It's Plastic Free July! Here are some easy swaps and how to get involved

Today marks the start of Plastic Free July, the world's largest plastic waste avoidance campaign, and there's a lot to be excited about this year. Millions of people across the globe are choosing one or more single-use plastic items to give up for the month, and 2026 is shaping up to be a big one, with a world record attempt happening today! 

Here's what's happening and how you can get involved with some easy, plastic free swaps.

What is Plastic Free July?

Plastic Free July began back in 2011 as a small local project in Western Australia. 

Rebecca Prince-Ruiz, who was working in local government at the time, visited a materials recovery facility and was rattled by just how much plastic waste she saw. So she did something wonderfully simple: she asked 40 friends and colleagues to give up single-use plastic with her for a month. The following year the group grew to 400 people, then 4,000, and the idea just kept spreading from there.

In 2025, at least 174 million people across 190 countries took part in the challenge, which works out to around 16 percent of global consumers, while 29 percent (more than 316 million people) said they'd heard of the campaign.

Over the past seven years, participants have collectively avoided more than 15 million tonnes of waste, including 1.7 million tonnes of plastic. In 2025 alone, participants helped reduce landfill waste by 1.4 million tonnes, recyclable waste by 900,000 tonnes, and plastic consumption by 290,000 tonnes worldwide. Best of all, 86 percent of participants said the changes they made during the month stuck around as lasting habits. 

That's a huge global impact that started right here in Australia!

Easy plastic-free swaps to try this month

Here's the good news: you don't need to overhaul your whole life on day one. Plastic Free July is designed around small, manageable changes, and most people pick just one or two habits to focus on for the month. If you're wondering where to start, here are some friendly, low-effort ideas:

Bring your own coffee cup.

This is a great one to start with. Most disposable coffee cups are lined with a thin layer of plastic to make them waterproof, which means they can't go in most kerbside recycling bins. Australians get through an estimated one billion disposable cups a year, but switching them for a reusable cup or mug is one of the easiest swaps to start with. 

Water bottle

Carry a reusable water bottle instead of buying bottled water, and refill it at water fountains or tap points when you're out and about.

Produce bags
Pack mesh or cloth produce bags for loose fruit, vegetables, and bulk food items rather than reaching for the plastic bags on the roll. If you're in a pinch and forgot yours - use the paper mushroom bags! 

Loose leaf tea
Choose loose-leaf tea or a plastic-free tea bag brand. It's an easy one to overlook, but many everyday tea bags are sealed with polypropylene, a plastic that can shed microplastics into your cup when steeped in hot water. 

Bar over bottle
Try bar soap, shampoo and conditioner bars instead of bottled versions (they last longer too, which is a nice bonus!)

Food covering
Swap cling wrap for reusable containers or beeswax wraps to store leftovers and pack lunches. Even better - just use a plate!

Cutlery
Carry a reusable set of cutlery in your bag or car for takeaway meals and lunches on the go, so you're never caught out.

This year's world record attempt

There's something extra special happening today. The Plastic Free Foundation is attempting to set a world record for the most people refusing single-use plastic in one day, with the hope of establishing 1 July as the first ever World Plastic Free Day.

Getting involved is easy! Just pick one single-use plastic item to refuse today, whether that's a coffee cup, a plastic bottle, or packaged produce, and make a pledge as an individual, or with your family, classmates, colleagues, or wider community.

You can upload your pledge here to be counted toward the record attempt. It only takes a minute, and it all adds up!

Happy Plastic Free July!

Follow along on our socials for more plastic free living tips this month, and a community to keep you inspired.