However the full picture is not one of doom and gloom. There is so much to be hopeful about. We\u2019ve been in awe of the progress of many organisations, individuals and communities, both in the US and across the world, as they step up to design innovative solutions, and take action, to tackle this challenge. Because we\u2019re not helpless. And, starting with the smallest of actions in our communities, all of us can play a part in the solution.<\/p>\n
We know that at ChangeX we haven\u2019t given this issue enough attention, with no plastic related ideas on the platform. That, however, is all about to change. This week, we\u2019re taking our first step.<\/p>\n
Over the coming weeks, we\u2019ll be adding a portfolio of ideas for communities to address the craziness that plastic-waste has become and we hope you\u2019ll join us in starting to build plastic-free communities.\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Today we\u2019re launching the first plastic pollution idea \u201cThe Last Plastic Straw<\/a>\u201c, a global movement to eliminate plastic drinking straws from landfills, streams, oceans, and beaches.\u00a0Plastic straws epitomise wasteful, unnecessary plastic so we\u2019ve decided to start here, to kick off a movement towards plastic-free communities everywhere.<\/p>\n Everyone and anyone can start this idea in their community: individuals, teams and businesses, with some very small and simple actions.<\/p>\n The Last Plastic Straw is a project of\u00a0Plastic Pollution Coalition,\u00a0<\/a>a global movement of more than 500 organizations and individuals\u00a0seeking to increase understanding of the plastic pollution problem and to find sustainable solutions.<\/p>\n [otw_shortcode_button href=\u201dhttps:\/\/www.changex.org\/lastplasticstraw?utm_source=Blog&utm_campaign=The-Last-Plastic-Straw\u201d size=\u201dlarge\u201d bgcolor=\u201d#35a34b\u201d icon_position=\u201dleft\u201d shape=\u201dradius\u201d border_color=\u201d#35A34B\u201d]Learn how to get started with The Last Plastic Straw[\/otw_shortcode_button]<\/span><\/p>\n At the national and local community levels around the world, strides are being taken by grassroots campaigns and organizations to reduce plastic pollution.<\/p>\n We\u2019re eyeing up the Plastic Free July<\/a> challenge (with excitement and\u00a0trepidation in equal measure!) and\u00a0hoping Minnesotan supermarkets take note of the world\u2019s first plastic-free aisle<\/a> which recently opened in the Netherlands.<\/p>\n We wholeheartedly agree with a supporter of the initiative who says:<\/p>\n \u201cThere is absolutely no logic in wrapping something as fleeting as food in something as indestructible as plastic. Plastic food and drink packaging remains useful for a matter of days yet remains a destructive presence on the Earth for centuries afterwards.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n We hope you\u2019ll join us as we start our campaign to support communities across Minnesota to become plastic-free. It\u2019s an exciting time.\u00a0There is so much already happening and so many ways to get involved and take action. Over the coming months we\u2019ll be sharing more plastic pollution-related ideas, starter stories about those who have decided to start these ideas in their communities, and updates from the ChangeX team as we start some of the ideas too.<\/p>\n [otw_shortcode_button href=\u201dhttps:\/\/www.changex.org\/lastplasticstraw?utm_source=Blog&utm_campaign=The-Last-Plastic-Straw\u201d size=\u201dlarge\u201d bgcolor=\u201d#35a34b\u201d icon_position=\u201dleft\u201d shape=\u201dradius\u201d border_color=\u201d#35A34B\u201d]Learn how to get started with The Last Plastic Straw[\/otw_shortcode_button]<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" At ChangeX, we\u2019ve become increasingly aware of the major global issue of plastic pollution; the damage it inflicts on the environment; and the mind boggling volume of plastic we use Read more ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.changex.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/plastic-free-community-image.jpg\")
<\/p>\nWhere do we start?<\/h4>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.changex.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/BEACH-STRAW.jpg\")
<\/p>\nMore ideas to come<\/h4>\n