The Plastic Free July® campaign encourages millions around the globe to be a part of the solution to plastic pollution. Each year, countries, groups, and individuals highlight plastic pollution issues, and offer tips for how to use less plastic and be more sustainable. These are vital steps to take, but this year, we challenge you to go a step further. We want to get into the nitty gritty of the plastic pollution crisis.

This month, we hope to tackle some of the biggest and most important questions, bring new and lesser-known topics to the table for discussion, and inspire ACTION! Whether that’s a simple sustainable swap, a conversation with your neighbor about recycling, or a meeting with your elected official about plastic-reduction policies. Each step is essential, because if you’re not a part of the solution, you’re a part of the pollution.

Jump to sections:

The Facts
Resources & Further Reading

Plastic Free July @ the Farmers Market 2024

Each summer, the Plastic Free July® campaign encourages millions around the globe to be a part of the solution to plastic pollution. So to celebrate, Clean Fairfax has teamed up with Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) Farmers Markets for a plastic-free challenge! Read on for more information about the PFJ campaign, plastic pollution fast facts, & tips for living more sustainably!

Clean Fairfax and FCPA Farmers Markets have teamed up for an exciting plastic-free challenge at 3 Fairfax County farmers markets.

This year’s Plastic Free July® theme is “Small steps, big difference.” This message rings true around the world and right here in Fairfax County: your everyday decisions around plastic consumption have a greater impact than you know. So this Plastic Free July, we encourage you to start small, choose one or two single-use plastic items to avoid, and observe the big impact that has on your day-to-day and waste production over the course of the month. Phasing out single-use plastic and living more sustainably is not done overnight; it’s all about setting achievable goals that will spark a life-long change!

Here are some additional steps to take to start to break up with plastic:

  • Refusing Single-Use: Simply put, use less single-use plastic! Bring your own bag, water bottle, container, etc. with you and encourage others to do the same.
  • Choosing to Reuse: Try to reuse or repurpose items such as plastic containers or grocery bags. Opt for durable, long-lasting alternatives.
  • Recycling Correctly: Take time to learn the accepted recyclables in your area, and research where to take special hard-to-recycle items like paint, electronics, and even plastic bags. The “chasing arrows” recycling symbol doesn’t necessarily mean you can toss it into the blue bin!
  • Civic Engagement: What does civic engagement have to do with plastic pollution? Everything! It is essential that you know who represents you! Develop a relationship with your elected officials and tell them how you feel about plastic issues. Second, advocate for policies that strengthen environmental protections and reduce plastic consumption. 

Plastic-Free Challenge at the Farmers Market

Clean Fairfax will provide information about the Plastic Free July® campaign and resources on plastic pollution at the Market Managers tents at all 10 Fairfax County farmers markets this July, and will be hosting an in-person challenge at the Lorton, Kingstowne, and Annandale farmers markets. Come visit our tent for information on how to break up with plastic, grab some reusable produce bags, explore data on how plastic pollution has impacted Fairfax streams, and learn what easy changes you can make to your plastic consumption. Oh, and did we mention there will be some sweet sustainable prizes (scroll down for a sneak-peek) for those who participate in our plastic-free challenge?!

How to participate:

  1. Visit the Clean Fairfax tent at the Lorton, Kingstowne, or Annandale market to receive a PFJ punchcard. Bring your reusables & the card with you to the market!
  2. Each time you visit the market, stop by the Clean Fairfax tent to get a hole punch when you use a reusable bag or container. There are opportunities to receive bonus punches too! Take these actions below to receive extra punches:
    • Donate a reusable bag to the bag library at the markets
    • Bring a friend
    • Sign up for a newsletter
    • Post to social media with #PlasticFreeJuly
    • Bring a reusable water bottle, mug, or tumbler
  3. At the end of the month, redeem your punches for a reusable reward (HINT: more punches = bigger prize!)

Follow the progress of our plastic-free challenge at the markets on socials!

The Facts

A recent report from the Center for Climate Integrity exposes the “fraud” of recycling in the plastics industry, which has been promoted by the industry as an unsustainable solution to enable them to produce even more plastic production. Learn more about the issue in this Sunday Morning segment:

CBS News Sunday Morning program on plastic recycling (June 28, 2024).

Curious about some of the statistics on our national & global plastic production, consumption, and disposal? Interested in the human and environmental health impacts of plastic pollution? Or perhaps, the polluting processes of the plastics life cycle? We have all of these and more in the infographic poster below (also available for download as a PDF, see below).

Plastic-Free-July-2024-InfographicDownload
Plastic-Free-July-2023-InfographicDownload

Further Reading

Overview of the Plastic Pollution Crisis

Plastic Pollution by the Numbers

Plastic and Fossil Fuels

Plastic Policies

Special thanks to Litter Free Virginia for their support of this campaign, be sure to check out their very informative website for all things plastic pollution in Virginia!

Take Me There!