This July you should expect to hear a lot about how you can eliminate plastics from your life — even more than you'd run across normally.
Plastic Free July is a movement that began in 2011 with one Australian woman, Rebecca Prince-Ruiz, who wanted to challenge herself to cut back on plastics. Now overseen by the group she formed, Plastic Free Foundation Ltd., it has been gaining attention globally. There are corporate partners, social media strategies and community efforts in addition to individual commitments.
The city of Davidson, N.C., has adopted Plastic Free July as a way to focus on the reduction of single-use plastics. "By committing to reducing our plastic consumption and embracing sustainable alternatives, we can begin to move toward a future free from plastic pollution," Kayla Kovach, the town's sustainability manager, told television outlet WCNC.
But despite what the name would imply, organizers aren't targeting all plastics. It's nearly impossible to live without them, Prince-Ruiz told The Washington Post.
The Plastic Free July website instead suggests simple steps such as taking your own reusable cup to the coffee shop, bringing your own bags to the store or avoiding plastic straws. It's theme: "Small steps, big difference."
"Choose one single-use plastic to avoid or take the pledge to avoid single-use cups, plastic drink bottles or plastic food wrap," the website suggests.
