People across Petersfield are being challenged to change the way they live to create a low-waste lifestyle.

Petersfield Climate Action Network (PeCAN) is promoting different ways to reuse and recycle as well as reducing plastic waste.

Whether it’s using reusable cups for your morning coffee, swapping plastic straws for paper ones or getting a compost bin for your garden, there are a multitude of ways to live a life with less waste.

Refill shop Juniper, based in Lavant Street in Petersfield, is one local business seeking to help people live a life with less plastic.

People are encouraged to take their own pots and containers into the shop to negate the need for plastic packaging.

Co-owner Victoria Primrose said: “Reducing plastic waste and food waste is at the core of our business. This is not just a problem, it’s a crisis and it needs to be sorted out now, not tomorrow.

“There is a problem with cost. People are anxious as the cost of living is going up and people perceive plastic-free shops as expensive.

“Supermarkets pack their goods in plastic because it’s easy and convenient and simple. But we aren’t paying the true cost of plastic packaging which as we know never goes away.”

Juniper will be joining other local businesses at PeCAN’s upcoming free eco fair. Victoria added: “We are looking forward to the eco fair and hope to see lots of people and raise awareness about collectively reducing our waste.”

As well as reducing plastic waste, PeCAN promotes reusing and recycling clothing and repairing items instead of replacing them.

Other local firms joining forces at the eco-fair include Petersfield Area Nappy Library, which promotes reusable cloth nappies, and the town’s other refill shop, Refill and Replenish.

The eco fair is taking place this Sunday, July 17, from 10am until 4pm at the Heath.