Introduction

It’s no secret that plastic waste is a major issue that society faces today. Plastic is wreaking havoc on the environment, cities and natural resources. However, the battle is not lost and it’s not all doom and gloom. There are many initiatives, alternatives to plastic and recycling systems in place to help fight against plastic pollution. One of these initiatives is Plastic Free July, a worldwide community of people that are aiming to be part of the plastic solution. The aim of Plastic Free July is simple – cleaner streets, oceans and beautiful cities. Read on to learn more about Plastic Free July and how you can get involved!

The Birth of Plastic Free July

The aim of Plastic Free July is simple – cleaner streets, oceans and beautiful cities.

Starting off as a grassroots initiative in Western Australia, Plastic Free July originates in 2011. The movement started by Rebecca Prince-Ruiz, who was working at the Western Metropolitan Regional Council (WMRC) at the time, and a small team of dedicated individuals. The inspiration for Plastic Free July came from a visit to a local recycling facility by Prince-Ruiz. She was so shocked by the sheer volume of plastics, that she decided to challenge herself and a few of her colleagues to ditch single-use plastics for an entire month. Thus, Plastic Free July was born. 

Her idea quickly gained traction and awareness. In local communities, more and more people began to participate in this initiative. The concept is simple, and this appealed to a large audience of people who were aware of plastic pollution and all its negative domino effects. This meant that the movement quickly became a global initiative. With word of mouth, social media and large events helping to spread the word. The movement is growing year after year. What began as a grassroots movement has now become a global event, with people from all corners of the world doing their part to participate. 

Why We Need Plastic Free July

It is estimated that there is anywhere between 75 to 199 million tonnes of plastic in the ocean alone. To put that in perspective, that’s 8 million pieces of plastic that make their way into our oceans every single day, the whole year round. This is a concerning amount of pollution, but it’s not just in the ocean where plastic is a problem. Plastic is destroying the land we farm and build our cities on, with all the natural resources that it has to offer also being drastically affected. When plastic breaks down in our natural environments, it becomes something known as microplastics, which are often consumed by wildlife and other animals, therefore entering the food chain.

Plastic Free July not only encourages people to reduce their usage of single-use plastics, but perhaps its greatest benefit is that it creates awareness around the issue of plastic pollution. When people choose to participate in Plastic Free July, they are educating themselves on the potential dangers of plastics, as well as learning about alternatives to single-use plastics. An educated, informed society is the only way that we can beat plastic pollution. Initiatives such as Plastic Free July also act as a warning to future generations on the possible dangers of plastic use, and equip them with the right strategies to contend with them. With that being said, here’s how you can play your part this Plastic Free July! 

Simple Steps to Reduce Plastic Use at Home

Small changes to your habits can make a massive difference!

You can make a few small changes to your lifestyle and household habits that can have a massive impact on reducing single-use plastics. Starting with being more aware about how much plastic you’re using. Next, find simple, sustainable alternatives and methods to reduce your use of single-use plastics. 

Step #1 – Education and Awareness

Many of us don’t even realize how much plastic we end up using and throwing away in a single day, never mind what we go through in a week. Any positive change is always going to start with awareness, and this also involves educating yourself and arming yourself with the right knowledge to implement such changes. 

Begin by taking stock of the plastic items you use daily. Look in your kitchen, bathroom, and other areas where plastic is prevalent. Identify single-use plastics like plastic bags, bottles, straws, and packaging. Understanding your current plastic usage is the first step towards making more sustainable choices.

Step #2 – Make Clean, Sustainable Swaps 

Once you understand where and how you’re using plastic, you can identify areas where you can reduce your plastic use. A simple way to do this is to make something known as “clean swaps”. This essentially means switching out single-use plastics for more sustainable materials such as glass, paper and other recyclable materials. 

Start with easy swaps that can have a big impact. Replace plastic grocery bags with reusable cloth bags. Opt for a stainless steel or glass water bottle instead of buying plastic bottled water. Use beeswax wraps or silicone covers instead of plastic wrap for food storage. These small changes can significantly reduce your plastic footprint.

Step #3 – Adopt Plastic Alternatives 

There are more sustainable options to single-use plastics.

There are so many areas in your daily life where you may think that single-use plastics are the only option. While they certainly are the most convenient option, you do have a choice and there are other more sustainable options out there. Many manufacturers and brands are also realizing the need for change, and are playing their part to reduce single-use plastics by giving consumers more alternatives. 

Incorporate more refillable and reusable items into your daily routine. Switch to refillable cleaning products, buy in bulk to reduce packaging, and use reusable containers for leftovers and lunches. Invest in quality products that can be reused for years, like metal straws, cloth napkins, and durable dishware.

Plastic Free July 2024

This year Plastic Free July is planning to feature events and campaigns that aim to engage local communities worldwide. The “Choose To Up Cup” initiative encourages communities to say no to plastic cups by bringing their own mugs to coffee shops, or by purchasing reusable cups from participating restaurants and cafes. The Philippines is a leading contributor to global ocean plastic pollution. This July, there will be a strong focus on community awareness through educational programs and activities, as well as beach cleans up taking place all over the country in an attempt to reduce the current plastic pollution crisis in the Philippines.  

The Plastic Free Schools Challenge is not only an initiative to educate students around the world on plastic pollution, but also a challenge to come up with creative ways to reduce plastic waste. All participants are also encouraged to bring plastic free lunches to school for the month of July. In addition to this challenge aimed at awareness, in 2024 the organizers behind Plastic Free July are looking to place the spotlight on the Global Plastics Treaty.

175 nations voted in 2022 to adopt a global treaty regarding plastic pollution. Negotiations are still ongoing, and this Plastic Free July 2024 will have a strong focus on informing the public about this treaty in order to advocate more strongly for increased plastic regulations worldwide. 

The Future of Plastic Free July

The future of Plastic Free July’s legacy looks very bright.

The future only looks brighter as Plastic Free July continues to gain momentum every single year. It continues to change communities and educate masses of people on plastic pollution. As more and more people get involved, Plastic Free July becomes a large movement where many millions will participate in the future. Many schools and universities are jumping on board too. This has been a great way for the movement to gain further recognition. It also helps educate the youth, who after all, are the leaders of tomorrow.

As initiatives like Plastic Free July gain greater traction and influence, they become stronger influencers of policy and legislation. This is further strengthened as more businesses are set to join the plastic free movement. This gives Plastic Free July a corporate edge. Increasingly, government institutes, establishments and policy makers are also doing their part and getting involved. So on paper, the future of Plastic Free July and its legacy looks very bright indeed.

How We’re Playing Our Part

Not only do we encourage recycling, but we also reward you for your efforts through our Recycling Program initiative. For every six bottles of Maple Holistics products you recycle, you can receive a complimentary bottle of shampoo or conditioner, 120 Maple points, or a donation made to an environmentally-friendly charity. This program not only promotes recycling but also supports environmental causes, reinforcing our commitment to sustainability.

Additionally, our New Jersey manufacturing facilities feature energy-efficient manufacturing. It is equipped with solar panels, reducing our reliance on non-renewable energy sources. We utilize Shopify’s Planet app for carbon-neutral shipping, ensuring that each order is shipped in an environmentally-friendly manner. As a cruelty-free and largely vegan company, we ethically source all ingredients and avoid animal testing, further demonstrating our commitment to sustainability and preservation of our surroundings!

Conclusion

Plastic pollution is a global problem, and we are all in this together. Let’s let people like Rebecca Prince-Ruiz inspire us all to do our part in reducing plastic pollution. You don’t have to be the vanguard at the forefront of the fight; doing simple things at home can make a massive difference. This is especially the case when millions of people choose to adopt the same mindset. Let us all come together and create a cleaner, brighter future for the generations to come, and let us protect the millions of species of life and beautiful landscapes that we call home, together!