Last Updated on October 10, 2023

It’s July, and for many who’re into eco-friendly dwelling, what which implies… it’s time for Plastic Free July! To rejoice, I assumed I’d spherical up plenty of straightforward swaps.

Plastic Free July started in Australia in 2011. The intention of a no plastic July is to steer clear of disposable merchandise, notably single use plastics, for the entire month. I’m sharing my favorite Plastic Free July ideas along with my best concepts for Plastic Free July. Many uncover that with these swaps, going plastic free for one month turns into future decreased plastic utilization — which has a huge impact on the planet!

Quite a few of the hyperlinks beneath are affiliate hyperlinks for further information please see my disclosure protection.

Plastic Free July

Plastic Free July is supposed to be an issue. You probably can resolve one disposable to steer clear of like single-use plastic straws, or chances are you’ll attempt to steer clear of the giant 4 which might be grocery baggage, plastic straws, to-go espresso cups, and plastic water bottles. In reality, chances are you’ll go all in and steer clear of ALL single-use plastics for the ENTIRE month of July to ensure that you an precise downside.

As a result of it’s solely a month prolonged dedication, chances are you’ll get your toes moist and see if it’s one factor you’d want to pursue future. 

In precise reality, many ‘full-time’ zero wasters started by collaborating in Plastic Free July! The life-style made loads sense that they decided to take care of at it!

Whenever you start reducing your trash and publicity to single-use plastics, you may uncover it’s less complicated than you anticipate!

I was hooked because of it improved my basic effectively being and properly being, my pores and pores and skin, helped me decrease your bills, and further!

This submit begins out with plenty of simple swaps like water bottles and toothbrushes, nonetheless evolves into some swaps chances are you’ll not have heard about! And, the ultimate swap is MY FAVORITE — a gift that retains on giving — so ensure you check it out!

With out extra ado, listed below are my excessive 10 EASY swaps it’s also possible to make for going plastic free this July.

plastic free july ideas

1. reusable water bottles:

Daily within the US, 50 million plastic bottles are landfilled. Discuss various waste!

You would be questioning why we’re landfilling these bottles in its place of recycling them.

Recycling is sweet and a very good place to start out out (we’ll cowl it afterward inside the issue), nonetheless it is not the reply.

Are you aware plastic solely has a 9 p.c recycle price? That’s about to drop even lower because of China has put a ban on plastic imports from the U.S. for recycling.

The first of my 10 concepts for Plastic Free July is to simply convey your private water bottle. The LARQ Bottle is SO cool!

It’s a self-cleaning water bottle that purifies the water inside a lightweight single-walled stainless-steel bottle.

LARQ makes use of UV-C LED mild to do away with as a lot as 99.9999% of E.coli out of your water and bottle.

Previous that, 1% of every LARQ Bottle purchase helps to wash up our oceans through a partnership with Plastic Monetary establishment. They’ve a intention to remove 1 million single-use plastic bottles from the ocean.

RELATED: The best way to Filter Water With out Plastic

2. reusable espresso cups:

From Starbucks alone, we threw away 4 billion espresso cups in 2017. That’s insane.

Most of the paper cups you receive at espresso shops are actually lined with plastic, which suggests they’re NOT recyclable in most companies within the US.

So, most espresso cups merely wind up throughout the landfill.

Luckily, there are a bunch of decisions regarding avoiding these single-use plastics.

You probably can convey your private thermos to the espresso retailer, ask for a mug to stay, and even use a mason jar. And, you don’t ought to get a flowery new mason jar — chances are you’ll upcycle an outdated one from pasta sauce or salsa.

Seize my concepts for the Finest and Quickest Resolution to Take away Labels from Jars.

3. tea:

Looking for one factor delicious to put into your reusable thermos? Whenever you’re a tea lover like me, then it will shock you to review most tea baggage are produced from plastic.

A new analysis found that the baggage can launch BILLIONS of plastic particles into your cup. Yum…

Prime-of-the-line strategies to steer clear of your tea being steeped with a side of polypropylene is to simply sip free leaf tea!

The California Tea Dwelling started at a neighborhood California farmer’s market the place their small batch blends turned so well-liked they opened up a website online.

They’ve a very powerful variety of USDA Licensed Pure tea blends within the united statesand are absolutely plastic free. They use recycled packaging and biodegradable peanuts for all of their shipments, so you possibly can start sipping some free leaf goodness.

One amongst their hottest blends is the Lime throughout the Coconut, and I keep in mind my Dad driving me crazy by having fun with that music on repeat all through my twelfth birthday.

If you happen to want to give just a few of The California Tea Dwelling‘s free leaf teas a try, chances are you’ll get 15% off plus free supply with the code GOINGZERO15.

RELATED: 6 Sustainable Unfastened Leaf Tea Producers

4. reusable straws:

Are you aware throughout the U.S. alone, over 500 million straws are used every single day? That’s a median of 1.6 straws per particular person!

Plastic straws are primarily inconceivable to recycle because of just about no curbside program accepts them. They’re simply too small and may clog gear.

Whenever you may be able to merely steer clear of a straw for water or tea, many summery drinks are made WAY increased with a straw. So a useful, transportable, reusable straw is a painless technique to kick off your No Plastic July.

Tropical smoothies, mixed drinks, milkshakes, and one amongst my personal favorites — boba tea!

Internet Zero Co makes super cute reusable straws that hook up with your key ring.

Their straws are produced from stainless-steel and meals grade silicone, so that you simply don’t have to worry about clanking your enamel — notably for many who’re having enjoyable along with your drink whereas strolling.

Their signature design telescopes so chances are you’ll merely modify the dimensions of the straw, and it comes with a cleaner.

All of Internet Zero Co‘s merchandise are shipped in plastic-free packaging, nonetheless the best half is that every order vegetation a tree in partnership with Eden Reforestation Initiatives which fights poverty and reverses deforestation!

With the code ‘GZW10‘ chances are you’ll get 10% off your full order at Internet Zero Co.

RELATED: Take the cheeky quiz 
which reusable straw is finest for you?

5. swap your toothbrush:

Are you aware every toothbrush ever created continues to be in existence?

Whenever you finish collectively along with your current toothbrush, why not change to a bamboo one?

A bamboo toothbrush will likely be composted so that you simply don’t have to worry about your outdated brush sticking spherical for all eternity.

There are tons of various bamboo toothbrush companies which have popped up — and few are even purchased in giant outlets like Objective and Walgreens — nonetheless my favorite is Brush with Bamboo.

RELATED: Zero Waste Toothpowder + Brush with Bamboo

6. plastic-free floss:

Whereas we’re your oral care habits, have you ever thought of floss?

Frequent floss is often plastic. Previous merely being plastic, it’s toxic. It’s coated with PFC’s which is a chemical that’s current in teflon. Yikes.

As an alternative, why not floss with a USDA Licensed Bio-Based totally product that’s absolutely refillable? Properly, you’re in luck because of Flosspot sells merely that.

Flosspot makes eco-friendly dental floss from every silk and corn for many who’re vegan.

Their floss is purchased in a reasonably glass containers and stainless-steel (merely in case you’re clumsy like me), and you can purchase plastic-free refills to insert again and again.

7. reusable cotton swabs:

Do you keep in mind the picture of the sea horse holding onto a cotton swab that went viral in 2017?

That’s because of most cotton swabs currently are made with… you guessed it — plastic! Yep, these pesky single use objects appeared pretty inconceivable to change until now.

LastSwab is designed to change Q-tips, which might be one of many very important widespread ocean air pollution.

LastSwab is the first sanitary, reusable numerous to the 1.5 billion single-use Q-tips produced day-to-day. Constructed to final so long as 1,000 makes use of, LastSwab is obtainable in two variations — the important for cleaning and the surprise for make-up software program.

Whenever you’re involved about attempting LastSwab, chances are you’ll get 10% off for the month of July with the code ‘GoingZeroWastePFJ‘!

8. change to bar cleansing cleaning soap:

I’m on a regular basis amazed by what variety of plastic-free swaps it’s also possible to make inside the bathroom. For a tiny room, it could effectively really pack a wasteful punch.

One simple technique to steer clear of any further plastic bottles is to alter to waterless merchandise.

The first ingredient you pay for in points like cleaning and surprise merchandise is water! And, why pay for water (and to have water shipped all through the nation) when chances are you’ll merely add water at home?

The Zero Waste Retailer provides just a few of the best shampoo & conditioner bars within the market! With larger than 1,000 5 star evaluations, chances are you’ll be happy with inserting your hair in good fingers.

Their shampoo bars are vegan, cruelty-free, palm oil free, plastic-free, and absolutely zero waste — making this a Plastic Free July no-brainier.

You could get 10% off at The Zero Waste Retailer with the code GZW10!

9. ditch detergent bottles:

Speaking of waterless merchandise… have you ever thought of cleaning merchandise?

Properly Earth Gadgets is a family owned and run retailer in Oregon. They’re dedicated to top of the range merchandise with zero plastic, and their laundry detergent STRIPS will rock your world.

Certain, I said strips! They’re like small objects of paper that you simply simply throw in your washer to get each little factor super clear, and they also work extraordinarily properly.

This plastic-free detergent chance is fragrance-free, paraben-free, phosphate-free, readily biodegradable in accordance with OECD 310D, hypoallergenic licensed by unbiased dermatologists, biodegradable, vegan, bottle free, AND shipped in plastic-free packaging!

You need to make the most of the code GZW10 to get 10% off your order at Properly Earth Gadgets!

10. zero waste hand sanitizer:

You probably can guess I’ve been prepared for refillable and zero-waste hand sanitizer — and it’s HERE!

Sanikind has launched an aesthetic, useful, eco-friendly, and environment friendly technique to maintain healthful on the go along with out contributing to the worldwide single-use plastic catastrophe.

Constructed from 100% recycled ocean-bound plastic, Sanikind’s modern personal spray bottle clips correct onto your key ring!

Sanikind makes it simple to spray down door knobs, your phone, and your fingers. Their elements is cruelty-free and authorised by WHO and the FDA.

The Sanikind refill is obtainable in a 16oz aluminum bottle, holding each little factor #PlasticFree.

BONUS!! going plastic free as a gift that retains on giving:

Now, that’s my favorite suggestion throughout the WHOLE submit, and I’ll let why…

Plenty of folks gained’t be ready to make life-style changes on their very personal, nonetheless with a straightforward nudge in one of the best route, chances are you’ll get them hooked.

I’ve achieved this with my mom, grandma, and pa. Principally, as soon as they found about my eco-friendly life-style, they thought I was a bit uncommon. Then, I gifted them a straightforward swap like each of the options above, and they also realized these ‘eco-friendly’ swaps have been AWESOME.

Quite a few the swaps saved them money, some saved them time, and some have been merely pleasing! The underside line is that they’ve been hooked!

So, why not current an excellent good friend or member of the household a small reusable merchandise to permit them to kind out Plastic Free July with you?

As an alternative of wrapping these things in standard wrapping paper, which is produced from plastic, why not go for a BEAUTIFUL pure cotton, no-waste numerous to wrapping paper that you simply simply’ll want to reuse, physique, or present ceaselessly.

Wrappr is a woman owned agency primarily based in Toronto, Canada that focuses on engaging reusable, ‘wrapping paper’ that may be utilized again and again.

Their intention is to do away with waste and single-use plastics, and to help artists. Each of the artists receives a decrease of every sale of their prints.

As a bonus, they ship all of their merchandise in recycled and sustainable provides!

Critically… aren’t they engaging!? And, chances are you’ll get 15% off your first order with the code ‘GOINGZEROWASTE’ over on Wrappr!

faqs

what are your best concepts for plastic free july?

Start collectively along with your largest areas of weak level! By doing a trash audit (and even just some honest thought along with your self), you might even see the place you produce basically essentially the most trash. As an illustration, for many who clear fully with disposable paper towels, a really perfect place to start out out is swapping to reusable cloths/towels.

If you get a disposable espresso cup day-to-day and order takeout with a plastic container and fork, swap these out for glass Snapware and making your private espresso.

what number of people participate in no plastic july?

Not enough, nonetheless it’s getting increased yearly! In line with this impression report, about 29% of world consumers (study: about 313 million people) have been acutely aware of the concept of a no plastic July, and 13% (about 140 million people) participated in 2021.

In line with the equivalent analysis, participation has decreased world demand of two.3% of all bottled water. That alone is insane, nonetheless it moreover decreased 3.1% of fruit and vegetable packaging, and 4% of all plastic straws. Take into consideration the impression if all of us used these Plastic Free July ideas! Take into consideration if we carried out even half the next suggestions for the rest of the 12 months as properly. We’d change the panorama of disposable objects for the upper.