One small action: One BIG impact

Small actions can have big impacts when we all do it together. There are over 66 million of us in the UK, and if we all choose to refuse to buy just one type of single-use plastic over the course of the year, it could lead to a huge reduction in plastic use. As consumers, we can really impact change through customer demand and stop the tide of plastic polluting our communities.

Plastic production is set to double by 2030. Now is the time for us to come together, make a stand and say no to single-use, one pledge at a time.

So how do you pick what to refuse? Here’s our five step guide to making the 2024 Plastic Pledge and having the biggest impact:

1. Making a Plastic List

It’s not about removing all plastic from your life, but finding out what plastics we use once and throw away. Writing down what single-use items you use regularly, or collecting all the plastic you use over one week, can help you decide on your item.

2. Identify your most used items

Work out how many of the items on your list you buy each week. Then put it in order of the highest amount first. You could times things by 52 to see your yearly use, it’s amazing how a small change can create a big impact.

3. Easy wins

Make your plastic pledge achievable and pick an item you can stick to. Find out what your local, independent shops provide. Don’t forget to look out for our Business Champions, working hard to provide plastic free options across the UK.

4. The alternatives

There are many plastic alternatives out there, but bio or plant-based plastics aren’t always the solution. Many paper coffee cups are lined with PLA, a type of plastic that will break still down into microplastics in the environment.

Think about re-use and re-fill options, as these reduce waste and costs, as well as plastic. For example, with the average plastic bottled water costing 80p or more, and with some reusables starting at £2, you could save money after just three uses.

1. Pick…and share!

Pick one plastic item from your list that would have the biggest impact, but also would be the easiest for you to ditch. For more tips on top items to refuse, you can head HERE

For example:

I pledge to not buy apples in plastic in 2024’  or ‘I pledge not buy bottled water in 2024.’

Share our Plastic Pledge graphic below, right click and select save image, and share your Plastic Pledge online. Sharing is a great way to increase your impact and spread the plastic free message.

Happy New Year! We can’t wait to see your Plastic Free Pledges…

If you would like more tips on starting your plastic free journey in 2024, then head to Plasticfree.org.uk and join us to get your Individual Action Plan

If you and your community would like to get involved and start your own Plastic Free Community, you can find out more HERE