Our half-year numbers are in, and they make us so proud of every single volunteer who has contributed to the impact of the global Trash Hero movement – whether they joined one cleanup or 100!
In just six months in 2022, 26,666 volunteers (of which 8,098 were under 16) completed 1615 cleanups, collecting 53,102 kg of trash.
That’s an average of 9 cleanups and 265 kg of trash per day!
We have been collecting data since December 2013, and as of 30 June 2022:
We have completed 16,525 cleanups
We have 159 active chapters in 17 countries
438,503 volunteers have joined us, including 111,608 kids
We have responsibly collected and disposed of 2,207,236 kg of trash
As part of the Trash Hero Bottle program, 104,688 reusable bottles have been distributed, avoiding 38,211,120 single-use plastic bottles and reducing 1989 tonnes of CO2 emissions
As part of the Trash Hero Bag program, 29,445 reusable Trash Hero bags have been distributed, saving 10,747,425 single-use plastic bags
Since January 2022, we have welcomed 11 new chapters to Trash Hero; however, this year, we have seen a decrease in the total number of active chapters.
We must recognise the pandemic’s impact on volunteers, not just with Trash Hero but across all charitable organisations. Although Covid-19 restrictions have been lifted in most countries, the impact of the lockdowns and the economic fallout still affect many communities. Many of our volunteers have had to change locations or professions to ensure they can support themselves and their families. This, unfortunately, means they can no longer commit to regular activity – but the door is always open if they feel able to return.
As Trash Hero World, we will continue to support our volunteers in every way possible. We organise regular catch-ups with our chapter leaders and country coordinators and provide mentorship and guidance with every step of the way.
And thanks to this momentum, we continue to see incredible numbers in terms of trash collected and volunteers who have taken part.
How do we get this data?
During every cleanup, our chapter leaders will record data – the number of volunteers in attendance, the weight of the trash collected and how many kids have taken part – which is then published on their social media accounts and uploaded to our database. Anyone can see the live statistics on our website. This data is checked every month to ensure it is consistent and correct.
Why do we collect data?
Collecting data helps us assess and celebrate our impact: seeing how much waste we have removed from shorelines, mangroves, cities, and rivers helps to keep us motivated and inspired. But also, this data is essential to share with researchers and our partners. Data equally helps to reinforce our message of reducing plastic at the source, showing people how much waste we produce, how many people want it stopped and how effective refill and reuse solutions can be.
We also share a more detailed analysis of the trash collected with researchers and campaigners so that they can push for change at the global level.
All of our data is publicly available as part of our commitment to being transparent.
All that we have achieved so far has been down to the dedication and commitment of our incredible volunteers. We want to say a huge thank you to them! Organising cleanups and collecting data takes time and energy, and our volunteers’ passion drives our movement.
Check out their work in the video below, and share it with someone you think would enjoy it:
Has this inspired you to join us? Find out more about starting a chapter here or email us.
The claim states that their ‘Conscious Collection’ marketing is “misleading” and “falsified”. It has even been claimed that parts of the collection are more damaging to the environment than the regular products. Find out more here
Thailand orders imported waste to be shipped back to Australia
130 ton container declared as “paper” discovered to contain 20-30% general municipal waste – which under current law is not allowed to be shipped into Thailand. Read the full story here
Two-thirds of pledges to reduce plastic fail or are dropped
An investigation into companies’ “plastic promises” shows how Danone and others fail to deliver. Find out more about what these companies have done and how it compares to their promises here
New guide shows restaurants how to go plastic-free
A free, step-by-step handbook to help food & drink establishments be part of the solution on plastic waste. Find it here and don’t forget to share it with any restaurant owners you know!
Trash Hero Koh Phangan featured in eco-tourism travel guide
Sustainable travel writers join a beach cleanup on the Thai island. Read their story here
Clean sustainable environment a human right – Historic UN ruling
Now governments have an obligation to fulfil this, how will they do it and how will it impact the plastics industry?
A clean, healthy and sustainable environment is vital for our survival, the ruling should help catalyze a change towards more sustainable production and consumption.
Discover the province in the Philippines where zero waste is becoming a reality. Read the full story here
Can bioplastics or plastic fuel help solve the plastic crisis?
A new website provides clear, science-based information on popular plastic “solutions”. The website has been created by Break Free From Plastic ‘This brand new website offers information and analysis of a range of ‘plastic solutions’, aiming to undermine the industry greenwashing and misinformation. Each solution analysis is fully referenced and has been reviewed by an expert panel of scientists.’
10 common single-use plastic items banned in Cyprus
Retailers must stop selling plastic straws, cups, cutlery and foam boxes from October this year. Find out more about it here
Teenagers can now gain a qualification in climate change
The new Northern Irish syllabus will cover single-use plastic and fast fashion, but how should they be taught? Will the responsibility for change be placed on the right people? Find out more about the qualification here
Greenwash.com: new website exposes false environmental claims
From plastics and packaging to fast fashion, this new website helps you stay informed about industry greenwashing.
An island of plastic wipes changes course of UK river
Wet wipes form an island the size of two tennis courts in the Thames, changing the course of the river. Find out more about this here
Microplastics found in meat, dairy and animal blood
The Dutch study found plastic in 75% of supermarket meat and milk and in the blood of farmed pigs & cows.
Festivals in Netherlands to stop using single-use cups
After successful trials, reusable cups will soon be the new norm for Dutch festival-goers. Find out more about how this system will work and people’s reactions to it here
Trash Hero Luzern’s brand audit makes the news
Tele 1 reporters joined the volunteers at their 25th cleanup in the Swiss city. The team conducted a cleanup and a brand audit. A brand audit records information about the companies producing the plastic found at cleanups and contributes to global research on corporate polluters. The full video, currently only available in Swiss German, can be watched here
A policy 4 years in the making: India bans single-use plastics
A step in the right direction, but are communities and corporations ready for the change? This interesting analysis looks at how the ban is working in practice and its long term prospects.
1. US Supreme Court removes EPA’s power to limit CO2 emissions
Blow to climate action: the US Environmental Protection Agency can no longer force power plants to reduce emissions. The Environmental Protection Agency of the world’s second largest greenhouse gas emitter has been prevented from regulating emissions from fossil fuel plants, leaving the US government with limited means to reach its target of a decarbonised power grid by 2035 – and unknown consequences for the global fight against climate change. Read the full story here.
2. Viruses are hitchhiking on microplastics
Intestinal viruses have been found to survive for up to three days on microplastics in water. Read more about what this means for our health here.
3. Effective change needs participation, not penalties!
New research in Indonesia confirms what Trash Hero has always believed: empowering communities – not punitive fines – is the key to successful marine protection. Read the full research here.
4. It’s Plastic Free July
Whether you are a consumer or a producer of plastic, this month it’s time to start making changes:
They said single-use sachets were “evil” and vowed to stop producing them. Secretly, they lobbied against laws that would ban them. Find out why in Reuter’s new report.
EU agrees to common charger
No more unnecessary e-waste (and tangled cables)! The EU will enforce a “single charger” rule for all electronics starting from 2024
Circular economy predicted to create 250,000 jobs in London by 2030
New research shows that by working towards a circular economy, London could see an extra 250,000 jobs in less than ten years! Find out how in ReLondon’s report
The findings add to a growing body of research that says zero waste models have huge economic and social benefits.
Global plastic waste set to triple by 2060
If nothing changes, three times the amount of plastic will be entering our lives by 2060, says the OECD, with less than a fifth of it being recycled. Their new report claims the “business-as-usual” approach is unsustainable.
Packaging waste – how citizens pay for businesses’ irresponsibility
Dragana Katić, the founder of Trash Hero Beograd, explains why citizens are not to blame for the current plastic crisis and what can be done to improve the situation.Read the full article in Balkan Green Energy News
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