Plastic-Free July Aims to Reduce Plastic Waste

Plastic-Free July is a global movement that aims to raise awareness of the pollution that accumulates using single use plastics. This year, millions rallied to take the Plastic-Free Pledge on July 1 in a mass action aimed at launching World Plastic-Free Day and setting a new world record.

“The Plastic-Free Pledge is about choosing one practical action that works for you,” said Rebecca Prince-Ruiz, Plastic-Free July founder. “It’s not about being perfect, it’s about making small changes that can become lasting habits. And when millions of people take those small steps together, the impact is enormous.”

For every one bin full of waste generated at work, 70 bins were generated upstream in making it. Plastic-Free July offered these tips to avoid plastic use at work:

• Bin audit: Are you recycling, composting, or avoiding waste correctly?
• Workplace kitchens: Do an inventory of all the single-use plastic items found in your workplace’s kitchen.
• Co-workers: Invite people at work to participate in Plastic-Free July.
• Workplace procurement: Make an impact on your workplace’s procurement practices.

This global action comes as concern grows over plastic pollution, including microplastics and the harmful chemicals found in plastics that affect both the environment and human health. Plastic-Free July organizers said making a pledge is a chance to turn concern into action, showing that simple choices, made by millions, can help drive real change.

Plastic-Free July was created by the Plastic-Free Foundation, a not-for-profit organization committed to helping end plastic waste by empowering people to avoid single-use plastic. By driving the challenge and sharing solutions and resources with people, organizations, and governments globally, the foundation plays an active and ongoing role in solidifying July as the global month of action against plastic pollution.

Last year, 174 million people across 190 countries took part in Plastic-Free July, which prevented the use of 290 million kilograms of plastic.