SHALISE Leesfield is on a mission to ensure plastic becomes extinct before animals do.
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If that is to become a reality, the young eco-warrior will need everyone on the Mid North Coast to jump aboard her crusade to rid the ocean of waste.
And next month is the perfect opportunity with the Plastic Free July campaign beginning.
July is a month of awareness where people are asked to make a change and stop using single-use plastic items.
Swapping plastic bags, bottles, cutlery, coffee cups and straws for their reusable counterparts is a common sense step you can take.
"This campaign is a great time to stop and think about the problems we face because of plastic,” she said.
"My goal is to rally the Mid North Coast to think about the damage that plastic can cause to the environment."
No stranger to educating the community, Shalise said one truck load of plastic is dumped into the ocean every minute.
“We have heard of turtles with straws in their noses, birds with plastic filled stomachs, and I see plastic trash almost everywhere I go,” she said.
"Scientist estimate that by 2050 there will be more plastic in our ocean than actual fish.
"It's really sad. It is a very serious problem. Plastic is durable and long lasting so when it gets thrown away there is actually no 'away', it simply begins its journey to our waterways.
"Every piece of single use plastic we refuse makes a huge difference."
Her crusade against plastic continues to gain momentum after appearing in the latest edition of national magazine Woman's Day.
Shalise was thrilled to hear supermarket chains are banning the plastic bag.
She continues her daily clean ups of the beach, bushland and waterways with no plans of slowing down.
Shalise noted that most plastic can be recycled and encouraged the community to scope out their nearest recycling station.
"There is really no way to throw single use plastic away. It stays around in our oceans and harms our wildlife," she said.
"Return and earn is a good way to get rid of your plastic bottles for recycling.
"Other plastics like bags, bread bags and fruit bags can be taken to your nearest recycling station."
Matt Attard
I was raised in Port Macquarie and consider myself a true Port local. I'm a die-hard rugby league fan and don't mind taking a photo or two. I'd love to hear from you, so please contact me at any time.
I was raised in Port Macquarie and consider myself a true Port local. I'm a die-hard rugby league fan and don't mind taking a photo or two. I'd love to hear from you, so please contact me at any time.
