48 Ideas and Tips for Plastic Free July

Every July, there’s a global movement to ditch single-use plastics. It's the Plastic Free July challenge, started by The Plastic Free Foundation in Australia back in 2011. This isn't just any campaign but a call to consumers to refuse single-use plastics and incorporate more sustainable alternatives into their lives.

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Why do we need Plastic Free July?

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The idea of cutting out plastic might seem tough at first. But when you do it with hundreds of millions of people from all corners of the globe, the collective motivation makes this challenge easier. That's the power of Plastic Free July.

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So, whether you're new to this and just starting to reduce plastic in your life or you’re someone who is almost living a plastic-free life, Plastic Free July is for everyone. There's no one-size-fits-all here, and that's the beauty of it. It's about progress, not perfection.

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We've put together a practical list of Plastic Free July ideas but here’s something that you should do first.

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Preparing for Plastic Free July

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The first step in this plastic-free journey is assessment.

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You need to figure out where the plastic in your life is coming from. Is it the cleaning products in your cupboard? The pre-packaged snacks in your pantry? Or synthetic fibers such as polyester and nylon in your clothes?

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Once you know your main suspects, you can start to swap them out with more sustainable picks.

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Plastic Free July tips for different areas of your life

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Kitchen and laundry

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1. Switch to plastic-free cleaning products. You can even make your own with ingredients such as vinegar and lime.
2. Get your cleaning products in bulk or from brands that offer refills.
3. For your cleaning brushes and cloths, use natural fibers.
4. Reuse old socks or worn towels instead of plastic scrubs.
5. Store cloths and brushes in a clean and dry place to make them last longer.
6. Replace the plastic bin liners with compostable ones. For your recycling bins, you can use your paper lawn bags. 
7. Start home composting your food scraps so you can skip the liners altogether.
8. Say no to plastic laundry pods. Instead, buy washing liquid or laundry tablets.
9. Make your own stain remover. Just mix the bicarbonate of soda with vinegar. It's a game-changer for tough stains.
10. Buy clothes with natural fibers like wool, hemp, silk, and linen over synthetic ones.

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Bathroom

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1. Swap out your bottled soap, shampoo, and conditioner for bars.
2. If you are not a fan of bars, you can refill your old shampoo and soap bottles at a local bulk store.
3. When it’s time to replace your old toothbrush, choose a bamboo version or a model with a replaceable head.
4. Switch to a reusable safety razor with replaceable stainless steel blades.
5. You can also opt for shaving cream in bar form.
6. Choose plastic-free toothpaste alternatives such as toothpaste tablets.
7. For your period needs, you can consider reusable options like period undies or menstrual cups.
8. You can also try washable pads and liners that are durable and absorbent.

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Food and beverages

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1. Refuse to buy groceries that come in single-use plastic packaging.
2. For items like flour and nuts, buy them in loose and bulk from refill stores.
3. Bring your own reusable produce bags, containers, and glass jars to stores.
4. Instead of supermarkets, buy from local bakeries, butchers, delis and fishmongers.
5. Use plastic wrap alternatives such as silicone bowls, fiber bags, glass jars, and wax wraps.
6. Choose loose-leaf tea instead of tea bags that have plastic.
7. Refuse single-use plastic cutlery, plates, and takeaway containers.
8. Choose restaurants and cafes that allow people to bring their own containers.
9. Choose glass bottle alternatives to cartons of milk, stock, and juices.
10. If you are handy in the kitchen, consider making your own juice and nut milk.

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Kids and pets

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1. If you have kids, restrict the use of disposable nappies.
2. Switch to reusable nappies at home or overnight.
3. If your kids go to school, encourage them to say no to plastic-wrapped canteen items.
4. Give your kids a cool, reusable water bottle and a plastic-free lunchbox.
5. Choose plastic-free toys for your pets.
6. Buy treats and pet food in bulk to reduce your pet’s plastic pawprint.
7. Check if you can refill dry food containers at pet bulk produce stores or markets.
8. Swap your single-use plastic bag for a shovel or pooper-scooper and pop it straight into the bin.
9. If you have a yard, start a compost system for pet waste.
10. Opt for natural fibers like jute, hessian, or wool for pet bedding.
11. Choose pet food bowls made of ceramic, stainless steel, or bamboo.
12. Switch to pet shampoo bars.

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At work

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1. If you are ever organizing an event, hire water filtration stands or find suppliers who provide large refillable bottles of water.
2. Encourage attendees to bring their own reusable bottles or cups.
3. Create a policy for vendors to not use any single-use plastic.
4. At your workplace kitchen, promote reusable alternatives, such as ceramic mugs, stainless steel cutlery, and glass cups.
5. If you are a business owner, push to remove plastic from your supply chain.
6. Ask suppliers for reusable, returnable, or sustainable packaging such as recycled cardboard boxes or ‘jackets’ to replace plastic wrap on pallets.
7. If you ship products, you could use shredded paper to protect products instead of bubble wrap.
8. If you have a food business, use reusable containers instead of single-use plastic boxes for takeout orders.

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