Plastic Free July

 Plastic Free July is here! If you are unfamiliar with Plastic Free July, it started with a few people in Australia who challenged themselves to see if they could get through all of July without using single-use disposable items (straws, plastic grocery bags, take-out containers, etc.). The movement's founder has written a phenomenal book about the beginning of the movement and how it has grown. I recommend it to anyone wanting to find small ways to be more eco-friendly.

 I am an affiliate member of Amazon and bookshop.org, so any purchases through this post's links will earn me a commission.

As an eco-nerd, this is my favorite month. I am typically all for cutting down on my wastefulness and helping the planet, but I love the extra challenge of being extra intentional during July. It is almost like New Year’s for eco-nerds because it reminds us of where we may have let things slide in our mission to better care for the planet. This isn’t the time when we talk about driving less, eating organic foods, and composting. Those are all helpful to the earth, but July focuses on the single things we regularly use once and then throw away. The small things that make big problems in our sewers and oceans.

When we started participating in Plastic Free July, we discovered that those solutions fit pretty well into our household routines. And many things that were a July idea became a permanent fixture in our home. All month on my Instagram, I am sharing some of my favorite ways to single-use plastic-free if you want to check them out. Some include things you’d expect, like travel mugs, but some might surprise you, like dryer balls and microwave popcorn bags.

While transitioning to these items has made progress in living a greener, more eco-friendly life, it has also helped us live a greener, more economically friendly life. When we replace single-use items with reusable solutions, we are not repeatedly buying items; we buy once, and we’re done. So, instead of buying a $4 box of dryer sheets every month, you can buy a $4 set of dryer balls once and use them forever; that is a $44 savings in just your first year of using them! Or consider the way that you grocery shop. By purchasing items in glass jars or your lunchmeat in plastic containers, you have now bought groceries and reusable containers for leftovers and lunches. Buy the food and get the container for free!

I understand that this is not for everyone. And I understand if you think I’m crazy for loving a movement like this so much. I also understand that you might want to do more, but your budget or partner is unwilling to let you try. I say do what you are willing to do with your available resources. If you’re looking for budget-friendly ways to get started but need some help, I’d love to help you.