Plastic pollution is growing relentlessly as waste management and recycling fall short¹. The world is now producing twice as much plastic waste as it did twenty years ago, yet only 9% is successfully recycled¹. Most of it ends up buried, burned, or leaking into waterways, contributing to the growing plastic footprint of everyday life¹.
Why this matters
Each person’s daily plastic footprint, single-use bags, bottled water, packaging may feel insignificant, but collectively it’s staggering. The OECD Global Plastics Outlook report reveals that nearly two-thirds of plastic waste comes from items with lifetimes under five years, such as packaging, clothing, and single-use goods¹.
Only 9% is recycled, while 50% ends up in landfill and 22% escapes into nature¹. On average, each person generates about 69 kilograms of plastic waste every year¹. If nothing changes, global plastic production is expected to nearly triple by 2060².
That’s why Plastic Free July is more than a personal challenge, it’s a global opportunity.
Romany and Randa, Plastic Bank collection members from Egypt
Every small swap adds up. By choosing just a few of these actions, you help reduce the demand for virgin plastic, support ethical alternatives, and inspire others to do the same.
Plastic Free July isn’t about being perfect, it’s about being intentional. Whether you’re starting with one change or many, your choices can ripple out and drive real impact.
And if you’re looking for a meaningful first step, start by offsetting your plastic footprint with Plastic Bank. Your membership helps recover plastic waste from vulnerable coastal communities, supports local livelihoods, and ensures that plastic is ethically collected and recycled. It’s a way to turn your impact into something regenerative.
Let’s make plastic free living more than a moment. Let’s make it a movement.
Explore the groundbreaking efforts of Plastic Bank in tandem with the international community's ambitious Plastic Treaty. Discover how innovative solutions like Plastic Bank are making a significant impact on plastic pollution while simultaneously improving lives in regions grappling with plastic pollution and poverty. Dive into the comprehensive strategy of the Plastic Treaty, supported by 175 nations, and learn how it aims to reshape our relationship with plastic to safeguard our planet and marine ecosystems. Join us on a journey towards a cleaner, more regenerative future.
