Plastic-free august

Maybe you heard about Plastic-Free July?  Perhaps you adopted new plastic-free habits!  I saw promotions for pledging to give up specific plastic purchases at online sites and at the Farmers’ Market and while the plastic-free campaign didn’t make it into this column for July, why not keep the movement rolling?  We can have plastic-free August, September, etc. 
Take a look at a great website, www.plasticfreejuly.org, by an international organization based in Australia. The site hosts tips on how to move beyond plastic, and there are pieces exploring:

• The reason for and impact of choosing clothing and soft furnishings made with natural fibers, cotton, wool, linen, silk, hemp,
• How to avoid home cleaning products packaged in plastic,
• Using Bar soap, including shampoo bars instead of liquids in plastic,
• Fun and inspiring stories of what other real people are doing.

One of my favorite stories reported a successful challenge in the health industry, where plastic waste abounds.  Staff at a clinic reduced the use of disposable plastic backed pads by 35% in three months with a simple, voluntary change.  Their goal is a 50% reduction. 
You might find something inspiring and interesting at www.plasticfreejuly.org.
 
Www.beyondplastics.org is another site packed with information and ideas.  There are:

• Fact sheets (e.g. How to Reduce Your Exposure to Microplastics),
• Scientific reports and studies (e.g. More Recycling Lies: What the Plastics Industry Isn't Telling You About "Chemical Recycling" March 2025 | Natural Resources Defense Council)
• Publications (e.g. In The Bag: A Guide For Dry Cleaners To Move Beyond Plastic; Hold The Plastic, Please: A Restaurant’s Guide to Reducing Plastic) 
• Advocacy and action guidance (e.g. How to Host a Plastic Free Event),
• Plus, an opportunity to attend an online college class
  • Bennington College professor Judith Enck teaches Beyond Plastic Pollution, a seven week online course beginning in September.  Enck is the former EPA Regional Administrator. 

Some interesting things I learned while perusing the Beyond Plastics site include:

• Microplastic dangers found in some tea bags,
• Access to webinars, such as Excellent Alternatives to Plastic Packaging is at your fingertips at any time,
• Why Black Plastic is bad news,
• The problems with ‘bio plastics’, ‘biodegradable plastic’ and ‘compostable plastic’ – mean, for now, it is better to avoid these in favor of materials that biodegrade naturally,
• You can reach out to a Beyond Plastics local group by emailing [email protected], and
• https://www.beyondplastics.org/plastic-free-july-2025 -- scroll this page for day to day suggestions on the journey to living plastic free.

Good luck and have fun on your journey to an (almost) plastic-free life!