Of course every month is plastic free for me but plastic free July is a time to make a bit of extra effort, promote projects, look at my bin and join with other people all over the world who are taking this time to rethink their relationship with plastic.

What is Plastic Free July

The aim is to cut your consumption of one use plastic, for one month - July. If that sounds a bit much bear in mind that definitions of one use plastic can vary. And how much you choose to cut is up to you - read my take.
You can take this opportunity to tackle one item. Maybe get your self a milkman, buy (or make) some produce bags for loose veges or get a refillable water bottle.
You don’t have to do it all at once!

But whatever and how much you choose to do, he plastic you loose is more important than the plastic you use!

A bit of history

Plastic Free July started in 2011. It is an initiative of the Western Metropolitan Regional Council (WMRC) in Perth, Western Australia and was developed by clever Earth Carers staff. In 2012 Plastic Free July expanded across Perth and in 2013 it went global. They have a great website and are all round good eggs.

My Plastic Free July

I cut all disposable plastics and just to remind you, that includes:
tins & cans:
tetrapaks:
glass jars with plastic/ plastic-lined lids:
Plastic lined cardboard:
Teabags:
Don’t know they had plastic in them? You can read all about sneaky plastics here
Plastic packed personal care and hygiene products. I will as ever be making my own. Sadly the ingredients came plastic wrapped but it can’t be avoided.
Any other plastic goods that I can’t think of right now.

Plastic I find myself using but Try not to
Booze. Itbis almost impossible to find plastic free booze to take out and there is usually at least one social occasion that requires a gift of alcohol.
If the morning after visiting said friends painkillers are required then they will be administered. As of course will any other necessary medicines.

Basically it’s what I do all year without the backsliding on the mayonnaise and wine front.

Keeping in Touch

Join in at the Plastic Is Rubbish Support Group where people share plastic free tips.
And Twitter @plasticSrubbish

Hashtags
I encourage UK participants to use the hashtag #pfjuk for British related posts. Mainly because it gets very dispiriting to hear of a fantastic bulk food store only to find it is based in Sydney.

U.K. Participants

Every year UK based bloggers have joined in.
It’s really important to link up with U.K. based plastivists who will be sharing throughout the month. While some solutions like solid shampoo from Lush can be accessed UK wide, many are local.

You can find a list of bloggers who have contributed here.

Follow My Progress

2018 just starting

Past Years

I am proof that you can do this anywhere no matter the constraints.
2014 I did it while travelling in a van. Here is how I did.
2015 I did it with a backpack check out Plastic free Mongolia
2016 here
2017 On a desert island. read more here

More Resources & Info

Loads of plastic free products here… A to Z of plastic free products

And see all our past plastic free July posts here

N.B.

lines changes, products get removed. For more information why not ask the Plastic Is Rubbish FB group for updates. They are a great source of tidbits, personal experience and the latest news. Why not join them and share the plastic free love x

And before you go…

If you have found the #plasticfree information useful, please consider supporting us. It all goes to financing the project (read more here) or

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24 thoughts on “Index Plastic-free July”

Go for it. And good luck.

I’ve just found out about this and have signed up and pledged to join in. Wish me luck for my first plastic free July!

Thanks for the mention. Love your water bottles!

You made the list.

Yay, send us some details - do you twitter?

I’d love to join in Plastic Free July

RT @plasticSrubbish: Author and TV presenter @nataliefee has joined the #pfjuk campaign and is spreading the word in Bristol and beyond! h…

Author and TV presenter @nataliefee has joined the #pfjuk campaign and is spreading the word in Bristol and beyond! http://t.co/wqOV6lBeHR

RT @plasticSrubbish: @Chillibronze @nataliefee see the other #plasticfreejuly Brits here also tweeting under #pfjuk
want to go on list? h…

@Chillibronze @nataliefee see the other #plasticfreejuly Brits here also tweeting under #pfjuk
want to go on list? http://t.co/oGTD5pKpVe

plastic free July – U.K. 2015 | plasticisrubbish http://t.co/8YVBFgbtZJ

RT @plasticSrubbish: @minxlj @ethicalstore fantastic promotion #plasticfree products to help you through #plasticfreejuly #pfjuk http://t.c…

@PlasticFreeJuly the #plasticfree brits are on board #pfjuk http://t.co/oGTD5pKpVe

RT @plasticSrubbish: @beingpall @Pip_Squeaking two new Brits added to the #plasticfreejuly UK chapter list #pfjuk. See them all here http:/…

@BeckyAnnison you in for this year - want to go on my list? http://t.co/oGTD5pKpVe

RT @plasticSrubbish: @Westywrites @Ecothrifty @mommyemu @RinaM69 @AnnaPitt @Oceanwarrior quitters & cheerers here http://t.co/wqOV6lBeHR h…

Then I am counting you as in! Doing all that is a huge commitment!

I learned a lot from taking part in Plastic Free July last year. Not sure if I can commit to taking part in it this year but will carry on with what I picked up last year, ie taking reusable utensils etc with me, reusing bags, no straws etc. And of course taking lots of inspiration from 2015’s bloggers!