Plastic Free July is a simple idea developed in 2011. It aims to raise awareness of the amount of plastic in our lives by encouraging people to eliminate the use of single-use plastic during July each year.
Plastic pollution is one of many problems facing our environment, and it’s gaining attention. On a regular basis, images appear in our social media feeds of turtles entangled in plastic fishing nets and dead albatross with brightly coloured plastic objects in their stomachs. We read news stories of the health impacts of BPAs and other chemicals in plastic food packaging and we feel concern.
Plastic pollution/marine debris/trash/litter… whatever term you use, it’s matter out of place and it impacts our health, our environment and our economy.
This an excellent way to challenge yourself if you’d like to give reducing your plastic consumption a go. It’s also a very good tool for creating awareness of plastic issues (people will be intrigued by you’re what doing)!
There are two challenges:
- Not purchasing any single use plastic
- Not purchasing the top four: straws, coffee cup lids, plastic shopping bags, plastic drink bottles.
Plastic Free July is also an opportunity to explore alternatives in your area: visit the farmers market, look for stores selling food in bulk, and find stores that will let you bring your own container. Buying plastic free most often means purchasing fresh local produce, without the processing, preservatives and palm oil that packaged foods usually contain.
Plastic Free July isn’t just about changing personal habits. It’s also about taking a personal concern and sharing the challenge in your community.
You can choose to do the challenge for a day, a week, or a month.
Visit the Plastic Free July webpage or Facebook page for more details.
Tell us, are you signing up to Plastic Free July?