Plastic pollution has increased significantly over the last 70 years, accounting for over 450 million tons today. Plastic has added a lot of value to our modern lives because it is a cheap material used in multiple industries, such as construction and food packaging. Yet, plastic pollution is one of the major contributors to climate change and significantly impacts marine wildlife. So, we had to ask: What is the most important information you need to know about this year’s Plastic Free July?

👉 Official Name: Plastic Free July
💚 Cause: Encourage people to reduce their use of plastic, particularly single-use plastics, in order to protect our natural planet.
📅 Next Date: July 1-31, 2025
🌐 Official Website: https://www.plasticfreejuly.org/
🐦 Hashtag: #PlasticFreeJuly

Keep on reading to find out all the important information about Plastic Free July at a glance, including its big picture, why it’s important, and how you can get involved. We’ll then share its brief history, three interesting facts about it, its future dates, and how you’ll never miss any important awareness event again.

The Most Important Information About Plastic Free July at a Glance

1️⃣ The big picture: Plastic Free July is a global movement to reduce our reliance on plastics and protect our planet from further harm. During July, the campaign provides multiple resources and ideas to help members of the public reduce single-use plastic waste in their everyday lives and raise awareness of the issues that plastic pollution causes around the world. 

2️⃣ Why is this important: Global plastic use has reached an estimated 460 million metric tons in recent years, with more than 150 million tons of plastic already in our oceans. Even more worryingly, less than 10% of all plastics are recycled. Plastics and microplastics cause a huge threat to marine life due to entanglement and accidental ingestion. Plastic also has the ability to carry pathogenic microbes across the oceans, potentially impacting life as they travel. There is even evidence that plastics can cause respiratory problems in birds and a chemical found in plastic-phthalates-have been linked to ADHD symptoms in children. 

3️⃣ How can you get involved: One of the best ways to get involved in Plastic Free July is by taking the Plastic Free July Challenge. Alternatively, you can set up your own fundraising event or raise awareness of plastic pollution through your social media channels. Many schools, communities, and organizations also hold public events during this month.

Below are our favorite charities that are especially relevant for Plastic Free July:

• 9 Best Charities That Fight to End Plastic Pollution
• 9 Best Charities That Help Clean Up Our Oceans
• 10 Best Charities That Fight to Protect Our Environment
• 9 Best Charities That Promote Recycling

A Brief History of Plastic Free July

When was this event established: Plastic Free July was founded in 2011 by Rebecca Prince-Ruiz as a key initiative of the Plastic Free Foundation to create a world free of plastic. Today, the event is one of the most influential environmental campaigns in the world, working toward cleaner streets, healthy oceans, and beautiful communities.

How has it developed since then: To date, Plastic Free July has inspired over 100 million participants across 190 countries to reduce their plastic use and find more sustainable alternatives. Today, they run multiple campaigns to inspire further action such as Plastic Free Morning Tea and the Plastic Free Pledge. Over the last 5 years, participants have successfully avoided 10 billion kgs of waste, including 1.4 billion kgs of plastic. 

3 Interesting Facts About Plastic Free July

1. Media Awareness: Plastic Free July has grown from a small campaign to a global movement that has been featured in multiple high-profile media outlets including the Washington Post, CNN, Forbes, and EuroNews. In 2023 alone, the event was mentioned in 1,800 media outlets, reaching an estimated 4.1 billion people.
2. Worldwide Impact: Since its founding, Plastic Free July has inspired more than 223 million behavioral changes, with 87% of participants making life-long changes to reduce their plastic use. This equates to an average reduction of 18 kg in waste per person per year. 
3. Ocean Pollution: 12 million tons of plastic is dumped into our oceans every year. As a result, 1 in 3 fish caught for human consumption around the world now contain plastic! 

Upcoming Dates of Plastic Free July

Plastic Free July is observed throughout July every year.

Never Miss an Awareness Event Again

Sources

• Our World in Data: Plastic Pollution
• Plastic Free July: Home page
• Statistica: Global plastic packaging industry – statistics & facts
• UN Environment Program: Beat Plastic Pollution
• NHM: The Plastic Problem
• Science Direct: Airborne microplastics detected in the lungs of wild birds in Japan
• Science Daily: Common plastics chemicals – phthalates – linked to ADHD symptoms
• Plastic Free July: Take the Challenge
• Plastic Free July: Campaigns
• Plastic Free July: Find events near you
• Impactful Ninja: 9 Best Charities That Fight to End Plastic Pollution
• Impactful Ninja: 9 Best Charities That Help Clean Up Our Oceans
• Impactful Ninja: 10 Best Charities That Fight to Protect Our Environment
• Impactful Ninja: 9 Best Charities That Promote Recycling
• Australian of the Year Awards: Rebecca Prince-Ruiz
• Plastic Free July: About Us
• Plastic Free July: Plastic Free Morning Tea
• Plastic Free July: Plastic Free Pledge
• Plastic Free July: Impact Report 2023
• Surfers Against Sewage: Plastic Pollution