How Businesses Can Celebrate Plastic Free July

What is Plastic Free July?

Plastic Free July is an annual global campaign held every July that helps millions of people, communities, and organizations reduce single‑use plastic waste by offering practical tips and resources. Founded in 2011 by Rebecca Prince‑Ruiz in Western Australia, it has grown into a worldwide social movement with over 100 million participants across nearly 190 countries. The goal of the week is to inspire small, achievable swaps, like using reusable bags, bottles, and containers, that reduce plastic pollution and encourage lasting environmental change.

Importance

Plastic Free July is important because it raises awareness about the massive environmental impact of single-use plastics, which contribute significantly to pollution in oceans, landfills, and ecosystems. By encouraging individuals and communities to reduce their plastic consumption, the campaign fosters long-term behavioral change that supports a cleaner, healthier planet. It also empowers people to make more conscious choices, highlighting how everyday habits can contribute to global environmental problems—or solutions.

Businesses are also key players in celebrating Plastic Free July.  For them, participating in Plastic Free July presents an opportunity to demonstrate environmental leadership and social responsibility. Reducing single-use plastics can lower operating costs, improve brand reputation, and attract eco-conscious customers and investors. Additionally, involvement can inspire innovation in packaging, supply chains, and customer engagement, helping businesses stay competitive in a sustainability-driven market.

How Businesses Can Participate

Businesses are free to participate in Plastic Free July in various ways, whether by revamping their processes and promoting plastic alternatives, or educating the community on the benefits of going plastic-free. Below are a few ways businesses can participate in the observance:

Audit and Reduce Process Related to Single-Use Plastics

Businesses can start by conducting an audit to identify where single-use plastics are most commonly present in waste and used in operations, packaging, or the workplace. Once identified, they can make changes to redesign packaging, procurement processes, and delivery methods to reduce or eliminate plastic. This process helps reduce waste and uncovers cost-saving opportunities over time. These changes also often improve operational efficiency and appeal to eco-conscious consumers.

Employee Engagement

Engaging employees in Plastic Free July encourages teamwork and builds a shared sense of purpose around sustainability. Companies can host workshops, challenges, or incentive programs to motivate plastic-free habits at work and home. This not only supports the campaign but also boosts morale and strengthens company culture.

Promote Awareness

Sharing the business’s plastic-free efforts through social media, newsletters, or in-store displays helps educate customers and partners. It also positions the company as a sustainability advocate, attracting environmentally aware audiences. Clear, authentic messaging encourages others to join the movement.

Support Community Initiatives

Businesses can sponsor or partner with local clean-up events, educational programs, or zero-waste campaigns during Plastic Free July. Supporting grassroots efforts as part of corporate social responsibility initiatives strengthens community ties and extends the company’s impact beyond its immediate operations. This approach fosters goodwill and reinforces the business’s commitment to environmental responsibility.

Enhancing Plastic-Free Operations with Modern Technology

Modern technology plays a critical role in helping businesses adopt plastic-free practices, especially during initiatives like Plastic Free July. From tracking materials, manufacturing tools, to training staff and communicating goals, digital tools make it easier to identify plastic use, measure progress, and engage employees and customers in meaningful change. These technologies streamline operations, increase accountability, and provide real-time insights that support long-term sustainability goals.

In particular, having the following in a digital solution is essential:

• Digital Checklists – Helps teams follow plastic-reduction protocols consistently across departments and locations, ensuring nothing is overlooked.

• Monitoring Systems – Integrates with  Internet-of-Things (IoT) sensors or software to track plastic usage, waste generation and bins, and supply chain inputs in real time.

• Training Platforms – Offers interactive mobile-friendly learning modules to educate staff on sustainable practices and alternatives to single-use plastics.

• Communication Tools – Promotes clear, company-wide updates, alerts, and progress tracking to keep employees aligned with plastic-free goals.

• Asset Management Systems – Organizes and monitors physical and digital resources to eliminate unnecessary plastic packaging and streamline eco-friendly product design.)

While each can be its own digital tool, it’s best to have them all in one centralized platform. By having all these in one single solution, businesses can streamline their plastic reduction efforts more seamlessly. Platforms such as SafetyCulture do this, aiming to improve how organizations use, produce, manage, and reduce plastic products in their daily operations, removing the friction from switching across multiple apps.