We all know plastic bags are incredibly polluting and take hundreds of years to decompose. But their negative environmental impact begins long before they are discarded: their production requires the extraction of fossil fuels and emits greenhouse gasses, which contribute to climate change.

Every year we celebrate International Plastic Bag Free Day on July 3rd to raise awareness about the environmental impact of this widely spread product. But the real goal is to get people to check their habits and make more sustainable choices on a daily basis.

Read along and discover 3 ways to celebrate Plastic Bag Free Day today, and every day.  

1. Go reusable

It’s the easiest and most convenient way to reduce your use of plastic bags: make a commitment to avoid them, and stick to it. Carry reusable bags with you when you go shopping, or simply have one in your car, purse or backpack all the time. It’s great for the planet and convenient for you.

When it comes to choosing your reusable bag, opt for those made from eco-friendly materials, like cotton or jute. Even better, make your own with discarded materials you have at home –remember, the first rule of sustainability is to reuse and recycle what we already have.

You can make your own eco-friendly tote using only an old t-shirt and a pair of scissors (see tutorial here). If you really want to mark Plastic Bag Free Day, invite friends or family over and do the project together.

2. Get in the know, and spread the sustainability gospel

To truly commit to a plastic bag free life, you first need to understand the damage these products cause and how helpful it can be for even one person to avoid them. There are plenty of resources out there for those interested in learning, from Instagram accounts and podcasts to documentaries and films.

Instagram accounts like @plasticpollutes share data and facts about plastic pollution, but also uplifting stories about people working for a cleaner planet. Other social media accounts, like @plasticfreejuly, share simple tips and solutions we can all be a part of to reduce single-use plastics in our lives. Following accounts like these is a great way to educate yourself; and you can use your own social channels to share that knowledge with others. 

3. Take your action public

It’s wonderful to take steps to rid your own life of single-use plastics –big change starts with the little things. But if you’d like to do more, you can get involved in plastic free initiatives in your neighborhood. You can organize a monthly clean up with your neighbors or reach out to local authorities about ways to reduce single use plastics in your town’s businesses, and even get business owners involved in such initiatives.

There have been hundreds of successful campaigns all over the world started by concerned citizens like yourself. In 2007, for example, a small town in the UK called Modbury became the first plastic bag-free town in Europe.

Local resident Rebecca Hosking came face to face with the destruction plastic can cause while filming a wildlife documentary in Hawaii. When she returned home to Modbury, she set out to free her town of plastic bags. And she began simply by talking to people: shopkeepers and neighbors, and then the town council. She explained the damages plastics cause and persuaded them to use reusable bags instead. The campaign was so successful that it was emulated by dozens of towns in the UK.