Join the global challenge to avoid single-use plastics for one month
The Revolution Plastics Institute is supporting Plastic Free July and encouraging others to step up to the month-long challenge, which starts today.
What is Plastic Free July?
Plastic Free July is an annual event where millions of people avoid single-use plastic packaging, takeaway items, or even strive to go ‘plastic free’ for a whole month.
It has inspired over 100 million participants from 190 countries to make a difference by choosing to refuse single-use plastic.
Taking notice of how many single-use plastics you encounter, and avoiding them where possible, can collectively make a big difference. Even if you try the challenge for a few days, you may find alternatives and form new habits that you’ll keep.
Whether it’s discovering plastic-free toiletries, reusable food storage or eco-friendly party decorations, there are lots of ways we can all play our part to reduce plastic pollution.
What are single-use plastics?
Single-use plastic is designed to be used once and then thrown away.
These short-lived products account for over one-third of the plastics produced every year and 98% are produced from fossil fuel, which contributes to the climate crisis.
One million plastic drinking bottles are purchased every minute around the world and yet less than 10% of plastic waste is recycled.
Single-use plastics are a major contributor to the global plastic pollution crisis.
Examples of single-use plastics include:
- plastic bags
- plastic water bottles
- cigarette butts
- takeaway coffee cups
- takeaway food containers
- crisp packets
- snack wrappers
- balloons
What is the University doing about plastic pollution?
The Revolution Plastics Institute at the University of Portsmouth is bringing together researchers, governments, businesses and citizens to find solutions to plastic pollution.
This includes our work to shape a global agreement to end plastic pollution, exploring the impact of plastic waste on livestock and endangered animals, and engineering new materials.
Take up the challenge
Plastic Free July highlights the prevalence of plastics in our daily lives, and offers an opportunity to make decisions about how to establish more sustainable lifestyles and change our relationship with plastics.
Find out more and get involved via the Plastic Free July website. Take a look at their resources and ideas to get your started.
If you take part, we’d love to know. Get in touch with the Revolution Plastics Institute on X (formerly Twitter).