Plastic Free July
Take the Quiz!
Discover the items you use and decide what you’d like to choose to refuse.
What is Plastic Free July?
This July, AHUMC is participating in its fifth annual Plastic Free July—a global movement encouraging participants to spread awareness and take appropriate steps to minimize the usage of single-use plastics.
We are excited to continue this process of becoming more mindful and making better decisions about the footprint we leave behind—both for future generations and for the stewardship and sustainability of our planet.
Why take part in Plastic Free July?
Each July, Plastic Free July participants make choices that add up to an extraordinary global impact.
Plastic pollution awareness continues to grow on a global scale, and so does participation in the campaign. As well as the changes made during July, the majority of participants make new habits that last beyond the challenge, multiplying that impact even further.
In 2025:
At least 174 million people across 190 countries took the challenge – that’s a staggering 16% of global consumers
29% of global consumers (over 316 million) were aware of Plastic Free July
Participants reduced their household by 13kgs per person (that’s 3.1% less waste) and took 15% more action to reduce plastic waste (compared to people not doing the challenge)
Globally, participants reduced non-recoverable (landfill) waste by 1.4 million tonnes and recyclable waste by 900,000 tonnes
82 licensees contributed to the Foundation and helped make Plastic Free July resources free for schools and communities
47 member councils worked together to avoid over 8,500 tonnes of plastic waste
75% of the population supports policies and action to reduce waste
Participants have strong social connections and a positive sense of well-being
These yearly numbers add up to significant changes. In the last 7 years alone, participants have collectively avoided 15 million tonnes of waste. For scale, that’s the weight of over 100,000 blue whales, and more than all the waste collected by the 10 biggest cleanups around the world combined.
What is the United Methodist perspective?
The United Methodist Church recognizes that overconsumption, shortsighted policies, poor management of natural resources, and other unsustainable practices have severely impacted the fragile, natural ecosystems on which all of life depends. Too often, humankind has treated the rest of the created world as if it were disposable and allowed the destruction of other living organisms and their natural habitats to go unchecked. Further, the experiences and voices of people most at risk have largely been ignored.
Read the UMC's Social Principles regarding the Community of All Creation HERE.
What exactly are we doing at AHUMC?
- We encourage everyone to join the Mug Club and bring their own reusable water containers and coffee cups when coming to campus. We'll also have new AHUMC-branded mugs and totes available in the Atrium for a suggested donation.
- There are blue recycling bins placed in our worship spaces and Atrium that remain throughout the year, with more bins being placed throughout campus in the future. These bins will accept paper, cardboard, plastic, and aluminum (no glass).
- AHUMC staff will continue making mindful decisions about using single-use plastics when it comes to church programming and events.
- We are invited to take the pledge and receive ideas on how to make changes to minimize the usage of single-use plastics within your household.
How can I participate?
Here are some tips to help you get started on using fewer single-use plastics:
- Use reusable coffee cups and water bottles.
- Refuse plastic bags when shopping and use reusable containers instead.
- Go strawless or use a reusable straw for drinks.
- Pick up any trash whenever there's any nearby on the ground, and recycle what you can.
- Spread the word about Plastic Free July whenever there's an opportunity.
- Take the Plastic Free July quiz.
- View other ways of participating on Plastic Fee July's website here.
Seem easy enough? Take the pledge to inspire you and your household to put these tips into practice!
Will my participation make a difference?
YES!
Remember that Plastic Free July is the beginning of a much larger, very important conversation. Any step in the right direction, big or small, is progress—and progress is beautiful.
At AHUMC, we come together to welcome all people, build community, share God's love, and serve the world. We're using Plastic Free July as an opportunity to do just that.
Thank you for partnering with AHUMC!
Where can I learn more?
Plastic Free July® is a global movement that helps millions of people be part of the solution to plastic pollution—so we can have cleaner streets, oceans, and beautiful communities.
Find more information HERE.
