🌏 Plastic Free July 2025: 31 Ideas of Small Swaps for a Big Impact

Every July, millions of people around the world take part in Plastic Free July—a global movement to reduce single-use plastic waste and inspire sustainable habits that go beyond just one month.

The truth is, it can feel overwhelming sometimes. The climate crisis, plastic pollution, and the increasing threats to the health of our oceans, eco systems and wildlife can leave us feeling powerless. But here’s the good news: you don’t have to do everything all at once —just something.

Plastic Free July isn’t about Being Perfect.

It’s about choosing one area to improve, making conscious swaps, and building habits that ripple into long-term change.

At Urban Revolution, we believe in practical, low-waste living that works for real people with real lives. So we’ve put together a list of 31 small ways (one for every day during July and beyond), that can help you reduce plastic. Maybe you are already doing many of these already and you just need a little inspiration to take things to the next level? Or maybe you need us to meet you where you are at? We hope there are at least a few things on this list that are manageable for everyone to get involved. Remember - it is not about 1 person doing everything perfectly - it is about a million beautiful and imperfect people making small tweaks to their everyday habits that really drives meaningful change!

🌿 31 Ideas to Reduce Plastic in Everyday Life

Bring your own produce and bulk food bags – We have mastered the shopping bags, now its time to invest in the reusable produce bags. Or go naked when you can (your produce that is). Any fruits and veg that you peel don’t need a bag.
Switch to a reusable water bottle and coffee cup – stainless steel or glass are best and your coffee and water taste better in them too – fact!
Break up with cling wrap once and for all – try beeswax wraps, food covers, containers, or silicone wrap or lids.
Use bar soap to replace your body wash, shampoo and conditioner in plastic bottles. You save room in the shower too.
Shop at bulk food stores – BYO recycled jars or cloth bags.
Up your Oral Care Game -Switch to a bamboo toothbrush (you can even find bamboo electric toothbrushes these days)! Already done that? Why not make the switch from plastic toothpaste tubes to toothpaste tablets, or tooth powders in jars or refillable tins.
Opt for leaf tea - tea bags often contain plastics that you ultimately end up drinking – yuk! It also gives you an opportunity to slow down and make a pot to savour with a good book!
Say no to balloons and plastic party decorations -use fabric bunting or nature led decorations like some pruned greenery from the garden or pinecones. Also check out your local lending library. A lot of community groups have party boxes you can loan.
Switch out the plastic laundry pegs for stainless steel or wooden peg alternatives. They last sooo much longer and no more swearing when a plastic peg snaps in your hand.
Avoid laminating paper in your office where possible - use recyclable alternatives like a thicker piece of card.
Use natural fibre scrub brushes and cleaning tools – fun fact is they are naturally antimicrobial unlike their plastic counterparts which means you are less likely to spread around germs like salmonella and E.coli.
Switch to a stainless steel safety razor instead of disposable ones – A great money saver as the blades are cheaper to replace.
Make your own cleaning products – vinegar and bicarb go a long way. There are also products like citric acid, sodium percarbonate and castile soap that are great base ingredients to make your own toilet bombs, laundry soakers and more. Plus you save a whole lot of plastic when you buy these products in bulk!
Thrift or borrow second-hand instead of buying new – be it clothes, furniture tools or toys. Check out your local Buy Nothing Groups and lending libraries.
Keep reusable cutlery and containers in your bag or car – lets be honest those flimsy wooden ones they give you are useless anyway, and you never know when you may need a doggy bag for left overs!
Choose clothing made from natural fibres (like organic cotton, bamboo hemp, or linen) - barring obvious stains, you don’t have to wash them as much as they don’t hold on to smells like BO and you can compost them at the end of their life.
Refill your laundry and dish liquid at local refill stations – ourKin Kin refill products are pretty much legendary now!
Use washable cotton cloths instead of paper towels or synthetic sponges for wiping up spills – cut up old towels are great for this.
Host a Plastic-Free July dinner party – Who doesn't love an excuse for a get together! Everyone brings a pot luck dish and brings their own plates/cutlery that can be taken home and washed which is less work for the host too!
Opt for plastic-free wrapped toilet paper – bonus points if it is also made from recycled paper!
Ditch the multipack snacks and all their extra plastic – buy the big bag and divide into reusable containers.
Refuse freebies and samples that come in plastic – how many plastic frisbees and pens do you really need anyways?
Grow your own herbs at home to avoid the plastic wrapped and very expensive ones in supermarket – its often cheaper to buy the whole plant from a nursery and it keeps growing!
Compost your food scraps instead of binning them – it can be as simple as digging a hole in the dirt. Why not attend one of ourcomposting workshops to see which system will work best for you and your unique situation?
Make your own Plant based milks and stocks or buy concentrates in jars that you can make up as needed – this avoids the plastic lined UHT cartons and is also much cheaper per litre.
Pack your lunch in reusable containers or wraps– bringing leftovers also saves you a whole lot of money and often makes you the envy of the lunch room!
Use a menstrual cup or washable pads/ period undies – you can also avoid a whole lot of chemicals coming into close contact with your lady parts too.
Support local makers with low-waste packaging – this also reduces carbon miles and helps keep your local economy thriving.
Do a beach or local park litter collection day – a great chance for a winter picnic and to do something good for your local community, wildlife and waterways!
Educate others kindly – share your journey and tips.
Reflect on what you’ve learned and keep going beyond July!

🌊 It’s Not About Perfection—It’s About Progress

Going plastic-free can be frustrating, especially when it feels like plastic is everywhere. But every plastic-free action counts, especially when it inspires someone else to change too.

Need help getting started? We stock a wide range of plastic-free alternatives, from dish brushes and safety razors to produce bags, beeswax wraps, bulk refills, and more. Come into the store and have a chat - we are here to help you live your best plastic free life!

💬 Join the Movement

Are you taking part in Plastic Free July? We’d love to hear what changes you’re making this year! Tag us on socials @urbanrevaus or share your story in store.🌱💚

Want to know more? Check out these other great blogs for more tips on getting rid of plastic from your life!

Plastic Free July: The Problem With Micro Plastics

Plastic-Free Food: 4 Best Ways To Grow, Cook and Store Food Without Plastic

How to Follow Plastic Free July at Work