Plastic Free July is about making small changes that create a big impact, like refusing single use plastic items we use every day. It’s a personal challenge and part of a global movement towards a plastic-free future that began in Western Australia in 2011.
Be part of the change by choosing one item to swap for the month. It could be using a reusable water bottle, coffee cup or mesh produce bags at the supermarket. You can get some ideas from the table below:
| Category | What | Alternative | Why |
| Bathroom and Personal Care | Toothpaste tubes | Tooth powder | Avoids multi-layer plastic tubes that are difficult to recycle |
| Bathroom and Personal Care | Toothpaste tubes | Small dissolvable tablets (chew + brush) in refillable jars | Avoids multi-layer plastic tubes that are difficult to recycle |
| Bathroom and Personal Care | Liquid shampoo/conditioner | Solid bars | Reduces plastic packaging and transport emissions due to lower weight |
| Bathroom and Personal Care | Hand soap | Concentrate refills (no water) | Cuts packaging and transport emissions |
| Bathroom and Personal Care | Hand soap | Tablets, powders, or syrups mixed at home | Cuts packaging and transport emissions |
| Bathroom and Personal Care | Deodorant sticks | Refillable cases with insert refills | Reduces single-use packaging |
| Bathroom and Personal Care | Deodorant sticks | Aluminium or stainless-steel cases with compostable refills | Durable, reusable packaging with less waste |
| Cleaning and Household | Dishwashing liquid | Solid dish bars or powders | Reduces plastic packaging |
| Cleaning and Household | Spray cleaners | Tablet refills or bulk concentrates | Reuse the same trigger bottle indefinitely |
| Cleaning and Household | Paper towels | Swedish dishcloths/cellulose cloths | Compostable, absorbent, long-lasting; can replace 15+ rolls |
| Cleaning and Household | Laundry detergent | Sheets or concentrated strips | Ultra-lightweight; no bulky plastic bottles |
| Cleaning and Household | Sponges | Natural loofah or coconut fibre | Fully compostable alternatives |
| Cleaning and Household | Plastic pegs | Stainless steel pegs | Last far longer outdoors, particularly in Australian conditions |
| Kitchen and Food Storage | Baking paper | Reusable silicone mats | Last for years and eliminate constant roll use |
| Kitchen and Food Storage | Zip-lock bags | Reusable silicone pouches | Heat-safe for freezer, microwave, and dishwasher use |
| Kitchen and Food Storage | Stock cubes | Homemade paste stored in jars | Bulk preparation reduces foil and plastic wrappers |
| Kitchen and Food Storage | Tea bags | Loose-leaf tea with infuser | Many tea bags contain plastic fibres |