Plastic Free July encourages us all to reduce plastic waste

28/06/2023 Laura Dronfield

For the month of July, people around the world are set to go plastic-free to help reduce plastic pollution.

Started by a small local government team in Western Australia in 2011, Plastic Free July (PFJ) is now one of the most influential environmental campaigns in the world. Millions of people across the globe take part every year, with many committing to reducing plastic pollution far beyond the month of July.

According to plasticfreejuly.org, participation in the initiative results in:

• a reduction in household waste and recycling by 15kg per person per year (3.5% less waste)
• global reduction of 2.1 billion tonnes of waste and recycling including 300 million kgs of plastic consumption
• 86% of people making changes that become habits/a way of life
• after 11 years, Plastic Free July has reduced global demand by 2.3% of all bottled water, 3.1% of all fruit and vegetable packaging, 4.0% of all plastic straws

The key points above address four of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals: sustainable cities and communities, responsible production and consumption, life below water, and life on land.

Plastic plays a role in so much of what we do, to the point where we often don’t realise there are more sustainable alternatives available. By making just a small change to some of our daily actions and routines we can collectively help reduce plastic consumption and pollution. So, whether it’s ditching pre-packaged fruit, vegetables, meat and fish from the supermarket by bringing your own reusable bags or container, replacing plastic food wrap with Tupperware to store leftovers and sandwiches, or ensuring you always have a reusable drinks bottle or coffee cup with you, there are many ways to make a difference.

To find out more ways in which we can all reduce plastic consumption and waste, visit plasticfreejuly.org.

As a business, Culligan is committed to reducing plastic usage and pollution. Our range of hydration solutions help to eliminate 40 billion plastic bottles from going to landfill and polluting our oceans each year

Keep an eye out on our social channels throughout July for more Plastic Free July content.