Plastic Free July is an initiative that began in Australia in 2011 as an effort to help people reduce the amount of plastic they encounter on a day-to-day basis. It has now grown into the Plastic Free Foundation, a global non-profit. Plastic Free July is a challenge and an opportunity to figure out how we can each take steps to reduce plastic in our lives. This July, consider joining millions worldwide in the Plastic Free July challenge to reduce demand for single-use plastics, create sustainable habits, and protect our environment.

Why Should I Participate?

• Most plastic is not easily recyclable. Mass production of plastic began in the 1950s; since then, we have produced more than 8 billion tons of plastic. Only 9% of all of the plastic we have ever produced has been successfully recycled, with the other 91% being incinerated, landfilled, or released to the environment (learn more via this National Geographic article).
• Help reduce the global demand for plastic products. By refusing to purchase items with plastic packaging, you help send a powerful message to companies to slow down plastic production.
• Promote a healthy environment. Plastic does not decompose, but rather breaks down into smaller pieces where it eventually leaks into our environment as macro-, micro-, and nano-plastics – polluting our oceans, freshwater supplies, soil, and more. You can help curb this widespread pollution issue by reducing your usage of plastics.
• Protect your own health. Microplastics are not just an environmental problem, but are a human health issue as well. These particles are being found in our food, water, and even the air we breathe. Recent studies have shown that paper to-go coffee cups, virtually all of which are lined with plastic, are leaching microplastics into hot drinks. A 2023 study estimated that someone using a paper to-go cup every 4 to 5 days would ingest approximately 37,000 – 90,000 microplastic particles per year.

Where Do I Start?

• Bring your own reusable coffee mug when you visit your favorite café.
• Keep a stash of reusable grocery bags in your car or work bag to avoid taking single-use bags at the store.
• Forgo plastic produce bags or use reusable mesh produce bags.
• Carry a set of reusable utensils with you in your purse, backpack, or bag.
• Check out a local refill store to refill common household items (soap, shampoo, conditioner, detergent, and more!) without the need for new packaging. Check out a list of refill stores in Marin here.