July is no longer just the official month of Summer: it marks the beginning of Plastic Free July. To celebrate, we have launched our Plastic Waste Challenge to help people reduce the amount of plastic they use and improve plastic recycling.
The scale of the plastic problem is large. Every year we produce 400 million tonnes of plastic. In addition, 40% of this can only be used once yet stays in our environment forever. Plastic pollution is estimated to weigh a huge 1.4 billion tonnes by 2040. In other words, the amount of ocean plastic might soon outweigh the amount of fish.
We’re celebrating Plastic Free July with the London Borough of Bexley with the launch of the Plastic Waste Challenge. We’re building on 10 years of digital engagement expertise to motivate Bexley residents to reduce their plastic waste and recycle plastics properly.
Why do we need the Plastic Waste Challenge?
Only 9% of the plastic ever produced has been recycled, leaving 91% in landfill or our natural environment. Plastic produces toxic chemicals, with much of it ending up in our oceans. In fact, marine plastic pollution kills 100,000 marine mammals and turtles and 1 million sea birds annually.
To tackle this, in 2011 Australian Rebecca Prince-Ruiz pledged to avoid single-use plastic for a month. Subsequently, Plastic Free July was born. The campaign empowers individuals to change their behaviour, shares positive stories and pushes for system change.
Most of us buy, consume and use plastic. Therefore, we have a stake in how it impacts the environment. Plastic Free July is a chance to think about how our behaviour can positively impact the environment.
What is the Plastic Waste Challenge?
We wanted to create a tangible way for people to make a difference to the problem of plastic pollution. We designed the Plastic Waste Challenge to motivate people to reduce the amount of plastic they use and to encourage them to recycle plastics properly.
Firstly, the Challenge features targeted activities that will drive behaviour change. Activities take the form of quizzes, watching videos and submitting photos. These include: choosing reusable products; completing a pledge to reduce plastic consumption; shopping at zero waste and refill shops; opting to pick up plastic litter each week or learning about the environmental impact of plastic packaging.
Secondly, activities are reinforced by 12-weeks of informative communications to keep participants motivated. They can take part in the Challenge at any time and complete actions best suited to their lifestyle.
Bexley’s pioneering programme
The first council in the UK to launch the Plastic Waste Challenge will be London Borough of Bexley, as part of their Bexley Green Points programme. Bexley Green Points is a digital platform that engages residents across the Borough to improve recycling rates.
London Borough of Bexley’s Cabinet Member for Places, Councillor Peter Craske, acknowledged the impetus for the Challenge: “We know that plastic waste has a really negative impact on the environment. We are excited to celebrate this milestone with the launch of the Plastic Waste Challenge to specifically tackle this type of waste and encourage everyone in Bexley to take action.”
In the same vein, our Chief Executive, Graham Simmonds, is also celebrating: “Bexley residents have made a huge impact through a decade of positive actions. So far, they have improved recycling rates and reduced the amount of waste across the community. We can’t wait to see the positive impact they will have through the launch of this new Plastic Waste Challenge as we move into a new decade, and beyond!”
Going plastic free with your people
Are you looking to engage your people to reduce plastic consumption and take the Plastic Waste Challenge? Contact a member of our team to find out more! Please get in touch here.
