Plastic-Free July Guide & Tips to Participate

An all-you-need-to-know guide about Plastic-free July: What is it & Why we Celebrate it?

Every year in July various sustainability enthusiasts, zero-waste bloggers, and environmental aware friends start hyping up about Plastic-free July. But have you ever wondered what is the fuss all about? Or why do we dedicate an entire month just to discussing plastics and a plastic-free life?

If you have these questions then this article is for you. Read as we take a deep dive to understand what is plastic-free July, why it matters, and how you can be a part of this global movement.

Of course, we at Conscious Charcha are celebrating and hence expect a lot of plastic-free related content this entire month. Don’t forget to subscribe to the blog and get an email whenever new content is posted!

Table of Contents

What is Plastic-Free July?

Plastic Free July is a global campaign that encourages people to stop using plastic for one month. This campaign is intended to get people thinking about the effects of their daily habits on the environment. People are encouraged to think twice before buying a plastic item, bring their own reusable bags, refuse straws and say no to plastic bags.

The Plastic-Free July movement was started as a way to rethink our plastic consumption. Ever since its invention, the use case of plastic has grown. But overuse and over-production of plastic are causing damage to the planet and to our health.

It is because of this reason, that the Plastic-Free July movement was started. One of the many ways that individuals, communities and countries are trying to reduce their plastic consumption is by joining the Plastic-Free July movement. This campaign was started in 2011 and encourages participants to go plastic-free for the month. The goal of this campaign is to raise awareness about the harm plastics can cause to the environment.

Who invented Plastic-Free July?

Plastic Free July was started by a Australian woman Rebecca Prince-Ruiz in 2011. Seeing the amount of plastic that exists spurred her to take the challenge and rethink her plastic use and consumption.

Rebecca is now on a mission to educate as many people as she can about how important it is not only to reduce plastic usage but also to recycle it.

History of Plastic-Free July

Rebecca along with a small team in local government in Western Australia started the Plastic Free July Movement in 2011. Since then, the ‘things to do during holiday’ has evolved into its own independent, non-profit organisation and an annual event in over 150 nations.

They got their start through the organisation Earth Carers, a community that focuses on a variety of global environmental issues and educates people about the implications of harming the environment. After separating and creating their own group, the Plastic-Free July team’s mission is all about a world without plastic waste, and many individuals picked up on the message they went out because of their global concerns about plastic waste.

The movement is now one of the most influential environmental campaigns in the world. Millions of people across the globe take part every year, with many committing to reducing plastic pollution far beyond the month of July.

Why is Plastic-Free July important?

Plastic Free July is all about encouraging people to be more conscious of their plastic consumption and, as a result, create a cleaner planet. People can participate in this holiday by avoiding all products that contain plastic throughout the month of July.

This holiday also serves to educate people on the various types of plastics available, as well as what occurs in the recycling system when plastic is introduced. This project intends to disrupt the material system in existence in the world’s economy, focusing its efforts on both a global and personal scale. By lowering how much a person uses, they can make a tiny difference while also encouraging others to do the same.

But is it possible to go Plastic-Free?

It’s not an easy feat to go plastic-free, but it is possible. There are a few ways you can start your journey to going plastic-free. The first thing you should do is start by reducing the amount of plastic that you use in your everyday life. You can do this by using reusable water bottles, reusable grocery bags, and reusable food containers.

The next thing you should do is reduce the amount of single-use plastics you buy and use such as straws, coffee cups, and takeout containers. This will help reduce the number of plastics that end up as litter on our streets or in our waterways.

Lastly, make sure to recycle all the plastics that are recyclable so we can keep them out of landfills for as long as possible.

Simple Strategies to Help Prepare for Plastic-Free July Challenge

The Plastic-Free Organization has a fun calendar that lays out small plastic-free steps you can take each day for the next 31 days. Though if you are not ready to make that big a change, we have some tips to help you get started.

Make a list of the things that you will need to purchase in order to have a plastic-free lifestyle.
Take stock of what you already have and what can be reused or recycled.
Reduce or quit your use of single-use plastics, such as straws, plastic utensils, and plastic bags.
Reuse items such as jars and containers for storage purposes.
Rethink your next purchase and opt for a plastic-free or low plastic solution.

These easy five steps can help you achieve a plastic-free home and a plastic-free life.

Reading and hearing about Plastic-Free July can be fun but actually doing it can be a bit intimidating. But the challenge is not about winning or losing, or doing it the right way. It is all about finding your way. In the end, it is essential to take that one step of change. We have a list of 7 easy plastic-free swaps that may help you get started.

So wishing everyone a very happy and fun-filled Plastic-Free July. Subscribe to our blog and get notified whenever we post new plastic-free content.

Sanjoli is currently working as a Content Strategist and has a Master’s degree in Fashion Journalism. She has contributed to publications like MensXP, Mindless Mag and Sustain: The Mag in the past. Conscious Charcha is her way of learning more about sustainability and spreading the word about a sustainable lifestyle.

FAQs about Plastic-Free July

1. What is Plastic-Free July?

Plastic Free July is a global campaign that encourages people to stop using plastic for one month. This campaign was started in 2011 and encourages participants to go plastic-free for the month. The goal of this campaign is to raise awareness about the harm plastics can cause to the environment.

2. How do you refuse Plastic?

You refuse single-use plastics when out shopping or dining. An easy way to refuse plastic is to carry your own reusable. This way you won’t just refuse but also use a plastic-free alternative.

3. What are the 4 R’s of Plastics?

The 4 R’s of plastics are – Reuse, Reduce, Recycle, and Recover.
– Reuse the plastic you already have
– Reduce the use and consumption of plastic in your lives
– Recycle all types of plastic that you can
– Recover and use recyclable plastic