Plastic Free July is a 31-day global ecochallenge to reduce and refuse single-use plastics. The initiative started in Australia and has been steadily supported by the zoo and aquarium community, who know firsthand how important healthy ecosystems are. We invite you to use the month of July to create plastic-free habits and explore new ways to take care of wildlife and the world we share.

Join the Zoo New England Plastic Free July team, and throughout the month, share your progress and reflections with fellow EcoChallengers. The collective inspiration, camaraderie, and friendly competition will help make change a little easier — and a lot of fun! Even more fun: prizes for the top participants!

Why use less plastic? Plastic takes hundreds of years to break down, and it never fully decomposes. Plastic bags, bottles and more clog our landfills and pollute our waterways. Experts say our oceans will have more plastic than fish by 2050. The good news is, you can help our planet and its wildlife with small lifestyle changes. Bring canvas bags when you shop, avoid single-use plastic water bottles and ditch disposable straws for a reusable one – these are all simple swaps that save you money over time and make a big impact on our planet! 

Zoo New England's mission is to protect and sustain the natural world for future generations. Joining the Plastic Free EcoChallenge is one of the many ways the Zoo commits to conservation. Find more information about our conservation efforts here: https://www.zoonewengland.org/protect/what-you-can-do/