2024: Plastic Free Communities in action

There has been so much EPIC people-powered action this year it’s hard to pick out just a few highlights. But we’ve had a go and here are our top 2024 moments in Plastic Free Communities. The movement is stronger than ever and in the face of ever-growing plastic crisis we stand together.

A GENERAL ELECTION

A year of massive opportunity to influence right at the top. And Plastic Free Communities were out in force making the most of the moment, connecting with local candidates and asking people across their whole community to ‘Vote for the Ocean’. Surfers Against Sewage held a UK wide hustings tour with plenty of communities joining in, including hosting their own events. Raising the volume on plastic pollution and making sure candidates knew it is a top priority for communities, worked. After the election, the new government made ending sewage pollution AND tackling plastic pollution through creating circular economy, top priorities.

A GROWING MOVEMENT

Our communities have been connecting, collaborating and building their local campaigns, getting more and more people on board, and driving plastic reduction on a huge scale. By holding events, working with their local councils, businesses and schools, and connecting with local groups and organisations, communities are creating change.

GOING ON TOUR

We headed out around the UK throughout the year to meet Plastic Free Community leads and SAS reps. In workshops and one-on-one meet ups, we we’re blown away by the enthusiasm and drive of our volunteers. From tackling mountains of ghost gear in the Outer Hebrides to monitoring microplastics in Cornwall, our communities are making a difference each day. We never fail to be inspired.

GOING FOR GOLD

Our Plastic Free Champions have been taking their impact to another level, and not only having been working to reduce single-use plastic, but have been using their sphere of influence to push for change and campaign with us. From attending protests, to engaging with MPs, join and running Million Mile Clean, we can’t thank our Champions enough for being…well Champions! In more ways than one.

LOOKING AHEAD…

2025 is shaping up to be a crucial year. The Global Plastic Treaty is stalled, UK plans for Deposit Return Schemes and making producers take more responsibility for waste undelivered and there’s an ever-mounting body of evidence on the impacts of microplastics. There’s never been a more important time to act.

Plastic Free Communities’ dedicated work to stop the tide of plastic pollution at source doesn’t stop here. Join us as we take action to the corridors of power, holding companies, brands and branches of Government to account, and demanding an end plastic pollution for good.

Join the Movement