Plastic Free July: 31 Easy Swaps to Reduce Plastic Waste

What Is Plastic Free July: A Local Movement with Global Impact

Plastic Free July is a global movement that empowers people to reduce plastic waste by refusing single-use plastics and finding simple, sustainable swaps that actually work for real life. It began as a small local initiative in Western Australia back in 2011, and has since grown into the largest plastic waste reduction campaign in the world — with more than 170 million participants each year. It’s a powerful reminder that local action really can ripple around the world!

My first Plastic Free July was back in 2017, right around the same time I went all in on zero waste. I took “plastic-free” very literally, and immediately tried to overhaul every aspect of our family’s life. Predictably, it did not go well. No matter how hard I tried, avoiding plastic was simply not possible. In the years since, my approach has broadened beyond my own trash can into the larger systems at play. Writing this post now, years later, with a different perspective and a lot more grace, I see that it’s really about shifting how we relate to the world around us — one choice, one habit, one reusable container at a time.

Prefer to listen instead? This episode of the Sustainable in the Suburbs podcast walks you through what Plastic Free July is, why it matters, and how to make small swaps that fit your real life. Click ‘share’ to add to your podcast player.

Do Individual Actions Matter in Sustainability?

Yes! But maybe not in the way we’ve been taught to think about it.

Corporations have purposefully offloaded responsibility for waste onto the consumer. For decades, we’ve been told that saving the planet is about recycling properly, remembering your reusable bag, and lowering your personal carbon footprint. And those are good things that make a difference! But they cannot make a dent while the world’s biggest plastic producers continue to pump out packaging like there’s no tomorrow, with no extended producer responsibility.

That said, I still believe individual action matters. Not because it will solve the problem, but because it leads to a collective movement. It helps build awareness, shift habits, and spark conversations. It gives us a sense of agency in a system that often feels overwhelming. Remember that systems are made of people, and people can be influenced.

Small actions may not feel world-changing on their own, but multiplied across millions of people? That’s where culture shifts. That’s how policy changes. That’s how we build something better, together.

How to Make Plastic Free July Work for You

Two of the biggest barriers around Plastic Free July are feeling overwhelmed and feeling like you have to do it perfectly. But the goal isn’t perfection — it’s awareness. Use the challenge as a way to notice where plastic shows up in your day-to-day life, and to experiment with alternatives that actually work for you.

The best plastic-free swaps aren’t necessarily the most aesthetic, but the ones that actually fit your routine. I don’t own a travel mug because I don’t grab coffee out — but I do carry the same stainless steel water bottle I’ve had for nearly 20 years. It’s dented and scratched (actually, it looks like it’s been hit by a bus) but it still works just fine! It’s a swap that fits my life, and that’s what matters.

Don’t worry — you don’t need to haul around a bunch of reusables to make a difference! Think about your day the way you think about getting dressed. Grocery run? Bring your bags. Patio lunch? Toss in a cloth napkin or reusable cutlery. Out all day? A good water bottle goes a long way. It doesn’t have to be fancy, just functional.

Use this month to assess what you can reasonably change. Try a few new habits and see what sticks. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised!

31 Plastic-Free Swaps to Try This July

Plastic Free July is the perfect time to explore simple, practical ways to reduce your reliance on single-use plastics. Whether you’re easing into sustainable living or looking to level up your low-waste habits, this list offers 31 easy swaps to help you build momentum all month long. Most of them don’t require buying anything new — but if you are in the market for reusables, I’ve included a few of my tried and tested favourites.

In the Kitchen

1. Beeswax wraps instead of plastic wrap.
   
2. Bring your own produce bags or buy naked produce.
   
3. Glass or stainless steel containers instead of plastic ones.
   
4. Switch to cloth instead of paper towels and napkins.
   
5. Wooden or metal dish brush instead of plastic scrubbers.
   
6. Bar dish soap or tab refills instead of liquid soap in plastic bottles.
   
7. Try refilling your pantry staples in your own containers.

In the Bathroom

8. Bar soap or tab refills instead of bottles.
   
9. Shampoo and conditioner bars.
   
10. Refillable or low-waste deodorant.
    
11. Safety razor instead of disposable razors.
    
12. Reusable cotton rounds or washcloths instead of disposable wipes.
    
13. Menstrual cup or reusable pads instead of single-use products.

Cleaning and Laundry

14. Refillable cleaning concentrates or tablets.
    
15. Wool dryer balls instead of dryer sheets.
    
16. Powdered laundry detergent in cardboard packaging.
    
17. Hang your laundry to dry instead of using the dryer.

On the Go

18. Reusable water bottle.
    
19. Travel cutlery set or just a fork from home.
    
20. Silicone bags or small containers for lunches and snacks.
    
21. Reusable coffee cup.
    
22. Cloth tote or backpack instead of plastic bags.
    
23. Pack your own straw, napkin, or food container when getting takeout.

Grocery Shopping

24. Shop at bulk stores using your own jars or bags.
    
25. Choose items in glass, tin, or cardboard over plastic.
    
26. Buy bread from a bakery that uses paper or allows you to bring your own bags.
    
27. Return egg cartons or berry baskets at the farmers’ market.

Kids and Family

28. Silicone snack bags. We have used Stasher bags for years — they’re durable, versatile, and dishwasher-safe!
    
29. Skip individually wrapped snacks and portion from bulk.
    
30. Pack zero waste school lunches.

The Most Important Sustainable Swap

31. Your mindset! Every new habit you build helps shift us away from a culture of convenience and disposability and toward one rooted in reusability, care, and regeneration.

Refuse the Waste AND the Systems That Create It

If you’ve been around the zero waste space for a while, you’ve probably heard of the 5 Rs: refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle, and rot — in that order. And there’s a reason “refuse” comes first. The most effective way to keep plastic out of landfills, oceans, and ecosystems is to stop it from coming into your life in the first place.

That might mean choosing unpackaged produce, declining a plastic bag, carrying a reusable water bottle, or skipping the freebies at events. But refusing plastic isn’t just about saying “no, thank you” — it’s also about challenging the systems that make waste the default.

If you have the privilege to choose differently, use it. Say no and send an email to your grocery store about excessive plastic packaging. Carry your water bottle and write to your local rep about access to clean water and extended producer responsibility. Give up Amazon and talk to your friends about local alternatives — after you’ve called for corporate accountability.

I still believe in voting with your dollar — but I believe even more in using your voice. Public pressure has the power to create real, lasting change in ways that quiet boycotts can’t always reach. So let’s do both.

Refuse the waste — and refuse to accept the conditions that allow it to keep piling up.

One Small Shift: It’s Only Single-Use If You Use It Once

One of the simplest, most powerful shifts you can make this month is to start rethinking what “single-use” really means. Because as I always say: it’s only single-use if you use it once.

Takeout containers, bread clips, bubble mailers, plastic cutlery — so many of these so-called disposables can be reused at least once, and often much more than that. A plastic clamshell can start seedlings or organize hair ties. A sauce container can hold beads or paint. A yogurt tub can become a freezer container for soup stock. It’s not fancy, but it’s functional. Repurposing these items keeps them in use and out of the landfill.

You don’t have to save everything, but next time you’re about to toss something, pause and ask: Could I use this one more time? That second use is a quiet little win — keeping it in use and out of the landfill for just a bit longer.

Plastic Free July Is Just the Beginning

Plastic Free July isn’t about achieving some perfect, plastic-free ideal. It’s about paying attention, getting curious, and trying out small shifts that add up over time. Saying no to a plastic fork or reusing a takeout container might seem minor on its own, but it’s part of a much bigger story.

When millions of people take part, those small actions become a collective voice. They spark conversations. They show companies and policymakers that we care. They normalize reusables. And they help us build habits that last well beyond the month of July.

So what’s one habit, swap, or mindset shift you’re going to try this month? I’d love to hear what Plastic Free July looks like for you!

And if you want more low-waste tips and honest stories about what sustainable living actually looks like in real life, make sure you’re on my email list. I send out weekly encouragement, ideas, and small shifts you can try — one doable step at a time. Sign up below!