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Mayor Craig Greenberg Leads City’s Environmental Commitment
Louisville’s environmental leadership took center stage this month as Mayor Craig Greenberg and the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability officially launched the annual Plastic Free July celebration on July 1, 2025. “Sustainability is one of our greatest responsibilities as a community and a city government,” said Mayor Craig Greenberg. “Each of us – individuals and organizations – can start making conscious choices to reduce the use of single-use disposable plastic.” The initiative comes at a crucial time when global plastic production continues to skyrocket, with 2025 projections showing global thermoplastics production reaching approximately 445 million metric tonnes.
The mayor’s commitment extends beyond mere words, as his office has partnered with grassroots organizations to create meaningful change. Throughout July, the Office of Sustainability will share practical tips, host community events, and spotlight local businesses and individuals leading the way in plastic reduction. The campaign aligns with Louisville Metro Government’s broader sustainability goals to create a safer, stronger, healthier, and more sustainable city.
Joining a Global Movement of 100 Million Participants
Plastic Free July in Louisville is part of a global movement that empowers millions of people across more than 190 countries to reduce single-use plastic waste. By joining this international effort, the city of Louisville aligns with a shared mission to create cleaner and healthier communities, protect natural ecosystems, and inspire long-term environmental change. The worldwide reach of this initiative is staggering, with more than 100 million people from over 190 countries participating in Plastic Free July in 2024.
What makes this year’s campaign particularly significant is the timing. Plastic Free July takes place every year during the entire month of July. In 2025, the challenge runs from Tuesday, July 1st to Thursday, July 31st. The movement was founded in 2011 by Rebecca Prince-Ruiz and a small team in Western Australia. What started as a local initiative has since blossomed into a global campaign, supported by the Plastic Free Foundation.
Staggering Louisville Waste Statistics Revealed
The numbers behind Louisville’s plastic problem are eye-opening. City officials estimate that roughly 87,000 tons of plastic waste end up in Louisville landfills annually, while according to the Louisville Metro Government’s 2016 Waste Characterization Study, 87,203 tons of plastic were collected from residential trash receptacles in one year, making up 14% of the total waste stream generated in the county. This massive volume of waste represents a significant challenge for the city’s sustainability goals.
The visible impact of plastic pollution extends far beyond landfills. Brightside, a city agency that organizes community litter pickups, collected 6,000 bags of litter in 2023, including single-use plastics like snack food bags and to-go containers. Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability Sumedha Rao highlighted the pervasive nature of the problem: “Whether it’s the visible litter that we see in our beloved parks or whether it’s the invisible effects of microplastics and PFAS pollution that is in everything, including the deepest parts of the ocean to our bloodstream and breast milk. It’s an issue that’s on everybody’s minds now.”
Beyond Plastics Louisville Partners with City Officials
The grassroots organization Beyond Plastics Louisville has emerged as a key partner in the city’s plastic reduction efforts. Pam Raidt, co-founder of Beyond Plastics Louisville, explained: “Beyond Plastics Louisville is part of a nation-wide, grassroots movement to raise awareness about plastic pollution and promote alternatives to single-use plastics. We are very pleased to join the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability’s Plastic Free July Campaign.” This partnership represents a powerful alliance between government and grassroots activism.
The organization’s commitment to education and community engagement is evident in their programming. Beyond Plastics Louisville is hosting a screening of the documentary “We’re All Plastic People Now” on Thursday, July 24, at Trellis Brewing, with Trellis Brewing pledging $1 for every beverage purchased that evening to benefit the Kentucky Waterways Alliance. The screening demonstrates how local businesses can support environmental causes while raising awareness about plastic pollution and promoting alternatives to single-use plastics.
Documentary Screening Highlights Health Impacts
The featured documentary “We’re All Plastic People Now” brings a sobering perspective to the plastic pollution crisis. Introduced by actor and environmentalist Ted Danson, the documentary film investigates the hidden story of plastic and its effects on human health. In an era of throw-away ease, convenience has cost us our well-being. The film’s Emmy-winning status underscores the quality and importance of its message.
The documentary reveals that plastics have been found inside our bodies- in our colons, our brains, and even in mothers’ developing wombs. Scientists around the country are sounding the alarm, but without public buy-in, there is little that can be done. How much evidence do we need before we decide to take action? This groundbreaking film, for the first time ever, tests the producer’s blood and four generations of family members for chemicals derived from plastic. The results are alarming.
Metro Council Resolution Supports Plastic Reduction
Louisville’s commitment to plastic reduction has strong legislative backing. In response to this growing concern, Louisville Metro Council passed a Resolution in 2023 encouraging consumer education around reducing plastics. District 25 Councilman Khalil Batshon, who sponsored the Metro Council Resolution on single-use plastics, stated: “It’s an honor to continue championing sustainability in 2025—whether through our commitment to reducing single-use plastics or advancing clean energy with our solar streetlight initiative. Together, we’re building a future that’s brighter, cleaner, and rooted in action.”
The resolution creates a framework for ongoing plastic reduction efforts in the city. Louisville Metro Council passed a resolution in 2023 encouraging consumer education around reducing the use of plastic. The resolution pushed collaboration with local businesses and educational efforts to reduce the harm of plastic pollution in the city. This legislative support provides the foundation for sustained environmental action beyond the July campaign.
Local Businesses Lead Sustainable Practices
Louisville’s restaurant and business community has stepped up to support the plastic-free initiative. Louisville MetroTV featured a series highlighting local restaurants and businesses that are making an effort to reduce plastic waste by swapping single-use plastics with compostable and reusable products. These businesses demonstrate that sustainability and profitability can coexist successfully.
Some establishments have gone above and beyond in their sustainability efforts. Local businesses such as Momma’s Mustard, Pickles, and BBQ utilize plant-based products such as forks, plates, straws, bags, and cups so that all their to-go materials are biodegradable. The Mayor praised Momma’s BBQ as well as other restaurants in Louisville that are choosing to reduce or eliminate plastics. These examples provide a roadmap for other businesses looking to reduce their environmental impact.
Young Leaders Drive Environmental Change
The next generation of environmental leaders is actively participating in Louisville’s plastic reduction efforts. Mia Treinen, a summer intern with the Office of Sustainability, added: “It is empowering to commit to community-wide sustainability initiatives. There’s a sense of belonging and social responsibility we can each gain from taking collective action.” Her involvement demonstrates how young people can contribute meaningfully to environmental solutions.
The engagement of youth in sustainability efforts reflects a broader generational shift toward environmental consciousness. The campaign recognizes that even the city’s youngest leaders are getting involved, encouraging people throughout Louisville to choose reusable alternatives instead of single-use plastic and to recognize businesses for their sustainable practices. This intergenerational approach ensures that environmental values are passed down and sustained over time.
Global Plastic Crisis Demands Local Action
The urgency of Louisville’s initiative becomes clear when viewed against global plastic waste projections. By 2025, global plastic waste is projected to reach 460 million tonnes annually, driven by increased consumption and inadequate recycling efforts. Plastic accounts for 10% of all waste generated worldwide. These staggering numbers underscore why local action is essential to address this global crisis.
Humans currently produce more than 350 million metric tons of plastic waste per year. Without changes to current policies, global plastic waste generation is projected to triple by 2060, to a staggering one billion metric tons. In 2024, only about 9% of plastic waste globally was recycled, while 22% was mismanaged and improperly disposed of. These figures highlight the urgent need for improved waste management systems and greater consumer awareness.
Simple Actions Create Meaningful Impact
The beauty of Louisville’s Plastic Free July initiative lies in its accessibility to all residents. Actions as small as skipping plastic utensils or opting for reusable products like water bottles, canvas bags and mugs can help bring down the 87,000 tons of annual plastic waste. Sumedha Rao, Executive Director of the Office of Sustainability, emphasized: “Plastic Free July is a wonderful reminder of the power that each of us have, as individual consumers, organizations, or businesses, to be part of the solution. We’re excited to see how our community steps up again this year and look forward to amplifying solutions that make sustainable living more accessible for all.”
The campaign encourages residents to participate through various means, from social media engagement to practical lifestyle changes. The mayor’s office encourages anyone in Louisville to take part by sharing a picture of a reusable swap for a disposable item on social media and tagging @SustainLouisville. This approach makes environmental action both visible and socially engaging, creating a community-wide movement toward sustainability.
