NINE HONEY
Elyse Knowles is urging Australians to become more sustainable and try to actively cut down on their personal plastic use, at a time she says is dire for the future of the environment.
The Australian model says she and her tradie boyfriend Josh have stepped up to do their bit for the future of our planet this year.
"For me, 2019 was when I made really big changes. We moved to Byron Bay and decided we were going to change our whole lifestyle and live more sustainable and eco conscious," Knowles told 9Honey.
"Eight million pieces of plastic pollution are entering into our ocean every single day and if that's not a stat to scare you, then I don't know what is."
The winner of The Block 2017 has joined forces with SodaStream to educate the younger generation on why they should be worried about the environment and how they can make a change.
"A quarter of Australian children are also blaming the adults for this problem, which is quite concerning," Knowles said.
"I think the children might blame them because they've been in the world for a lot longer than they have. But the kids have a lot more to worry about because they have to live in our beautiful country and our world for a lot longer we will."
However, she believes it's adults who need to take the lead and admit they may have not done their part in the past.
"People like to blame others for the issue and we don't like to stand up and admit that we are doing something wrong," she says.
"If we all work together as one and we make small changes from a day to day basis and work toward bigger changes in our lifestyle as a family or as an individual, we can all make a massive change moving forward."
As for her biggest tips on how to adapt day to day, Elyse says don't wait for the new year to make a New Year's resolution, "act now, put it on your day to day list.
1. "Ditch the cling wrap"
Elyse suggest swapping to some beeswax wraps or clear dressings to go over your bowls, "that's a really easy one."
2. "You can ditch the straws"
If you really require a straw, you can purchase metal ones from most shops.
3. "Stop using the single use coffee cups, smoothie cups, acai bowls"
"These are all the things that people use on a daily basis but don't think twice about it."
4. "Be prepared"
Have a little package in your car, of a keep cup, reusable bags and Tupperware, so when you're on the go you can make sure it's in there and its ready to go.
5. "Shop smarter"
Elyse suggests that if your supermarket still sells spinach in a plastic bag, go to your local fruit and veg market and buy it there by filling up your own reusable bags.
You'll also be supporting your local farmers through this approach.
Elyse extends her eco-conscious decisions out to all of her brand collaborations and says it is always "at the forefront of my mind when I collaborate with a brand."
"They have to have the same values and beliefs as myself… I won't accept anything that doesn't align with my brand."
She also admits that littering is the top of her list when it comes to bad habits, and she is not afraid to call people out for trashing our beautiful country.\"It really ticks me over when people drop litter on the ground. They just don't care and they don't even think twice about it," she said in disbelief.
"But I'm one of those people who will go up to them and say, 'Excuse me, you dropped something' and I am not ashamed of it at all. I kind of get a little bit of a high out of it.
"I do think people that aren't doing the right thing do get a little bit embarrassed, they get embarrassed when they're around you and you're doing the right thing.
"Set the right example."
