Plastic Free July is back and this year marks a huge milestone—15 years of people around the world ditching single-use plastic and making a difference.

Whether you’re a long-time eco champ or just starting to think about swapping plastic for something better, now’s the perfect time to jump in. Because guess what? Change doesn’t have to be hard or scary. It starts with one small step, and that’s exactly what Plastic Free July is all about!

What is Plastic Free July? 

It all started in 2011 with Rebecca Prince-Ruiz and a small but passionate team working in local government in Western Australia. What began as a humble local initiative has since snowballed into the world’s largest waste avoidance campaign.

Fast forward to 2024, and a whopping 174 million people across more than 190 countries joined the movement, proudly saying a big “see ya!” to single-use plastics. That’s millions of small steps coming together to create massive, positive change for our planet.

This global movement encourages everyone—individuals, households, businesses, and communities—to rethink their plastic use throughout the month of July and adopt lasting habits that protect our environment. Whether it’s simply swapping your takeaway coffee cup for a reusable one or refusing plastic packaging for fresh produce at the grocery store, Plastic Free July shows us that no effort is too small to matter.

Why Ditch Single-Use Plastic?

Did you know Australians throw away around 1.9 million tonnes of plastic packaging every year. That’s enough to fill the Melbourne Cricket Grounds 9 times! Most of this plastic ends up polluting our environment, threatening wildlife and breaking down into micro-plastics that sneak into our food and water. Studies have now found micro-plastics in our brains, lungs and placentas! Single-use plastics are a major culprit because they’re used once and discarded—creating an ongoing environmental headache.

Plastic Free July shines a light on this problem and offers a hopeful message: each plastic-free choice is a win for the planet. Imagine if those 174 million people from last year’s campaign kept going all year round.

How to Participate in Plastic Free July 

Joining the movement doesn’t mean you have to overhaul your entire lifestyle overnight. It’s all about progress, not perfection—and there are plenty of fun and simple ways to get involved this July. Here are a few easy ideas to kick things off. 

1. Complete a Bin Audit

Let’s start with a little reality check. One of the best ways to prepare for Plastic Free July is by doing a bin audit at home or at work. It might not sound glamorous (bin-diving, anyone?), but it’s a super helpful way to figure out where your plastic habits are hiding.

Sort your waste into recycling, compost, and non-recyclables, then identify the most frequently discarded single-use items. Is it cling wrap? Snack wrappers? Disposable coffee cups? Once you know what’s piling up, you can brainstorm some sustainable swaps to help cut those items out.

2. Make a Plastic Free Pledge

Not sure where to begin? Make it easy by choosing just one plastic item to refuse in July. Whether it’s plastic razors, bin liners, or takeaway coffee cups, pick your item and commit to a simple swap. You can upload your pledge to the Plastic Free July website and share it on socials—because nothing inspires change like a friend doing something great! Your one small change might just spark someone else’s whole plastic-free journey.

3. Host a Plastic-Free Event

Want to spread the good vibes? Host a plastic-free morning tea, a movie night, or a community clean-up. Bring your mates, whip up some low-waste snacks, and get the convo flowing about how easy (and rewarding) it is to go plastic-free.These kinds of events are not just great for sharing ideas—they’re also a fab way to build community and show that sustainability isn’t about sacrifice. It’s about connection, creativity, and creating positive impact together. 

4. Progress Over Perfection

Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day (and neither was a zero-waste pantry). Going plastic-free isn’t about getting it all perfect; it’s about taking small steps and learning along the way. What matters is showing up, trying your best, and celebrating the wins—no matter how small. Your efforts are part of something much bigger, and that’s worth feeling proud of.

Go For Zero’s Plastic Free July Pledge

It’s no secret that Plastic Free July is one of our favourite months at Go For Zero. It’s a movement that speaks straight to our hearts and our mission.

To celebrate, we’ve created a limited edition Plastic Free July Box, packed with some amazing 100% plastic-free samples. It’s perfect if you're looking to try new things and kickstart your journey—minus the overwhelm. 

And we’re not just cheering from the sidelines—each of our team members is making their own plastic-free pledge this July too. Check them out below! 

• Ellieis swapping single-use food wrap for bees wax wraps and silicone wraps. 
• Lea is saying no to plastic food packaging when buying fresh produce and is going to start buying her groceries from local markets. 
• Georgiais pledging to swap her plastic razor for a reusable safety razor. 
• Lauren will be taking silicone bags to her supermarket and supermarket. She's also going to introduce more meat-free meals. 
• Reggie is saying no to plastic food packaging and is going to use her own reusable food containers instead. 
• Abbiis swapping plastic bags at the butcher for reusable silicone bags 
• Cathyis saying no to plastic produce bags and taking her own reusable bags instead
• Poppyis pledging to swap plastic food packaging for reusable glass containers when storing and packing food that she prepares 

Throughout the month, we’ll also be sharing sustainable tips and tricks to inspire, help you stay accountable and remind you that even small changes can make a big difference. Be sure to keep up to date on our Instagram, TikTok and Facebook! 

The Power of Small Steps

The magic of Plastic Free July is that small, individual actions add up to massive collective change. When you make a conscious choice, you inspire others to do the same. 

So why not make July your month to join millions around the globe celebrating 15 years of change? Whether you’re ready to go all in or just try one plastic-free swap, every effort counts.

If you loved this story you’ll love our other blog here about the first nations owned toilet paper making a real impact , it’s a goodie!

Until next time GFZ's 

With Love, 
Ellie xoxo