Take the Plastic Free July Challenge

Perhaps nothing in this world has caused a greater love/hate relationship among humans than the creation of plastic.

“Plastics revolutionized medicine with life-saving devices, made space travel possible, lightened cars and jets—saving fuel and pollution—and saved lives with helmets, incubators, and equipment for clean drinking water,” wrote Laura Parker for National Geographic. On the other hand, “The conveniences plastics offer, however, led to a throw-away culture that reveals the material’s dark side: today, single-use plastics account for 40 percent of the plastic produced every year.”

In fact, National Geographic reported that half of all plastics ever manufactured have been made in the last 15 years with production expected to double by 2050. Meanwhile, approximately 8 million pieces of plastic find their way into our oceans EVERY DAY, and estimates suggest there are nearly 270,000 tons of plastic floating in the open ocean.

In response to these trends in plastic pollution, a non-profit organization known as the Plastic Free Foundation formed the Plastic Free July campaign. Throughout the month, volunteers throughout the world are encouraged, and even more so, challenged to make significant lifestyle changes.

Whether you choose to give up plastics for just a day, a week, the month of July, or even longer, the group specifically targets single-use plastic packaging with a special emphasis on diminishing or eliminating takeaway items like bags, bottles, straws, and coffee cups.

Are you up for the challenge? Sign up to join the effort on the official Plastic Free July website.

For a great plastics resource, download our free recyclable plastics cheat sheet today.