Plastic-Free July 2023

4 July 2023
tortoise swimming in ocean with plastic waste
a tortoise swimming in the ocean with plastic bag

Plastic-free July encourages us all to reduce plastic waste

For the month of July, people all around the world are determined to go plastic-free to help reduce plastic pollution!

Originally started by a small local government team in Western Australia in 2011, Plastic Free July (PFJ) is now one of the most influential environmental campaigns in the world. Millions of people across the globe take part every year, with many committing to reducing plastic pollution far beyond the month of July.

According to plasticfreejuly.org, participation in the initiative results in:

  • a reduction in household waste and recycling by 15kg per person per year (3.5% less waste)
  • global reduction of 2.1 billion tonnes of waste and recycling including 300 million kgs of plastic consumption
  • 86% of people making changes that become habits/a way of life
  • after 11 years, Plastic Free July has reduced global demand by 2.3% of all bottled water, 3.1% of all fruit and vegetable packaging, 4.0% of all plastic straws

The key points above address four of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals: sustainable cities and communities, responsible production and consumption, life below water, and life on land.

plastic-free july badge

Plastic plays a role in so much of what we do, to the point where we often don’t realise there are more sustainable alternatives available. By making just a small change to some of our daily actions and routines we can collectively help reduce plastic consumption and pollution.

So, whether it’s ditching pre-packaged fruit, vegetables, meat and fish from the supermarket by bringing your own reusable bags or container, replacing plastic food wrap with Tupperware to store leftovers and sandwiches, or ensuring you always have a reusable drinks bottle or coffee cup with you, there are many ways to make a difference.

As a business, Culligan is committed to reducing plastic usage and pollution. Our range of hydration solutions help to eliminate 40 billion plastic bottles from going to landfill and polluting our oceans each year.

Softer on the environment

A water softener reduces limescale in your home and pipework, which in turn makes your heating system and appliances more efficient, reducing your carbon footprint and giving you savings on bills.

Not only that, but the exterior of the Smart HarveyArc uses 38% less plastic than our previous models, and 62% of the plastic we do use is from recycled sources, using plastic waste which would ordinarily go to landfill and putting it to good use.

We’ve now also partnered with a Surrey-based company to recycle old Harvey softeners on behalf of customers who are upgrading, to further cement our commitment to being kinder to the planet.

harveyarc in cupboard