International Plastic Bag Free Day: History, Facts & Insights

This is an in-depth look at all the must-know facts about International Plastic Bag Free Day (2024) 🗓️ that no one tells you about. International Plastic Bag Free Day is celebrated on July 3rd.

Among the information you’ll find below: the history of International Plastic Bag Free Day, activities to do on and how to observe this holiday, as well as important facts you should know about International Plastic Bag Free Day.

📅 What day is International Plastic Bag Free Day 2024?

In 2024, International Plastic Bag Free Day is on Monday, July 3rd. It is the 1st Monday in July; in 2024, it is Wednesday. There are until the next observance. You also can discover all intriguing details and facts about July 3, 2023, that you might not be aware of.

The International Plastic Bag Free Day, which falls on July 3, is a worldwide movement that strives to decrease the use of plastic bags. Although plastic bags may seem convenient for grocery shopping, they pose a substantial threat to the environment. It can take up to 500 years for plastic bags to break down, resulting in a significant contribution to landfill waste and pollution in our rivers.

📜 International Plastic Bag Free Day History

The plastic bag has had a significant impact on our world, from its accidental discovery to its subsequent ban. The popular plastic material, polyethylene, was first produced on a large scale in 1933 in England. Before then, it was only made in small quantities and was secretly used by the British military during World War II.

In 1965, a Swedish company called Celloplast obtained a patent for the single-piece polyethylene shopping bag. This innovative creation by engineer Sten Gustaf Thulin quickly replaced fabric and other plastic bags throughout Europe. By 1979, plastic bags had made their way to the United States, where they became dominant in the bag market, accounting for 80% of sales. Plastic product manufacturers actively promoted them as superior to paper and reusable bags.

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, discovered by sailor and researcher Charles Moore in 1997, is the largest of three areas in the world’s oceans where vast amounts of plastic debris accumulate, posing a threat to marine life. Sea turtles, for instance, often mistake plastic bags for jellyfish and end up dying after consuming them.

Bangladesh became the first country to ban thin plastic bags in 2002 after realizing that they caused severe flooding by clogging drainage systems. Many other nations, including South Africa, Rwanda, China, Australia, and Italy, quickly followed suit.

International Plastic Bag Free Day, part of the larger Break Free from Plastic Movement, aims to find safer alternatives to demonstrate that a future with reduced plastic usage is possible. Nearly 1,500 organizations have contributed to this movement, which seeks solutions to the challenge of plastic pollution in order to protect people, the environment, and animals.

✅ International Plastic Bag Free Day Facts

🔖 Plastic is directly harmful to wildlife.
In 2008, a stranded sperm whale was found with approximately 50 pounds of disposable plastic in its stomach.

🔖 5 trillion plastic bags are produced annually.
If all the bags were lined up side by side, they would be long enough to encircle the world seven times.

🔖 Plastic decays slowly.
It can take up to 700 years for single-use plastic to break down naturally, and around 1000 years for it to completely disappear.

👍 Why Is International Plastic Bag Free Day Important

Plastic bags pollute our waters. A reduction in plastic bags directly correlates to an increase in whales, sea turtles, and dolphins!

It’s not just vital, but it’s also simple and frequently inexpensive to use a reusable bag. You can usually locate these near the checkout in any store.

There are 7 billion people on earth, and it is critical that each and every one of them does their share. Today is the day to reduce, reuse, and recycle!

🙂 How To Observe International Plastic Bag Free Day

⚡ Practice your green thumb.
Maximize your day by lending a hand to Mother Nature or using your green thumb. Now is the perfect time to plant a fresh tree or some beautiful flowers. Your local environment and wildlife will show their appreciation!

⚡ Stop using plastic bags.
The easiest way to celebrate in the best way is by avoiding the use of plastic bags on July 3, no matter where you are, be it the grocery store, park, or restaurant.

⚡ Reduce, reuse, and recycle!
One more fantastic way to celebrate is by reusing and repurposing items in your surroundings. Instead of discarding any plastic bags you have, consider giving them a new life. For instance, you can utilize them as additional garbage bags or as a substitute for a lunch container.

📅 When is International Plastic Bag Free Day?

Explore all 🔗 July holidays, including 🔗 Cause and other 🔗 Environment holidays.

We will continue to update this page with new information and must-know facts about International Plastic Bag Free Day. So be sure to check back soon.