Plastic-Free July: Small Steps, Big Changes for Our Nature

What would you do if you knew you were swallowing a credit card-sized piece of plastic a week?

Plastic pollution is increasing daily, and its impacts aren't just on the environment but also on our health. Knowing you're swallowing a credit card-sized amount of plastic a week should be compelling enough to take action. So, how can we solve this problem?

Plastic Pollution: A Global Threat

Even today, plastics in the polar regions and oceans threaten our world. While 8 million tons of plastic enter the oceans annually, a plastic island twice the size of Turkey has formed in the Atlantic Ocean. Despite this dire situation, why do we continue to use plastic?

Plastic Free July Movement

In 2011, Plastic Free July was launched by the Australian-based environmental organization Plastic Free Foundation to combat this uncontrolled pollution.
More than 100 million people in 190 countries support this movement every July to prevent single-use plastics from ending up in landfills and seas.

Only 9% of the products we think are destined for recycling are actually suitable for recycling. Of those that are, 90% end up in the trash due to a lack of facilities. So, what small steps can we take to expand this movement?

5 Small Steps You Can Take in Daily Life

1. Use of Cloth Bags : You can use cloth bags instead of plastic bags when shopping at the market.
2. Use Your Own Water Bottle and Thermos : Instead of disposable plastic bottles and coffee cups, you can use your own water bottle and thermos.
3. Glass or Metal Storage Containers : You can use glass or metal storage containers instead of plastic containers to carry your meals.
4. Alternative Straws : You can use bamboo or metal straws instead of plastic straws, or stop using straws altogether.
5. The 3R Principle : For a better planet, the 3Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. For example, you can reuse an old garment as a cleaning cloth.

Want to Do More?

1. Natural Alternatives : You can replace plastic products in your home with alternatives made from natural materials. For example, use a bamboo toothbrush instead of a plastic one.
2. Avoiding Plastic Packaging : When shopping, you can avoid products with plastic packaging or choose products with recyclable packaging.
3. Composting : By composting your kitchen waste, you can both utilize organic waste and reduce the use of plastic garbage bags.
4. Refillable Packaging : You can purchase products such as shampoo, soap, lotion in refillable packaging.
5. Be an Example : By doing all these, you can be an example to your environment about plastic pollution and sustainable living.

One Month Without Single-Use Plastic Products

Just think: what would a month without buying single-use plastic products be like? It would be the best thing we could do for our environment and our future. And besides, going plastic-free might lead us to develop small new habits we didn't anticipate. For example, wouldn't waking up a little earlier in the morning to have a coffee at a café instead of grabbing a coffee in a plastic cup and heading to work bring us closer to loving ourselves?

Plastic-Free July shows that small steps make big changes possible. You too can contribute to our environment and our future by joining this movement.