Wondering what steps you can take to be part of the solution to plastic pollution this Plastic Free July (and beyond!)? Since its founding in 2011 by the Australian Plastic Free Foundation, Plastic Free July has only grown and is now a global movement involving calls to action, community events and at-home challenges from organizations around the world. It is inspiring—and a little overwhelming—to learn of the many ways to get involved. 

To provide a starting point, we turned to our partners and friends in the Reuse Solutions Network to learn what they are up to this month. Here’s a little roundup to help you to not only go plastic-free but—the ultimate solution to plastic pollution—reuse.

Non-profits

5 Gyres is focusing on Plastic-Free National Parks this month (and beyond) to track plastic pollution trends in U.S. National Parks and on federal lands. Learn more about how you can get involved and sign up for a Plastic-Free Parks TrashBlitz here. (They have a body of new research on plastic pollution available here.)

The Alliance of Mission-Based Recyclers—Ecology Center, Recycle Ann Arbor, Eco-Cycle and Eureka Recycling—are hosting a free watch party for Chasing Arrows: the Truth about Recycling, with a virtual panel discussion, on Wednesday, July 12 at 6pm PT / 9pm ET. *Though this event has passed, you can still view the film here.

Beyond Plastics has released a Plastic Free July Action Guide to help you prepare for a coordinated national day of action on July 20th.

Beyond Plastics Greater Seattle is hosting a rolling online viewing of the Story of Plastic from 7/1-7/14, with a panel discussion on 7/14.

The Community Environmental Council is hosting an online webinar titled “How you can reduce waste to make a lasting impact” on July 20th at 12pm PT / 3pm ET.

Plastic Pollution Coalition is “Flipping the Script on Plastic” in popular culture and entertainment this summer, and on July 20th, they are hosting a webinar titled Greening Hollywood Sets to Flip the Script on Plastics at 5pm ET / 2pm PT.

Reuse Businesses & Collaborations

Bagito is offering 20% off their Reusable Trash Can Liners, Zip-em Reusable Storage Bags, Reusable Produce and Bulk Bags, and BagitoWare Bamboo Cutlery Sets (Use code “PlasticFree2023”).

FoodWare is offering a $0 deposit for borrowing a reusable for the month of July across their network of participating restaurants in the Bay Area, and are also launching a rewards program. And, together with their partners in Burlingame (Plastic Free Future, Reusable San Mateo, City of Burlingame and others), they’ll be hosting special events promoting the city’s reuse pilot; participants will receive discounts at participating restaurants.

HuskeeCup is donating 2% of all Australian sales in July to the Plastic Free July Foundation. They are also holding a giveaway with fellow B-Corp reuse partner rePlated, promoted on LinkedIn.

This list only scratches the surface, but we hope it helps you connect to a global community of people who are working every day of every month to make a better way than throw-away. For more, check out plasticfreejuly.org—and let us know how you plan to mark Plastic Free July!