Plastic Free July: What Is It and How You Can Participate
Introduction: Why Plastic Free July Matters
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by plastic—wrapped around your groceries, lining your takeout boxes, even hidden in your tea bags—you’re not alone. Plastic pollution has become one of the defining environmental issues of our time. Every year, humanity produces over 400 million tons of plastic, much of it designed for single use. It’s estimated that up to 91% of plastic waste isn’t recycled, instead accumulating in landfills and oceans.
Plastic Free July is a global movement that helps everyday people take action. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about exploring small, meaningful changes that collectively make a massive impact.
What Is Plastic Free July?
Plastic Free July is an annual challenge that began in 2011 in Western Australia. Organized by the Plastic Free Foundation, it encourages people around the world to refuse single-use plastics throughout the month of July—and ideally beyond.
Today, over 100 million participants in 190 countries take part each year, making it one of the most successful environmental campaigns worldwide.
The goal: To build awareness, shift habits, and reduce demand for disposable plastics.
Why Focus on Single-Use Plastics?
Single-use plastics—think straws, bags, coffee cups, cling wrap, and water bottles—are used for mere minutes but last hundreds of years. They are a primary driver of:
Ocean pollution and wildlife deaths
Microplastics in food and water
Greenhouse gas emissions from production and incineration
Reducing single-use plastic helps curb these impacts while driving innovation toward better systems.
How You Can Participate in Plastic Free July
Whether you’re brand new to the idea or already well on your way to zero waste, there are plenty of ways to get involved.
1. Take the Challenge
Start by visiting plasticfreejuly.org and pledging to reduce single-use plastic. You can choose your level:
Avoid the “Top 4” (plastic bags, water bottles, straws, takeaway coffee cups)
Go plastic-free in specific areas (like your kitchen or bathroom)
Commit to going as plastic-free as possible
2. Audit Your Trash
Spend a day or week observing your plastic waste. What shows up most often? For many households, it’s:
Food packaging
Toiletries
Snack wrappers
Beverage containers
Identifying patterns helps you focus on swaps that matter.
3. Make Easy Swaps
Here are some beginner-friendly alternatives:
Shopping & Food:
Carry a reusable shopping bag and produce bags
Choose loose produce instead of packaged
Bring your own container for deli items
Switch to beeswax wraps or silicone lids instead of cling film
On the Go:
Use a refillable water bottle
Keep a reusable coffee cup in your bag
Say no to straws or use a metal one
Bathroom:
Try a shampoo bar
Switch to a bamboo toothbrush
Use refill stations for soap and detergent
4. Spread the Word
Talk to your friends, family, and colleagues about what you’re doing. Sharing tips and experiences builds momentum. If you’re on social media, use hashtags like #PlasticFreeJuly to connect with others.
5. Think Bigger: Advocate for Systemic Change
While individual action matters, policy and corporate responsibility drive broader transformation. Consider:
Writing to companies asking them to reduce packaging
Supporting legislation that bans or phases out single-use plastics
Encouraging local businesses to offer refills and bulk options
Common Challenges (and How to Overcome Them)
Feeling Overwhelmed?
Start small. Focus on one or two areas, like grocery shopping or personal care.
Limited Access to Alternatives?
Do what you can within your circumstances. Even reducing plastic use by 20% is meaningful.
Worried About Cost?
Many reusables save money over time. For example, a refillable water bottle can save hundreds of dollars per year.
Plastic Free July Beyond July
The real power of Plastic Free July isn’t just what happens during the month—it’s the habits that stick. Research shows that participants reduce their household waste by almost 5% per year on average, and many keep their new habits permanently.
Waste Free Planet Perspective
At Waste Free Planet, we believe Plastic Free July is an opportunity to reflect on the systems that drive plastic pollution. It’s also a chance to reimagine our relationships with stuff—valuing durability, sharing, and circular design.
Final Thoughts
Reducing plastic is a journey, not a destination. Whether you replace one disposable item or overhaul your whole lifestyle, you’re contributing to a healthier planet. Remember: progress beats perfection every time.
Ready to begin your waste-free journey?
Subscribe to our newsletter for more sustainable living tips, or download our eBook to learn how to reduce your waste and live with intention.
Waste Free Home
Want to create a more sustainable home but not sure where to start?
Our Waste Free Home downloadable workbook is your step-by-step guide to reducing waste and living more intentionally.
