Join The Challenge: Plastic Free July

This is Plastic Free July, a global initiative to reduce plastic pollution. The non-profit Plastic-Free Foundation began this movement in 2011. Are you ready to join the challenge?

The vast majority of plastics come from fossil fuels, which create pollution and increase greenhouse gas, contributing to climate change.  Plus, an enormous amount of plastic ends up in landfills, taking up valuable space. Plastics in our oceans contaminate and threaten marine life. Animals such as seabirds, whales, and dolphins can become entangled in plastic matter.  Microplastics have been detected in wastewater, freshwater, and drinking water, which means they end up, you guessed it,  in us, causing potentially harmful side effects.

But here's the good news: each and every one of us can play a part in decreasing our usage of plastics.

Start by focusing on the "big four" single-use plastics, such as shopping bags, sports/water bottles, cup-holder coffee cups, and straws. Bring your own bags when shopping, carry a reusable water bottle, use a personal cup for your coffee in the morning, and do not use plastic straws. Plastic Free July encourages us to be aware of our use of plastics by reducing plastic waste and refusing single-use plastic. So, who is ready to join the challenge and make the earth a healthier place to live?

Take the Pesky Plastics Quiz right here.