Plastic Free Fridays: Sparking Change, One Habit at a Time

Guest Blog Post by Sierra Quitiquit, Co-Founder of Plastic Free Fridays

A fiscally sponsored project of Philanthropic Ventures Foundation (PVF), Plastic Free Fridays works to eliminate unnecessary plastics by educating and mobilizing individuals, creators, and communities through storytelling, advocacy, and habit-building. Sierra is also the co-founder of Better Earth, another Designated Fund at PVF whose mission is to cultivate cultural change for people and the planet, and the Founder and CEO of Time for Better, a creative climate communications and consulting agency.

Over 300 million tons of plastic are produced every year, and only 9% is ever recycled. The rest doesn’t just end up in the ocean—it stays with us. It’s in our soil, our food, and even our bodies. The problem is big—but so is our power to change it. We focus on progress over perfection. We believe in meeting people where they are, making it easier to shift everyday decisions toward a more sustainable future. Our weekly invitation is simple: one day, one choice, one Friday. From that first step, change can grow.

Plastic Free Fridays exists to help people, companies, and communities build a more sustainable relationship with the planet. Through education and action, we’re encouraging people to break free from harmful plastics, build lasting habits, and advocate for change at both corporate and policy levels. What we choose matters—and our collective choices shape the world we share.

As part of our mission, we launched a Microgrant Initiative to support sustainability-focused creators who are using their platforms to share solution-oriented stories about plastic pollution, microplastics, and their effects on both environmental and human health. With support from our donor partner Everist, which focuses on sustainable beauty, these microgrants help amplify the work of educators, scientists, and climate communicators dedicated to cultural change.

These grantees are calling attention to the roles of corporate responsibility and fossil fuel interests in plastic production, while also offering accessible, hopeful alternatives like reuse, refill, and reducing microplastic exposure. Their content supports our mission of shifting habits, storytelling for impact, and building community-led climate action—one Friday, and one voice at a time.

Our current grantees include:

Dana Zhaxylykova is a Kazakhstan-born environmental scientist based in Germany, known for her research on microplastics in wastewater. She shares science-backed tips on reducing plastic exposure through her popular Instagram page, @dankazh, and was the first Central Asian researcher published on microplastics in major academic journals.

Milla Kozak, who highlights the fast fashion industry’s connection to plastic pollution. Milla is a digital creator who advocates for mindful consumption and ethical, sustainable fashion.

By supporting these voices, we’re not just spreading awareness—we’re helping spark real behavior change. These microgrants are a tool for equity, creativity, and momentum in the climate movement.

We’re currently rebuilding the Plastic Free Fridays website to make it easier to stay informed, take action, and connect with others. This new digital space will help us continue educating and inspiring people across the globe to take small steps toward lasting change. Look forward to a downloadable Action Toolkit and email templates, and holding space for a new blog series, including:

• • Plastic-Free on a Budget: 10 Easy Swaps That Save You Money

  • Plastic Pollution Has a Solution—And You Can Help

  • Supporting the Global Plastics Treaty: What It Means Locally

Change doesn’t happen all at once. It starts with one choice. One Friday. And it grows from there.

To learn more or get involved, visit our website or contact Sierra at sierra@timeforbetter.org.