Plastic-Free Awareness and National Days You Need to Know 2024
Plastic pollution is one of the most serious subjects on the global agenda. As a result, consumers are demanding transparency and action from brands in solving the plastic crisis. Here’s how to stay in the know with the latest plastic-free awareness days and their campaigns.
Plastic Pollution Explained: What do we mean by plastic, and plastic-free awareness?
In the nine years between 2000 and 2019, plastics production across the globe doubled to a staggering 460 million tonnes (OECD, 2022). Come 2040, this number is set to double (WWF, 2021). Plastic-free awareness is a movement that seeks to bring down this rate of production and educate the public about plastic pollution.
“Plastic” is a material made from polymers, which is used to make products like water bottles, food packaging, and polyester clothing. They can take up to 1000 years to decompose in landfill.
“Single use plastics” are plastic packaging or products that are designed to be disposed of after just one use. This includes items such as plastic bags, straws, water bottles, and most food packaging. 40% of the plastic produced each year across the globe is single-use.
The plastic pollution crisis and brands
Global populations have realised that producing so much plastic while tonnes of waste has not yet decomposed is killing the planet. Plastic pollution can now be found on every beach across the world, whilst more than five trillion pieces of plastic pollute the world’s oceans.
Nearly 95% of consumers in the U.S and the U.K are concerned about plastic pollution. 91% think that companies like Amazon should commit to reducing the amount of plastic packaging they use (Oceana, 2021).
Millennials account for huge chunk of this group that are really beginning to care about the implications of their purchases, as 75% of them say they are willing to pay extra for products that are sustainable.
Just 20 companies are responsible for 55% of single use plastic waste across the globe. Clearly then, this issue goes beyond our responsibility as individuals to make better choices when we shop. This reflects the need for increased plastic-free awareness so that we are better equipped to lobby governments and influence industry-wide changes.
It is not surprising then, that brands are beginning to feel the pressure of the plastic-free movement. Consumers are moving towards brands that can support them in their own plastic-free goals, whilst demanding accountability and change from those companies that lag behind.
The Plastic-free movement on social media
A quick look at hashtags like #PlasticFree and #ZeroWaste on Instagram reveal some of the ways that brands like Who Gives A Crap are promoting their plastic-free businesses, and connecting with audiences online. They are not just marketing their products, but engaging in a wider debate about sustainable living and plastic-free awareness.
Brands that effectively demonstrate their commitment to going plastic-free encourage their customers to connect with them on a personal level as they tackle this crisis in a shared pursuit. This leads to consumer loyalty and a stronger attachment between brands and their audiences.
To learn more about how to engage in this way, read our article on How To Inspire Your Audience To Have An Eco-Friendly Christmas.
Whilst audiences appreciate being able to resonate with a brand’s values, it can be glaringly obvious when a company is only trying to do so for marketing purposes. Consumers are quick to scrutinise companies that profess to be environmentally conscious without substantiating their claims. This is often known as “greenwashing”.
In 2022, drinks company Innocent came under fire for a TV advert that implied buying Innocent smoothies could help ‘fix up the planet’. The ASA banned the advert following complaints from consumers, who argued that a business reliant on single-use plastic had no right to imply that their products had a positive effect on the environment.
How do I raise awareness around plastic-free days?
There is no quick fix to this issue of plastic pollution. Industries have been relying on this durable material to protect and preserve their products for over 100 years, and many sectors still face considerable challenges when trying to move towards plastic-free production.
The beauty industry is one of the top offenders when it comes to plastic packaging, as companies struggle to find a match for the hardiness and protection that comes with plastic packaging. Cafés have faced similar issues in this regard, as the polyethylene coating that is needed to hold together paper coffee cups means that they cannot be effectively recycled.
Brands should recognise these challenges and hold themselves to account, whilst staying informed about the ways that they are able to engage with the plastic-free movement.
There are a range of dates throughout the year designed to draw attention to the plastic pollution crisis. These days pose a good opportunity for brands to share the progress that they have made and champion the plastic-free awareness movement.
When is International Plastic Bag Free Day?
International Plastic-Bag Free Day is on July 3 every year. It was created by Bag Free World, a “global initiative that aims to eliminate the use of single-use plastic bags”. The event aims to create awareness about the effects of plastic bag pollution on our environment, and encourages people to seek alternatives.
It takes 1,000 years for a plastic bag to degrade in a landfill. As they do, they disintegrate into microplastics which absorb toxins and cause pollution to our natural environment (Centre for Biological Diversity).
Five trillion plastic bags are used worldwide every year (UNEP). To reduce this number, organisations are calling on shoppers to bring reusable bags when they go out shopping. This campaign helps to build recogniton of how seemingly small acts (like not purchasing a plastic bag) can contribute towards a global movement to #BeatPlasticPollution (UNEP).
Other awareness days for plastic you need to know are:
Awareness Day: Plastic Free July
Plastic Free July encourages everyone to take part in the challenge to refuse single-use plastics for the entire month. Over 120 million people have taken part and it’s a great way get into the habit while having fun with the challenge.
In Febuary 2022, the campaign published a report showing that three-quarters of individuals across 28 countries believe in banning the use of single-use plastics (Ipsos & Plastic Free July, 2022).
The Plastic Free July website offers a wide range of resources that can help your brand to connect with the campaign. They welcome enquires from brands to join them as Challenge Sponsors, “which elevates your brand as one that is giving back to our environment and walking the talk through official support of the global movement”.
Plastic Free July is one of the most high-profile campaigns for plastic-free awareness. This poses a great opportunity for brands to recognise their influence and demonstrate their commitment to sustainable product development.
Awareness Day: World Environment Day
Each year the UN launches a global campaign in promotion of World Environment Day, celebrated on the June 5.
2024’s campaign focuses on “accelerating land restoration, drought resilience & desertification progress” (UN, 2022). 2024’s World Environment Day marks 52 years since the signing of the Stockholm Conference which led to the first assignment of World Environment Day on the 5th June (UNEP, 2022).
To learn more about this notion of ‘one-planet prosperity’ and our delicate relationship with the world’s resources, read our article on Earth Overshoot Day 2024.
This day champions environmental awareness, and brand involvement in this cause shows that consumerism doesn’t have to be the antithesis to environmental activism. Instead, companies can evolve to become the spearheads of a greener future, using their platforms and their products to take us there.
Awareness Week: European Week for Waste Reduction
The European Week for Waste Reduction (EWWD) encourages individuals and companies across Europe to raise awareness about waste reduction and sustainable resources (EWWD, 2022) for a designated week in November. In 2024, this week falls between November 16-24.
The EWWD reminds us that the famous slogan ‘Reduce, Reuse, Recycle’ is cited in order of importance, with reduction being the most crucial pillar of this call for action. If individuals and brands can afford to reduce the amount of waste they produce, then this should be the first point of call. “The best waste is the one that’s not produced!” as the EWWD reminds us.
It’s important for brands to demonstrate that they are genuinely committed to moving towards plastic-free production. Brands that try to claim themselves as sustainable without putting in the work risk being accused of “greenwashing”.
Awareness Day: Clean Up the World Weekend
Clean Up the World Weekend is a global event that aims to empower communities “to clean up, fix up and conserve the environment” (Clean Up the World Weekend). In 2024, this will fall between the dates of September 13-16 (TBC).
Like many other campaigns, they seek to create a network of environmentally conscious individuals and organisations, who can use their resources to address local issues.
They encourage activism through Clean Up the World Partnerships, whereby you can register an environmental cause or activity through their website. Examples include planting trees, education initiatives, and cleaning up parks or rivers.
Awareness Day: Plastic-Free Day
Plastic-Free Day falls on May 8 each year. More popular in the UK, this event raises awareness of how much plastic we use by asking participants to avoid all plastic for a single day.
The Final Straw Foundation heads this campaign. They aim to educate businesses and individuals about how to make “simple switches” to their everyday habits which can really make a difference in terms of our environmental impact.
Awareness Day: Plastic-Free Beauty Day
June 17 marks the recently established Plastic-Free Beauty Day. This date was first launched back in 2019 by Yolanda Cooper in hopes of challenging industry standards that contribute to plastic pollution across the globe.
The campaign calls on consumers to avoid purchasing plastic for this day, challenging them to get creative and repurpose the beauty packaging that they already own. This encourages individuals to connect on social media through this united effort to reduce plastic waste (Paradoxx).
Awareness Day: World Oceans Day
World Oceans Day is celebrated on June 8 each year, and aims to educate the public about the effects that humans have on our oceans. This campaign shares information about how we can manage and protect our oceans in a sustainable way.
To read more about this event, read our article on How Your Business Can Take Part in World Oceans Day.
What can we do to tackle the problem of plastic pollution?
1. Avoid single use plastics
National Plastic Free Day encourages you to use reusable shopping bags, reusable coffee cups, and to shop at local delis and greengrocers to avoid the plastic packaging of supermarkets. Every little helps.
2. Recycle is key in the fight against plastic
As much as we try, we can’t always avoid plastic. So, when you do use it, it is important to recycle properly. Nowadays you can recycle plastic bottle caps; you should never shred paper before recycling; and you should avoid buying food in black plastic packaging as its colour makes it undetectable to sorting machines.
Your business should be recycling, too. Instead of paying landfill taxes to dispose of waste, you can generate income from your waste, as rebates are available for paper, plastics, and cardboard.
3. Accepting responsibility
Sir David Attenborough is backing a campaign that calls on companies to take responsibility for the amount of waste they produce. Dumping it in developing countries causes one fatality every 30 seconds; this carelessness kills up to a million people a year. Luckily, companies like Coca-Cola answered the call, announcing in 2018 that they would collect and recycle one bottle or can for each sold by 2030.
What are the challenges for sectors?
1. Supermarkets and food packaging companies on plastic
Supermarkets know they are the first thing people will think of when told about plastic waste; from shopping bags to tightly wrapped vegetables, supermarkets take centre stage in the debate.
Sainsbury’s was the first UK supermarket to get rid of individually wrapped fruit and vegetables. One supermarket chain in Asia went a step further by using banana leaves to package their fruit and veg.
Other supermarkets, such as Iceland, pledged back in 2018 that they would be plastic free by 2023. However, it seems that while supermarkets are taking part in a race to lead, there is a new competition among chains to be the first to go Zero Waste.
2. Fashion retailers and clothing brands facing up to plastic
It can be a difficult transition for some companies to completely redesign their products in order to go plastic-free. Brands like Adidas and Converse are choosing to do their bit by repurposing recycled plastics to save them from polluting our environment. This is an example of how brands can accept responsibility and embrace change, without having to avoid this staple material altogether.
Each pair of Adidas’ Ultra Boost Trainers are made from 11 plastic bottles, and the parts of the shoe not made from plastic (laces, lining, and socks) are made from other recycled fabrics.
Kånken have released their own range of Re-Kånken backpacks, made entirely from recycled plastic bottles, and which are themselves fully recyclable.
Converse followed suit with their Renew range, in which the iconic canvas shoe is made from the yarn of mechanically broken plastic bottles.
3. Events and Festivals on plastic
Festivals attract thousands of people to one location, and they are great events to get a message out. Sir David Attenborough is famous for his interest in the environment. From Blue Planet to his new TV show The Facts, he warns of a climate catastrophe.
He took this call to arms to Glastonbury Festival in 2019, giving a speech to thousands of young people about the problems we are facing, announcing proudly that the festival – an event notorious for its waste – went plastic-free that year.
Glastonbury proves that brands lead the way in changing how we approach plastic. In 2019, they operated under a plastic-free system and banned the sale of single-use plastic on site.
What brands are going plastic-free and how can I do the same?
Fashion and beauty are arguably the worst industries in terms of sustainability, but many companies in these sectors are committed to shifting the standard:
- Lush has launched their new ‘naked’ products that are completely free of packaging.
- Make-up brand Angel Face’s products are made of bamboo and are refillable.
- Always on trend fashion label Reformation recycles 75% of their waste, aiming for 85% in the next few years.
As the reality about waste and pollution within these industries gets exposed, there is mounting pressure for other brands to follow suit.
Making your brand more sustainable does not have to mean completely changing it. Men’s skincare brand Bulldog replaced its plastic packaging with sugarcane plastics, which utilises a bi-product of the sugar industry, and doesn’t produce carbon dioxide in production.
Takeaway
Consumers are demanding that brands start acting responsibly, so brands need to start ensuring they are doing what they can to support the cause of plastic-free awareness. National days such as Plastic Bag Free Day and Plastic Free July give brands the opportunity to share what they are doing, get feedback, and prompt a discussion around the environment and future goals.
Written by Becky Tudor
