Welcome to the No Spend, Plastic Free July Challenge!
I love that Plastic Free July has been gaining momentum each year and snowballed to become a worldwide push to reduce plastic use. Being a whole month rather than just one day gives plenty of opportunity to get people involved and and doing challenges.
However every time I searched for “plastic free July challenge” I would be met with a shopping list of reusable products to buy in order to go plastic free. But not every can or wants to spend money to become plastic free. And there are sooooo many ways to go plastic free without spending a cent.
So I created a No Spend Plastic Free July Challenge. Of course, a couple of astute purchases could take you even further in your plastic free journey but don’t let cost hold you back from completing this Plastic Free July Challenge.
By making a few small small changes, you can not only avoid plastic use but also save money, change your habits, change your mindset and change the world.
Download the challenge poster to get started
You can feel ready to tackle Plastic Free July with this totally achievable, no spend challenge.
Change and save money
- Buy less – Reconsider each purchase. Do you really need it? Can you make do with what you already have?
- Buy second hand – This reduces the demand to produce more and comes without the excessive plastic packaging.
- Borrow items instead of buying – you’ll save money as well as not having to store something that you may only use a handful of times.
- Repair faulty items instead of replacing – Extend the life of goods and avoid buying a new replacement
Change your habits
- Ditch cling wrap – instead cover foods in the fridge with a plate or bowl or use lidded containers.
- Choose to dine in – consume your coffee or lunch at the place of purchase instead of to-go to avoid takeaway containers.
- BYO cutlery and containers for takeaway meals – you’d be surprised how many businesses are happy to accommodate this.
- Buy loose fresh produce – do not put a head of broccoli or bunch of bananas in a bag! there is absolutely no need. Even a few apples, potatoes etc can be taken home loose if you don’t have a reusable produce bag.
- BYO containers to the butcher, bakery, deli counter etc.
Change your mindset
- Join plastic free / sustainable social media groups – get inspiration for going plastic free while you scroll.
- Read widely – read books, news and sustainability blogs to learn about the impact of plastics on our environment and health and more ways to reduce plastic use.
- Do a plastics audit – complete a household audit of everything that comes in single use plastic. It will help you to become aware of your plastic use and identify where improvements can be made.
Change the world
- Write to governments – Urge them to ban unnecessary single use plastics.
- Support businesses who make an effort to be sustainable and reduce plastic use.
- Clean up parks and beaches – Although prevention is best, plastic pollution is already a problem and we need to remove it from our environment.
- Promote Plastic Free July – spread the word at schools and workplaces to engage communities in meaningful change.
Download the challenge poster to get started
You can feel ready to tackle Plastic Free July with this totally achievable, no spend challenge.
