Plastic Free July 2026

Plastic as we know it today didn't become popular until the mid-20th century. Despite being a fairly recent innovation, single-use plastics have become the norm in modern society. While some items, like surgical gloves, are important, they tend to constitute a very small percentage of the plastic waste polluting the environment. 

The Statistics

More than 40% of plastic is used once and then tossed. According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, "The most common types of plastic waste found in the environment are cigarette butts, followed by plastic film (including bags), food packaging, and plastic bottles."

The world currently produces 450 million tonnes of plastic waste a year. This number has increased drastically compared to the 2 million tonnes produced at the beginning of plastic's popularity in 1950.

There's irony in the increasing environmental damage caused by plastic pollution. One of the initial reasons for the invention of plastic was due to environmental concerns. "In the late 1800s, animal horn, specifically ivory, was a valuable source of malleable material used in applications as diverse as hair combs to billiard balls." The hope was that plastic would create a better alternative and put an end to the harmful practices of collecting animal horn.

Plastic Free July

So, is a plastic-free world possible in the future? While many plastics likely aren't going anywhere, think technology and healthcare, there's hope to put an end to plastic pollution. Alongside the initiatives to create a better system for recycling plastics, eliminating most single-use plastics would make an incredible difference.

Plastic Free July focuses on raising awareness of our collective plastic problem by encouraging people who do not need single-use plastics to swap them out. The best way to start? Identify one single-use plastic item you use regularly and dedicate to not using that for the month of July (or any month, really). 

Where Do I Begin?

Here are some examples to help get you started.

• Reusable Mugs
  Instead of getting your daily coffee in a disposable cup, bring your own! If you are sitting in the cafe and don't need it portable, ask for it in a mug for here!
• No Straw
  If you don't need a straw at restaurants, ask the server not to leave any with you or bring your own reusable straw from home. Many plastic swaps are fairly low-cost and can be used over and over again until they need to be replaced.
• BYO Bags
  Bring your own reusable bags when grocery shopping. You can get dedicated grocery bags or use tote bags you already have around your home.
• Meal Time Upgrades
  Getting takeout? Use cutlery from home. Keep a set of reusable cutlery in your vehicle for on-the-go eats. Have leftovers at the restaurant? Show up prepared and bring a storage container from home.

You don't have to make all these swaps overnight. Pick the one that you run into the most and try out a swap! It may be easier than you think. Watch as your trash cans at home don't fill up as fast. You might be surprised by how noticeable the difference is.

Ready to make a swap? Sign up here to dedicate to what item you won't use! The goal isn't perfection, it's progress. Ready to shop for items made with sustainability in mind? Visit us at Latitudes Fair Trade and support ethical production and dignified jobs. Happy Plastic Free July!