Plastic Free July
Plastic Free July is a key initiative of the Plastic Free Foundation that allows us to work towards a vision of seeing a world free of plastic waste. Everyone can play a part in Plastic Free July which is a global movement that helps millions of people be part of the solution to plastic pollution.
Over the past few years there has been rising concern and awareness of the impact of plastic pollution. It is estimated that around 12 million tonnes of plastic enter our environment each year and scientists have found plastic everywhere, from Everest (the highest point on earth) to the Mariana trench (the deepest point on earth). Plastic has even been found in the Arctic and Antarctic.
At any single major sporting events it has been estimated that up to 750,000 plastic bottles can be used.
Whilst the long-term effects of plastic pollution are not yet known, animals of all sizes have been found to eat plastics and get tangled in it. Plastic is also linked to the climate emergency. It is made from oil which is a non-renewable resource and must be drilled for, transported (often across the world) before it is made into plastic.
By minimising avoidable consumption, this can help to reduce the impact of plastic on our planet, reduce its carbon footprint and contribution to the climate crisis.
Rise have joined the Environment Agency’s Plastic and Sustainability team in pledging to reduce the amount of avoidable plastics used and to kick plastics out of sport.
As part of the Preventing Plastic Pollution project the Environment Agency’s Plastic and Sustainability team have created some great practical guidance including case studies to help venues, events and grassroot clubs take steps to reduce their avoidable plastic waste. You can download the guidance on the Preventing Plastic Pollution website
While it may seem daunting at first to think about how you can reduce plastic across a whole venue, club, or event everyone must start somewhere. The good thing is we can all do something to reduce our plastic footprint. Think small and tackle items one at a time.
You can do you bit for the environment and sign up to the Preventing Plastic Pollution sports pledge here.