Your Tactical Guide to Preparing for Plastic-Free July — At Any Stage of Business
Posted By on Jun 16th 2025
by Saloni Doshi • published June 17, 2025 • 6 min read
Every package is a chance to tell your sustainability story — and in July, brands have a unique opportunity to align that story with a global movement to reduce plastic use.
Now in its 13th year, Plastic-Free July continues to inspire millions of people and businesses around the globe to reduce their plastic consumption.
But simply replacing plastic isn’t enough to make something sustainable, especially in a packaging landscape that is increasingly nuanced and complex.
Real leadership in this space means:
-
Understanding tradeoffs
-
Making thoughtful material choices
-
Communicating transparently with your customers
-
Investing in a circular future
This guide is designed to help brands of all sizes authentically prepare for Plastic-Free July, aligned with sustainability goals, and customer-forward.
Source: EcoEnclose
Why We’re Showing Up for Plastic-Free July
We know what you might think: “Plastic-Free July” can feel a little one-dimensional.
Plastic is just one of many materials contributing to our environmental footprint; not all plastic is created equal.
We recognize that “plastic-free” isn’t a perfect indicator of sustainability — and, in some circles, it’s even been criticized as misleading.
But we believe Plastic-Free July still plays an important role:
-
It sparks critical conversations. Whether brands decide to go fully plastic-free, the campaign opens the door to dialogue with customers about packaging, sustainability, and long-term change.
-
It drives awareness. Many consumers don’t fully recognize the environmental issues tied to single-use plastic. Plastic-Free July can help shift perspectives and behavior for individuals and businesses alike.
-
It creates a moment of brand storytelling. Participating in a time-bound challenge gives you a chance to test messaging, packaging, and strategies and reach new customers.
Plastic-Free July allows you to make an impact. That being said, we know that eliminating plastic is a complex endeavor.
Source: EcoEnclose
Questions to Consider Before Going Plastic-Free
Going plastic-free — even for a month — is hard. Plastic is embedded in our supply chains, and removing it entirely can sometimes mean switching to heavier, more resource-intensive, or less recyclable alternatives.
At EcoEnclose, we encourage brands to use this month as a moment for innovation and education. Focus less on being “perfect” and more on learning, evolving, and sharing your journey.
Why Simply Shifting To Virgin Paper Isn’t The Answer
Many brands aiming to ditch plastic default to virgin paper, but this switch can come with its steep environmental costs, such as:
-
Higher carbon emissions than the plastic being replaced
-
Deforestation and biodiversity loss
-
High water and energy usage
-
Lower circularity compared to recycled paper
Yes, tree fiber is technically renewable.
But unless it’s sourced from post-consumer waste (or, when virgin content is unavoidable, from responsibly managed forests), paper can perpetuate extractive forestry practices that are anything but regenerative.
At EcoEnclose, we advocate for:
-
Recycled content first and foremost, particularly post-consumer waste. Choosing recycled material reduces packaging’s carbon footprint and resource usage, and supports critical recycling infrastructure.
-
Thoughtful next-gen alternatives like responsibly cultivated sugarcane and seaweed, which rely on regenerative or underutilized resources and reduce pressure on forests.
-
Materials grown to promote biodiversity, lower water and land use, avoid disrupting food systems, and support healthy, sustainable economies.
-
Trusted certifications, such as Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) to ensure that fiber is sourced sustainably and that recycled content is verified.
If you’re moving away from plastic, don’t just swap one linear material for another. Instead, this is an opportunity to invest in regenerative, circular inputs that advance packaging.
What If You Decide Not To Go Plastic-Free?
Not every brand will (or should) eliminate plastic entirely for July.
Plastic is often still the most carbon-efficient and effective option, mainly when it’s recycled, recyclable, and responsibly sourced.
Brands using plastic in their packaging should start by auditing their current materials and finding ways to reduce overall use, eliminate the most harmful plastics, and maximize recycled and recyclable options.
If you're not going plastic-free, you can still join the conversation by sharing how you think critically about materials. Here are a few points worth highlighting:
-
Recycled Content: Are you using post-consumer waste in your poly mailers or packaging films?
-
Recyclability: Can your packaging be widely and easily recycled through curbside or thin-film collection programs?
-
Carbon Efficiency: Is plastic helping your brand reduce your footprint?
-
Circularity Vision: Are you investing in improvements in recycling, recovery, or plastic alternatives?
-
Bio-Based Alternatives with True Regenerative Potential: Can you adopt bio-based alternatives whose feedstocks have true potential for regeneration and can be superior to fossil fuels at scale?
Use Plastic-Free July to communicate your sustainability efforts — even if they don’t align with “plastic-free” as a blanket goal.
Source: Flexi-Hex
Plastic-Free July Ideas For Every Brand Size
Micro Brands (Like Etsy Sellers, Indie Creators, Or Early-Stage Startups)
Smaller brands can still make a significant impact, often with lower barriers to experimentation and a high level of engagement from customers.
You may decide to:
-
Use Our Stock Plastic-Free Options
Many of our stock options, from mailers to tissue, are plastic-free and can help you meet your commitment. -
Add A WeCare Card
Our customizable insert card helps you explain your sustainability efforts. Use it to share why you’re participating and how customers can join you.
Small And Medium Brands
As you scale, you will often have more packaging touchpoints and opportunities to create a cohesive Plastic-Free July experience.
-
Try Stock Options For Speed And Flexibility
Our Plastic-Free July paper mailers, padded mailers, and boxes are available in small batches so you can start shipping immediately. -
Layer In Branded Elements
Consider designing a custom insert or limited-edition outer print on your mailer or shipping box explaining your Plastic-Free July participation. These touches can boost customer connection and trust. -
Use QR Codes to Connect with Customers
A quick-scan QR code on your packaging can lead to a landing page with more details, behind-the-scenes insights, or actions customers can take.
Enterprise Brands
Plastic-Free July can be a full-fledged campaign for larger brands across packaging, digital, and retail experiences.
-
Develop A Premium Branded Package
Create a cohesive suite of plastic-free packaging, including outer shipping materials, inner packaging, tissue, custom inserts, notecards, or stickers. -
Engage Marketing And Sustainability Teams Early
Align your design, copy, and customer experience across channels. Customers expect thoughtful communication from larger brands, not just a packaging shift. -
Share Your Reasoning
Whether you’re replacing plastic or keeping it (but improving it), transparency is key. Publish a blog or newsletter explaining your July packaging approach and your long-term material and impact goals.
Source: EcoEnclose
Tips For Getting The Most From Your Plastic-Free July Packaging
Making a switch for July? Don’t let it go unnoticed. Use the opportunity to deepen engagement and tell your sustainability story.
1. Make Sure Customers Know What You’re Doing — And Why
Use packaging inserts, emails, social media, and product pages to explain your Plastic-Free July efforts. Even a short message like:
“We’re participating in Plastic-Free July! This month, we’re shipping with recycled paper mailers instead of poly to reduce plastic waste, raise awareness about pollution, and learn more about our packaging impact.”
A thoughtful note can transform your unboxing into a memorable, values-driven experience.
2. Encourage Customers To Take Action Too
One exciting aspect of Plastic-Free July is inviting individuals, communities, and businesses to engage.
You can use this chance to connect with customers and invite them to act, strengthening your brand image and customer relationships.
Include a note or QR code inviting customers to:
-
Take the Plastic-Free July challenge
-
Reduce their single-use plastic use
-
Reuse or recycle your packaging
-
Learn about your sustainability goals and impact
3. Consider A Special Promotion
Plastic-Free July can be a great time to launch thoughtfully:
-
Limited-edition packaging
-
Discounts for sustainable refills or reorders
-
Giveaways tied to plastic-free actions
This not only supports your mission, but it also keeps customers coming back after the month is over.
4. Highlight Reuse Where Possible
If any elements of your packaging are reusable, such as mailers or boxes, call that out!
Encouraging reuse deepens engagement, supports circularity, and extends the life of your materials.
5. Track and Share What You Learn
Whether measuring customer responses or assessing packaging performance, don’t let data from July fall by the wayside.
Use what you learn to shape longer-term sustainability improvements, and share your insights and impact with customers.
6. Bring Internal Stakeholders Along for the Journey
Plastic-Free July is also an excellent opportunity to connect meaningfully with your internal teams.
Use it to share your packaging goals, material decisions, and long-term sustainability roadmap — and to build excitement about your collective impact.
When everyone understands the “why” behind your July campaign, your messaging will be more authentic, and your team will be more empowered to support customer questions and amplify your mission.
Source: EcoEnclose
Lead With Purpose This Plastic-Free July
Plastic-Free July is about more than a packaging swap. It's a decisive moment to reflect, innovate, and lead purposefully.
Whether you're just starting or refining an established packaging strategy, your actions this month can make a difference.
By engaging your customers, rethinking materials, and aligning your packaging with your sustainability goals, you're not just reducing plastic. You're helping build a more thoughtful, regenerative packaging future—and we’re here to support you every step of the way.
About EcoEnclose
EcoEnclose is the leading sustainable packaging company that provides eco-packaging solutions to the world’s most forward-thinking brands.
We develop diverse, sustainable packaging solutions that meet our rigorous research-based standards and customers’ goals. We drive innovative packaging materials to market and consistently improve the circularity of existing solutions.