Plastic pollution
Plastic pollutes at each stage of its life cycle, from extraction to disposal, and poses one of the most serious emerging threats to ocean ecosystems. We work on the issue at the UK level and internationally, pushing governments and corporates to catalyse a wholescale shift away from our single-use society, phasing out all but the most essential plastics.
The problem
Unprecedented growth in the production and use of plastics is triggering a global environmental crisis. Each year, at least eight million tonnes of plastics leak into the ocean, an amount set to quadruple by 2050 unless major reform is put in place. Over 800 species are known to have ingested or been entangled in marine plastic pollution, killing hundreds of thousands of animals every year. Urgent action is needed to significantly reduce plastic consumption and waste to end the devastating pollution of our oceans. We are campaigning to phase out all unnecessary plastic use and significantly improve reuse and recycling.