Plastic Free July 2025 is just around the corner. As I thought about participating in Plastic Free July for the 6^th time, I considered ways to take our efforts one step further this year. This is especially important in 2025 because of the blatant disregard for the environment shown by governments in recent months.

About Plastic Free July

Plastic Free July is a global movement that helps ordinary people be part of the solution to plastic pollution. Since starting in Australia in 2011, the movement has grown significantly. The Plastic Free July Impact Report 2024 reports that 174 million people around the world participated in 2024, making Plastic Free July the largest waste avoidance campaign on the planet.

This will be my 6^th year participating in Plastic Free July. Although I’ve already made a lot of changes, July is always an opportunity to find ways to take things one step further in my quest to eliminate single-use plastic from my life.

The stakes are high, so it’s more important then ever that we participate in Plastic Free July 2025.

We’re heading in the wrong direction

News headlines in recent weeks have me concerned about the Ontario government’s ongoing lack of care for the environment.

First, under the guise of protecting Ontario’s economy from external threats, our provincial government pushed through Bill 5 into law. The Narwhal reports this controversial bill softens the regulations that ensure construction and extraction don’t cause undue harm to land, water, wildlife and human health. And the law limits opportunities for consultation and consent with Indigenous peoples.

Then, our local newspaper reported the Ontario government had quietly announced changes that are a huge step back for our provincial recycling programs. These changes provided a 5-year extension to the deadline for manufacturers to deal with the waste they produce, and scrapped plans to expand the existing blue box recycling program to more multi-residential buildings and public spaces.

Finally, The Beer Store is closing some of its stores across Ontario, largely thanks to the current government’s policy of putting beer in every corner store and supermarket across the province. This might not seem like a big deal on the surface, but The Beer Store runs Ontario’s highly successful beer bottle return program. That program sees 98% of glass beer bottles returned and refilled. More bad news for the environment because I don’t see corner stores and supermarkets stepping up to fill that void.  

Clearly in the Province of Ontario, anything related to sustainability isn’t even on the government’s radar. And the same is true in many other jurisdictions in Canada and other countries.

It’s hard not to be discouraged when hearing this kind of news. But it’s a reminder that it’s up to us to find other ways to reduce our impact.

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6 ways to take things one step further for Plastic Free July 2025

In light of the current lack of focus on recycling programs, I considered the 5 Rs of Waste Reduction (Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rot). In the absence of support for recycling programs, it’s clear we need to place our efforts on the four Rs that are within our control.

Each of us has the ability to reduce our environmental impact by refusing, reducing, reusing, and rotting (composting). I’ve put together a list of six areas that together could add up to a big impact. If you haven’t tried some of these yet, why not commit to a few changes for Plastic Free July 2025?

Bring your own container (BYOC)

My waste reduction journey started with BYOC and it’s still my favourite eco-friendly hack. Look for a local refillery or bulk food and supply store that lets you refill your own containers.

I buy my laundry soap, all purpose cleaner, dishwasher tabs, and air freshener spray at a local refillery. And I shop at the bulk food store for dry grocery items, spices, teas, baking supplies, and more.

Learn more at BYOC – It’s a growing trend.

Refuse straws and cutlery

Single-use plastic bans are a step in the right direction, but we need to move beyond just replacing a plastic single-use item with a different single-use item. Whether straws or disposable cutlery are made from plastic, paper or bamboo, they still take resources to produce.

The simplest thing to do is simply refuse the straw or get take-out food that doesn’t require cutlery. Another idea is to pack a “to go kit” with reusable cutlery and straws. Then, take the kit everywhere with you. A few years ago, I made up several to go kits like the one pictured below. I keep one in my purse, my backpack, my travel bag, and my car.

Rethink your beverage habits

Here are some statistics on beverage containers that should shock you:

• Between 250 and 300 billion single use beverage cups are used every year. (Source: Science Direct)
• More than 1 million bottles of water are sold every minute around the world. (Source: CNN)
• The Coca-Cola Company’s plastic use will exceed 9.1 billion pounds per year by 2030 if the company does not change its practices. (Source: Oceana)

Sadly, almost all of this waste ends up in landfill, and a lot of it finds its way into oceans where it threatens marine life and ultimately human health.

A simple solution is to cut your contribution to these statistics by carrying a reusable water bottle and making your own coffee and tea at home. If you really can’t give up your takeout coffee, use a refillable travel mug. Many coffee shops will even give you a discount if you bring your own mug.

Choose to dine in over takeout or delivery

After a long day or a tough week, it’s so tempting to grab a takeout meal or simply grab your phone and order delivery. But all that waste from takeout packaging adds up!

Why not head to your favourite local restaurant and enjoy a leisurely meal instead? And don’t forget to throw a couple of containers in your car for restaurant and party leftovers.

Go naked

Replacing plastic bottles with naked (unwrapped) bar products is the single swap that has added up to the most waste reduction in our household.

I’ve switched to naked bar soap, deodorant, shampoo, moisturizer, and stain remover bars and I’ll never look back. This swap has saved me money and reduced plastic waste. Check out Bars! The simplest plastic-free swap you can make! for ideas and details.

And, at the supermarket, skip the plastic produce bags for larger fruits and vegetables and just buy them loose.

Simplify by using fewer products

Have you ever done an audit of the various cleaning and personal-care products in your home? I have and was surprised at the number of unnecessary products I owned.  

A simple, all-purpose cleaner will tackle most cleaning jobs in your home. And I recently bought some floor cleaner strips that work like a charm—just add your own water instead of paying to ship water in plastic jugs!  Visit Helpful tips for chemical-free cleaning and Simple tips for zero-waste laundry to learn how I’ve eliminated almost all the plastic from my cleaning routines.

Personal-care products is another area where simpler is better for your wallet and the Earth. Beyond swapping most of my bottles for bars, I’ve drastically cut back on skin and hair care products. Find out all the products I replaced with a $12.99 jar of coconut oil in Coconut oil – 1 simple product, 12 beauty hacks.

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I hope you’ve found something on this list to inspire you to make even a small change for Plastic Free July 2025. If you’re looking for more ideas, check out 31 ways you can join the Plastic Free July movement for a free printable checklist of simple ways to reduce your plastic waste.

Will you participate in Plastic Free July 2025? What’s your favourite plastic free hack? Drop me a comment below to let me know.