Join This Movement for a Plastic-Free July

• News & Highlights

Over the past few years, many states in the U.S. and countries across the world have banned plastic straws, plastic bags, and other single-use plastic items that are harmful to the environment. While the coronavirus pandemic likely increased your usage of single-use plastics, you can get back on track this month by following a new eco-friendly initiative from the Australia-based Plastic-Free Foundation. The mission of the foundation, which was started in 2011, is to build a global movement that dramatically reduces plastic use and improves recycling. Since its founding in Western Australia, the movement has expanded to more than 170 countries around the world.

"Plastic Free July is a global movement that helps millions of people be part of the solution to plastic pollution—so we can have cleaner streets, oceans, and beautiful communities," the organizers say on their website. The month-long initiative, which aims to rid the world of plastic waste, is entering its ninth year.