What is Plastic Free July
Plastic Free July is a yearly event that asks people to stop using single-use plastics for one month. What started as a small challenge is now a global movement with over 100 million people in 190 countries. The goal is to show the problems with plastic pollution. It encourages everyone to make small changes, like using reusable bags, bottles, and containers, to help the planet. For more information on Plastic Free July, visit www.plasticfreejuly.org
Plastic Waste Facts:
- Each year, 500 billion plastic bottles are made worldwide.
- Over 150 million tons of plastic waste are currently in the ocean.
- By 2050, there will likely be more plastic in the ocean than fish.
- In 2020, we made 900% more plastic waste than we did in 1980.
- Single-use plastics are used for just 12 to 15 minutes but take 500 years to break down.
How to Reduce Plastic Waste: We can all be part of the solution. Check out our 7 tips below and choose one new habit to start this week.
- Skip single-use items: Avoid plastic straws, plates, and cutlery. Use metal, bamboo, or biodegradable options instead.
- Buy food in bulk: Avoid plastic tubs and bottles. Bring your own containers to shops that sell grains, rice, and cereals loose.
- Change how you store food: Swap plastic wrap and bags for glass jars. Use bento boxes or steel tiffin boxes for packed meals.
- Bring your own shopping bag: Always carry a cloth bag with you when you go to the shops.
- Swap your Tupperware: Replace your plastic storage tubs with glass or stainless-steel containers.
- Recycle correctly: If you must use plastic, check your local rules and put it in the right recycling bin.
- Use a refillable water bottle: Carry a reusable bottle with you instead of buying plastic bottles of water.
What SDCC are doing:
- Return for Children: As of 2026, SDCC have donated eleven full bags of DRS cans and bottles, raising an impressive total of €448.25. All funds are allocated directly six national children's charities in Ireland, through the Return for Children initiative.
- Less Single-Use Waste: Since the introduction of the 30-cent fee for each compostable lunch box, we have seen an approximate 30% decrease in the consumption of these disposable food containers. We appreciate your commitment to using reusable options!
- Reusable Pump Dispensers: SDCC has removed single- use sauce satchets in our canteen. The move to resuable pump dispensers will save an estimated 30,000 single-use sauce satchets a year.
- 3 Bin Waste System: A 3 bin waste system was intorduced in 2026, this system is effectively minimizing waste and enhancing recyclability. See our video on this system on SDCC's youtube channel.
