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This Keep Australia Beautiful Week (17th-23rd August), SodaStream has released new research showing the negative impact  COVID-19 has had on our environment in light of Australians engaging in more single-use plastics.

The findings highlight that 1 in 4 (25%) Australians are engaging with more single-use plastics as a result of COVID-19 purchasing behaviours, with three in five (61%) admitting to being less mindful of recycling, reducing and reusing where possible. As a result, almost 1 in 5 (17%) now feel more concerned about the single-use plastic epidemic than they did before COVID-19.

The findings reveal NSW (15%) has been practicing less sustainable habits compared to VIC (13%) and QLD (11%). Surprisingly, those aged 23-38-years-old and 17-22 years old admitted to being less sustainable during this time (22%) than those aged 55-73-years-old (2%).

However, it’s not all bad news, as it was also revealed 1 in 3 Australians have been practicing more sustainable behaviours everyday through COVID-19, demonstrating there is hope in changing the effects on the environment with small changes to counteract the surplus of waste.

Making small changes during lockdown or COVID-19 that are easily implemented in various parts of Australians lives can reduce engagement with single-use plastics. Australian Geographic’s Young Conservationist of the Year (2018), Sophia Skarparis, shares her top eco tips for implementing more sustainable behaviors while Australians continue to protect themselves from COVID-19:

  1. Say goodbye to single-use plastics, hello BYO– during this time many people are using items such as single-use plastic masks and purchasing food covered in unnecessary plastic, which can be evaded by making the switch to a reusable mask and avoiding purchasing food covered in plastic. E.g. Opting for a reusable water bottle is also the best option to keep you hydrated and save single-use plastics ending up in our environment. Just one SodaStream machine save the average Australian family (and environment) over 2,000 bottles and cans from ending up in the environment and landfill.
  2. Get creative with DIY– make your own body, face wash and toothpaste products and know that you are helping the environment by not using damaging microbeads in store-bought products.
  3. Get curious in the kitchen – instead of ordering take away try making your favourite food at home with ingredients purchased online from bulk food stores.
  4. Waste not want– food waste creates methane gas in landfill which is 84 times more potent than carbon dioxide, so make sure you’re making the most of leftovers.
  5. Shop smart– only buy products you need, this can be done by creating a meal plan and purchasing products that have a long shelf life.