Plastic Free July: Six Charities Tackling Plastic Pollution
Every July, millions of people around the world come together for Plastic Free July, all on a mission to find ways as a community, businesses and as individuals to reduce the use of single-use plastic.
The purpose of Plastic Free July is not to focus on the issues but to highlight positive ways to solve them. So to celebrate Plastic Free July here are some of the fantastic charities, all members of Work for Good, that are finding tangible ways to turn the tide on plastic pollution and clean up our planet.
Six Of The Best Charities Tackling Plastic Pollution
Surfers Against Sewage
Surfers Against Sewage is a trailblazer in the UK campaign to eliminate plastic pollution.
The local grassroots charity started in 1990 as a response by the UK surfing community to the dreadful state of UK beaches. Since then the charity has created a nationwide network of ocean activists to take action from the beach front to the front benches of Parliament.
Their top priority right now is plastic waste or 'new sewage' covering beaches and oceans, which keeps those beautiful ecosystems from thriving.
Surfers Against Sewage have achieved some incredible things since their launch including creating a nationwide ‘Plastic Free Schools’ program.
The charity is also a founding member of Break the Bag Habit Coalition which campaigned for the government to introduce a 5p charge on single-use carrier bags back in 2015.
Marine Conservation Society
Marine Conservation Society has been the voice for the sea for over 30 years and know that the fight for a cleaner, more protected, and healthier ocean means fighting for plastic-free seas that everyone can enjoy.
One of their current campaigns is #StopOceanThread - a campaign to get all washing machine manufacturers to fit microfibre filters to all new machines by 2023. These filters would stop microplastics reaching our seas.
The charity also has a useful ‘Good Fish Guide’ which informs the public about which fish comes from sustainably managed stocks and is caught or farmed in a way that causes minimal damage to the marine environment and other wildlife.
Whale and Dolphin Conservation
The Whale and Dolphin Conservation is a global charity whose vision is a 'world where every whale and dolphin is safe and free'.
A key part of their work is to create clean and healthy seas, which means preventing and reducing the many ocean pollutants, a significant one being plastic.
Keeping oceans clean so dolphins and whales can thrive and be happy is vital, as they play an important role in the marine ecosystem and are therefore essential in fighting the climate crisis. Whales in particular stabilise the offset of carbon in the atmosphere, providing a healthier environment for oceans but also for humans.
Whale poop feeds phytoplankton, the tiny marine algae that produce more than half of the world’s oxygen.
Friends of the Earth
Friends of the Earth is one of the largest environmental campaigning communities in the UK. As well as leading campaigns to change legislation, they provide resources and information, and develop real solutions to issues impacting the environment.
One area they focus on is stopping plastic pollution and reducing the use of plastic.
Recently, together with the Women’s Institute, they launched a piece of legislation called the Plastic Pollution Bill. The Bill calls for the government to commit to phasing out plastic pollution. And asks for a commitment by the UK government to stop the flow of plastic into our waterways and oceans.
Ocean Generation
Ocean Generation combines decade-long experience of science and storytelling with the fresh energy of a youth collective to grow an inclusive global movement to tackle ocean threats such as plastic.
The charity does this by empowering young people through their Youth Engagement. This includes educational courses that have so far reached 1.1 million children in 11 countries, to educational games have been played over 9 million times.
The Galapagos Conservation Trust
The Galapagos Conservation Trust is the only UK charity working solely for the conservation of the rich and diverse wildlife found on the Galapagos Islands which were the first ever UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the inspiration for Charles Darwin's Theory of Evolution.
According to the charities website 'plastic pollution is an increasing problem for the Islands with at least 18 different species in the Galapagos Islands, including turtles, marine iguanas, and sea lions being recorded entangled by plastic such as bags and lines, or having ingested it after mistaking it for food.'
The charity tackles issues like this by partnering with Ecuadorian authorities, NGOs, local communities, and leading researchers both in Galapagos and the UK to support impactful science and conservation programs. As well as delivering education and community outreach across the Archipelago. One of the ways they are tackling the problem with plastic is by working with local young people.
How can businesses get involved with Plastic Free July and support these charities?
Whether a sole trader or a local retailer, businesses of any size or from any sector can fundraise for any of these charities through their sales.
For example, web and branding designers Studio 77 have been fundraising for Friends of The Earth by donating a portion of their project fees and since December 2020 they have so far raised over £5,200.00 . Whilst Opal Treasure who make key rings, earrings and coasters from 100% recycled, post consumer plastic have raised over £714 since August 2021 for Marine Conservation Society!
So use your business for good and help to tackle plastic pollution and start a sales fundraising campaign today.
For more information on sales fundraising and setting up a donation to charity visit our website.
