International Plastic Bag Free Day (July 3): History, Significance, Theme

International Plastic Bag Free Day is observed on July 3 every year to encourage people to stop using single-use plastic to eliminate plastic pollution. Single-use plastic is convenient but causes a lot of damage to the environment. International Plastic Bag Free Day aims to raise awareness about the negative impact of plastic usage on the environment.

Bangladesh was the first country in the world to ban plastic bags entirely in 2022. Soon after, many more countries, including India, also banned single-use plastic. Learn more about International Plastic Bag Free Day, its theme, history, and significance here.

International Plastic Bag Free Day 2023

Every year, International Plastic Bag Free Day is celebrated to raise awareness about the harmful effects of plastic on the environment. Plastic is non-biodegradable, so every plastic bag we use and discard is likely to stay in the environment for thousands of years. Plastic Bag Free Day encourages people to ditch plastic and switch to reusable bags.

International Plastic Bag Free Day Theme 2023

The theme of International Plastic Bag Free Day is to advocate for a plastic-free world and promote reusable alternatives. This day is an annual reminder of the negative consequences of plastic bags on the environment.

• Plastic Bag Free Day emphasises the importance of collective action. It highlights the role that individuals, businesses, and governments can play in tackling plastic pollution.
• International Plastic Bag Free Day encourages people to reduce their plastic bag usage, if not eliminate it entirely.

Plastic Bag Free Day History

The history of International Plastic Bag Free Day can be traced back to 2010 when the Bag Free World organisation established this day. This organisation introduced several campaigns promoting a plastic-free world that inspired other parts of the world to participate in Plastic Bag Free Day. Check out the complete history of this day here.

• After Bag Free World established International Plastic Bag Free Day in 2010, the day gradually gained popularity in other countries.
• In 2015, the European Union also enacted certain directives to reduce the usage of single-use plastic bags.
• In 2022, Bangladesh became the first country to ban the use of single-use, thin plastic bags officially.

International Plastic Bag Free Day Significance

It is very important to minimise the usage of plastic bags because plastic causes environmental pollution. International Plastic Bag Free Day spreads the message of reducing reliance on plastic bags and choosing more sustainable alternatives. Here are some more reasons why Plastic Bag Free Day is so significant.

• Plastic bags are a major contributor to environmental pollution and pose various environmental and health hazards.
• Plastic contributes to land pollution and blocks drainage systems. If it ends up in water bodies, it causes harm to marine life.
• International Plastic Bag Free Day highlights the negative impacts of plastic usage to motivate people to reduce using it.

How to Celebrate International Plastic Bag Free Day?

Every year on July 3, individuals, organisations, and the government come together to celebrate Plastic Bag Free Day. Some of the ways to observe International Plastic Bag Free Day are shared below.

Raise Awareness on Plastic Bag Free Day

• Plastic Bag Free Day is the perfect time to share information about the impact of plastic bags on the environment.
• People also organise talks in schools, colleges, and offices to educate others about the negative impact of plastic bags.
• One of the best ways to participate in the International Plastic Bag Free Day celebration is to encourage friends and family to switch to reusable bags.

Join Events on International Plastic Bag Free Day

• The aim of International Plastic Bag Free Day is to encourage more and more people to stop using single-use plastic.
• By organising events such as community clean-up drives, workshops, etc., on plastic pollution, people can spread the message of reducing plastic bag usage.
• One great idea to celebrate Plastic Bag Free Day is to distribute reusable bags among people.

Do Your Part on Plastic Bag Free Day

• Many people join the celebration of Plastic Bag Free Day by raising awareness about the same on social media.
• Use relevant hashtags to spread the message about reducing the use of plastic bags to save the environment.
• On International Plastic Bag Free Day, you can also advocate for policies that promote the reduction of plastic bag usage. Some of these policies can be implementing bans on single-use plastic bags.

Support People who make a Difference

• There are many activists around the world who are voicing concerns about increasing plastic pollution in the world.
• International Plastic Bag Free Day is the right time to show your support for such people.
• Try to engage in volunteer work to support the changemakers to ensure a better tomorrow for future generations.

How to Reduce Plastic Usage?

Plastic has become an inseparable part of our lives. We use plastic in the form of bags, cutlery, and more. The idea of International Plastic Bag Free Day is to help reduce plastic usage in the world. To do so, awareness about the alternatives to plastic should also be raised. On Plastic Bag Free Day, here are some alternatives to plastic that will help you reduce plastic usage.

• Cotton/Jute bags: While grocery shopping, ditch plastic bags for reusable cotton or jute bags. It makes a huge difference when you avoid using single-use plastic bags.
• Paper Bags: Paper bags are biodegradable and are made from renewable resources. Their environmental impact is really low because they can be recycled or composted. Promote their usage on Plastic Bag Free Day as a good alternative to plastic.
• Metal/Paper Straws: Plastic straws often end up in oceans and other water bodies and can harm marine life. Therefore, we must avoid using them entirely and use paper or metal straws instead.

Note that not many people might have access to or the means to eliminate the use of plastic entirely. Therefore, International Plastic Bag Free Day encourages people to reduce plastic as much as they can. The only important thing is to be aware of the dangers of plastic and make an effort to play your part in ensuring that you do not contribute to plastic pollution.

FAQs on International Plastic Bag Free Day

Q1. When is International Plastic Bag Free Day celebrated?

International Plastic Bag Free Day is celebrated on July 3 every year to raise awareness about the harmful impact of plastic on the environment. This day encourages people to replace single-use plastic bags with sustainable alternatives such as jute or cotton bags.

Q2. What is the theme of International Plastic Bag Free Day 2023?

International Plastic Bag Free Day theme 2023 is to advocate for a plastic-free world and promote reusable alternatives. Plastic Bag Free Day also highlights the effect of plastic on marine health and the environment in general.

Q3. Why is International Plastic Bag Free Day celebrated?

International Plastic Bag Free Day is celebrated to raise awareness about the negative impact of plastic on the environment. Plastic is one of the main causes of the deterioration of marine health and the environment. Everyone should observe Plastic Bag Free Day and choose other alternatives like jute or cotton bags.

Q4. Where is International Plastic Bag Free Day celebrated?

International Plastic Bag Free Day is celebrated all over the world. In 2010, the Bag Free World organisation established this day to highlight the increasing usage of non-renewable, single-use plastic in the world. This day is celebrated worldwide to encourage people to reduce plastic usage.

Q5. Who started International Plastic Bag Free Day and when?

Bag Free World started International Plastic Bag Free Day in 2010 to raise awareness about the many negative effects of plastic in the world. This day is celebrated all over the world to encourage people to adopt sustainable alternatives to plastic to save the world.

Q6. How to celebrate International Plastic Bag Free Day?

There are many ways to celebrate International Plastic Bag Free Day, such as the following.

• Raising awareness about the day on social media.
• Participating in Plastic Bag Free Day by joining local events.
• Ditching the use of single-use plastic bags as much as possible.