Plastic Free July

Published on 03 July 2025

Plastic Free July is a global movement that helps millions of people be part of the solution to plastic pollution.  Plastic Free July challenges people to make a pledge and choose a plastic item that they will refuse to use in July, such as plastic bottles, plastic food wrap, or plastic bags.

For more than 14 years Plastic Free July has continued to grow - around the world - and gain more traction with the community each year.  It is certainly one of the most durable waste campaigns - like Clean Up Australia Day and National Recycling Week.

Headline results for Plastic Free July 2024 include:

• Globally, 29% of consumers (at least 316 million people) were aware of Plastic Free July.
• At least 174 million people took part in the challenge.
• Participants take 23% more action to reduce plastic waste.
• Participants reduce their household waste by 16kgs per person year (3.8% less waste).
• Globally, Plastic Free July participants reduced:
  • non-recoverable (landfill) waste by 1,700 million kgs.
  • recyclable waste by 1,200 million kgs, and
  • plastic consumption by 390 million kgs.
• More than 75% of the population supports policies and action to reduce waste.
• Participants have strong social connections and a positive sense of well-being.

Most importantly, Plastic Free July has encouraged governments to introduce a range of measures to limit the use of single-use plastics.  In Victoria, light weight plastic bag bans were introduced in 2019 and in February 2023 the ban on a range on single-use plastics (straws, plates, cutlery) also came into effect.

There are many things that we can use instead of single-use plastic, such as:

• Refillable water/drink bottles.
• Mugs, cups or refillable containers for our take-away coffee.
• Avoid single item plastic wrapped snacks.
• Avoid pre-wrapped fresh produce.
• Avoid straws unless you really need them - then use reusable straws.
• Take your own reusable bags when shopping.
• Support vendors who do not use single-use plastics.
• Choose to eat in a café rather than take-away - slow down when you can.
• Reusable sandwich wraps rather than single-use cling wrap.

Anyone can access plastic free ideas and take up the Plastic Free July challenge - sign up at www.plasticfreejuly.org