Plastic Free July Success

Plastic Free July has been celebrated globally by 100+ million people in over 190 countries in the last fifteen years.  Started by Rebecca Prince-Ruiz in 2011, it is an annual opportunity to challenge ourselves to seek out new plastic-free options.  Plastic Free July reports these success stories:

“Medical centers like the Eleanor Clinic in Melbourne, Australia are finding clever solutions to problem plastics like the millions of ‘blueys’ (disposable underlay protectors) used in hospitals every year.  They now use a biodegradable alternative, and also ask parents to bring a blanket for weighing babies.

“Lexington Food Co-op in Buffalo, New York is pledging to remove all single-use plastic utensils, replacing them with reusable silverware people can borrow or return.  This creative initiative will stop over 30,000 plastic utensils going into the landfill.  (Viroqua Food Co-op has implemented a similar system.)

“Travelers to France are impressed by how little plastic there is.  France banned plastic packaging for many fresh and unprocessed fruit and vegetables in July 2023 as part of their Anti-Waste and Circular Economy Law.  The ban specifically prohibits the use of plastic wrapping for fresh produce under 1.5 kg (3.3 lbs).

"Aquariums across the USA are taking part, holding events and raising awareness. Florida’s Manatee Lagoon is running everything from tree giveaways to lectures on plastics. And Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium is hosting a conservation action day to raise awareness of plastic pollution's impact on its city and lakes.

“Ten Knots Group’s El Nido Resorts have mandated a sachet ban for body care and laundry items such as shampoo, toothpaste, laundry detergent, soap, and dishwashing liquid since 2013.  Tumblers have replaced plastic water bottles and refillable containers are used instead of single-use toiletries.  This generated a reduction in plastic waste by over 60 percent from 2018 to 2019.  The resorts have widened their plastic free focus by choosing to refuse single-use items at events including balloons, party poppers, confetti, glitter, and plastic streamers.

“Bentley Health Service avoids using 70,000 plastic cups annually.  Considering they signed their Plastic Free July pledge in 2015, that’s a lot of plastic cups saved from the landfill!  Each July, they revisit the plastic free pledge and aim to implement a new plastic-free initiative.

"Ireland’s historic Bunratty Castle is partnering with a cup deposit and return scheme to help them say goodbye to disposable cups and switch to reusables, making it easy for customers to reduce waste. As they say, “Every cup counts – let's make a difference together!”

How are you celebrating Plastic Free July this year?  Are you someone who regularly grabs a stainless-steel water bottle as you walk out the door and remembers to bring cloth shopping bags each time you shop?  Then it’s time to step it up a bit.  Here are some ideas:

Avoid bottled drinks

Ditch disposal cups

Avoid pre-packaged produce

Bring reusable containers

Avoid plastic food wrap

Choose loose tea

Swap bottled soap for bars

Choose natural fiber clothing

Shop the bulk section of the grocery store

Use what you already have instead of buying new

Australia’s City of Perth library display shares practical ways in which people can reduce the plastic impact on their lives, and our world.

Source:  https://www.plasticfreejuly.org/