Small steps, big difference

Are you looking for ways to be part of the solution to plastic pollution? This July, millions of Plastic Free July participants will take steps to beat plastic pollution by choosing to refuse single-use plastic. Every step makes a big difference and shows others they can step up too!

Joining in

Taking the first step

Making a big difference

Single-use cup pledge

Small steps, big difference

This July millions of people around the world are taking a step by choosing to refuse single-use plastic. It doesn’t matter what choice you make, switching to reusable cups, avoiding plastic packaging, remembering reusable bags and bottles or many others; together our small steps make a big difference. What’s your step?

By sharing your step on socials and tagging @plasticfreejuly.org and #SmallStepsBigDifference, others will be inspired to join in too.

Help beat plastic pollution

Small steps are the small changes that people everywhere are making that stop their use of single-use plastic. This can be avoiding bottled soft drinks and bottled water; refusing pre-packaged produce; choosing reusable coffee cups; and sharing the Plastic Free July challenge with family and friends.

Whatever the alternative, every step we take this July can make a big difference. Other people notice and are inspired to join in.

Plus it shows businesses and governments they need to step up too! What’s your step?

Taking a first step

Plastic Free July challenge is not about doing everything, just choose one item and give it a try in July. Best of all, being part of Plastic Free July will help you to find great alternatives that can become new habits forever.

Take the challenge and get tips, tricks, stories of other participants and news from across the global movement
Do the Plastic Free July Quiz (it takes less than 5 minutes) to discover the items you use and decide what you’d like to choose to refuse
Decide to take your first step or really challenge yourself!

As more people realise single-use coffee cups aren’t readily recycled, many are Choosing to Up Cup as a first step to make a big difference. It’s as simple as Bring, Borrow, Stay! Either bring our own reusable cup, borrow or swap a cup from some cafés, or take ten minutes and enjoy your favourite cuppa there.

Others are inspired by the Plastic Free Morning Tea: a popular way of making and sharing food, fun and conversations about plastic free solutions. People who host their own at work, home or out in the community find it’s a great way to invite others to get involved.

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?'

Choose to Up Cup

Making a big difference

When 140 million people take a step together, it gets noticed. Plastic Free July participants make a big difference by stopping around 300 million kg of plastic polluting the world each year.

If you want to invite others to join, there are many ways to get your community and workplace involved including Schools Program, Corporate Sponsor and Local Government membership.

Plus check out the Small Steps, Big Difference Stunt guide or Changemaker Toolkit for more information.

Take the single-use cup pledge

In Australia’s Parliament House, one cafe tracked more than 250,000 single-use cups to be used each year.

This July, we are asking MPs, Senators, Mayors, CEOs and celebrities to join us by pledging to refuse single-use cups this July. By taking part and sharing you’re your pledge publicly you will increase awareness and inspire others to take part.

Discover the impact your pledge can make by using the Keep Cup impact calculator and download the pledge pack and card.