Join the Movement: How to Go Plastic-Free This July

Who else is excited for this year’s Plastic Free July challenge (PSJ)? Keep reading if you want to learn more about what PSJ is about, why small changes matter, and how YOU can make an impact to pave the way for new climate optimists. 

Plastic Free July is a way to challenge yourself to significantly reduce your single-use plastic intake. Since 2019, Plastic Free Fridays has been encouraging global communities to take the Plastic Free Fridays Pledge, in which we say NO to using household plastics (think plastic water bottles, plastic straws, plastic bags, single-use utensils, and plastic wrap) to the best of our abilities every Friday. Plastic Free July is taking the pledge to a whole new level: now, you can challenge yourself to go plastic-free the entire month of July!

Whoah, hold on. That sounds pretty far-fetched. How can I, as a busy working student, parent, or senior citizen stop using all single-use plastics? 

I’m glad you asked because it is easier than you think. We are not expecting drastic change to your daily life–Rome wasn’t built in a day. Still, there are small changes we can make to start reducing plastic pollution from our daily lives. Ultimately, these changes will help you form positive habits to help you easily shift into a sustainable lifestyle in the long run. 

Did you know that, in the USA, July is officially recognized as “Plastic Pollution Action Month” that has kickstarted plastic pollution initiatives nationwide, such as LAX, one of the busiest airports in the world seeing over 80 million passengers annually, prohibiting selling single-use plastic water bottles (Plastic Free July Impact Report, 2023)? We just avoided over 3.52 million pounds of plastic waste in July alone (Recycling Today, 2015)! This example demonstrates how more of America’s top corporations are also taking the Plastic Free July Pledge.  

Additionally, other simple changes we can take as conscious consumers include:

• bringing your reusable drink container and refusing plastic straws and plastic coffee cups at your local cafe (some cafes give you a discount for this)
• refusing a plastic bag at checkout counters (you have to pay for them anyway so you’re saving money!)
• avoiding excessive online shopping consumption in which boxes are packaged with single-use plastics, and instead walking (or biking) to your local shopping centre! 
• eating less pre-packaged food and instead cooking with fresh locally-sourced fruits and veggies!
• (For kids) repurposing and getting crafty with small plastic containers and turning them into bug boxes!
• instead of throwing away unwanted clothes made with synthetic material, donate them to your local Goodwill or clothing donation centre.