When:
🗓️ July
Where:
🌐 Everywhere
Since:
2011
🧋🚯
Organized by the Plastic Free Foundation in Australia since 2011 and has since then gone world wide
Plastic Free July: Save the Planet One Straw at a Time
Welcome to the month of July, where the air is hot, and the plastic is not.
In the spirit of saving the planet, let’s talk about Plastic Free July, an event that challenges us to use as little plastic as possible.
Did you know that a whopping 300 million tons of plastic waste is generated every year, and only 9% of it gets recycled? Plastic is everywhere, from our phones to our food packaging, and it’s taking a toll on the environment.
That’s why we need to take action, and this is why Plastic Free July is so important.
Challenge Yourself to Use Less Plastic
Say no to plastic and yes to a sustainable future!
The Plastic Free July event is all about raising awareness of the impact of plastic waste on our planet and encouraging people to take action by reducing their plastic usage.
By participating in this event, you can help create a world where plastic pollution is a thing of the past.
Challenge yourself and your friends to reduce your plastic usage as much as possible, and let’s see who can come out on top!
The goal is to raise awareness about the impact of plastic on the environment and to encourage people to make small changes in their daily lives that can have a big impact.
The History and Pros and Cons of Plastic
Plastic, derived from the Greek word “plastikos” meaning “capable of being shaped or molded,” has become an indispensable part of modern life.
Its history dates back to 1855, when a British chemist named Alexander Parkes created the first man-made plastic, called Parkesine made from cellulose.
In 1907, Leo Baekeland invented the first fully synthetic plastic, Bakelite, which revolutionized the manufacturing industry.
The mass production of plastics began in the 1950s and has since become one of the most produced and discarded materials in the world.
The advantages of plastic are numerous, such as its durability, versatility, and cost-effectiveness, making it the go-to material for packaging, consumer goods, and medical devices. However, the downside of plastic is that it is non-biodegradable, meaning it can take up to 1000 years to decompose. Additionally, many plastics contain harmful chemicals that can leach into food or water, posing potential health risks.
The production of plastic requires the use of fossil fuels, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.
Plastic Free July: A Clean Break from Plastics
Plastic Free July was first initiated by the Western Metropolitan Regional Council in Perth, Australia in 2011 as a local government waste reduction campaign.
The event aims to inspire people to make small changes in their daily lives that can have a big impact on the environment.
It gained momentum and eventually became a global movement, inspiring over 250 million participants in more than 170 countries to join the challenge of reducing their plastic waste for a month.
Plastic Free July takes place every year in July, and encourages people to find ways to reduce their use of plastic, whether by using reusable bags and containers, refusing single-use plastics, or finding other creative solutions.
How to Celebrate Plastic Free July: Saving the Planet with a Little Help from Your Friends
Get ready to break free from plastic and groove your way to a cleaner, greener world!
Here’s how to get started:
- Say “goodbye” to plastic straws and “hello” to paper straws that dissolve in 5 seconds.
- Just kidding, paper straws suck in a bad way. Steel or silicone straws are the way to go!
You can get them in all kinds of really awesome colors (we have the rainbow steel ones), they leave no nasty taste and can easily be cleaned with a little long brushy thing. (which also is a great brush for teapot spouts and those little parts in bidons) - Bring your own reusable bags to the grocery store.
- Treat yourself to a reusable water bottle and coffee cup. Find designs that make you happy to drink from them and show it off to your friends!
- Use a bamboo toothbrush instead of a plastic one
- Organize a recycling race with your family and/or loved ones: who can recycle the most plastic bottles in one day? Winner gets a zero-waste high five!
- Meet new people by participating in a local beach or park cleanup. You can even wear a cape and mask, and call yourself the “plastic avenger” to make it more fun.
- Share your Plastic Free July journey on social media with hashtags like #PlasticFreeJuly, #PlasticFreeLife, #ChooseToRefuse, #GoingGreen #EcoFriendly #Sustainability. Who knows? You might even inspire others to join in and save the world one plastic bottle at a time.
Remember, going plastic-free isn’t just about reducing waste and saving the environment – it’s also about having fun and connecting with others. So put on your dancing shoes and let’s celebrate Plastic Free July in style!
Safety First: Tips for Participating in Plastic Free July
While Plastic Free July is all about reducing our impact on the environment, we also need to keep ourselves and our furry friends safe. Here are some tips:
- Use reusable bags that are sturdy and can carry your groceries safely. Check them regularly at the seams.
- Make sure you have a refillable water bottle on hand to stay hydrated and healthy.
- Dispose of plastic products properly to prevent litter.
- If you’re participating in an outdoor clean-up event, wear gloves and be aware of sharp or sticky objects.
- Be mindful of wildlife and don’t leave any litter behind.
Going Plastic Free? Challenge Accepted!
Plastic Free July is a great opportunity to make a difference in the world and reduce our impact on the environment. By making small changes in our daily lives, we can create a big impact. Say goodbye to plastic for a month, it’s a small step, but the impact is immense!
So, if anyone asks you why you’re picking up plastic litter in a cheerful conga line, just say Wild Calendar gave you permission to do so.
Happy Plastic Free July, everyone!
#July #PlasticFreeJuly
