Plastic has made its way into our lives – and now into our bodies – under the guise of ‘convenience’. But is plastic a convenience worth paying for with our health?

Walk down the aisle of a supermarket and it’s near impossible to find something that’s not wrapped in plastic. It’s everywhere, but do we really know what it’s doing to us?

There are over 16,000 plastic associated chemicals (PACs) used in the production of plastic and the majority of these have not been studied in the context of human health. PACs have now shown to be linked to many conditions including cancer, obesity, Alzheimer’s disease, fertility issues and autism.

The most comprehensive clinical trial on plastic exposure and human health is being undertaken right now in Perth, Western Australia. The trial is called The PERTH Trial (Plastic Exposure Reduction Transforms Health). This world-class team of researchers and clinicians are experts on plastics in the human body.

Here, three of the trial’s key figures – Prof Michaela Lucas, Dr Andrew Lucas and Dr Amelia Harray – answer 5 of your most common questions around everyday plastic usage.

What can I do right now to reduce plastic exposure for myself and my kids?

Q1: Is it safe to drink water from single use plastic bottles, or drink from juice boxes?

Answer: While the water at the source might be safe to drink it’s certainly not free of chemicals. Plastic associated chemicals (PACs) leach out of plastic packaging over time. After bottling in the factory, water can sit in plastic vessels for months or even years. Leaching rates increase with heating or prolonged environmental exposure (such as leaving a bottle of water in the car for months on end). By the time you drink it, the water quality may be compromised.

The same goes for juice boxes and tetra packs of any kind. They are all lined with plastics, usually come with a plastic straw, and contain an unknown number of PACs.

What should I do instead?

Use a water glass when you are at home or in the office. When on the go, or on site, choose a stainless-steel/metal or glass bottle and refill it from the tap. If you really love spring water or mineral water, then look for locally-bottled brands that are sold in glass bottles.

Q2: Can I drink from a single-use coffee cup? It says it’s made from plants!

Answer: Even paper cups lined with so-called plant-based material (like corn starch) contain PACs to hold the substance together. There is no legal requirement for this information to be listed on the packaging, and manufacturers may not even know which chemicals it contains. Previous research studies have shown that an average of 25,000 microplastic particles leach into hot water within 15 minutes (per 100 ml cup), making that quick cup of takeaway coffee a health risk.

What should I do instead?

Sit in-store and drink from a glass or ceramic cup, or byo ceramic mug, or stainless steel insulated cup (remove the plastic lid when you sip). Encourage your local café to start a mug library with second-hand ceramic mugs. If you forget your reusable, you can borrow a mug and bring it back clean the next time you visit.

Q3: Can I microwave my food and drinks in plastic containers? It says ‘microwave safe’!

Answer: Microwaving food is one of the most common ways to increases your plastic chemical exposure. As the plastic heats up it releases unknown amounts of chemical compounds into the food.

What should I do instead?

When heating food in the microwave use a ceramic or heat-proof glass container with a ceramic plate on top. If you need to store food in a plastic container in the fridge, line it with a paper towel or aluminium foil to create a barrier between your food and the plastic.

Q4: Can I buy polyester, nylon or acrylic clothes, bedding or toys? They’re so soft!

Answer: Synthetic fabrics like polyester are soft because of their uniform shape and structure created by chemical processes. Polyester, for example, is made of polyethene terephthalate.

Research has shown that we are inhaling microplastics throughout the day, via household dust from carpet, bedding, furnishings and clothing. Plastic particles that lodge in lung tissue cause physical damage that leads to inflammation and sets the scene for lung disease.

What should I do instead?

Fill your house and wardrobe with natural fibres such as cotton, wool, hemp and bamboo. Choose wooden toys instead of plastic ones, and soft toys that are covered in natural materials.

Q5: Can I cook with plastic utensils or mixing bowls and wash them in the dishwasher?

Answer: Black plastic-coated cooking utensils lose plastic at an alarming rate when used in cooking, due to the plastic literally melting into your food. Non-stick surfaces also contain harmful chemicals that leach over time. The reason non-stick pans eventually lose their ‘non-stickiness’ is because all that coating has vanished into your food!

What should I do instead?

Replace plastic cooking utensils (spatulas, spoons, mashers etc), mixing bowls and non-stick pans with non-plastic options like stainless steel. Don’t add plastic to the dishwasher, wash it by hand instead.

Read more about the PERTH trial here
Learn more about how to reduce reliance on plastic, and reduce plastic waste

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This observation made by Jeb Berrier in the 2010 documentary ‘Bag It’ gets to the heart of single-use plastic, with single-use now such a ubiquitous term that in 2018 it was Collins Dictionary’s word of the year. It refers to something used once and then thrown ‘away’ and single-use plastic is its unfortunate poster child – a lightweight but durable product (primarily made from fossil fuels) that we use once, sometimes for just a few minutes, before disposal.  

This throwaway mindset hasn’t always come naturally though. We had to be ‘taught’ to embrace the convenience of disposable plastic until it became so common that we stopped really noticing it and forgot the simple alternatives. The extent is hard to visualise. To give you some idea, in just over six decades, the equivalent of 8.3 billion baby humpback whales-worth of plastic, much of it single-use, has been produced. If we stay on this trajectory, plastic generation is expected to double by 2040, tripling plastic leakage into the ocean and quadrupling levels of plastic pollution. 

Isn’t single-use plastic recyclable?  

Just because something is technically recyclable, doesn’t mean it will be. Many people are surprised to learn the very low plastic recycling rates. As of 2015, around 9 per cent of all plastic ever made has been recycled with less than one percent recycled more than once. So where does the majority of single-use plastic end up? The ‘away’ Jeb Berrier refers to does exist. ‘Away’ is in our landfills and our environment – the rivers, snowfields, nature reserves, beaches, and parks. ‘Away’ is in the bodies of wildlife, and, as research by the Minderoo Foundation is making increasingly clear, ‘away’ is in our bodies too. This is the fundamental issue – the plastic waste that results from the ways as individuals we are using (not reusing) plastic and, significantly, the ways producers and businesses are using it.  

What are common single-use plastic items? 

Common single-use plastic items are the ones many of us are familiar with; plastic bags, plastic bottles, plastic straws, and plastic cups. These were the four top items that people focused on in the early years of the Plastic Free July challenge. They are still some of the most popular items that people tackle when they start Plastic Free July. For the 2023 Plastic Free July challenge, for example, supporters joined with local MPs, senators, mayors, CEOs and celebrities to take a small step by committing to refuse single-use cups in July (and beyond). Other common single-use plastic items include plastic packaging (just take a quick glance down your local supermarket aisle), plastic cutlery, plastic takeaway containers, cotton buds, balloons, and sanitary items.  

So, what are the alternatives to single-use plastic? 

This is one of our most frequently asked questions. It can be as simple as remembering your reusable water bottle, buying common pantry items in bulk, or keeping your reusable grocery and fresh produce bags in your car or switching from bottled soap to bar soap. To make things easier, the handy menu of popular  alternatives to common single-use plastic items including decorations, sanitary items, bathroom products, straws, bin liners, and many more. The menu suggests popular alternatives to single-use plastic items, and next steps many people take to help reduce plastic waste. We know it can feel overwhelming at first (it felt that way for us too), but simply starting with one change often leads to other changes. Many people tell us their efforts inspire others – new habits can create a ripple effect in your home, school, workplace, and local community.   

I care, but isn’t this a problem for governments to solve? 

Absolutely, and as citizens we can support this change whilst also taking responsibility for our consumption. Most people (88 percent of people globally) support policies and action to reduce plastic waste. People from all walks of life are choosing to refuse single-use plastic for many reasons including their health, their children’s future, and their environment. Taking action together makes a big difference:  

• In 2022, 140 million Plastic Free July participants from around the world took steps to reduce single-use plastic resulting in overall waste reduction of 2.6 billion tonnes. 
• In the same year, United Nations Member States endorsed a historic resolution to commence a global treaty to end plastic pollution by the end of 2024. 
• A record number of businesses, organisations, NGOs, and governments are taking part in the Plastic Free July challenge. 
• Governments around the world are introducing single-use plastic bans.  

There was a not-too-distant past when people lived without single-use plastic. The single-use plastic bag, for example, was only invented in the mid-1960s. We can enjoy a future without it too. What that means is different for everyone. For the founder of Plastic Free July, Rebecca Prince-Ruiz it means that one day she’ll be able to walk along the shoreline of her local beach and look down at shells and seaweed without expecting to see plastic. What does a world without single-use plastic look like to you?  

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By Plastic Pollution Coalition

Television and movie screens have been awash with single-use plastics for decades. From red plastic cups and plastic straws to single-use plastic water bottles and coffee cups, plastic pollution sneaks into the scene across all forms of popular media (and more often than not, it’s intentionally placed there for marketing purposes). In fact, according to a study by the USC Annenberg Norman Lear Center in 2021, the average TV show in the United States features 23 single-use items per episode. 

Plastic Pollution Coalition is a nonprofit communications and advocacy organization working to turn off the plastic tap and Flip the Script on Plastics in TV and film. Increasingly, TV shows and films are featuring more reusable alternatives, some going so far as to make them integral to character and storyline development.

One such show is the AppleTV+ original Shrinking, a comedy that premiered earlier this year on the streaming platform, starring Jason Siegal, Harrison Ford, Jessica Williams, and, as many fans have noticed, Jessica Williams’ iconic “emotional support water bottle.” 

In the show, Jessica William’s character Gabby is frequently seen carrying a 1-gallon reusable water bottle with her. Throughout the series, Gabby’s water bottle remains by her side, accumulating stickers and personalization with each episode, almost becoming a sidekick character in its own right. Additionally, with the introduction of a smaller version of her water bottle in the pilot episode, we see how this reusable item helps to tell a visual story about the relationship between Gabby and her boss Paul, played by Harrison Ford. 

The Los Angeles Times went so far as to call the bottles the “the unlikeliest breakout stars of Shrinking” and asked show co-creator Bill Lawrance to explain how this was inspired:

“We got obsessive about it. And writers’ rooms, they’re full of room bits. And one of the [executive producers] on the show, Annie Mebane, has a water bottle that, when she put it on the table, I couldn’t really see her around it…  Jessica immediately was like, “I’m carrying that water bottle everywhere,” and you sometimes even spot it in scenes that you don’t know it’s in. And Harrison was like, “Well, once I get that water bottle, that’s going everywhere with me.” That’s the attention to detail.”  – Bill Lawrance, Co-creator of Shrinking in the Los Angeles Times

Water bottles on our screens

While the reusable water bottles in Shrinking were not necessarily added with the intention of calling for more sustainability on screen, they do reflect the emergence of the  “emotional support water bottle” trend, particularly among Gen Zers and Millennials, in popular shows and on social media. 

The “emotional support water bottle” digital phenomenon sheds light on how water bottles can provide a sense of comfort and support as folks go along their day, sipping on refreshing water from a familiar (and sustainable) container. Carrying around a reusable water bottle not only promotes a healthy lifestyle, it also eases one’s mental health by allowing them to creatively express themselves through the selection of their bottle and how they may choose to decorate it. 

This idea of the “emotional support water bottle” has even been observed in the sports realm. A prominent example is professional golfer Rickie Fowler. His reusable Yeti bottle, decked out in meaningful stickers, has garnered attention from fans and press alike, with Fowler explaining, “I started carrying it at the beginning of this year. I drink more if I’m carrying it, and it’s also heavy when it’s full, so I don’t want to necessarily throw that on Rick [Romano], my caddie, to tote that thing around.”

While this trend can sometimes skew towards an unsustainable model from brands that encourages individuals to constantly purchase the newest, coolest bottle, it cannot be ignored that these bottles’ prominence in popular culture helps give viewers a sense of realism, and reflect the small, but mighty, sustainability steps they’ve taken in their own lives. 

The water bottle in Shrinking also shows us that reusables can be a great tool for screenwriters. Establishing a key item that’s connected to a character, like Gabby’s water bottle, gives the audience a visual stand-in for Jessica Williams herself, helping the writers follow one of the most important rules of scriptwriting: show, don’t tell.

While U.S. TV writers are currently on strike, we hope that this recent trend towards featuring reusables on screen gains more momentum when they return to work, and that TV shows and films around the globe pick up on the trend and work to Flip the Script on Plastics both on screen, and behind the scenes. 

Learn More and Get Involved

Learn more about Flip the Script on Plastics initiative helping the entertainment industry model real solutions to the plastic pollution crisis, both on set and in storylines. If you are interested in getting involved, please contact Amelia@plasticpollutioncoalition.org

Author Bio: Plastic Pollution Coalition is a non-profit communications and advocacy organization that collaborates with an expansive global alliance of organizations, businesses, and individuals to create a more just, equitable, regenerative world free of plastic pollution and its toxic impacts.

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Going plastic free, why small steps matter for your health

I invite you to consider that, as well as being a planetary health disaster, plastic substances may also be entering your body and be a health hazard to you and your family.

It’s an uncomfortable truth. Virtually all plastic products contain a range of chemical additives that can leach out and enter food, drink, dust and air around us. Some of the smallest and most volatile chemicals can be absorbed through our skin or inhaled. 

Many of these chemicals are known to be toxic, even at low levels. Babies in the womb and young children are at particularly high risk of plastic-related health effects from everyday use.

We know that early development is sensitive to hazardous chemicals. Children have unique exposure because they breathe more rapidly, are closer to accumulated chemicals in household dust and soil, and often put things in their mouths, including toys. 

Plastic-associated chemical exposures are linked to increased risks of low birth weight, changes in genital development and appearance, neurodevelopmental impairment, respiratory illness (asthma and bronchitis) in children and premature puberty in girls. Early-life exposures are also associated with obesity and increased blood pressure in children.

Studies have also shown that exposure to some plastic chemicals is linked to poorer sperm health for men, and increased risk of miscarriage, endometriosis, and polycystic ovary syndrome for women. Adult exposure is also associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers (including breast cancer and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma).

Community health impacts

As well as being exposed to chemicals during everyday use of plastics, communities nearby to oil and gas developments, chemical refineries and plastic production factories are exposed to hazardous chemical pollutants released from these facilities into air, water, and soil. And we are all impacted by the carbon emissions from the use of fossil fuels to general plastics.

For example, compounds used or produced in oil and gas extraction by drilling and fracking—such as benzene, butadiene, and formaldehyde—are known to cause leukaemia and lymphoma at all ages, including children. Exposure to these during pregnancy and in early childhood is especially dangerous.

Daily choices to protect human health

As consumers, we can consider the true cost of our daily interactions with plastic. We can be curious and ask questions about where the plastic comes from, what is in it and where it goes.

Daily choices, such as shopping bags and coffee cups are easy swaps. We can bring our own natural cloth materials bags and stainless steel or glass cups. There are so many ways we can use less plastic, especially single-use items that quickly become waste.

Parents and carers with children or people planning to have children should be particularly aware of the plastic they use. This includes toys, synthetic clothing with plastic decorations, and any plastics a child might be exposed to. Many countries have banned toxic chemicals in toys, but countries regulate chemicals differently, and product labelling might not be sufficient to help us choose safer options.

The safest option is to ‘choose to refuse’ and reduce plastic use wherever you can. Small decisions can have a big impact in the years to come, and little things matter.

More information

A detailed report on the health and ocean impacts of plastics, was published in the Annals of Global Health, in March 2023. Authors comprised several experts from the Minderoo Foundation along with more than 40 other international experts.

A summary of health impacts is presented in the article Buy-now-pay-later: Hazards to human and planetary health from plastics production, use and waste, published in the Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health.

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This year’s ‘Small steps, big difference’ campaign kicks off on 1 July with an invitation to join millions of people worldwide taking steps towards ending plastic pollution.  

Every individual choice makes a powerful impact. How do we know this? In 2022, the steps taken by Plastic Free July participants from around the world collectively reduced waste by 2.6 million tonnes – that’s the equivalent of around 13 thousand blue whales. This year we hope to make an even bigger difference. Throughout the campaign we’ll be sharing ideas and solutions to reduce plastic waste. Some people are avoiding soft drinks and water in plastic bottles, some are avoiding pre-packaged produce. Others are choosing reusable coffee cups. Some Plastic Free July participants are taking the next steps in their plastic reduction journey by taking their own containers for takeaway food and choosing milk in returnable bottles.  

“Whatever the alternative, people choosing to refuse single-use plastic together get noticed and it inspires others to take part. When shared with family and friends, our actions show what is possible” Rebecca Prince-Ruiz, founder, Plastic Free July.

As governments come together to negotiate the global plastics treaty, this groundswell of community action has the capacity to influence business and government policy. 

Turning off plastics ‘at the tap’ is critical to:   

Avoiding landfill waste and protecting the ocean: By taking steps to avoid plastic items that usually end up in landfill, we can help prevent items breaking up into microplastics that cause lasting harm to wildlife and marine ecosystems.  

In fact, when we add up the results from 12 of the world’s largest waste clean-ups over the last year, we found that the actions of Plastic Free July participants have helped to prevent 38 times the weight of waste collected by these clean-ups.  

Reducing consumption and production: By taking steps to refuse, reduce, reuse and refill, we aren’t using up as many of the earth’s resources. Millions of people around the world are altering their shopping habits, choosing to actively avoid excessive plastic packaging [Ellen MacArthur Foundation]. Plastic Free July shares ideas and solutions to avoid materials being used just once or twice before being thrown in the bin. 

Reducing human health impacts: By taking steps to avoid food that is wrapped or heated in plastic, we can limit potentially hazardous chemical exposure. Links between plastic and detrimental effects on human health are increasingly clear, with thousands of harmful chemicals used in plastic production (Minderooo-Monaco Commission). 

Connecting communities and creating lasting change: By taking steps to reduce waste such as taking a reusable cup to a café or simply dining in, or shopping at a farmers market or local green grocer with our own bags, we can start conversations and inspire others as well. People tell us they feel inspired about seeing less waste in their bin each week. Research shows our behaviour impacts others around us, creating new social norms.  

Which small step will you choose this July?   

A popular way many people start their Plastic Free July journey is by taking the Pesky Plastic Quiz. People find it helps them discover all the plastics that ‘sneak’ into their shopping as well as great alternatives that can become new habits forever. 

We have loads of exciting announcements coming up. Sign up to the newsletter to stay up to date!

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Professor Sarah Dunlop, Head, Plastics and Human Health from the Minderoo Foundation says the links between plastic and detrimental effects on human health are increasingly clear, and projected growth in plastic production brings ever greater urgency to this issue. 

Pollution at every stage of plastic

Last month, the Minderoo Foundation in collaboration with world-leading researchers* published an analysis of the multiple hazards that plastic poses to human health and the ocean in the Annals of Global Health. The study also revealed the staggering economic costs of these negative impacts from the extraction of fossil carbon feedstocks through to the chemicals that leach from everyday use and disposal of plastics.

One of the study’s key conclusions addresses the hazardous chemicals used in plastic production. There’s now growing awareness that during use and in disposal, plastics release bisphenol A, phthalates, PFAS and other harmful chemicals, mostly unlabelled.

Around a quarter of the over 10,000 unique chemicals used in plastics are of either high or medium concern to human health and safety. Nearly 40% lack hazard classification and therefore the level of concern is unknown.

How does plastic affect humans?

Exposures to pregnant women, young children and unborn babies are particularly dangerous because these chemicals can disrupt hormones responsible for healthy development. For children, the health consequences linked to plastic chemicals include reduced IQ and respiratory diseases, and for adults – obesity, cancer and decreased fertility in both men and women. Studies have reported that women are more likely to experience reproductive disorders including endometriosis when exposed to such chemicals.

Apart from chemical exposure from everyday plastics, there’s health hazards associated with air and water pollution resulting from plastic manufacturing, beginning with coal, oil, and gas extraction (the source of 98% plastic is fossil carbon). At disposal, the burning of plastic releases toxic gases and metals that are carcinogenic. The polluted ash can leach into the soil and contaminate groundwater.

A clean, healthy, and sustainable environment has been declared a human right, and yet plastic production workers and communities neighbouring plastic production and waste disposal sites are living with hazardous air pollution and contaminated water sources. Plastic production workers are at increased risk of leukemia, lymphoma, brain cancer and breast cancer. Children in these communities have higher incidences of leukemia.

Plastic production results in particulate matter air pollution, which increases risks for cardiovascular disease, stroke, lung cancer and diabetes in adults. In infants and children, it increases risks for premature birth and low birthweight, which are risk factors for chronic diseases later in life. There are also higher risks of stillbirth, impaired lung development and asthma from this type of air pollution.  

While in the last decade there’s been a significant uptick in research into plastic pollution and environmental microplastics, scientists acknowledge the need for improved technology and techniques to detect the very small (micro and nano) plastic particles in human tissue. 

Plastic toxins—What can we do?

Taking small steps toward plastic-free living are all important when it comes to protecting our health, recognising human rights, and conserving our planet.

To minimise your exposure to harmful plastic chemicals, you can store your food and beverages in non-plastic containers and avoid heating food in plastic. Be aware that fast food served at high temperatures in plastic packaging enables chemicals to migrate into the food. Also, avoid using plastic cups for hot drinks and discard plastic kitchen utensils.

Even though it is difficult to avoid plastic altogether, there are safer options for kitchen products. Glass, stainless steel, bamboo, and wood can be healthier alternative materials for food storage and preparation.

To protect babies and children, choose baby clothing made with natural fibres, and avoid PVC plastic toys or cups. Be careful to avoid PVC (vinyl) ‘wipe clean’ bibs. The plastic images embossed onto babies and children’s clothes can also contain chemicals which leach out.

By choosing reusable products and refusing single-use plastic options we can reduce our impacts.

You can also ask your government representative to review this study for the latest science on the health impacts of plastic, to update chemical regulations and ensure plastics policies are not exporting the problem and contributing to social injustices.

While each of us can embrace changes to our behaviour, our governments should fast-track bans on unnecessary single-use plastics, and work to reduce the complexity and toxicity of plastic.  Plastic producer responsibility towards safer and more sustainable operations and products, all the way up and down the value chain, is also vital to a healthier future.

*The Minderoo-Monaco Commission on Plastics and Human Health is a collaboration by 48 international expert authors from multiple institutions world-wide. The study was coordinated by the Global Observatory on Planet Health at Boston College, the Centre Scientifique de Monaco’s Medical and Marine Biology departments, and the Plastics and Human Health team at Minderoo Foundation. It presents a detailed analysis of plastics’ impacts across their life cycle on human health, the global environment, the economy, and vulnerable populations.

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Plastics and climate change

More single-use plastic is being produced than ever before. Simply put, that means more plastic, more waste and more pollution. That’s not just my passing observation; this is the findings of a new Minderoo Foundation report highlighting that despite rising consumer awareness, corporate concern, and tougher regulation, there is more single-use plastic waste than ever before. We are just not making enough progress.

The Plastic Waste Makers Index 2023 recently revealed that the global population used 139 million tonnes of single-use plastic in 2021, up from 133 million tonnes in 2019. That’s an increase of almost one kilogram of single-use plastic per person on the planet. And you might also be shocked to learn that the inevitable waste from single-use plastic spoils more than the view.

That’s because single-use plastic is not only a pollution crisis but a climate one. Our team found that the lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions from single-use plastics in 2021 were equivalent to those of the United Kingdom or of Australia. Just think for a moment about the impact climate change has had on fires and floods across Australia and the world, and ask yourself what part you can play in reducing the harm to vulnerable communities.

Small steps 

You might feel that the problem is too great and that there is nothing you can do. But while not the sole cause of climate change, single-use plastics are a significant contributing factor, so the action you take will make a difference. Small changes to our everyday lives can leave a lasting positive impact on this planet.

As a follower of the Plastic Free Foundation, you’ll already know ways to drastically reduce your use of plastic. However, the Plastic Waste Makers Index has shown that drastic measures are needed beyond the actions of consumers.

Big impact

The Index revealed that recycling is not growing quickly enough and that the increase in primary single-use plastics derived directly from fossil fuels was 15 times greater than those derived from recycled materials. In fact, 98% of single-use plastic still comes directly from fossil fuels. I was really shocked by this number. It is time for the petrochemical industry to acknowledge that they are a part of the problem and commit to finding safe and sustainable alternative solutions to allow our children and grandchildren to grow up without plastic pollution.

That is why our team at Minderoo Foundation remains focused on eliminating the damage to us and our planet that plastics can cause. We will continue to work tirelessly with industry, scientists, financiers, governments and others to develop practical solutions and drive change. With your commitments throughout July and the rest of the year, together, we can protect our planet for future generations.

Discover more about our work and our vision for a world without plastic pollution at minderoo.org

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The theme for Plastic Free July 2022 was ‘Turning the Tide’, describing the concerted global efforts required to tackle the scale and urgency of the plastic pollution crisis. 

Global engagement 

In 2022, Plastic Free July was marked worldwide by a record 140 million participants making conscious changes and reducing their waste by 2.6 million tonnes – that’s the equivalent of around 13 thousand blue whales. 

We saw an ever-increasing participation from schools, councils, businesses, partners organisations and government agencies. This global trend is strong: 87% of people support policies and action to reduce plastic waste. 

Plastic Free Foundation has played an integral role in championing this public voice by positively influencing global policy development through research, engagement, behaviour change and advocacy efforts. 

Global action 

On 2 March 2022, in Nairobi, United Nations Member States endorsed a historic resolution to commence a global treaty to end plastic pollution by the end of 2024. It will address the full plastic lifecycle: from extraction, to production, design, use and disposal. It was an honour to attend the UN Environment Assembly as an Accredited NGO, to represent the millions of participants in Plastic Free July. 

“I am deeply impressed by the broad network of activities Plastic Free July set up…triggering sustainable behaviour in so many people. Every individual decision, every little step counts – and together they form collective action that has a strong and clearly measurable direct impact”, Jennifer Morgan, State Secretary And Special Envoy For International Climate Action For The Federal Republic Of Germany 

In the lead up to the Assembly, Plastic Free Foundation partnered with Ipsos to undertake a global survey to understand public opinions on actions to combat plastic pollution. The Foundation partnered with WWF-International to analyse and publish a report on global public opinion on a plastic treaty. 

Our research found that nearly 90% of people surveyed – over 20,000 adults across 28 countries – believe that having a global plastics treaty will help to effectively address the plastic pollution crisis. This shows an extremely high level of public support for a legally-binding global agreement to combat plastic pollution.

“Our collaboration with the Plastic Free Foundation and Ipsos has been absolutely critical to ensuring that people’s views on a plastic pollution treaty are put clearly on the public record… this research to explore people’s expectations of a treaty is more important than ever, and provides a strong public mandate for governments to negotiate a comprehensive and ambitious treaty by 2025.” Elena Khishchenko, Head Of Global Campaigns At Wwf-International 

The ‘Rising Tides’ report received significant media attention, with over 1,000 mentions totalling a reach of 1.8 – 5 billion readership, including major wire agencies, Reuters, AFP, and EFE. 

Global recognition 

Another 2022 highlight was the recognition Plastic Free Foundation received by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Action Awards. 

We were selected as one of two finalists for the ‘Mobilize’ award, from over 3,000 applications from 150 countries, as initiatives that mobilise, inspire and connect people to drive action towards a more sustainable future. 

It was inspiring to meet the eight other category finalists aspiring for a healthier planet at the Ceremony at UN Bonn in Germany in September 2022. 

This global recognition shows the collective power of individual action, and the difference we can all make for a low-waste, sustainable world. The next two years are critical to turn the tide on plastic pollution: our community, corporates, and governments all must play in creating a healthy future for our children and the planet. 

Please feel free to read the report for detailed stats, media coverage, and stories of change from just a few of the millions of people of Plastic Free July participants together helping to end plastic waste so we can all enjoy a healthy planet.

View the full Impact Report 2022 here.

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This international push for a global agreement to end plastic pollution by 2040 advocates for the treaty to include global standards, bans and restrictions on plastic. 

‘Australia is a large producer of plastic waste by global standards. We’ve got to do better and by working in this global coalition, we’re signalling that we’re prepared to be held to account,’ Minister Plibersek said.

In Australia alone, we use more than one million tonnes of plastics each year. The national plastics recycling rate is just 12.4%. We cannot recycle our way out of this problem. Reducing plastic production and consumption are critical.

Negotiations for this treaty are set to take place in a series of Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee meetings, with the first starting in Uruguay on 28 November 2022, and the treaty’s negotiations are expected to be concluded by 2024. The next two years are critical. During the two-year negotiation period alone, the total amount of plastic pollution in the ocean is tipped to increase by 15%.

Through Plastic Free July, we know hundreds of millions of people from all corners of the world have taken personal action to reduce their plastic waste but many are also realising that their individual responsibility must be matched and accompanied by global and systemic action for the world to make a dent in reversing our devastating plastic pollution footprint. The report Rising Tides: Global Opinions on Actions to Stop Plastic Pollution in 28 Countries found overwhelming public support for a  global plastic pollution treaty.

Now is the time to turn off the plastics tap and turn the tide on plastic pollution. 

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At an historic UN Summit in September 2015 world leaders set out 17 Sustainable Development Goals to achieve more inclusive, peaceful and sustainable societies, no later than 2030. Each year, the UN holds awards for the people and organisations taking action to shape this new reality. 

Flip the script

This year, the theme is #FlipTheScript – to celebrate those who are rewriting the stories on how we behave and redefining what is possible. 

Out of over 3,000 applications, received from 150 countries, Plastic Free July has been named a finalist—selected as one of the top two in the world—for collective and coordinated action that can flip the script on how we can achieve the 2030 Agenda. An impressive recognition of grassroots action. 

Collective action

The honour goes to every single one of the 140 million people who take part in the challenge and make a difference.  

Everyone who participated in Plastic Free July flips the script from just thinking ‘what difference can I make?’ to focusing on solutions and demonstrating the difference that “we” can make with collective action. Whether it’s bringing a reusable cup to work and showing others it’s doable, creating a sense of community around plastic free meals or educating your children (or perhaps your children educating you) on simple swaps around the house to avoid single-use plastics. It starts small, but together, builds.

This award is recognition of everyone deciding to turn the tide on plastic waste, one choice at a time. By focusing on reduction and avoidance, we are taking action towards UNSDG 12—Responsible Production and Consumption – to create a world we all want to live in.

The winners will be announced during the #SDGAwards Ceremony in Germany on 27th September. Tune in to the ceremony online here.

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