Plastic Free July
Plastic Free July is a global initiative championed by the Plastic Free Foundation, urging individuals and communities to take a stand against plastic pollution—particularly single-use plastics. The campaign promotes small, practical lifestyle changes that, collectively, contribute to cleaner streets, oceans, and ecosystems. While recycling is often celebrated as a sustainable choice, organisations like WEAct remind us that plastic can typically only be recycled once or twice, reinforcing the importance of reducing our use at the source rather than relying on waste management after the fact.
The environmental toll of plastic waste is powerfully illustrated in the film ‘X Trillion’, (which we held a screening of last Autumn) highlights how even the most remote ocean regions have become swamped with microplastics. These tiny, often toxic fragments seep into marine life and, alarmingly, enter our food chain. The message is clear: the plastic problem is not just environmental—it’s personal. With this in mind, Plastic Free July encourages people to make just one change, however small, to their plastic habits during the month of July.
These changes might look like choosing a bar of soap over a plastic bottle, buying loose produce instead of pre-packaged alternatives, or committing to a reusable coffee mug or water bottle. Schools, businesses, and community groups are also encouraged to get involved, creating collective momentum toward a more sustainable, less plastic-dependent future. It's a chance to experiment with new habits and discover how simple switches can create lasting impact.
For those ready to begin, the Foundation’s website Plastic Free July – Be Part of the Plastic Pollution Solution full of ideas and inspiration, and local groups such as WEAct offer tailored resources to help communities take action. Change doesn’t need to be radical to be effective—it starts with a single conscious choice. So this July, could you be part of the solution? Small steps, taken together, can lead to an ocean of change. 🌊