World Environment Day: Beat Plastic Pollution

World Environment Day: Beat Plastic Pollution

June 5, 2018 Off By Richard Powell OBE

World Environment Day, an initiative by the United Nations Environment Programme, is a worldwide movement for encouraging awareness and this year the theme is combating plastic pollution… around the world, 1 million plastic drinking bottles are purchased every minute!

The initiative is taking place on Tuesday 5th June and we are all encouraged to come together to combat one of the greatest environmental challenges of our time, whether you are an individual, school, non-profit or business, we can all play our part and #pledgelessplastic

We are invited to consider how we can make changes in our everyday lives to reduce the reliance on plastic, from using reusable bottles to taking your own shopping bag to the supermarket. Ideas and thoughts can be shared on social media using the hashtag #beatplasticpollution. For more information visit the World Environment Day website.

Here are some quick and simple ways to reduce plastic use:

  • Say no to plastic straws
  • Use a reusable shopping bag
  • Carry a reusable drinks bottle and use refill stations
  • Avoid excessive food packaging
  • Use a reusable coffee cup
  • If you can’t reuse it, refuse it!

Local event: Norwich City Council is working in conjunction with Refill Norwich to showcase the moving documentary ‘A Plastic Ocean’ at the One Planet Norwich festival this Saturday.

A Plastic Ocean highlights the problems caused by single use plastics, which has been prevalent since the 1950’s, and goes on to suggest some possible solutions to our love affair with plastic. A Plastic Ocean will be shown for free in the Auditorium at The Forum, Norwich (basement level) on Saturday 9th June at 7pm. Places on a first come, first served basis.

Photo credit: Pexels.