How To Prepare for Plastic-Free July

by Dev MG July 16, 2025

Along with stashing away our sweaters and breaking out sandals, summer introduces an important initiative. Take a closer look at how much you use plastic this July and choose to cut back.

Plastic-Free July is an international campaign that encourages people to reduce single-use plastic throughout July. It promotes mindful swaps and eco-friendly habits to reduce plastic pollution.

From food packaging to paper products, plastic sneaks into more corners of our lives than we realize. Your daily routine looks a little different when you go greener.

Preparing to ditch plastics for 30 days can be easier than it sounds. We’ve got your back at Save Trees (formerly Cloud Paper) — we’ll walk you through it.

It’s right in our name: Let’s save some trees … and help the rest of the planet.

What Is Plastic-Free July?

Plastic-Free July is a global movement that invites you to cut how much plastic you use, especially single-use plastics, for the whole month. Its goal is to raise awareness about plastic pollution and empower everyday acts that lead to lasting change.

The Plastic-Free Foundation launched it in 2011 in Australia. What began as a local initiative quickly spread. More than 140 million people across 190 countries take part as of 2025. It’s one of the most influential sustainability efforts in the world.

You can join the Plastic-Free July challenge in whatever way works best for you. That might mean avoiding plastic food packaging, bottled drinks or plastic-riddled paper products. The key is to be mindful and try alternatives that decrease long-term plastic dependence.

Think of Plastic-Free July as an eco-challenge with a choose-your-own-adventure format. No one “right way” to participate exists — every effort helps push against the plastic crisis.

Check out the Plastic-Free Foundation’s 2024 Impact Report.

Why It Matters

Plastic pollution clogs oceans and landfills and harms ecosystems worldwide. And it leaches chemicals as it goes. The numbers aren’t encouraging:

Humans produce more than 460 million metric tons of plastic yearly.
Around 20 million metric tons of plastic end up in nature.
Plastic pollution harms every marine, freshwater and land ecosystem.
91% of plastic isn’t recycled.
Plastics can take up to 1,000 years to decompose.

Single-use packaging, including wrapping around paper products, is a major contributor to the waste. You make a noticeable impact when you choose plastic alternatives.

You as one person, whole households, schools, businesses and anyone else are welcome to join Plastic-Free July.

Visit the Environmental Protection Agency for more plastic pollution statistics.

Common Plastic Culprits in the Kitchen and Bathroom

We’re glad you want to join in the movement! When trying to go plastic-free, your kitchen and bathroom are two of the trickiest places to start. Even when products look sustainable, like paper towels and toilet paper, plastic can hide in packaging, coatings or production processes.

Watch out for these sneaky plastics during your Plastic-Free July challenge.

In the Bathroom

A quick glance around your bathroom turns up opportunities to switch:

Toilet paper wrapped in plastic film. Most store-bought toilet paper comes bundled in single-use plastic. As you’ve probably guessed, it’s not recyclable in curbside bins.
Wet wipes and “flushable” wipes. These can contain synthetic fibers like polyester or polypropylene that don’t break down. They contribute to microplastic pollution in waterways, too.
Disposable razors and packaged toiletries. From toothbrushes to floss boxes, items frequently combine plastic shells with few to no recyclable parts.

They’re great places to find practical alternatives without totally overhauling your bathroom goods.

In the Kitchen

Plastics work their way into your kitchen:

Paper towels with plastic packaging. Like TP, bulk paper towels usually come in heavy-duty plastic wrap.
Grease-resistant wrappers and napkins. Some stain-fighting papers come coated in polyethylene or other plastic-based barriers. They stubbornly resist composting.
Plastic sponges and scrub brushes. These break down into microplastics as you use them, and you can’t recycle them when you're done.

It’s surprising how many ordinary kitchen items quietly contribute to plastic waste — and how simple it is to switch them.

Across Your Universe

These bathroom and kitchen items are popular household staples. And most aren’t recyclable, even if they’re harmless or biodegradable.

All that plastic pollution? About half of it comes from single-use plastics. That means your toilet paper and paper towel packaging, which seems so innocent, ends up in the environment.

What’s more, plastic-wrapped products often rely on heavier, bulkier packaging that increases shipping emissions. Bulk bamboo paper alternatives with plastic-free wrapping are lighter and more compact. The result? They help reduce the carbon footprint of transportation and delivery.

You can try changing the cycle during Plastic-Free July. Check out plastic-free paper alternatives, like unwrapped or paper-wrapped bamboo papers. It’s one of the easiest ways to cut down on single-use plastic in your home, business or school.

Bamboo Paper Swaps That Actually Make a Difference

Start with what you reach for daily for a high-impact, low-effort swap this Plastic-Free July: toilet paper and paper towels.

They seem like eco-friendly basics, but TP and paper towels often come with hidden environmental costs.

Companies make most hygiene paper from virgin wood pulp they source from forests — sometimes even old-growth boreal ecosystems. Add plastic packaging, chemical processing and resource-heavy manufacturing. Suddenly your toilet paper and paper towels aren’t so seemingly disposable.

Here’s where bamboo paper products step up.

Why Bamboo Makes a Better Base

Bamboo grows up to 30 times faster than hardwood trees, regenerates without replanting and needs significantly less water. Unlike traditional papers, bamboo toilet paper and paper towels are biodegradable, tree-free and often wrapped without plastic.

Bamboo-based papers with FSC certification come with even more eco-friendly perks:

Septic-safe and plumbing system-compatible
Naturally soft and strong
Chemical-free (e.g., no bleach, PFAs)
Low-impact or carbon-conscious production methods

Plus, bamboo paper towels are generally stronger and more absorbent than wood-based types. You use fewer sheets for any spill, scrub or swipe. Less waste and less replenishment equal a healthier Earth — and lower refill costs.

The Plastic-Free Advantage

Buyer beware: Some bamboo paper brands still use plastic packaging. At Save Trees, we use fully plastic-free packaging, down to recyclable or compostable wrappers. That means no shrink-wrap, no coated liners and no unnecessary waste.

In a challenge like Plastic-Free July, all your potential options and changes can feel overwhelming. Bamboo paper keeps it simple. Switch one staple, reduce your daily plastic use and still stay clean and comfortable.

Tips for Plastic-Free July You Can Start Today

You don’t have to do everything perfectly during your Plastic-Free July campaign. It’s in the spirit of taking steps that fit your lifestyle while reducing waste where you can.

We’ve got practical tips to help you start (and finish) the month strong.

Let’s start in the bathroom:

Opt for reusable razors or toothbrushes with replaceable heads and compostable materials.
Try bar soaps, shampoo bars or cosmetics without plastic bottles.
Choose bamboo toilet paper wrapped in paper — an easy way to reduce plastic waste and support tree-free products.

Next, move to the kitchen:

Invest in reusable containers for leftovers and lunches instead of single-use plastic wraps.
Switch to durable bamboo paper towels that come in plastic-less packaging.
Replace plastic sponges with compostable dish brushes, cloths or loofahs.

And take steps when you’re on the go:

Tuck a reusable water bottle and coffee cup in your bag or backpack.
Pack a lightweight bamboo utensil set for picnics, fast-food runs and more.
Bring cloth shopping bags to avoid single-use plastic at stores.

The key to a successful Plastic-Free July eco-challenge is progress, not perfection. Pick one or two shifts that feel easy for you, and build up from there. Small changes become meaningful plastic waste reduction quicker than you might think.

How To Set a Realistic Plastic-Free Challenge

The Plastic-Free July campaign has become so popular partly because anyone can take part. You don’t need to go zero-waste overnight or nix plastics from your life altogether. The idea is to start where you are, taking manageable steps that reduce single-use plastics day by day.

Are you ready to get started? Here’s how to make your Plastic-Free July challenge realistic and rewarding.

Try One of Your Plastic-Free July Ideas Weekly

In addition to swapping products, explore small shifts in how you use or source items:

Buy in bulk, using your own containers at local refilleries or grocery stores (think dry goods, soaps or detergents).
Create a “no-plastic emergency kit” for your car or bag with a reusable napkin, bamboo utensils and a collapsible food container.
Make DIY cleaning sprays or personal care products in reusable glass bottles, and skip plastic entirely.

Tip. Buying in bulk or via subscription is typically friendlier on your bottom line. That’s no small bonus nowadays.

Use the 4 Rs Framework, and Use It Creatively

Plastic-Free July encourages following the 4 Rs:

Reduce. Cut down on the plastic stuff you still use. Organize a Plastic-Free July pantry or bathroom shelf to track your progress and avoid impulse buys.
Reuse. Use items you can refill and repurpose. Try to make use of glass jars or paper packaging for storage, crafts and decor.
Recycle. Focus on recycling plastic you can’t avoid. Rinse out containers, learn your local guidelines and consider dropping off soft plastics at collection points. Plus, many stores now offer bins for plastic bags and wrap.
Repurpose. Give plastic and paper items a second life with upcycling. Turn jars into planters, reuse sturdy paper bags for storage, transform old containers into organizers — use your imagination.

This approach helps you focus on solutions that align with your life — not just the plastic-free challenge.

Share Your Journey

Because July is plastic-free month, you might notify a local or online community. Together, new directions make a bigger impact:

Start a Plastic-Free July challenge group chat or social media thread. You trade tips, celebrate wins and have a bit of friendly competition.
Encourage your workplace to take a Plastic-Free July eco-challenge pledge. Propose just one type of product, like office snacks or cleaning supplies.
Hold a “plastic audit” day with friends and family. Take an hour to look at your trash and recycling for a week, note the main plastic items you’re tossing and find alternatives.

Small, creative steps help build lasting habits. And you show others that plastic-free living is doable, one tiny substitute at a time.

Remember That Every Change Counts

Whether you’re shopping in a small town or big city, Plastic-Free July is about movement. A single switch — like tree-free TP or reusable containers — helps cut waste that otherwise ends up choking landfills and oceans.

This is also a perfect opportunity to share what you’re doing with your friends, family and community. You can be the spark that lights long-lasting changes.

Join the Plastic-Free July Movement With Save Trees

Summer’s the perfect time to soak up some sun and feel good about how you’re affecting Mother Nature. The Plastic-Free July challenge gives you a fun, simple, low-pressure way to make a difference.

Save Trees is here to make switching your papers a breeze. We offer fully plastic-free bamboo toilet paper, paper towels and facial tissues. They’re gentle on the planet as well as strong (and soft) in performance. And we deliver them without plastic packaging, so every roll reduces single-use plastic pollution.

Browse our shop to find premium bamboo papers in bulk, bundle and subscription orders. Questions? Reach out to chat!