ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University Sustainability invites you to join the Plastic Free July 2025 challenge
The global movement this year focuses on reducing use of the top 3 single-use plastic items: single-use cups, plastic drink bottles, or plastic food wrap and bags
ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University Sustainability invites you to join the Plastic Free July 2025 challenge
With 174 million participants globally last year, is the world’s largest plastic waste avoidance campaign. This award-winning behavior change campaign — now in its 15th year — empowers communities, corporations, and governments to take action to reduce plastic waste.
The ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University office of sustainability first introduced the Plastic Free July challenge to the ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú community in 2019. The goal is to challenge people to reduce and refuse single-use plastics and build sustainable habits.
Since then, “an astonishing 10 billion kgs (22 billion pounds) of household waste has been avoided by participants over the last five years because millions of people choose to make a change for cleaner streets, healthy oceans, and beautiful communities or just to do the right thing,” according to the Plastic Free July Foundation.
Choose one single-use plastic to avoid or take the pledge to avoid single-use cups, plastic drink bottles, or plastic food wrap and bags. According to Plastic Free July, are single-use plastic items we commonly use each day that often can be easily replaced by reusable options.
ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú sustainability is taking the challenge
The office of sustainability encourages the ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú community to take the
“Plastic Free July is an invitation to start taking action with one small step,” Olivia Herron, director of the office of sustainability, said. “Your small steps in July, such as choosing reusable shopping bags, could turn into a lifelong habit."
Taking steps to use reusable containers, instead of single-use ones, for instance, can make it more likely that others will do so as well. Research has demonstrated a strong impact on social norms, according to the Plastic Free July Foundation.
to reduce plastic waste at your office,” said Alex Miller, sustainability engagement coordinator, “such as reducing plastic use in your workplace kitchen or inviting colleagues to join Plastic Free July.”
Small steps: avoid using plastic bottles, disposable plastic cups, and plastic bags or wraps in July
- Take the Plastic Free July pledge.
Can’t avoid it? Recycle those plastic items that are used
- Recycling bins on campus: ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University's waste hauling provider accepts certain plastic items for recycling. Place these in your office’s recycling bins: plastic bottles, jugs, tubs, and disposable cups (not colored party cups). Check the list of accepted items on the Sustainability at ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú website.
- Try a Hefty Renew bag for certain hard-to-recycle items: Rumpke customers can collect hard-to-recycle items — like foam take-out containers, plastic utensils, and plastic grocery bags — in . The Hefty ReNew bags are picked up by Rumpke with the regular recycling collection, whether curbside in your neighborhood or on campus. Start a ReNew bag in your office and place it near your recycling bin. Order a or contact the office of sustainability for a starter bag for your office.