Plastic Free July

Turn the tide, one choice at a time

Plastic Free July is a global campaign to reduce the amount of plastic in your life and develop new plastic-free habits. Try to live for one month without bringing plastic into your home and you will discover how much plastic is being used for everyday items. Reducing plastics can improve our health and our impact on the environment.

Why participate in Plastic Free July?

By supporting Plastic Free July, you will bring awareness to the impact plastic waste has on our environment and improve your personal habits around the house.

Relying on single-use plastics significantly increases the amount of waste in our landfill. 

Did you know:

• 50 percent of all plastic produced is designed to be used once and thrown away.
• Recycling is not the solution. Only 15.9 percent of all plastic packaging in Australia were recycled, with many more plastic products or products containing plastic materials sent to landfill, with no recycling or producer return program available.
• Plastic production is estimated to quadruple by 2050.
• Over eight million tonnes of plastics leak into the ocean each year (estimate over 170 wheelie bins/minute).
• Over 75 percent of rubbish removed from beaches is plastic.
• Some plastics are estimated to take over 1,000 years to break down, with the release of harmful chemicals into the environment.
• 92 percent of consumers, producers, retailers and governments support action to reduce plastic waste.

What can I do to reduce plastic?

Seven in ten Queenslanders are reducing their use of single-use plastics when away from home, by choosing reusable containers/bags and healthier options. Join them by making some simple lifestyle changes:

• Get involved in Plastic Free July and take the challenge to avoid single-use and other plastics.
• Take the pesky plastic quiz.
• Watch the video: Getting ready for Plastic Free July for hints and tips on how to avoid using plastics.
• Download the 31 days of plastic free choices(JPEG, 843KB) calendar. 
• Small steps, big difference - learn about the small steps you can take to make a big difference.
• Look for the Australasian recycling labels on supermarket items. The labels show you what can be recycled in your recycling bin or at the store and what must be put in general rubbish.
• Know what you can put in your bins
  • recyclables must be loose and not contained in boxes or plastic bags.
  • soft plastic bags and wrappers can’t be sorted when placed in recycling bins, as they are mixed up and contaminate the sorted paper.

Plastics: avoid or recycle

Swap soft plastic bags, wrappers and film with reusable bags when shopping. This can include when buying fruit and vegetables. 

Take a reusable coffee cup to the cafe or return disposable cups and lids to 7-Eleven cup rescue for recycling.

Recycle electronic items such as mobile phones, TVs, computers, printers and accessories at Council's major waste facilities.

Reuse or recycle clothes, fabric and shoes made from synthetic materials in good condition at participating retailers or charities. Shop for signature or classic fashion so these items last longer.

What plastics are banned in Queensland?

The Queensland Government has banned the following single use plastics:

• balloons being released
• plastic shopping bags
• single use plastic straws
• single use plastic stirrers
• single use plastic plates and bowls
• single use plastic cutlery
• single use expanded polystyrene takeaway food containers and cups.

Find out more about Queensland’s plan to tackle plastic waste.

The Australian Government also has bans and targets to reduce plastics. View the Australian plastics ban and the Australian 2025 national packaging target for recyclable or compostable packaging.