Plastic Free July is a global movement that encourages individuals to reduce their single-use plastic consumption for one month. It opens our eyes to the staggering amount of plastic waste we generate and encourages us to adopt more sustainable practices.
Over the last two years, I’ve shared many easy ways you can celebrate. This year, in addition to encouraging your involvement, I want to share in some awesome facts about Plastic Free July. These facts underscore the profound impact our individual actions can have on our communities and our planet!
8 Awesome Facts about Plastic Free July
1) The Plastic Free July movement began in Western Australia in 2011 and has successfully spread across the globe.
2) This year’s slogan is “Small steps, big difference.”
3) Over 190 countries worldwide participate in the Plastic Free July Challenge. This includes the Top 6 countries, including China, India, USA, South Korea, Italy, and Brazil.
4) In the last 5 years, we’ve kept our oceans and communities free from 10 billion kgs of household waste by refusing single-use plastics.
While recycling efforts can make a difference, we can’t completely recycle our way out of the plastic issue.
plastic free july
5) It’s estimated that 89 million people from around the world participate in this challenge globally. This includes businesses and schools, which provides a sense of community and teamwork.
6) This challenge is an easy and valuable way for local governments to engage with their communities and be responsive to their needs.
7) It’s estimated that around 87% of participants have made at least one lasting change to their lifestyle since joining the challenge.
8) They’ve found that the “Top 3” single-use plastic items are to-go cups, drink bottles, and food wrap.
Join the Plastic Free July Challenge today!
These facts highlight the substantial influence each of us can have when we commit to reducing plastic waste. By understanding the impact of our choices and taking proactive steps, we bring positive change for our community and our planet. For more interesting facts, check out their 2023 Impact Report. How will you be embracing this challenge? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
RELATED POST: Plastic Free July: Small Ways to Make Big Changes
Thank you for this post; it is good to make an effort this July and bring awareness. I make a conscious effort to reduce single-use plastic by bringing my own water and food containers whenever possible. It’s alarming to see how much plastic comes with takeout and groceries. By the end of the week, I often find myself with two bins full of plastic, which I carefully sort and place in the recycling bins.
It’s very eye-opening to see that most of our plastic waste comes from just packaging! I’m glad you’ve been reducing your plastic usage by using your own water bottle and food containers. Thank you for reading Eveclair!
This is such a worthwhile movement and thank you for bringing awareness to it. I am good most of the time and then I start to slip back. Thanks for the reminder
I’m glad to hear you’re participating in this movement, Judee! It can be easy to slip up, but as long as we’re trying our best that’s all that matters. Thank you for reading!
The Plastic Free July movement is fantastic, and it was great to read some facts and the impact the movement has had!
I’m glad it’s made such a huge impact too! Thank you for reading Karalee.
This is the first time I’m heading about plastic free July. I love this! Thank you for writing about this and the important of using less plastic.
Thank you for reading Diomayra!
I agree with you that small changes can really add up. In these hot summer months, I have to take water with me on walks, so I started using a reusable metal water flask instead of plastic water bottles. The RO water I fill it with tastes so much better than the plastic tasting water bottles I used to have to endure.
That’s a great idea, Heidi! Metal water flasks are perfect for summer since they keep your drinks nice and cool. Thank you for reading!
Hay que cuidar e l planeta genial iniciativa Te mando un beso.
Thank you for reading Citu!
Great post! I haven’t heard of plastic-free July but it sounds like a great way to improve your impact on the environment, even for just a month 🙂 thank you for sharing x
Absolutely, I’m glad it’s on your radar now. Thank you for reading Eleanor!
I had not heard of Plastic Free July!!! But I’m sure as heck going to do it!
I don’t think it’s been particularly promoted where I am – or if it has then it’s not been very obvious, which is really sad as it’s such a great initiative!
Thank you so much for highlighting this!
I’m so happy to hear that, Sally! Thanks for joining the challenge and I hope it’ll inspire you to keep going even once the challenge ends.
It’s great to learn how others are making an impact in reducing single use plastics. I do like the fact that most of single use plastics can now be recycled in my area. I hope my fellow Canadians are also participating in this challenge.
It’s inspiring to see what others around the world are doing! I’m so happy to hear that most single-use plastics can be recycled in your area. I hope more places follow suit. Thank you for reading Jodie!