gradual awakening; My eldest is now 6, my youngest 3. When the eldest was born we were living in central London, surrounded by air pollution and concrete. By the time my youngest arrived we were back in New Zealand – I couldn't have another child born into a polluted city, where my neighbour's teenage daughter was already asking for designer handbags.

Some of the rubbish floating in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.

Six years on, I've changed my life to the point where I try to question every decision I make with weighing up what its impact will be on Mother Earth.

I am aware that sounds a bit mad, but it's how we now live, and I wouldn't have it any other way. My kids are happy, healthy, and conscious of the world around them.

We think about everything from simple food decisions to what toys we purchase for our children – not an easy task when the most desirable toys come wrapped in layer upon layer of plastic.

Now, please don't think I get this right all the time. I am in no way perfect and don't have all the answers, but what I am realising is that we can all do so much more, and quite often this way of living has left us emotionally and financially better off.

So on this Earth Day, why not try to be a little more conscious and make a few small changes to save the planet? Here is a thought for you: We have a rubbish patch floating in the Pacific Ocean which takes up about 1.6 million square kilometres.

Now think about your own bins in relation to that ocean… are your bins full to overflowing each week you put them out? Ever wonder where all that rubbish goes? Picture it in the sea and now think about whether you could have made a different choice.

We've all heard it before, but this week on your supermarket shop, try and limit the amount of plastic your food is wrapped in. Just refuse to put your fruit and veg in individual bags and liberate it! Let it loose in the trolley. Don't worry if you don't have a netted bag, you don't need one – just wash it when you get home!

Use it as a way to tell your children about plastic. Explain why your peppers are rolling around in the shopping trolley – tell them you are saving the planet. They will love it.

Join the movement by posting a picture of your fruit and veg in your trolley without any plastic, and share it on social media with the tags #earthday #saynotoplastic #muddyem.

Muddy Em is an Auckland eco-mum, trying to save the planet and raise Earth-conscious children.