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Join millions as we make the pledge to eliminate single-use plastic from our lives for Plastic Free July. Once you go single-use plastic-free you’ll never go back.
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If cotton is the fabric of our lives, then plastic is the material of our lives. From our toothbrushes to our clothing, this durable material is crafted into products we use in our everyday lives. But, unlike cotton which is a natural material, plastic is man-made from petrochemicals. Every stage of its lifespan from the extraction of fossil fuels to how it degrades in landfills (where it emits the toxic gas methane) is damaging to our environment. And, we throw away a lot of it very quickly. An estimated 150 million tons of single-use plastic products are produced every year with 8 million tons of plastic landing in our oceans. If you find this upsetting, you’re not alone. Facts like these are part of the reason why millions are pledging to find ways to reduce plastic from their lives for Plastic-Free July. And, hopefully, after 30 days, it’ll be just like the saying goes, “once you go plastic-free you’ll never go back.”
Saying ‘no’ to single-use plastic isn’t as difficult as previously imagined. ‘Yes’, it’s heavily integrated into our lives, but, if you only make one change, you’ll be a part of the solution to reduce the millions of plastic waste polluting our environment.
- Buy natural fabrics. Look for clothing made from organic cotton, linen, or wool instead of plastic-based polyester.
- Try a refillable beauty brand. If you’re one to stick with your favorite products, brands like Kjaer Weis, Hourglass, Kora Organics, and others offer refillable products.
- Carry your own utensils. On-the-go coffee lovers or take-out kings and queens, why not bring utensils with you? A copper reusable straw here, a water bottle there, or a set of reusable forks and spoons are a few items we can carry with us to use instead of their plastic counterparts.
- Try apple, pineapple, or mushroom leather. Innovative things are happening to the vegan leather industry. Instead of leathers being made from plastic, they are now being made from pineapples, mushrooms, and apples just to name a few.
- Swap single plastic bags for reusable bags. From clothes shopping to restocking groceries, bring your own reusable shopping tote with you. Did you know that you can even buy reusable produce bags too?
- Swap plastic water bottles for reusable ones.
16 billion disposable coffee cups are used each year. More than half a billion plastic straws are used every day around the world.
- Swap out your disposable plastic items for reusable items. Did you know that you can use beeswax wrap instead of plastic wrap?
- Try solid beauty products. Instead of toothpaste in a traditional plastic tube, try solid toothpaste tabs that come in jars. Or, try a shampoo bar that is wrapped in paper.
Americans use 100 billion plastic bags a year, which require 12 million barrels of oil to manufacture.
- Sign a petition or write a brand to use less plastic. Write to your favorite brand and ask them to reduce their plastic packaging. Or, write to your local policymakers about single-use plastic bans.
- Get cleaning. Join your community to pick up plastic waste along your highways, parks, rivers, or beach. Or, make it a vacation and visit resorts that clean and protect natural habitats.