Going plastic-free is a wonderful idea, but many will feel it's a bit of an unachievable goal. That's why Plastic Freeish July is an easier way to ease into a plastic-free life.

Straws Suck is a Mount Maunganui campaign, powered by Sustainability Options and Kickit, and is on a mission to build awareness about the damage single-use plastic products are making to our marine environment.

The campaign started in March through Sustainable Backyards. Plastic straws were the first target, and the campaign has since expanded to other everyday products to prepare everyone for Plastic Free July – a global movement to raise awareness of the problems with single-use plastic.

'Plastic Freeish July is our take on the national promotion Plastic Free July,” says co-founder of Straws Suck, Rachel Glasier. 'We experience the challenge in our own lives of saying no to every piece of plastic, so starting by giving up a few single use items first would be a more realistic step.”

Rachel says the Straws Suck vision is to make Mount Maunganui single-use plastic free. 'It might be ambitious, but it's possible if everyone comes together to take action. This can be as simple as changing small behaviours.”

'We want to help unravel the confusion around the options and support people on their own pathway towards reducing single-use plastic by sharing what we learn,” says Straws Suck co-founder Jo Wills.

The public can use the hashtag ‘#StrawsSuck' to commit to giving up one or more of the top five single use plastic products in July, with a view to eliminating them for good. These include plastic bags, straws, disposable cutlery, takeaway containers and coffee cups.

For more information visit: www.facebook.com/strawssuckthemount