By Olivia Levin, Alliance Intern from American University ’25
Whether you’re on a long break from school or just hoping to cash in a few vacation days, chances are you have some summer fun to look forward to in the coming weeks. However, this time of year can be as wasteful as it is enjoyable: single-use water bottles, plastic bags and even water balloons all contribute to excessive plastic waste during summertime. Luckily, July is the perfect time to try out some sustainable habits!
Plastic Free July is an initiative created by the Plastic Free Foundation to help individuals explore the ways they can combat the plastic pollution crisis in their everyday lives. Participants pledge to change their habits by trying alternatives to single-use plastics they typically encounter.
While our lives are filled with plastic and sometimes we don’t have a choice, this is opportunity to try taking a few simple steps to reduce your plastic use. The Plastic Free Foundation provides lots of resources to inspire and empower pledge-takers.
To get started, participants can visit the Plastic Free July website to sign up. All you have to do is submit your name and email address, then answer a few questions specifying how you plan to participate in the challenge. Whether you’d like to participate for one day or the entire month; individually or on behalf of your business or organization, there is a pledge option for you.
The website is also chock-full of inspiration, tips and stories from past participants to make starting the challenge easy. For example, there’s an article identifying the top four most prolific types of single-use plastics: plastic bags, water bottles, takeaway coffee cups and straws. Choosing to eliminate even one of these items from your routine has the power to make a major impact with minimal effort.
Beyond individual participation, the Plastic Free Foundation also offers resources for those looking to make a difference across their entire business or organization. Schools across the country have implemented Plastic Free July as a permanent part of their academic calendars, offering rewards to students who make exceptional lifestyle changes. Sustainable product solutions, like reusable bags, are also available for purchase via the Plastic Free Foundation.
Though the dog days of summer are already upon us, it is not too late to make a resolution to live more sustainably. Tweaking just one part of your routine can make a big difference — and you may even find that you prefer the environmentally friendly alternative!