Lydia | Trash Hero World

Plastic on TV: it’s time for a change

by Lydia on 10/04/2025 No comments

What image comes to mind when you picture a successful, busy character in a TV show? For many, it’s someone striding into an office, mobile phone in one hand and a disposable coffee cup in the other. This image of success and power has been reinforced by decades of TV and film. Think of Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada: a high-powered woman whose assistant fetches her very specific coffee order every day in a single-use cup. This is just one example of how props function as symbols of character and status. A throwaway lifestyle signifies success, but is this the right message to be sending audiences? And in general, given what we now know about its impact, should single-use plastic be presented on screen as a positive – or even neutral – part of society?

Media’s role in normalising behaviour

“We are shaped and formed by what we watch”- Diana Cohen, Co-founder and CEO of the Plastic Pollution Coalition (PPC).

The media has the power to normalise or demonise behaviours. Characters become popular because people relate to them, idolise them and want to be like them. Take smoking: once a symbol of the “cool” character (e.g. Danny Zuko in Grease), its use on screen shifted with growing awareness of health impacts. Regulations limited its presence, and depictions changed. Broadly speaking, it became a symbol of weakness, struggle or villainy.

How is plastic portrayed on screen? A 2021 PPC study found that 93% of plastic shown in a sample of popular TV and films from 2019-2020 was not disposed of on screen. Of the 7% that was disposed of, 80% was littered. This gives the audience two messages:

That plastic simply “disappears”.
Irresponsible disposal, like littering, is acceptable.

Since then, knowledge about plastic’s impact on our planet, climate and health has grown massively and the public’s attitudes towards plastic have also shifted. It’s clear TV and film producers need to catch up. Let’s look at some recent popular TV shows and how they have, or haven’t, addressed single-use plastic.

Direct references to reuse culture

Hacks (2021-present) uses the age gap between young writer Ava and veteran comedian Deborah to discuss a variety of environmental issues. In early episodes, Ava chastises Deborah for always getting single-use plastic cups for fizzy drinks and persuades her to get a reusable cup instead. In “One Day” (season three, episode five), Deborah initially dismisses climate change: “the Earth is a billion years old. It just self-corrects from any damage that’s done to it…Trust me, we’re fine”. Ava gradually educates her, and in the closing scene, Deborah reprimands her makeup artists for using plastic. These conversations are not clunky or forced. As The Hollywood Reporter notes, the show seamlessly integrates “deeply felt activist stances” without sacrificing comedy.

Quietly sustainable: the power of visual cues

Of course, reuse doesn’t have to be talked about directly by the characters to have an impact. By simply showing reuse in action, Shrinking (2023 – present) and Abbott Elementary (2021- present) make it feel natural and commonplace. In Apple TV’s Shrinking, Gaby’s “emotional support water bottle” is a recurring feature, but its environmental impact is not explicitly mentioned. Instead, the characters discuss how hydrated Gaby is, and she uses it as a way to bond with one of her colleagues.

Planet-friendly behaviour is seen regularly in Disney’s Abbot Elementary. The teachers all have reusable coffee cups, the staff car share or walk to events, and there is a school garden project. While some single-use items are still present on screen, in general, sustainable choices are the default option without making any particular fuss about it. Having popular, likeable characters associated with reuse sends a powerful message to audiences.

In comparison, Only Murders in the Building (2021 – present), like most shows, missed an opportunity to show reuse as a standard option. The Disney show centres around a friendship between Charles and Oliver, in their 70s, and Mabel, in her early 30s. They frequently use disposable coffee cups and cutlery. Like in Hacks, the writers could have used the age gap to spark conversations about reuse. For example, Mabel could carry a reusable coffee cup while Oliver and Charles take single-use – the outdated option. Or they could have had characters of all ages using reusable cups and cutlery – normalising the behaviour across generations.

Perhaps in the future we might even see whole reuse systems in action in popular TV shows and movies?

Behind the scenes

Who can forget the famous Starbucks coffee cup left on set in Game of Thrones? The TV and film industry is known for waste. A typical 60-day shoot uses 39,000 single-use water bottles. On top of that, large quantities of disposable plastic plates, utensils and coffee cups are used every day on set. Quinta Brunson, creator, writer and star of Abbott Elementary, has been open about the need for change in the industry. She is leading by example, providing reusable water bottles for everyone on her set. Lucia Aniello, showrunner for Hacks, also supports sustainability. She worked with the studio to reduce waste by eliminating plastic water bottles on set and having characters repeat outfits. Changes we want to see on screen should be mirrored by changes off screen.

What needs to happen?

Given the well-documented health and environmental harms of plastics, the way they are portrayed on screen needs to be addressed. Producers should consider their depiction with the same responsibility now applied to tobacco and alcohol. If they acknowledged their duty it would undoubtedly help to make sustainable behaviours more mainstream. It would also reflect the attitudes of growing numbers in their audiences who are concerned about single-use plastics.

As viewers, we should be aware of how single-use plastic is portrayed on screen. The Begley-Cohen Test, developed by the PPC, encourages the critical evaluation of single-use plastic in the media.

To pass the test, the following criteria must be met:

No single-use plastics appear on the screen
If single-use plastic does appear on the screen, it is portrayed or discussed as problematic

Try it on the next thing you watch and share your findings! The stories we see on screen can be shaped by pressure from the people who watch them. Films and TV shows are both a reflection and an important driver of aspirations. And what better goal to have than a world free from plastic pollution?

27 March 2025 : the month’s most important stories

by Lydia on 27/03/2025 No comments

Our round-up of the month’s most important stories.

Microplastics trigger food crisis, 400 million at risk of starvation

Microplastics have been found to hinder plant photosynthesis, causing crop yields to fall by 4 – 14%. Scientists warn that 400 million people potentially face starvation in the next two decades as a result. T he research highlights the need for urgent action to increase global food security.

Plastics cause Alzheimer’s-like brain damage in seabirds

Blood analysis of baby birds has discovered neurological damage resembling ALS and Alzheimer’s, as well as multiple organ failure. Scientists have linked the findings to the chicks’ substantial plastic ingestion: one bird had been fed over 400 pieces of plastic by its parents.

Indonesia bans the import of plastic waste

Indonesia has banned plastic waste imports, following the lead of Thailand earlier this year. While campaigners welcome the move, they also highlight enforcement concerns, loopholes and potential for greenwashing. Many also fear repercussions for nearby nations like Malaysia and Myanmar, whose plastic waste imports will inevitably increase.

36 fossil fuel firms responsible for half of global emissions

According to new research, just 36 fossil fuel firms are responsible for 50% of the world’s carbon emissions. Increasing production at a time when most countries are setting targets to reduce emissions is reckless, says the report, and has led to record-breaking global warming.

International Day of Zero Waste to focus on fast fashion

The International Day of Zero Waste was marked on 30 March. The UN campaign put a spotlight on fast fashion and textile waste. This article goes in depth to expose the industry’s toxic impact, its destructive practices, and its role in fueling rampant overconsumption.

What do you think about these stories? Is there one we missed? Let us know in the comments!

Every month we round up the top stories from the world of plastic pollution – and the work being done to stop it. From aquatic pollution to zero waste, you’ll always be up to date with the latest research, trends and greenwashing tactics.

To sign up click here.

Women tackling waste

by Lydia on 07/03/2025 No comments

Women make up a huge part of the Trash Hero movement, as both volunteers and staff. This International Women’s Day, we are highlighting some of our female leaders who are tackling waste around the world and inspiring others to do the same.

Isabelle, Trash Hero Damansara

Malaysia

When Isabelle, a young volunteer from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, grew tired of watching plastic waste pile up in her neighbourhood, she felt it was time to stop talking and start doing. She discovered Trash Hero through an online search and found our proactive ethos resonated with her own.

She decided to start her own Trash Hero chapter and mobilise her fellow students to join her in tackling plastic pollution. In just a few months (August 2024 – Feb 2025), Trash Hero Damansara has organised seven cleanups with 71 volunteers, the majority of whom were under 16.

Her age is far from being a limitation: Isabelle has used her existing school network to encourage other young people to join the movement, inviting student clubs such as the SKISS Leo Club and HELP Interact Club to join the cleanups.

“Be the first to step up”

Isabelle believes that even small actions, like using reusable bags and water bottles, make a positive difference. She wants to inspire others and change their mindset. Later this year she will give a presentation at her school about reducing waste.

Her family and friends have been very supportive and she feels her experience as a Trash Hero has been valuable for her own personal growth. She remains a firm believer in taking concrete action: ”instead of waiting for others to make the first move, be the first to step up!”

Follow Trash Hero Damansara on Instagram

Hawa, Trash Hero Ambon

Indonesia

After volunteering with Trash Hero Ambon, Hawa, a teacher in Layeni Village in Ambon, became a champion of waste reduction. She says witnessing first hand the impacts of plastic pollution at the cleanups made her determined to do something about it.

She and her friends began educating local youth through their community outreach programmes, focusing on the danger of single-use plastic. At first this was challenging: although they had support from the local government, their messages were met with resistance. Changing behaviour with advocacy alone is not easy.

Then, seeing an opportunity for change at her school, Hawa built upon an existing initiative encouraging teachers to bring reusable bottles. She convinced the administration to make water refill stations available in every classroom, enabling the change she wanted to see. Now the teachers and most students bring reusable water bottles to school, instead of buying water in single-use plastic.

“Never giver up”

Hawa took practical steps to foster a school-wide culture of refill and plastic waste prevention. Her advice to other women is, “Never give up. The environment is like an old house that must be kept beautiful and pristine.

Follow Trash Hero Ambon on Facebook.

P’Jin, Trash Hero Chumphon

Thailand

Jintana Cheunjan (P’Jin) started volunteering with Trash Hero Chumphon around seven years ago. She has always loved nature, especially the sea. As a Trash Hero volunteer, she found she was always invited to events to help people manage and sort their trash. She quickly realised that this would be a never-ending job unless we stopped creating the waste in the first place.

She wanted to offer event organisers her collection of reusable bowls, cups, and cutlery as a substitute for the single-use foam and plastic they typically provided. However, she soon realised this wasn’t an easy option because her items weren’t a matching set, making them easily lost or misplaced.

“Change starts with us”

At an event with the local Lions Club, she mentioned the issue to the organisers, and they decided to donate a full set of cooking pots, utensils, plates, cups, and cutlery to Trash Hero Chumphon. For the last four years, she has been lending the set free of charge to various events in their local area, from government workshops to religious festivals.

After a while, she started keeping a log of all the events that have used her “community tableware bank” and estimates they have been able to avoid almost 38,000 pieces of single-use plastic over the past 2.5 years.

They have also received good feedback for their efforts. P’Jin says most people are happy to have the option to reduce waste rather than deal with it later. It also makes her happy to see that more zero-waste events are happening and that she is setting a good example to those around her. She is especially inspired to see the change in kids at school events they host. She tells them that every day they don’t create waste, they should feel proud of themselves.

Follow Trash Hero Chumphon on Facebook

Sofia, Trash Hero Komodo & Mburak

Indonesia

In 2008, Sofia took a trip through Southeast Asia. It was the first time she had seen pristine beaches blanketed in plastic pollution. Later, a powerful documentary about waste made clear the global scale of the problem and she felt compelled to act.

She started small, making changes in her everyday life, such as switching to reusable bags and water bottles and encouraging others to do the same. She then helped to set up Trash Hero Komodo – our first chapter in Indonesia – and later Trash Hero Mburak, organising hundreds of community cleanups and education events.

Then the discovery of permaculture profoundly reshaped her thinking. One thing in particular resonated with her: the idea that “we all need to give more than we take – or at least the same.” In other words, being “sustainable” is not enough, we need to regenerate.

“We all need to give more than we take – or at least the same.”

After further training, Sofia and her family committed to this idea full time. They slowly expanded their home vegetable garden into the Nepa Organic Farm, cultivating local fruits, herbs and vegetables. They are now able to meet their own needs and those of their one worker and his family. Surplus is sold to a few restaurants in nearby Labuan Bajo.

The farm operates without synthetic pesticides and fertilisers. No plastic packaging is used and food transportation is minimal, reducing pollution. For Sofia, the farm embodies her commitment to waste reduction and living in harmony with nature.

The journey to get here has not been easy, but she is determined to continue and wants to encourage other women to try zero waste living. For those starting out, she says it is important to look beyond obvious areas of consumption, to things like menstrual health, which involves a lot of toxic single-use plastic. It’s all about creating “new habits and making it easy for yourself”, she says.

Follow Trash Hero Komodo and Trash Hero Mburak and Facebook.

27 February 2025 : the month’s most important stories

by Lydia on 27/02/2025 No comments

Our round-up of the month’s most important stories.

Europe bans BPA in food-contact packaging

Scientists have warned of the hazards of BPA since 2011. It’s linked to cancer, neurobehavioural problems and diabetes. In 2017 it was banned from products designed for babies and infants. This year, the European Union have banned it from plastic that comes into contact with food and drink.

Coca-Cola to produce more plastic in response to Trump’s tariffs

Trump has increased the import tax on aluminium by 25%. In response, Coca-Cola told investors they would “put emphasis on PET [plastic] bottles” to protect their profits. This is one of several pieces of legislation from the administration that will impact plastic production.

The leading cause of disease worldwide: corporations!

The leading cause of death worldwide? Corporations. Their manipulation of science and regulation has led to an increase in chronic illnesses, including cancer, heart disease, and metabolic disorders. This makes them the leading cause of death, surpassing infectious diseases. Scientists have launched a new center to study this now-leading disease risk factor.

Millions of families burn plastic to cook and heat their homes

Soaring energy prices are forcing households in Asia, Africa, and Latin America to turn to a cheaper, far more toxic fuel source: plastic. The harmful toxins released when being burned can cause untold damage to their health, especially women and children.

What’s happened to the Global Plastics Treaty?

In December last year, negotiations of the Global Plastics Treaty came to a halt when an agreement couldn’t be reached. Talks will start again later this year, and there are many ways it could go. These options include a strong, legally binding treaty, or discussions being taken outside of the UN.

What do you think about these stories? Is there one we missed? Let us know in the comments!

Every month we round up the top stories from the world of plastic pollution – and the work being done to stop it. From aquatic pollution to zero waste, you’ll always be up to date with the latest research, trends and greenwashing tactics.

To sign up click here.

How plastic is causing climate breakdown

by Lydia on 12/02/2025 No comments

The last ten years have been the hottest on record, and 2024 was the first year to surpass the 1.5-degree Celsius warming threshold that scientists have suggested will trigger irreversible damage to ecosystems. The impact is evident. From catastrophic floods in Central Europe and heatwaves across Southeast Asia to droughts in West Africa and devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, recent years have delivered an onslaught of life-threatening extreme weather events. These are not “natural disasters”, as often reported, but highly unnatural events caused by climate breakdown.

In this blog post, we’re going to explain how plastic production is driving climate change and why its impact has flown under the radar for so long.

Emissions from fossil fuels are the leading cause of climate change; and fossil fuels are the building blocks of 99% of all plastic. Global plastic production is nearing a staggering 500 million tonnes annually and is projected to triple in the next four decades. The plastics industry is the fastest-growing source of industrial emissions, already responsible for up to 8% of the global total – many times more than the 2.5% produced by the aviation industry. If plastic production increases as projected, it will consume the world’s entire carbon budget by 2060, or at the very latest 2083. This means that even if every other industry were to completely decarbonise, the plastic industry alone would still produce enough to push global warming past safe limits.

Where do the emissions come from?

Plastic generates greenhouse gas emissions at every stage of its lifecycle, from fossil fuel extraction and production, to when it is being used and finally disposal.

Over 90% of the greenhouse gas emissions attributed to plastic are released before it even reaches the public – during the production stage. The process of extracting fossil fuels, refining them and manufacturing the plastic products themselves is incredibly energy-intensive.

The role of the plastics industry

Investigations have revealed the plastics industry has a history of hiding its environmental and climate impacts. The connection between fossil fuels and climate change has been known for decades, with oil companies themselves aware of the link since at least the 1970s. Yet, they publicly denied any knowledge and continued to invest in and promote fossil fuel industries such as plastic. To protect their market, and their profit, they spent millions blocking plastic bans, lobbying against producer responsibility legislation and obstructing the Global Plastics Treaty. They also created organisations such as the American Chemistry Council and the Alliance to End Plastic Waste (AEPW), which actively promote climate change denial and misinformation.

AEPW, formed in 2019 and funded by major oil and chemical companies like ExxonMobil, Shell and Dow, actively promotes recycling and waste management initiatives – despite knowing since the 1980s that recycling plastics could never be a long-term solution. This is a classic case of greenwashing, deliberately misleading the public about the safety and sustainability of their products in order to continue producing them.

The plastic industry’s deception doesn’t end there. They invest in and promote false solutions like chemical recycling and “waste-to-fuel” technologies. These initiatives, while presented as innovative, actually perpetuate the need for waste, especially plastic. They also promote “biodegradable” and “plant-based” plastics most of which contain fossil fuels. All of this distracts from the real issues and ensures a continued market for their plastic production.

What needs to happen?

Preventing complete climate breakdown depends on urgent and drastic cuts in plastic production. While we can take steps to reduce plastic in our daily lives, such as using reusable bags and containers, avoiding single-use plastics, and supporting businesses that prioritise sustainability, ultimately we need serious system change. Governments and corporations must provide alternatives to single-use materials by investing in reuse systems that make it easy for everyone to reduce plastic use. We also need strong legislation that controls plastic production and holds polluters accountable for their impact on the climate.

A strong Global Plastics Treaty – currently being negotiated by UN member states – has the opportunity to put climate first. Unlike the weak Paris Agreement, it could include legally-binding plastic production caps that would result in a huge drop in fossil fuel emissions.

Learn more about the potential impact of the treaty and the impacts of waste on our climate in our blogposts:

Volunteers creating the world we deserve

by Lydia on 12/02/2025 No comments

Imagine a world where everyone understands the impact of plastic on our bodies, health, and environment, and supports real solutions to the plastics crisis. A world where businesses prioritise preventing waste and the health and well-being of people and the planet.

Every week, Trash Hero volunteers are working in their communities to make this dream a reality. This year, we welcomed 14 new chapters to the Trash Hero family, and the USA and Japan rejoined our growing network. We’re now active* in 103 locations across 15 countries (Cambodia, Czech Republic, Germany, Indonesia, Japan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Myanmar, Poland, Serbia, South Korea, Switzerland, Thailand, USA, and Vietnam).

Let’s take a look at the impact each of our core programmes has made:

Action and Awareness:

In 2024 alone, Trash Hero volunteers organised 2,446 community cleanups, mobilising 46,501 volunteers, including 17,036 under 16s! Together, they collected 105.2 tonnes of trash!

This brings the total impact of our Action and Awareness programme from December 2013 to December 2024 to:

23,304 cleanups organised
562,144 volunteers mobilised (including 154,918 under 16s)
2,601,608 kg of trash collected

Trash Hero Communities:

Trash Hero volunteers, through their consistent action, are given opportunities to share their knowledge and inspire others. This includes giving presentations, building zero-waste projects, and providing input at policy discussions. In 2024, Trash Hero volunteers organised or participated in 173 community events, engaging 13,537 people in the issues surrounding plastic pollution and the actions needed to solve it.

Since 2022, Trash Hero volunteers have engaged 25,685 people in 463 events.

Our Trash Hero Communities programme includes our free water refill network, which currently consists of 579 participating businesses. In 2024 alone, these businesses have helped prevent the use of 1.9 million single-use plastic bottles, avoiding 104.4 tonnes of CO2 emissions! Since the project began, we have:

distributed 111,068 reusable water bottles.
avoided 42.5 million single-use plastic bottles and 2,219.6 tonnes of CO2 emissions.

Kids and Education:

Our Trash Hero Kids programme is based on a story and activity book that engages young people in the issues of plastic pollution. In 2024, 585 kids enrolled in the programme – which over time encourages long-term behaviour change. We also ran 70 one-off awareness events for kids, introducing 5,401 under 16s to the critical issues of plastic pollution. This brings our total since we started recording in 2022, to 289 kids’ events, involving 14,510 kids!

In total, 23,330 copies of our kids’ story and activity book have been printed, and it’s available in 8 different languages.

Thank you to all of our volunteers and supporters – we could not have achieved this without you!

Join us in creating the world we deserve, a world free from plastic pollution.

Watch our latest impact video here:

https://youtu.be/qE6KZFE7-84?si=Y1KQCXiDDAuU8nLO

*Active chapters are those regularly organising Trash Hero events. If a chapter leader steps down and there is no one to replace them, or the team want to take a break for 3 months or longer, the chapter is “inactive” and not included in our reporting.

30 January 2025 : the month’s most important stories

by Lydia on 30/01/2025 No comments

Our round-up of the month’s most important stories.

What happens when a plastic city burns?

“Modern couches are basically blocks of gasoline“. The LA fires tragically highlighted the devastating consequences of plastic-filled modern homes. Plastic’s high flammability caused the fires to spread rapidly while also emitting toxic smoke. Firefighters warned that the air was a “poisonous soup,” making it too risky for them to remain in the area.

McDonald’s loses fight against disposable packaging tax

A few years ago, the German city of Tübingen introduced a tax on disposable packaging. Fast food giant McDonald’s challenged the tax, ultimately taking the case to Germany’s highest court. This month, the court ruled the tax legal, paving the way for other towns to implement similar measures.

Microplastics linked to rise in superbugs

Researchers at Oxford University have discovered that microplastics can increase the spread of antibiotic resistance by up to 200 times. These tiny plastic particles act as platforms for bacteria to exchange resistance genes, while also triggering bacterial stress responses that further promote this transfer, thus worsening the global antibiotic resistance crisis.

Malaysian zero waste movement is gaining popularity

Not one but two separate stories celebrate how Malaysia’s zero-waste movement is gaining popularity. One on the Asia News Network and one on The Star. Growing awareness of waste issues is fueling renewed interest from both consumers and businesses. While challenges remain, such as limited product choices and the time commitment required for refills, many believe government support and policy changes will be key to wider adoption.

Trash Hero Kuching featured on Borneo’s largest English news site

Trash Hero Kuching have been featured in Borneo’s largest English news site! Chapter Leader Ishak shared their achievements so far and their hopes for the future.

What do you think about these stories? Is there one we missed? Let us know in the comments!

Every month we round up the top stories from the world of plastic pollution – and the work being done to stop it. From aquatic pollution to zero waste, you’ll always be up to date with the latest research, trends and greenwashing tactics.

To sign up click here.

27 November 2024 : the month’s most important stories

by Lydia on 28/11/2024 No comments

Our roundup of the month’s most important stories

Alliance to End Plastic Waste’s “greenwashing” exposed

The nonprofit Alliance to End Plastic Waste has been called a “Bond-style villain” of greenwashing and political manipulation in a new report. Members include oil giants ExxonMobil, Shell and TotalEnergies, who produce millions more tons of plastic than they collect.

Bali recycling scheme: broken equipment & poor finances

An Alliance to End Plastic Wasteproject in Bali was found abandonedafter its initial launch, with broken equipment and inadequate financing. It is still promoted on their website as a project designed to be “economically self-sufficient” and making a “positive contribution” to waste management on the island.

US no longer supports capping plastic production in UN treaty

Just a few months ago, the US said it would support cuts in plastic production. In what environmentalists are calling an “absolutely devastating” policy reversal, the Biden administration backtracked on their promise just ahead of the UN plastics treaty talks.

Five key takeaways from the dramatic climate talks in Baku

This year’s climate talks, COP29, took place in Baku, Azerbaijan. The discussions focused on finance. Although a deal was struck, the support that developing countries will receive to face devastating climate impacts is a “paltry” sum. This article highlights five key takeaways from the meeting.

Need for systemic change, says Malaysian Trash Hero

“Clean-ups are effective in the short run but don’t address the systemic issues,” says Zurainee Kula, chapter leader of Trash Hero Kota Kinabalu, in this interview with the Daily Express about the best ways to take action on waste.

What do you think about these stories? Is there one we missed? Let us know in the comments!

Every month we round up the top stories from the world of plastic pollution – and the work being done to stop it. From aquatic pollution to zero waste, you’ll always be up to date with the latest research, trends and greenwashing tactics.

To sign up click here.

Avoid these 5 zero waste mistakes

by Lydia on 06/11/2024 No comments

Embracing zero waste is a fantastic way to reduce your environmental impact. But let’s be honest, it can get confusing sometimes! There are many misconceptions and pitfalls to avoid. Don’t worry, we’ve all been there. In this post, we’ll address 5 common zero waste mistakes and share the secrets to set you on the path to success.

#1: Thinking zero waste means zero waste

Hold on a minute! Zero waste doesn’t mean absolutely no waste. It’s about reducing waste as much as possible and managing the waste you do have correctly. For example, cleaning and separating your recycling and composting your food waste.

Secret to success: Be kind to yourself – focus on progress, not perfection.

#2: Buying more stuff

Zero waste does not have to look a certain way, you don’t need a brand-new set of matching mason jars. Before spending lots of money, look at what you already have! Old jars, bottles and containers can be used to store food and drink.

Secret to success: Use what you have – don’t buy more stuff

#3: Choosing the wrong alternatives

Replacing single-use plastic with other single-use materials doesn’t reduce waste. Look for reusable alternatives made from safe, long-lasting materials like glass or stainless steel. These are your zero-waste heroes! Durable reusable plastic is also an option, but avoid using it for hot, fatty food.

Secret to success: Choose reusable over single-use

#4: Getting duped by greenwashing

Eco-marketing can be a minefield. Companies love buzzwords like “sustainable” and “ocean-friendly.” Don’t be fooled! Learn to spot vague claims and question if the product truly reduces waste. Check out our FREE guide to greenwashing to become a greenwashing detective!

Secret to success: Learn to spot greenwashing

#5: Thinking it’s all about your lifestyle

While individual choices matter, we also need to call for serious system change. Advocate for zero-waste infrastructure that makes reducing waste accessible for everyone. Such as supporting stores that offer refills, signing petitions and sharing this information with others.

Secret to success: Support system change

We’ve got two carousels on Instagram that spread these important tips.

Remember, zero waste is a journey, not a destination. Embrace the process, learn from mistakes, and celebrate your achievements.

31 October 2024 : the month’s most important stories

by Lydia on 31/10/2024 No comments

Our roundup of the month’s most important stories

Bees are eating nano- and microplastics

A new study has shown b ees are eating nano- and microplastics and using them to build nests. The plastic damages their digestive and immune systems. It also causes behavioural changes that prevent pollination and lead to ecosystem damage.

Official: waste is the dirtiest form of power after coal

A BBC investigation has found burning household rubbish to make energy is the dirtiest way to produce power, just after coal. Incineration releases significant greenhouse gases, especially when burning plastic. Experts warn this “waste-to-energy” undermines climate goals and contributes to air pollution..

Scientists warn of microplastics exposure via makeup

Microplastic exposure from leave-on cosmetics like eye shadow and lipstick has been flagged as an area of serious concern. Scientists are calling for more research into the health impacts of prolonged skin contact with these common products and their petrochemical-based ingredients.

70% of plastic in a UK recycling scheme found burned abroad

In the UK it’s common to drop off soft plastics at supermarkets for recycling. But a recent investigation that tracked their journey revealed that 70% ended up being burned abroad, mostly in Türkiye. A damning report from the Environmental Investigation Agency reveals this was not an isolated incident.

More than half of plastic food packaging can be replaced

A recent study has shown that the majority of plastic food packaging across Europe can be replaced or eliminated altogether. The finding supports the calls for reusable packaging infrastructure that would reduce waste and the unhealthy reliance on plastic.

What do you think about these stories? Is there one we missed? Let us know in the comments!

Every month we round up the top stories from the world of plastic pollution – and the work being done to stop it. From aquatic pollution to zero waste, you’ll always be up to date with the latest research, trends and greenwashing tactics.

To sign up click here.