This Holiday Weekend, Celebrate Freedom from Plastic

July 3, 2025

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Rainy weather may keep people off the beach this Fourth of July, but it likely won’t stop cookout plans—and The Florida Aquarium is encouraging everyone to skip the plastic plates, cups, and utensils as part of its kickoff to Plastic Free July. The month-long challenge invites people to take simple, everyday actions that reduce single-use plastic, help protect marine life, and inspire real-world change.

Plastic pollution not only has devastating effects on marine wildlife, but microplastics, the breakdown of plastics, is also harming humans. Plastic accounts for 92 percent of all encounters between marine animals and marine trash. For example, sea turtles often mistake plastic bags for jellyfish, which can block their digestive systems and lead to starvation, while fish and shellfish ingest microplastics that accumulate up the food chain and pose health risks to both animals and humans.

“Everyone has a role to play in protecting themselves and the environment. Even one small change can create a powerful ripple effect leading to waves of impact,” said Dr. Debborah Luke, Senior Vice President of Conservation at The Florida Aquarium. “Holiday weekends like this one are a great opportunity to make more sustainable choices—whether that’s skipping single-use plastics, joining a local cleanup, or supporting conservation efforts. Every action counts when it comes to safeguarding our oceans and marine life.”

Join The Florida Aquarium’s team!
The community is invited to be part of The Florida Aquarium’s Beyond Plastic Ecochallenge team and compete against zoos and aquariums worldwide. Visit this website to sign up and discover how simple individual actions make a big impact.

Leading by Example: The Florida Aquarium’s Ongoing Commitment to Sustainability

• Plastic Bottle-Free Campus: The Aquarium has fully eliminated single-use plastic bottles on site
• Waste Reduction:
  • Recycling bins placed across campus
  • No plastic bags in the gift shop—replaced with reusable options
  • Sustainable retail items, including minimal packaging and plush toys made from 100% recycled bottles
• Conservation Days of Action: Staff and volunteers removed more than 12,400 pounds of debris from local parks and waterways during community cleanup events in 2024

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD BROADCAST-QUALITY VIDEO AND PHOTOS OF THE FLORIDA AQUARIUM’S SUSTAINABILITY EFFORTS

To learn more about opportunities to make a difference at The Florida Aquarium, visit its website.