The Plastic Free Foundation has set an ambitious target: to enable and support the avoidance of a staggering amount of 500 million kg of plastic waste a year by 2030. While this may seem like a daunting task, we are confident that, with the support of individuals and communities worldwide, we can make this goal a reality.
Over the past six years, Plastic Free July participants have collectively avoided over 12 million tonnes of waste, including 1.7 million tonnes of plastic —a greater impact than the largest cleanup efforts globally. This success has shown us that the community is concerned, and a groundswell of community change can make a big difference. This gives us the motivation to continue our work.
However, we know that there is still much more to be done. To achieve our target, we must reach more people and better support organisations, by providing the tools and knowledge needed to engage community action to reduce plastic waste.
At the United Nations global plastics treaty negotiations in Nairobi in 2023, the issue of plastic pollution was described as “an existential threat to life, to humanity, and everything in between.” This sentiment is reflected in projections that the amount of plastic entering our oceans each year is set to triple by 2040.
Globally only 9% of plastic waste is recycled and whilst important in raising awareness, cleanups are a drop in the ocean. To prevent this catastrophe, we must turn off the plastic tap. We must act now and do more.
We need your support to help participants, engage communities, change behaviour, and advocate for business change and policy reform. Our collective effort can make a difference, as evidenced by the legislative changes that have occurred over the last decade in response to growing public concern and the global social movement reducing plastic waste.
