Join the Ecology Center in 2024 for PLASTIC FREE JULY, a series of events for community members to learn, take action, get tips on reducing plastic waste, and connect with others who are concerned about the global problem of plastic pollution.
In 2017, the City of Berkeley officially declared July Plastic Free Month joining international efforts to reduce plastic. Plastic Free July is an annual event that began in Western Australia in 2011 and has spread across the globe. It aims to raise awareness of the amount of plastic in our lives by encouraging people to reduce their reliance on single-use plastic disposables, reduce plastic pollution, and push for lasting solutions to the plastic pollution crisis- during July and beyond. Having launched one of the nation’s first curbside recycling programs in 1973, the Ecology Center has been a long-time champion of zero-waste policies and models. We worked to bring Plastic Free July from Australia to the East Bay in the early 2010s to bring you into our fight against plastics!
While climate action movements have been unified against fossil fuels for decades, this staunch opposition has not extended to plastics as an arm of the petrochemical industry. As a product of petroleum, plastics have a plethora of problematic impacts on our climate, health, and environment. This year, our Plastic Free July programming will shed light on the connections between plastics and big oil, and what we can do to combat the two. Although envisioning a world without plastics may seem challenging, each small stride we take brings us closer to achieving that vision.
This Plastic Free July, the Ecology Center invites you to join us for a month chock-full of activities to get us collectively closer to zero waste. Our 2024 PFJ series offers interactive opportunities to learn about deeply intertwined connections between oil and plastics, what this means for our health and the health of the environment, and what we can do to fight! This year’s programming highlights include a tour of the Berkeley Recycling Center, Plastics & Petrochemicals-themed trivia night, a waste audit demonstration, and an informational session on toxics in single-use plastic foodware. Join us to build a plastic-free future!
SOLD OUT: Beyond the Curb: Berkeley Recycling Center Tour
Saturday, July 20, 2024, 11 am-12:30 pm
Berkeley Recycling Center
669 Gilman St, Berkeley CA (Ecology Center Offices)
Are you curious about where your recyclables go after they’re collected curbside in Berkeley?
Join us for a free Berkeley Recycling Tour this Plastic Free July and dive deeper into the world of recycling. Discover how recyclables are prepared for markets, learn about source separation, and explore waste sorting processes. Plus, at the end of the tour, you’ll receive plastic-free giveaways.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Your Zero Waste Home: Waste Audit Demonstration
Saturday, July 27, 2024 12-2pm
Ecology Center Store & Resource Center
2530 San Pablo Ave, Suite H, Berkeley CA 94702
99% of plastics are made from fossil fuels, which means cutting out plastics is a great way for you to take on the climate crisis at home.
But where to begin? Waste audits are a helpful tool to kickstart your zero waste journey; by understanding where plastics enter your life, you can prepare yourself to avoid them. In this free, family-friendly event we’ll show you how to do a waste audit at home and share tips for switching to zero-waste alternatives.
Audit demos will start every 30 minutes. Bring your questions and hard-to-sort waste materials!
Authentic Solutions to Plastic Pollution: A Plastic Free July Webinar & Film Screening
Wednesday, July 31, 2024 12pm
Virtual
The truth is: The onus for solving our plastic pollution crisis isn’t on recyclers; it’s on plastic producers. Join The Ocean Conservancy and AMBR for a short film screening and discussion on real solutions.
Be a changemaker this Plastic Free July by participating in our exciting fundraising raffle! By purchasing a ticket, you not only have a chance to win fantastic prizes like gift cards, sustainable home goods, and delightful wine, but you also contribute to our efforts in creating a plastic-free future. For more than 50 years, the Ecology Center has long led the charge on plastic waste reduction efforts, tracking problematic plastic scrap exports, pioneering bag reduction initiatives leading to statewide carryout bag bans, recent advances with Berkeley’s Better Bag Ban ordinance, and so much more. Help us continue the fight! Tickets are available for purchase at select Plastic Free July Events and Farmers’ Markets through July 31, 2024. Must be 18 or over to enter. See full list of Raffle Rules below for more information. Special THANK YOU to our generous prize donors who have made this fundraising raffle possible!RAFFLE
Win-Win for a Plastic-Free Future: Join Our Plastic Free July Fundraising Raffle!
Raffle Rules
Chasing Arrows: The Truth About Recycling- A Plastic Free July Watch Party & Panel Discussion Celebrate Plastic Free July with the Ecology Center and other Alliance of Mission-Based Recyclers on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, at 6 pm PT — Join a virtual watch party featuring our short film, “Chasing Arrows: The Truth About Recycling,” then stick around for an engaging panel discussion and live Q&A. Access the event recording here.Past Events
Alliance of Mission-Based Recyclers Resources Resource Hubs Factsheets Reports Articles and Blogs on the Plastics Crisis Articles and Blogs on Solutions Reuse Resources Additional ResourcesPlastic Free Resources
Resourceful is the hub to learning more about proper recycling: plastics, cardboard, and more! It is recycling made simple.Take Action
Test Your Plastics Recycling Knowledge!