Rebecca Prince-Ruiz, founder of the most important movement to eliminate and reduce the use of plastic

Her story and that of one of the most important environmental movements in the world, specialized in the fight against plastic, begins by looking at the body of a whale that died from swallowing, over time, 80 bags in its stomach. We are in Perth, Western Australia, and Rebecca Prince-Ruiz, 56, is a volunteer of the Western Metropolitan Regional Council (WMRC), a local body that deals with waste management and environmental education.

That image changes Rebecca's life and she decides to found the movement Plastic Free July, with a simple but powerful idea: inviting people to participate in initiatives for reduce or eliminate the use of plastica. Reminding everyone that, according to scientists, in 2050 there will be more plastic than fish in the oceans. 

Plastic Free July collaborates with governments, local governments, businesses, and other environmental organizations to organize large-scale initiatives inspired by the idea of ​​a radical paradigm shift in plastic use. These include: campaigns in schools to educate people about eliminating plastic; distribution of guides for reducing plastic at school, home, and office; and online sharing of the changes made by individuals and within the various communities involved in Plastic Free July.

To date, approximately 180 million people of all ages in 190 countries around the world have participated in the challenges launched by Plastic Free July.  

In 2025 one of the most successful initiatives was the participation of companies in the “Plastic Free Workplace” challenge, which involved organizations in various countries (Europe, Australia, Asia and America).

The participating companies have:

• Reduced or eliminated single-use plastic in offices (glasses, bottles, cutlery)
• reusable water bottles and dishes introduced
• changed supplies (e.g. coffee and catering without plastic packaging)
• trained employees on sustainable alternatives

As for schools, in 2025 they participated in a program that included: 

• weeks without plastic in canteens
• elimination of disposable bottles
• educational activities on oceans and pollution

Meanwhile Rebecca has become one of the influencers change maker most listened to in the world. 

Cover photo: Rebecca Prince Ruiz (Source: Plastic Free July)

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