July is a month known for many occasions – Dry July, Christmas in July…but did you know that it’s also the time to reduce your plastic consumption? Plastic Free July is an annual initiative turned global movement designed to challenge individuals to reduce the amount of single-use plastic in their everyday life for the month of July. With this year marking it’s 10th anniversary, Plastic Free July has now become one of the most influential environmental campaigns in the world with, millions of people across the globe taking part every year.
The production of virgin plastic has increased 200-fold since 1950 and has grown at a rate of 4% per year since 2000 (WWF 2019). With a range of additives being added to plastic to improve its durability and flexibility, it is estimated that these plastic items will now take at least 400 years to break down (National Geographic 2019). About 8 million tons of plastic waste escapes into the oceans from coastal nations therefore posing a considerable environmental issue.
While plastic is fantastic in certain applications, single-use really don’t make sense. And with the invention of plastic alternatives now readily available, it’s even easier to make smart substitutes. For example, ditch single-use plastic cutlery for the real thing stored in a cutlery wrap or rolled up in a tea towel for safe keeping.
Be part of the solution to plastic pollution and #choosetorefus single-use plastics. That way we can have cleaner streets, oceans, and beautiful communities.
For easy tips on how to reduce waste every day, visit our Instagram and Facebook pages for #TipTuesday.
More information on Plastic-free July available at plasticfreejuly.org
