Last year, the Plastic Free July movement attracted over 1 million participants from 190 countries across the world, and it’s safe to say the initiative has only grown in popularity in 2022.
Here at EvenGreener, we are passionate about reducing plastic pollution, by recycling, remoulding and transforming used plastic into new planet-saving products, including water butts, composters, and food waste caddies.
And it seems we’re not the only ones fighting the good fight when it comes to tackling plastic pollution. Despite the overwhelming amount of single-use plastics being produced and promoted by companies across the world, the tide is slowly starting to turn. Take a look at the top 4 triumphs of Plastic Free July…
What Progress Was Made During Plastic Free July?
1. History Made Whilst Waste is Reduced
As the Lionesses lit up Wembley and the country with their incredible display of tenacity and talent, a different type of goal was scored behind the scenes. UEFA’s Circular Economy Policy came up front and centre, as they partnered with Just Eat and Notpla to deliver 100% biodegradable food packaging across the stadium. This ensured that the world’s biggest women's football event incorporated a circular waste system. The seaweed-lined packaging can be composted or recycled and biodegrades within just 4 - 6 weeks. A win for England, and the environment!
2. A Solution to Plastic Water Pollution? Scientists Think So!
Scientists have confirmed that plastic-eating bacteria could help clean up lakes and rivers of plastic pollution. The scientific study of 29 European lakes found that some bacteria grew better on plastic pieces than they did on twigs and leaves. Dr Andrew Tanentzap of the University of Cambridge's Department of Plant Sciences concluded that the bacteria broke down plastic remnants more quickly and easily than natural material. Further evidence showed that as bacterial growth doubled in lake water, the overall carbon level dropped by 4 per cent. Could this be the solution to our increasingly plastic planet? Quite possibly.
3. India Introduces A Ban on Single-Use Plastics
The 1st of July marked the end of single-use plastics in India, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ambitions to phase out single-use plastics came into practice. The ban includes earbuds with plastic sticks, plastic flags, plates, cups, straws and plastic sticks for balloons. The ban will be heavily regulated and enforced by the Centre and State Pollution Control Boards, with flouters set to receive fines of up to 100,000 Indian Rupees or up to 5 years of jail time.
4. Tesco Cut Multipack Packaging in a Bid to Beat Plastic!
Tesco has attempted to improve customer selection choice and sustainability by removing the plastic used to wrap around its own-brand multipack drinks. The move will allow customers to mix and match, with the option to purchase four cans for £1 or one for 50p. The move is set to save 12 million pieces of plastic per year, as part of Tesco’s Remove, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle packaging scheme which was introduced in 2019. The supermarket has announced that it’s just the beginning, as it plans to remove a further 33 million pieces of plastic from kids’ lunchbox drinks, fruit juices, water, and energy drink multipacks this autumn.
A Plastic Free Future?
As the ongoing war on plastic continues, it’s good to reflect on the positive changes being implemented by brands and governments across the globe. At EvenGreener, we believe that the key to plastic pollution is continuing to expand the life of the plastic already in circulation, by recycling and remoulding wherever possible. Recycled plastic forms the backbone of our bestselling products and ranges, allowing us to breathe new life into plastic that would otherwise be filling up our landfills and oceans.
Sources:
UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 final to feature all sustainable food packaging | Inside UEFA | UEFA.com
Single Use Plastic Ban in India from July 1, 2022: Key Points India-briefing.com
Plastic-eating bacteria could help scientists fight pollution, new study claims | Euronews