Beyond Plastic Ecochallenge 2025

Total Participants

1,751

across 25 countries and 49 states/regions

Total Teams

146

Total Actions Completed

20,403

Total Posts Shared

3,846

Top Impactful Actions

Start a household challenge to reduce plastic

Take the Beyond Plastic Ecochallenge Feedback Survey

Participate in or organize a community clean up

Find or suggest a refill station or reusable system

Share My Why

Participant Engagement

Average # of daily check-ins: 8

One-time action success rate: 34%

Daily action success rate: 26%

ABOUT BEYOND PLASTIC ECOCHALLENGE

Beyond Plastic Ecochallenge was a one-month event in July designed to make reducing plastic use—and transforming the systems around us—motivating, accessible, and impactful. Participants created personal plans to cut plastic consumption and waste, choosing from a new library of actions across four categories: learning and reflection, daily habit shifts, community influence, and advocacy for systemic change. Whether new to low-plastic living or well-practiced, participants found meaningful ways to deepen their sustainability journey, supported by shared reflections and encouragement from others on the Feed.

"Reading and hearing more about microplastics (and how they are everywhere) is really concerning. I don’t want that stuff in my food or in my body so I’ll be making some changes this month!"

— Kristi

"Trying to only purchase items that are whole or don't need an extra plastic bag. Taking my own bags to the grocery store has been a huge way to help limit my plastic consumption. Having reusable options close and easy to utilize is the key for me."

— Madison

"We are focusing on food wrappers and laundry waste. We started using reusable food containers, recycling what we can, switched to dryer balls instead of dryer sheets, and sheet detergent instead of liquid."

— Jenifer

"I joined the Ecochallenge to learn about how to make July plastic-free. I did not expect to get into it as much as I did. The more I learned, the more I was drawn to learn more. I heard about and have signed up to volunteer in two organizations because of this month-long focus that became a daily habit: a food rescue organization and a ministry to make mats for the homeless out of one-time-use bags."

— Stacey

"This July has been both busy and relentlessly hot. Yet, I've enjoyed this kind of challenge. It’s a creative journey for my brain, pushing me to think beyond the 'plastic box' of default consumerism and consider how my choices ripple outward. While I’m not responsible for others, nor do I 'owe' anyone anything, that’s no excuse to disregard how my actions impact the autonomy, health, and well-being of those around me or the planet we share."

— Nara

"I had fun interacting with other participants in this Ecochallenge and celebrating their wins. Just learning about other people’s efforts fills my heart with joy and gives me hope that we can really do something about these gargantuan challenges we’re facing. It’s true that if we move together, we’ll indeed go further."

— Janelle

"My win this week is that I have become more vocal about single use plastics whenever they are offered to me. My number response to cashiers everywhere when they ask me if plastic is okay, is 'no, plastic is not okay,' and that 'I am saving the planet, one plastic bag at a time.' I have been surprised at the response from cashiers who have said to me 'I hear you' or 'our generation is done with plastics.' This last comment coming from a college student working at our grocery store. Getting people’s opinions about plastics is a big win!"

— Luz

"I love setting reminders on my phone in the early days of creating a habit! Collective action is the way most changes are made! It takes a village to accomplish nearly anything!"

— Shelby

"Sometimes, it's motivating for someone to know that their actions are seen and are making a difference. Even those who are ahead of the game can use a little reminder now and then that their efforts are inspiring others!"

— Debbi

"I am deeply concerned about our environment and I want to leave this earth some day knowing my grandchildren, great grandchildren and so on with have a safe earth to live on."

— Holly

"I am now more aware of natural sources for plastics and alternatives to plastics, better options for the environment and humanity, and natural solutions for the breakdown of plastics."

— Vicki

"This year has some really interesting challenges! I'm excited to expand my knowledge in an area I am already quite passionate about. I want to be able to 'walk the talk' and lead with knowledge for others around me."

— Jonelle

"Today I reached out to a local coffee shop with premises near the beach. I first complimented the vibes at the new location and affirmed I value their product and recommend it. Then I suggested that since they are rebranding, they should consider more sustainable tableware. I offered my personal experience with finding the plastic branded cup along many access points to the beach as well as on the beach. I recommended that they push for on-site consumption and washable mugs. I also recommended looking into paper-based to-go cups."

— Christine

"I praised a couple of guests that walked in with reusable water bottles. They asked if they could bring it in and if we had a water refill station. I was happy to let them know we did and told them thank you for bring those bottles in."

— Richard

"My friend was very resistant to switching to reusable bags because they struggle with the remembering to bring them, plus the bags taking up space when they had limited storage, I brought up foldable bags or ones that can be stuffed in to smaller sacks so that they fit in a purse or can be hung from a bag without taking up as much space."

— Leah