Plastic Free July - Clean Fairfax

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. Can you be part of the plastic pollution solution?

This month, we hope to inspire ACTION! Whether that’s a simple sustainable swap, reducing food waste while also using less plastic, 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.

Plastic Free July @ the Farmers Market 2026

Each summer, the Plastic Free July® campaign encourages millions around the globe to be a part of the solution to plastic pollution. This year, Clean Fairfax has teamed up with Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) Farmers Markets to demonstrate plastic and food waste reduction options at the Annandale Farmers Market on Thursdays from 8:00AM – 12:00PM! Read on for more information about the PFJ campaign, plastic pollution fast facts, & tips for living more sustainably!

Clean Fairfax will be at the Annandale Farmers Market every other week this season.

This year’s Plastic Free July® challenges everyone to be part of the plastic pollution solution. One fun way to start is to take a plastic-free pledge during the month of July and see how much plastic you can avoid bringing into your life. Folks from around the world and right here in Fairfax County can participate: 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.

Keep up with Clean Fairfax and the Farmers Markets on socials!

Clean Fairfax: on Facebook @CleanFairfaxCouncil, Instagram/Threads @CleanFairfax, and BlueskySocial @cleanfairfax.bsky.social
FCPA Farmers Markets: on Facebook @FairfaxParks and Instagram @FairfaxFarmMarkets

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:

https://www.youtube.com/embed/RwppgbZwrpg?si=DCroYUC0iep47U10

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).