On average a single human could be swallowing about five grams of plastic every week. That's equal to a credit card's worth. These particles can make their way into our drinking water, food, and even the air we breathe.

Pretty ugly stuff, right? Plastic-free July is a global movement aimed to reduce plastic pollution through single plastic use. Based in Australia this program operates across the globe and it’s estimated that 326 million participants in 177 countries take part in Plastic Free July! 

That is why we are so excited to take on the challenge and share some vital information with you on serious ways to help clean up some of our habits.

Did you know that about 85% of discarded plastics are sent to landfills? What most of us think is recyclable actually isn’t. Recycling is not necessarily a solution to our plastic dilemma. It is the reassessment of the production of goods as well as the way we shop.

Challenge Yourself with a Buddy for July

There are so many ways in which we can all contribute to plastic-free July and continue the journey forward. We can work together in our schools, local communities, events, work-life, and businesses.

Some examples could include, if you are planning an event, then ditch the plastic plates and utensils and go for paper or bamboo options. Use decorations made of paper instead of plastic and reduce your rubbish bags by buying biodegradable or plant-based rubbish bags. 

At school, you can come together to start a compost garden and encourage recycling. Try eliminating plastic from the school canteen and remove single-use plastic items from your lunch box. 

Quick Reference Tips for a Plastic-Free July

Here are some simple and effective ways you can reduce your plastic for July

• Purchase less unnecessary items and plastic packaging goods
• Relook your beauty routine and items used. You can reduce your waste by shopping smart in the bathroom. You can help by replacing plastic toothbrushes with bamboo toothbrushes and one-time plastic razors with reusable razors. Try using bar soap and shampoo instead of plastic bottle containers. Replace pads and tampons with biodegradable options or reusable menstrual cups, or period underwear.
• Store food in reusable storage bags or reusable silicone lids.
• Buy loose leaf tea as tea bags have traces of plastic, absorbing less plastic too.
• Leave takeaway plastic containers or cutlery behind. Bring your own reusable coffee cup and drink bottle.
• Try bulk food stores such as source foods. Bring your containers and refill them in-store. This will save on packaging and is a great way to shop!
• Using rubbish bags that are compostable or substituting newspaper for plastic bags. It is also a great idea to go through your rubbish so you can find creative ways to reduce the amount of waste you produce. You have a container and freeze smelly stuff until bin night.
• Composting helps food scraps deteriorate instead of producing methane from anaerobic landfills. Try having a compost bin and separating your rubbish.
• Use reusable nappies or eco-friendly nappy options. Substitute face washers for baby wipes and plastic toys for other non-plastic options.
• Try recycling or swapping clothing, shoes, and other personal items you no longer want or use.

Ways to Kick Your Plastic Addiction to the Kerb

Refuse single plastic items such as plastic bags, straws, coffee cups, cling-wrapped veggies, plastic water bottles, any other light plastic packaging in the supermarket you have an option to avoid.

Reduce the number of goods you buy that contain plastic. This could be buying fresh produce at your local market avoiding plastic-wrapped goods and using your reusable cloth bag. Buying bread from the bakery that wraps bread in a paper bag. Bringing your reusable coffee mug and reusable water bottle when you go out. Making your lunches using a reusable container. Not only will be healthier for you and you will also save on money and plastic takeaway containers. Squeeze your fresh juices instead of buying in plastic bottles. Opt for carton packaging or long-life milk and give plastic milk bottles the flick. Swap plastic margarine containers for paper-wrapped pure butter, it is also a better option for you.

Buy ice cream in a carton based on paper instead of plastic, there are so many small ways in which we can decide to shop smarter towards reducing our waste for plastic-free July. 

Invest in reusable items that are zero waste. Cut out things such as plastic bags entirely with our reusable tote bags. They are stronger and look better than the reusable plastic bags you get at local supermarkets. 

You can read more by visiting the Plastic-free July website. Shop our Plastic-free July reusable/zero waste range. We have also put together a Kitchen Essential Starter Pack filled with all your daily essential reusable products for those of you that wish to take on the plastic-free challenge in the kitchen.

Remember, this is a personal challenge for you and a buddy, so team up to be creative in ways you can live plastic-free. Focus on a few of your goals and get the whole family involved. We are all in this together. Let’s support each other and share our ideas towards a cleaner planet this July.

For your chance to win 1 in 2 $100 Evergreen Gift Cards we'd love to hear in the comments below what small changes you will commit to achieving this month or any helpful hints and tips you may have to support the wider Evergreen community.