What is Plastic Free July?
Plastic Free July – Be Part of the Plastic Pollution Solution
Plastic-free July is a global movement that helps millions of people be part of the solution to plastic pollution. This initiative was established in 2011 by the Plastic Free Foundation, aiming to work towards a vision of seeing a world free of plastic waste. This movement encourages people to refuse single use plastics and look for more sustainable alternatives to help reduce our impact on the natural environment.
One of the biggest issues created by the enormous amount of plastic waste is the damage done to the environment, such as the destruction done to marine life in waste-filled oceans. WWF (World Wildlife Fund) states that around 100,000 marine mammals die every year because of entanglement, suffocation or internal injuries, caused by stray plastic in the ocean. The problem doesn’t just end underwater, however, as only 9% of the total waste created gets recycled, leaving the remaining waste to rot in landfills. This is a huge issue as plastic can take hundreds of years to break down and having produced 8.3 billion metric tons of it, the plastic must go somewhere. Our solution to this is dumping the waste on municipal land, slowly polluting and destroying the area around it.
The Plastic-free Foundation wants to tackle this pollution problem by informing and educating people on the dangers of plastic waste. So, the foundation founded “Plastic-free July”, an initiative set up to encourage people to participate and get involved in making the world a less plastic-infested planet.
The efforts don’t just end in awareness, as it also informs people what they can do to help the issue. The foundation’s aim is to leave people with lasting positive habits, such as reusing bags and containers, purchasing sustainably and reducing overconsumption. The end goal of this movement is for individuals, schools and organizations alike to work together in a collective effort to fight against plastic waste.
Pharmora Litter Pick
In 2023, joined with our suppliers, Pharmora went on a litter pick in the local area to do our part for the environment. By doing this, we helped the ecosystems and animals in the area thrive by cleaning up their habitats and leaving them with a healthier home. We also continue to make conscious efforts within our office space to keep our plastic waste to a minimum, with clearly marked recycling bins and refillable washing-up liquids.
How to be Plastic-free?
Living a plastic-free life can initially seem challenging, but with small, consistent changes, you can significantly reduce your plastic footprint. Taking on a plastic-free lifestyle is not only beneficial for the environment but also rewarding on a personal level. There are lots of different ways to participate in the effort to minimize plastic use, and many of them can be easily integrated into your daily routine. Some examples of how to stay plastic-free at home include:
- Buying reusable produce bags to keep fruit in instead of plastic wrapped alternatives.
- Look out for plastic-free alternatives and buy products that are made from sustainable materials (cardboard, glass, etc.).
- Bring your own bag from home when you go to the supermarket rather than getting a new bag every time.
- Reuse plastics you already have. For example, reuse coffee cups and containers you already have at home and ask the cafe/shop if they can pour your drink in your cup instead of using disposable ones.
- Be mindful of how many new products you purchase. Only purchase products that are necessary. Especially if it’s made from a non-biodegradable material such as plastic.
We hope these ideas have inspired you to take on the Plastic-free July challenge. Together, we can help take care of our planet, one reusable bag at a time.
