Plastic Free July

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Text: Plastic Free July with thousands of colorful pieces of chewed gum in the background
Plastic Free July is a movement to refuse single-use plastics and encourage individuals to make changes to reduce overall plastic use all year long. Giving up plastic is hard, but reducing however you can, can make a big impact.

The background above is chewing gum, which is basically chewable plastic.

Easy switches to go Plastic Free:

  • Buy pre-loved. Local thrift stores and The Repurpose Project are great places to browse for new-to-you items, from school supplies to knick-knacks to furniture.
  • Don't buy at all. Join your local Buy Nothing Group (you'll have to scroll down to locate Gainesville) on Facebook to ask, give, and receive items your neighbors no longer need.
  • Refuse single-use plastic whenever possible. If you only buy an item or two at a store, say no to the plastic bag. Refuse plastic-ware if you're picking up a to go order to enjoy at home.
  • Most produce does not need to be placed in separate plastic bags. Visit Creativebug for instructions to make a No-Sew T-shirt tote. Add additional breathing holes for a produce bag.
  • Switch to reusable containers instead of using single-use plastic storage bags or plastic bags.
  • Look for items that have the least amount of packaging. Visiting local Farmer's Markets cuts packaging considerably.

Attend Adult Summer Camp: Local Sustainability Thursdays in July (except July 15) at 12 p.m.

Join other Alachua County Residents working toward reducing their plastic use with the Plastic Free Ecochallenge. The local group is hosted by the Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo.


Books and DVDs for Adults:

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How to Give Up Plastic book cover
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Life Without Plastic book cover
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Plastic Free book cover
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An (Almost) Zero Waste Life book cover
  

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Bag It: Is Your Life Too Plastic? DVD cover
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Plastic Planet DVD cover
  


Books for Kids:

 
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One Plastic Bag book cover
 
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Plastic: Past, Present, and Future book cover
 
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Plastic Sucks book cover
 
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Recycled Crafts Box book cover

 

By Jennifer on August 14, 2021