Plastic Free July
- Recycling Connections
- Jun 26
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 8
Summer is finally upon us! It’s a perfect time to meet up with friends and enjoy the outdoors. There are graduation parties, weddings, potlucks, and picnics; we stay plenty busy in the summertime! Aside from July being the peak of the summer, it is also home to one of Recycling Connections’ favorite yearly events: Plastic Free July.
Plastic Free July is a movement created in 2011 to encourage people to use less or no plastic for the month. Plastic Free July was created in Australia, and since then, has grown to a global campaign with millions of participants in different countries throughout the world. Its focus is to help people get involved and think critically about the items they’re buying and make permanent habits to help alleviate the global plastic problem.
WHY DOES IT MATTER?
We are fortunate where we live in Stevens Point, WI and the United States of America, because the portion of the plastic problem we see is only the tip of the iceberg. While we don’t see shorelines completely packed with trash and litter, other parts of the world see devastation from plastic pollution every day.
One of the major ports in Kingston, Jamaica is lined with different types of plastic and most of that ends up in the delicate ecosystems of the mangroves. The mangrove forests provide a range of services including water purification, erosion protection, and provision of habitat for juvenile fish and other species. The plastic blocks the flow of water that is vital for the mangrove trees to survive. In 2023, a team of 24 community members took part in a 6 week cleanup of Refuge Cay where they removed 8,299 large garbage bags of plastic bags and bottles, 58 igloos or insulated water bottles, 101 plastic crates, 213 car and truck tires, 35 refrigerators and washing machines, and other unmentionable garbage from a mangrove. Within 6 months of being cleaned, restoration began! Unfortunately, after a few months, plastic pollution began lining the mangroves again, and another cleanup was scheduled to begin that same year.
For more information on the mangroves and their struggle with plastic pollution, take a look at the following article from Mona Webber, a professor of Marine Biology:
WHAT CAN I DO?
Challenge yourself to reduce your plastic in ways that seem attainable to you this July. Plastic Free July inspires us to take a critical look into our lives and see where it may be possible to eliminate single-use plastic. Here are a few tips to help you minimize plastic and maximize sustainability.
1) Reusable Bags
Do you always use the single-use plastic bag when you do your grocery shopping? Opt for a reusable bag. Get in the habit of keeping them in your car so whenever you make a quick stop, you’ll have them available; empty them after use and put them by your car keys in the morning so you remember to throw them back in the car.
2) Reusing single-use plastics
I know, this sounds a little contradictory, right? Sometimes, it’s hard to avoid single-use plastic. Sometimes you forget your canvas bags at home (I mean, we put them by the door, but sometimes we still forget). Don’t just toss those bags into the garbage, re-use them! You can use them to line bathroom garbage cans or pick up pet waste. There are many reuse opportunities for plastic bags. Before tossing them or even recycling them, ask yourself “what else could be done?”
3) Bring Your Own Take-out Containers
Add sustainability to your lifestyle by remembering a reusable takeout container! We don’t always know when we’re going out to eat or when we’re going to have leftovers; but it’s never a bad idea to keep a Tupperware handy in your car, so you can avoid using Styrofoam take-out containers.
4) Bulk Shopping
Locally in Stevens Point, WI there are stores like the Stevens Point Area Co-op and Process: Low Waste Shop where we can utilize bulk purchasing. Many communities have similar stores. Check them out and see what bulk items are available. Then start with a few core items and commit to always purchasing them in bulk. Incorporate more items as it becomes more comfortable to you.
5) Make Your Own Cleaning Products
It’s surprisingly easy. Save yourself the money and the plastic bottles. In a spray bottle, make a simple all-purpose cleaner with vinegar and water. Add orange peels or pine needles and let soak for a scented boost. Or add an essential oil for added scent. A scouring cleaner can be made by mixing a little baking soda with water and scrub.
Eliminating plastic from our lives can seem overwhelming. We immediately jump to the idea that the change has to be overnight– a complete elimination of products that we’ve grown accustomed to after years of use. It’s not always that easy. Habits can be hard to break and new habits can be hard to keep if there’s too much to juggle. Try starting with small changes and work to incorporate more sustainable practices in your life, at your own pace so they become habit. Join Recycling Connections and Take the Plastic Free July Challenge by pledging to take a few actions this month that you want to make habit. Click Here to Take the Pledge.
It’s also important to acknowledge that not all of these options listed may be viable options for you and that’s okay. We get it. Find ways to reduce plastic in your life that work for you. A huge target belief of Plastic Free July is that small changes add up to big differences. Start small and see what works for you.
If you need additional help in your plastic elimination journey, Recycling Connections is here to answer any questions or provide more tips t. If you’re celebrating this summer with a wedding, graduation party, or a regular cookout, we can help you make that event Near Zero Waste. Our services range from consultations, reusable silverware and plate rental, setting up waste stations, and comprehensive services. For more information, visit Near Zero Waste or Recycling Connections.
So, what plastics can you remove from your life this Plastic Free July?
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