Plastic Free July is a global movement that encourages people to reduce their use of single-use plastics for the month of July. This can have a number of financial benefits, as well as environmental benefits.
Saving money
Single-use plastics can be expensive, especially when you add up the cost of things like water bottles, coffee cups, and plastic bags. A study by the University of California, Santa Barbara found that the average person in the UK uses about 167 disposable plastic bottles per year. At an average price of £1 per bottle, that’s a cost of £167 per year. By switching to reusable water bottles and coffee cups, you can save a significant amount of money.
Improving your health
Single-use plastics can contain harmful chemicals that can leach into your food and water. These chemicals have been linked to a number of health problems, including cancer, reproductive problems, and obesity. By reducing your exposure to these chemicals, you can improve your health.
Protecting the environment
Single-use plastics can take hundreds of years to decompose. When they end up in our oceans and landfills, they can pollute the environment and harm wildlife. By reducing your use of single-use plastics, you can help to protect the environment.
How to participate in Plastic Free July
There are many ways to participate in Plastic Free July. Here are a few ideas:
- Bring your own reusable water bottle and coffee cup with you when you go out.
- Say no to plastic bags when you’re shopping.
- Bring your own containers when you buy food to go.
- Use reusable straws and utensils.
- Recycle all of your plastic waste.
The financial benefits of participating in Plastic Free July
The financial benefits of participating in Plastic Free July can be significant. By reducing your use of single-use plastics, you can save money, improve your health, and protect the environment. Here are some specific examples of the financial benefits of participating in Plastic Free July:
- Saving money on water bottles: If you switch from buying bottled water to using a reusable water bottle, you could save an average of £167 per year.
- Saving money on coffee cups: If you switch from buying coffee in disposable cups to using a reusable cup, you could save an average of £50 per year.
- Saving money on plastic bags: If you refuse plastic bags when you’re shopping, you could save an average of £10 per year.
- Saving money on food packaging: If you bring your own containers when you buy food to go, you could save an average of £20 per year.
- Saving money on straws and utensils: If you use reusable straws and utensils, you could save an average of £10 per year.
The total financial benefits of participating in Plastic Free July could be as much as £347 per year. This is a significant amount of money that can be used to save for other financial goals, such as retirement or a rainy day fund.
In conclusion, Plastic Free July is a great opportunity to reduce your use of single-use plastics and save money. By making small changes to your everyday habits, you can make a big difference for the environment and your own finances. To get involved, visit the ‘Plastic Free July’ website.