Plastic Free July is a global movement that empowers individuals to take action against plastic pollution, creating cleaner streets, oceans, and beautiful communities. At Oniracom, environmentalism and community engagement are integral to our culture and history. We’ve worked with many sustainability-focused organizations over the years and continually seek new ways to become an even greener business. We are proud to help reduce plastic waste in the entertainment industry and support NGOs, artists, venues, and for-profits in acting sustainably.
We’ve compiled a list of 5 exciting ways to celebrate and participate in Plastic Free July this year. Read on to get inspired and join in on the activities below:
1. Volunteer with Local NGOs & Participate in a Beach Clean Up
Make a difference by joining local NGOs and participating in beach clean-ups. By volunteering, you not only help keep our watersheds and beaches clean but also act as an environmental steward, contributing to data collection that helps reduce pollution at its source. Our team has participated in several beach clean-ups through Santa Barbara Channelkeeper’s Watershed Brigade. The Watershed Brigade is a community of volunteers dedicated to keeping our local watersheds and beaches clean. Volunteers can also earn points that make them eligible for perks and prizes.
Santa Barbara Channelkeeper’s next big event is a collaboration with the City of Santa Barbara to help clean up our waterfront beaches following the city’s July 4th festivities. The volunteer event will take place July 5th from 9AM to 11AM at three different locations along the waterfront. Cleanup supplies and parking passes will be provided.
2. Skip the Plastic at Concerts This Summer
Fans have the power to reduce the significant amount of single-use plastic waste generated at music events, promoting a more eco-friendly and sustainable music industry while inspiring others to do the same.
For decades Oniracom has supported initiatives to combat plastic pollution in the entertainment industry. Kokua Hawaii Foundation and its Kokua Festival, Plastic Free Hawaii, Johnson Ohana Foundation, All At Once, and more recently BYOBottle.org are all organizations aimed at reducing plastic waste, especially at concerts where single-use plastics really add up.
Artists, venues, festivals, and fans can reduce plastic waste in the music industry by promoting reusable water bottles and water refill stations at music events.
We are proud to have longstanding partnerships with local non-profit Santa Barbara venues, the Santa Barbara Bowl, and the Lobero Theatre. Both are doing their part to reduce paper and plastic pollution and have reusable pint cup programs that allow attendees to reduce plastic waste and gain a reusable souvenir that discounts drink purchases every time the pint cup is used (and re-used!).
3. Connect with Like-Minded Changemakers in Your Community
Connecting with like-minded changemakers in your community fosters a sense of unity, support, and shared purpose, amplifying the impact of individual actions and driving collective change toward a more sustainable future.
The Community Environmental Council is one of the nation’s most accomplished environmental action nonprofits. For 50 years, the CEC has been a leader of the modern environmental movement, driving local action to affect global change. We are proud to have supported the Community Environmental Council as a strategic and creative marketing partner for the past 13 years and look forward to celebrating yet another milestone together.
Join the Grand Opening of CEC’s new community Environmental Hub! This state-of-the-art collaborative space at 1219 State Street in Santa Barbara is designed to be an epicenter for community activism, education, entrepreneurship, media, and art.
4. Attend a Plastic Free Expo
Plastic Free July Expos offer an opportunity to explore eco-friendly alternatives to single-use plastics and discover ways to reduce your carbon footprint.
The Community Environmental Council and Santa Barbara Channelkeeper present the second annual Plastic Free July Expo in Santa Barbara! The Plastic Free July Expo takes place on Thursday, Jul 27th, 2023 at 5:30 PM at 1219 State Street, Santa Barbara. This in-person event is all about reducing plastic waste and promoting sustainable living. Come and learn about eco-friendly alternatives to single-use plastics and discover ways to reduce your carbon footprint.
You’ll find a variety of exhibits showcasing products and services that can help you live a more sustainable lifestyle. You’ll also have the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and organizations that share the same passion for environmental sustainability.
5. Take The Plastic-Free Challenge
Hundreds of millions of people worldwide are choosing to be part of Plastic Free July. There are so many ways to participate in the plastic-free challenge. Plastic Free July provides incredible resources and ideas for ways to reduce plastic waste in forms both big and small, as well as tools to keep you motivated and inspired during the challenge.
Plastic Free July inspires me to step up my commitment to reducing single-use plastic in my daily life and on tour.
Jack Johnson, Musician (& Oniracom Friend and Partner)
Plastic Free July serves as a reminder of the incredible power we hold as individuals to make a positive impact on our environment. At Oniracom, we are grateful to belong to an active and environmentally conscious community that continually provides us with opportunities to take action. We encourage everyone in our community to seize these opportunities and contribute to the collective effort of creating a cleaner, healthier planet.
No matter where you are, there are ways to join the cause. Let us come together, united in our commitment to reducing plastic waste and protecting our planet. We extend special thanks to Plastic Free July for their dedication to creating and collecting valuable resources for people to participate in this movement across the globe.
Together, we can pave the way toward a plastic-free future and leave a lasting legacy of sustainability for generations to come. Join us in celebrating Plastic Free July and let’s make a difference, one small action at a time.
