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About Us

Plastic Free July® is a key initiative of the Plastic Free Foundation that allows us to work towards our vision of seeing a world free of plastic waste. From humble beginnings in 2011, the award-winning Plastic Free July campaign is the result of years of hard work. Our 2023 Impact Report shares our story.

Man wearing red jumper

Plastic Free Foundation

After six years Plastic Free July outgrew its home and we setup the Plastic Free Foundation Ltd as an independent, not-for-profit charity in 2017 to better support participants and grow the campaign. The mission of the Plastic Free Foundation is guided and informed by our core values:

  • Honesty and integrity
  • Inclusivity of people, ideas, visions and approaches
  • A focus on providing solutions
  • Authenticity and collaboration
  • The belief that small changes add up to a big difference

Plastic Free July is a key initiative of the Plastic Free Foundation that allows us to work towards our vision of seeing a world free of plastic waste. From humble beginnings in 2011, the award-winning Plastic Free July campaign is the result of years of hard work.

It was started by Rebecca Prince-Ruiz (the founder of the Plastic Free Foundation) and a small team in local government in Western Australia, and is now one of the most influential environmental campaigns in the world. Millions of people across the globe take part every year, with many committing to reducing plastic pollution far beyond the month of July.

Bakery owner standing in his shop in front of shelves with bread holding up a poster for Plastic Free July reading 'Choose to refuse single use plastics – will you join the challenge?'

Our impact

There’s no doubt about it – Plastic Free July is changing the planet for good. That’s why we’ve been awarded:

  • Finalist 2022 UN SDG Action Awards: Mobilize Category
  • Winner 2022 Fremantle Business Awards: City of Fremantle Award for Sustainable Enterprise
  • Finalist 2020 Mumbrella CommsCon Awards: Best Government Sponsored Campaign; Pro Bono Campaign of the Year
  • Finalist 2019 Banksia Sustainability Awards: Minister’s Award for the Environment; NFP & NGO Award
  • Winner 2018 Infinity Award: Avoid Recover Protect – Community Waste Award
  • Winner 2018 Environmental Action Award, United Nations Association of Australia WA Division

An IPSOS survey in 2021 of over 20,000 people in 28 countries revealed that 29% of global consumers surveyed were aware of Plastic Free July and, of those, 13% participated.

Over the last 5 years, participants have collectively avoided 10 billion kgs of waste, including 1.4 billion kgs of plastic – more than the world’s biggest cleanup efforts combined

The campaign has inspired 223 million behaviour changes and 87% of participants make changes that become habits, setting a benchmark for behaviour change best practice. An average reduction of 18 kg in waste and recycling per person per year has been achieved, meaning an incredible 4.1% decrease in waste generation.

We’re proud of how this impact addresses UN Sustainable Development Goals 11, 12, 14 and 15 (sustainable cities and communities, responsible production and consumption, life below water, and life on land).

Make an impact; join the challenge today.

Our Annual Impact Reports

  • Plastic Free Foundation Impact Report 2023
  • Plastic Free Foundation Impact Report 2022
  • Plastic Free Foundation Impact Report 2021
  • Plastic Free Foundation Impact Report 2020
  • Plastic Free Foundation Annual Report 2019
Environment Minister Hon. Amber-Jade Sanderson MLA launches Plastic Free July

Our team

Plastic Free July is run by a passionate team from our offices in Australia, but we operate across the globe. The Foundation is a registered charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission (ACNC). The Plastic Free Foundation Board oversees our operations and guides us towards achieving our purpose.

Geoff Donohue
Chairperson

Geoff has over 30 years experience at board and senior management level within public companies and the securities industry. He wants to use that experience to contribute to the Plastic Free Foundation’s efforts to help make our world sustainable for current and, more importantly, for future generations.

Rebecca Prince-Ruiz
Founder, Executive Director

Rebecca is a change-maker, author, TEDx speaker and sustainability professional who is motivated to care for people and planet. Rebecca believes that as individuals, by changing our relationship with plastic and challenging our consumption, together we can work towards a world without plastic waste.

Dan Dragovic
Director

Dan has practised commercial/corporate law in Perth for almost 30 years, including advising the public and private sectors on waste management. Having grown up on a market garden, he understands the importance of, and is passionate about, sustainability and the environment.

Leesa Muirhead
Director

Leesa has 20+ years’ global experience working with purpose driven organisations and leadership, ranging from FTSE500 to privately owned, global businesses and global NGOs. Motivated by concern for her own children and future generations, Leesa strives for strategic and catalytic changes, activated by a deep desire to positively impact our communities, oceans and world around us.

Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley
Patron, Plastic Free Schools Challenge

“A world free of plastic waste is an ambitious vision. Plastic Free July shows that we can get there if we all work together. There are practical, easy steps that all of us can take – join Plastic Free July and let’s all work towards real change.”

jack johnson holding up reusable cup on stage with crowd cheering in the background
Jack Johnson
Musician and PFJ Ambassador

“Plastic Free July inspires me to step up my commitment to reducing single-use plastic in my daily life and on tour. I’m also working with the music industry to reduce plastic waste through the BYOBottle campaign.”

Media

Rebecca Prince-Ruiz – speaking opportunities

Plastic Free July founder, Rebecca Prince-Ruiz, is an author, TEDx speaker, Churchill Fellow, changemaker and 2021 Local Hero for Western Australia. Rebecca is available for speaking opportunities at events or conferences and has previously been invited to present on the Plastic Free July challenge, waste avoidance, plastic pollution, and behaviour change in Australia, New Zealand, India, USA and the UK. She’s passionate about everything from inspiring international leaders to initiate change, through to working with communities to clean up their local environment.

Media releases and selected news articles

For more information, access our 2023 global media press release and Q&A. For further media enquiries, please email media (at) plasticfreejuly.org and include your COUNTRY in the subject line. Participation rates from Plastic Free July 2020 are available in our Australian media release.

Plastic Free July in the news

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