Remaining Updated on October 10, 2023
It’s July, and once you’re into eco-friendly residing, what which implies… it’s time for Plastic Free July! To rejoice, I believed I’d spherical up a few simple swaps.
Plastic Free July started in Australia in 2011. The aim of a no plastic July is to steer clear of disposable merchandise, significantly single use plastics, for the whole month. I’m sharing my favorite Plastic Free July ideas along with my best concepts for Plastic Free July. Many uncover that with these swaps, going plastic free for one month turns into future decreased plastic utilization — which has an enormous impact on the planet!
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Plastic Free July
Plastic Free July is supposed to be an issue. You presumably can select one disposable to steer clear of like single-use plastic straws, or you’ll try to steer clear of the huge 4 which might be grocery baggage, plastic straws, to-go espresso cups, and plastic water bottles. In any case, you’ll go all in and steer clear of ALL single-use plastics for the ENTIRE month of July to ensure that you an precise downside.
As a result of it’s solely a month prolonged dedication, you’ll get your toes moist and see if it’s one factor you’d want to pursue future.
In reality, many ‘full-time’ zero wasters started by collaborating in Plastic Free July! The life-style made quite a bit sense that they decided to keep up at it!
If you start decreasing your trash and publicity to single-use plastics, chances are you’ll uncover it’s less complicated than you anticipate!
I was hooked on account of it improved my complete properly being and successfully being, my pores and pores and skin, helped me get financial financial savings, and further!
This put up begins out with a few easy swaps like water bottles and toothbrushes, nevertheless evolves into some swaps chances are you’ll not have heard about! And, the ultimate swap is MY FAVORITE — a gift that retains on giving — so be certain to check it out!
With out extra ado, listed beneath are my excessive 10 EASY swaps it’s also possible to make for going plastic free this July.
plastic free july ideas
1. reusable water bottles:
Daily within the US, 50 million plastic bottles are landfilled. Talk about a wide range of waste!
You could be questioning why we’re landfilling these bottles instead of recycling them.
Recycling is sweet and place to start out out (we’ll cowl it afterward inside the issue), nevertheless it is not the reply.
Have you learnt plastic solely has a 9 p.c recycle charge? That’s about to drop even lower on account of China has put a ban on plastic imports from the U.S. for recycling.
The first of my 10 concepts for Plastic Free July is to simply carry your particular person water bottle. The LARQ Bottle is SO cool!
It’s a self-cleaning water bottle that purifies the water inside a lightweight single-walled stainless steel bottle.
LARQ makes use of UV-C LED delicate to take away as a lot as 99.9999% of E.coli out of your water and bottle.
Previous that, 1% of every LARQ Bottle purchase helps to scrub up our oceans by a partnership with Plastic Monetary establishment. They’ve a objective to remove 1 million single-use plastic bottles from the ocean.
RELATED: How one can Filter Water With out Plastic
2. reusable espresso cups:
From Starbucks alone, we threw away 4 billion espresso cups in 2017. That’s insane.
Most of the paper cups you get hold of at espresso retailers are actually lined with plastic, which suggests they’re NOT recyclable in most providers within the US.
So, most espresso cups merely wind up throughout the landfill.
Thankfully, there are a bunch of selections within the case of avoiding these single-use plastics.
You presumably can carry your particular person thermos to the espresso retailer, ask for a mug to stay, and even use a mason jar. And, you don’t should get a flowery new mason jar — you’ll upcycle an outdated one from pasta sauce or salsa.
Seize my concepts for the Finest and Quickest Answer to Take away Labels from Jars.
3. tea:
Looking for one factor delicious to position into your reusable thermos? For those who occur to’re a tea lover like me, then it might shock you to review most tea baggage are comprised of plastic.
A new analysis found that the baggage can launch BILLIONS of plastic particles into your cup. Yum…
Among the many most interesting strategies to steer clear of your tea being steeped with a aspect of polypropylene is to simply sip unfastened leaf tea!
The California Tea House started at a neighborhood California farmer’s market the place their small batch blends turned so in model they opened up a site.
They’ve the most important assortment of USDA Licensed Pure tea blends within the usand are totally plastic free. They use recycled packaging and biodegradable peanuts for all of their shipments, so you may start sipping some unfastened leaf goodness.
Actually certainly one of their hottest blends is the Lime throughout the Coconut, and I take note my Dad driving me crazy by participating in that music on repeat all through my twelfth birthday.
For those who want to give just a few of The California Tea House‘s unfastened leaf teas a try, you’ll get 15% off plus free supply with the code GOINGZERO15.
RELATED: 6 Sustainable Unfastened Leaf Tea Producers
4. reusable straws:
Have you learnt throughout the U.S. alone, over 500 million straws are used every single day? That’s a median of 1.6 straws per particular person!
Plastic straws are principally unimaginable to recycle on account of nearly no curbside program accepts them. They’re simply too small and would possibly clog gear.
When chances are you’ll be able to merely steer clear of a straw for water or tea, many summery drinks are made WAY larger with a straw. So a useful, moveable, reusable straw is a painless answer to kick off your No Plastic July.
Tropical smoothies, mixed drinks, milkshakes, and one among my non-public favorites — boba tea!
Internet Zero Co makes super cute reusable straws that connect with your key ring.
Their straws are comprised of stainless steel and meals grade silicone, so that you just don’t have to stress about clanking your enamel — significantly once you’re having enjoyable along with your drink whereas strolling.
Their signature design telescopes so you’ll merely modify the scale of the straw, and it comes with a cleaner.
All of Internet Zero Co‘s merchandise are shipped in plastic-free packaging, nevertheless the easiest half is that every order crops a tree in partnership with Eden Reforestation Initiatives which fights poverty and reverses deforestation!
With the code ‘GZW10‘ you’ll get 10% off your full order at Internet Zero Co.
RELATED: Take the cheeky quiz
which reusable straw is greatest for you?
5. swap your toothbrush:
Have you learnt every toothbrush ever created continues to be in existence?
If you finish alongside along with your current toothbrush, why not change to a bamboo one?
A bamboo toothbrush could be composted so that you just don’t have to stress about your outdated brush sticking spherical for all eternity.
There are tons of various bamboo toothbrush companies which have popped up — and few are even purchased in huge retailers like Aim and Walgreens — nevertheless my favorite is Brush with Bamboo.
RELATED: Zero Waste Toothpowder + Brush with Bamboo
6. plastic-free floss:
Whereas we’re your oral care habits, have you ever thought-about floss?
Widespread floss is normally plastic. Previous merely being plastic, it’s toxic. It’s coated with PFC’s which is a chemical that’s current in teflon. Yikes.
As an alternative, why not floss with a USDA Licensed Bio-Primarily based product that’s totally refillable? Successfully, you’re in luck on account of Flosspot sells merely that.
Flosspot makes eco-friendly dental floss from every silk and corn once you’re vegan.
Their floss is purchased in a reasonably glass containers and stainless steel (merely in case you’re clumsy like me), and you should purchase plastic-free refills to insert again and again.
7. reusable cotton swabs:
Do you take note the picture of the sea horse holding onto a cotton swab that went viral in 2017?
That’s on account of most cotton swabs as of late are made with… you guessed it — plastic! Yep, these pesky single use devices appeared pretty unimaginable to interchange until now.
LastSwab is designed to interchange Q-tips, which might be one of many essential frequent ocean air pollution.
LastSwab is the first sanitary, reusable numerous to the 1.5 billion single-use Q-tips produced on every day foundation. Constructed to final so long as 1,000 makes use of, LastSwab is on the market in two variations — the elemental for cleaning and the marvel for make-up software program.
For those who occur to’re obsessed with making an attempt LastSwab, you’ll get 10% off for the month of July with the code ‘GoingZeroWastePFJ‘!
8. change to bar cleansing cleaning soap:
I’m on a regular basis amazed by what variety of plastic-free swaps it’s also possible to make throughout the toilet. For a tiny room, it could properly truly pack a wasteful punch.
One easy answer to steer clear of any further plastic bottles is to change to waterless merchandise.
The first ingredient you pay for in points like cleaning and sweetness merchandise is water! And, why pay for water (and to have water shipped all through the nation) when you’ll merely add water at home?
The Zero Waste Retailer provides among the many best shampoo & conditioner bars within the market! With larger than 1,000 5 star opinions, you’ll be comfortable with inserting your hair in good fingers.
Their shampoo bars are vegan, cruelty-free, palm oil free, plastic-free, and totally zero waste — making this a Plastic Free July no-brainier.
You could get 10% off at The Zero Waste Retailer with the code GZW10!
9. ditch detergent bottles:
Speaking of waterless merchandise… have you ever thought-about cleaning merchandise?
Successfully Earth Gadgets is a family owned and run retailer in Oregon. They’re devoted to top of the range merchandise with zero plastic, and their laundry detergent STRIPS will rock your world.
Positive, I discussed strips! They’re like small objects of paper that you just simply throw in your washer to get all of the issues super clear, they normally work extraordinarily successfully.
This plastic-free detergent risk is fragrance-free, paraben-free, phosphate-free, readily biodegradable in accordance with OECD 310D, hypoallergenic licensed by neutral dermatologists, biodegradable, vegan, bottle free, AND shipped in plastic-free packaging!
It’s best to use the code GZW10 to get 10% off your order at Successfully Earth Gadgets!
10. zero waste hand sanitizer:
You presumably can wager I’ve been prepared for refillable and zero-waste hand sanitizer — and it’s HERE!
Sanikind has launched an aesthetic, useful, eco-friendly, and environment friendly answer to maintain healthful on the go along with out contributing to the worldwide single-use plastic catastrophe.
Constructed from 100% recycled ocean-bound plastic, Sanikind’s modern non-public spray bottle clips correct onto your key ring!
Sanikind makes it easy to spray down door knobs, your phone, and your fingers. Their elements is cruelty-free and accredited by WHO and the FDA.
The Sanikind refill is on the market in a 16oz aluminum bottle, preserving all of the issues #PlasticFree.
BONUS!! going plastic free as a gift that retains on giving:
Now, that’s my favorite suggestion throughout the WHOLE put up, and I’ll inform you why…
A lot of folks acquired’t be eager to make life-style modifications on their very personal, nevertheless with a simple nudge within the exact route, you’ll get them hooked.
I’ve completed this with my mom, grandma, and pop. Principally, after they realized about my eco-friendly life-style, they thought I was a bit uncommon. Then, I gifted them a simple swap like all the choices above, they normally realized these ‘eco-friendly’ swaps have been AWESOME.
A lot of the swaps saved them money, some saved them time, and some have been merely pleasing! The underside line is that they’ve been hooked!
So, why not reward a buddy or member of the household a small reusable merchandise to permit them to cope with Plastic Free July with you?
As an alternative of wrapping this stuff in standard wrapping paper, which is comprised of plastic, why not go for a BEAUTIFUL pure cotton, no-waste numerous to wrapping paper that you just simply’ll want to reuse, physique, or present endlessly.
Wrappr is a woman owned agency based in Toronto, Canada that specializes in stunning reusable, ‘wrapping paper’ that may be utilized many times.
Their objective is to take away waste and single-use plastics, and to assist artists. Each of the artists receives a decrease of every sale of their prints.
As a bonus, they ship all of their merchandise in recycled and sustainable provides!
Critically… aren’t they stunning!? And, you’ll get 15% off your first order with the code ‘GOINGZEROWASTE’ over on Wrappr!
faqs
what are your best concepts for plastic free july?
Start alongside along with your best areas of weak level! By doing a trash audit (and even only a few honest thought along with your self), you’ll see the place you produce most likely essentially the most trash. As an illustration, once you clear solely with disposable paper towels, an incredible place to start out out is swapping to reusable cloths/towels.
If you get a disposable espresso cup on every day foundation and order takeout with a plastic container and fork, swap these out for glass Snapware and making your particular person espresso.
what number of people participate in no plastic july?
Not enough, however it’s getting larger yearly! Primarily based on this have an effect on report, about 29% of world consumers (be taught: about 313 million of us) have been aware of the concept of a no plastic July, and 13% (about 140 million of us) participated in 2021.
Primarily based on the similar analysis, participation has decreased worldwide demand of two.3% of all bottled water. That alone is insane, however it moreover decreased 3.1% of fruit and vegetable packaging, and 4% of all plastic straws. Take into consideration the have an effect on if all of us used these Plastic Free July ideas! Take into consideration if we carried out even half the next suggestions for the rest of the 12 months as successfully. We could change the panorama of disposable objects for the upper.